Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra vs Apple iPad Pro 13" (M4, 2024)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra ($999) and Apple iPad Pro 13 M4 ($1,299) are the two best tablets money can buy. The real choice is between Android's DeX desktop mode and S Pen value versus iPadOS's superior app ecosystem and OLED display.
Updated June 22, 2026
Quick Verdict
iPad Pro's tandem OLED with 120Hz ProMotion edges Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra's AMOLED in peak brightness and HDR accuracy.
Tab S9 Ultra's 14.6-inch display is the largest tablet screen available, providing more room for split-screen work.
iPadOS has significantly more tablet-optimized apps, especially for creative work (Procreate, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro).
S Pen is included in the box; Apple Pencil Pro costs $129 separately.
Samsung DeX provides resizable app windows and a genuine desktop interface; iPadOS Stage Manager is less mature.
Detailed Comparison
14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1848×2960, 120Hz, 930 nits typical. Excellent AMOLED panel with vivid colors and deep blacks.
13-inch Tandem OLED, 2752×2064, 120Hz ProMotion, 1000 nits sustained / 1600 nits peak. Higher peak brightness and more accurate HDR.
S Pen included in box. Bluetooth-enabled with Air Actions gestures. Sub-9ms latency. Charges wirelessly in a slot on the tablet.
Apple Pencil Pro sold separately ($129). Sub-10ms latency, haptic feedback, squeeze gesture, and Procreate integration.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 12GB RAM. Excellent for Android apps. Top-tier gaming and productivity performance for Android.
M4 chip with 16GB RAM. Significantly faster in CPU-bound workloads and GPU-accelerated creative apps. Fastest mobile processor available.
Samsung DeX activated by external monitor or keyboard. True resizable windows, taskbar, and file manager. More complete laptop replacement experience.
Stage Manager provides floating windows and multi-app layouts. Improving with each iPadOS update but less mature than DeX for desktop workflows.
Full Android app access via Google Play. Many apps are phone-scaled without tablet optimization, but DeX helps with window management for generic apps.
Hundreds of tablet-optimized apps not available on Android: Procreate, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and iPad-native Microsoft Office. Better depth for creative software.
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra | Apple iPad Pro 13" (M4, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 | $1,299 |
| Our Score | 8.5 / 10 | 8.7 / 10 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Apple M4 (9-core CPU, 10-core GPU) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 1 TB | 256 GB – 2 TB |
| Display | 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960×1848, 120Hz | 13" Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED, 2752×2064 |
| Battery | 11,200 mAh, up to 12 hours | Up to 10 hours |
The Bottom Line
iPad Pro 13 M4 wins for most buyers who need a premium tablet. The OLED display is technically superior, the iPad app ecosystem has more tablet-optimized applications, and Apple Pencil Pro sets the standard for digital art. M4 performance is class-leading.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra wins if you're committed to Android or need Samsung DeX for desktop-mode productivity. The 14.6-inch display is larger, the S Pen is included at no extra cost, and DeX's resizable window interface is more laptop-like than iPadOS Stage Manager.
Affiliate Disclosure: TechPicksPro participates in affiliate programs including the Amazon Associates Program. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us keep the lights on and continue publishing independent reviews. Our editorial opinions are always our own.