Comparison guide
Galaxy Tab S9+ vs Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5): which should you choose?
Galaxy Tab S9+ and Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) compared under one framework. One recorded specification difference is Peak brightness: 1600 nits on the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) against 930 nits on the Galaxy Tab S9+. Specifications and their sources are recorded alongside.
Published: 2026-07-11 · Updated: 2026-09-21
Tablets verdict
Undocumented scoring basis · overall score and upgrade ranking withheld. The table records stored representative configurations; confirm the configuration and price on the merchant page before buying.
- Galaxy Tab S9+: The previous-gen 12.4-inch flagship — an AMOLED screen with waterproofing, still a compelling pick.
- Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5): The latest iPad Pro fits M5, 12GB base memory, and a 120Hz tandem OLED into a 5.3mm design.
- Undocumented quality and performance advantages are not ranked
- Specification field coverage (not accuracy): 98%
Choosing between Galaxy Tab S9+ and Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) starts with the real use case and the problem to solve, not with which product is newer. No independent laboratory test is implied.
Core specifications on one baseline
| Item | Galaxy Tab S9+ | Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 12.4 in AskRS catalog index · check date not recorded | 11 in Manufacturer verified specification · apple_technical_specs · check date not recorded | -11.3% |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz AskRS catalog index · check date not recorded | 120 Hz Manufacturer verified specification · apple_technical_specs · check date not recorded | Same |
| Peak brightness | 930 nits AskRS catalog index · check date not recorded | 1600 nits Manufacturer verified specification · apple_technical_specs · check date not recorded | +72% |
| Battery capacity | 10090 mAh AskRS catalog index · check date not recorded | No data | Not comparable |
| Weight | 581 g AskRS catalog index · check date not recorded | 444 g Manufacturer verified specification · apple_technical_specs · check date not recorded | -23.6% |
| Speakers | 4 AskRS catalog index · check date not recorded | 4 Manufacturer verified specification · apple_technical_specs · check date not recorded | Same |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Apple M5 | Different |
| Color | Graphite | Space Black | Different |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C 3.2 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thunderbolt / USB 4 | Different |
| CPU model | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 octa-core (3.36GHz) | Apple M5 10-core CPU | Different |
| GPU model | Adreno 740 | Apple M5 10-core GPU | Different |
| Memory | 12 GB | 12 GB | Same |
| Operating system | One UI 5.1.1 (Android 13) | iPadOS 26 | Different |
| Panel | 12.4" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 2800x1752 120Hz | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED | Different |
| Region | GLOBAL | GLOBAL | Same |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | Same |
11 of the 32 values in this table carry a source. The rest have no source on record, which is not the same as being wrong.
How to read Same, Different, No data, Unverified and Not applicable is documented on the configuration-level specification screen. If a condition you require is unknown, withhold the decision and match the exact model, sales region and configuration against the sources on that screen.
Differences recorded in the table
2 fields can be ranked on the same basis, listed by weight.
- Peak brightness · Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) 1600 nits, Galaxy Tab S9+ 930 nits (+72%)
- Weight · Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) 444 g, Galaxy Tab S9+ 581 g (-23.6%)
The decision axes and the checking order for the whole category are on the Tablets comparison page.
The two products this comparison names
Match the listing against these models first. The recorded-field count is catalogue completeness, not product quality.
- Galaxy Tab S9+ · Samsung · model number SM-X816 · released 2023 · recorded fields 16/16
- Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) · Apple · model number iPad Pro 11 M5 · released 2025 · recorded fields 16/16
Fields the two products share
6 recorded fields hold the same value for both stored representative configurations, so nothing in this list separates them.
- Refresh rate · 120 Hz
- Battery capacity · 10090 mAh
- Speakers · 4
- Memory · 12 GB
- Region · GLOBAL
- Storage · 256 GB
Who should choose Galaxy Tab S9+
Galaxy Tab S9+ leads no field in the table, so choose it on price and purchase terms. The previous-gen 12.4-inch flagship — an AMOLED screen with waterproofing, still a compelling pick.
Who should choose Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) leads the table on Peak brightness, Weight. The latest iPad Pro fits M5, 12GB base memory, and a 120Hz tandem OLED into a 5.3mm design.
How to read price and purchase availability
No merchant link is shown: neither product has an approved listing whose name and configuration match the catalogue, and AsKrs does not guess a destination.
- Galaxy Tab S9+ · No verified purchase link currently available
- Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) · No verified purchase link currently available
This comparison is built from published specifications and stored representative configurations. The use context, configuration checks, switching costs, and the scope and limits for Tablets are documented on the Tablets comparison page.