iPad Pro 11"/12.9" vs Galaxy Tab S4 vs Google Pixel Slate: Specs comparison

by Peter Kostadinov / Oct 30, 2018, 11:42 AM

Apple just announced two new iPads that are not only some of the fastest mobile devices in existence, but also overhaul the old-and-tried iPad design that was generally left unchanged for years. Gone is the home button, enlarged is the screen, and the slate as a whole has been thinned-down to ludicrous extent to achieve a super-sleek footprint.

Design aside, the new iPads are truly hardware beasts in the most sincere definition of the word: powered by the Apple A12X Bionic chip, which is pushing the limits of the already super-fast A12 even further, the new slates are rivaling most notebooks out there in raw performance.

But how do the new slates fare against its rivals from another makers, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and the Google Pixel Slate? While the iPads might be in a league of their own as far as performance goes, we should consider the package as a whole and compare the new devices pound for pound, which is exactly what our specs comparisons are designed to do.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2018) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs Google Pixel Slate

Display

Display size

12.9 inches

10.5 inches

12.3 inches

Resolution

2048 x 2732 pixels

1600 x 2560 pixels

3000 x 2000 pixels

Pixel density

265 ppi

288 ppi

293 ppi

Technology

IPS LCD

Super AMOLED

IPS LCD

Screen-to-body ratio

85.51 %

78.07 %

76.71 %

Colors

16 777 216

Peak brightness

600 cd/m2 (nit)

400 cd/m2 (nit)

Camera

Rear

Yes

Main camera

12 megapixels

13 megapixels

8 megapixels

Hardware Features

Sapphire crystal lens cover, Autofocus, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)

Phase detection autofocus, CMOS image sensor

Autofocus

Specifications

Aperture size: F1.8

Aperture size: F1.9; Focal length: 27 mm; Sensor size: 1/3.06"; Pixel size: 1.12 μm

Aperture size: F1.8; Pixel size: 1.12 μm

Flash

Quad LED

LED

Software Features

HDR, Panorama, Face detection, Burst mode, Exposure compensation, Touch to focus, Self-timer, Digital zoom, Geo tagging

HDR, Panorama, Face detection, Exposure compensation, ISO control, White balance presets, Touch to focus, Digital zoom, Geo tagging

Digital zoom, Geo tagging

Video recording

3840x2160 (4K UHD) (60 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (120 fps), 1280x720 (HD) (240 fps)

3840x2160 (4K UHD) (30 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD)

1920x1080 (Full HD) (30 fps)

Recording format

H.264, MOV

Features

Time-lapse video, Continuous autofocus, Picture-taking during video recording, Video light, Digital image stabilization, Video calling, Video sharing

Hyperlapse, Video calling, Video sharing

Video calling, Video sharing

Front

7 megapixels

8 megapixels

Video capture

1920x1080 (Full HD) (60 fps)

1920x1080 (Full HD)

1920x1080 (Full HD) (30 fps)

Design

Dimensions

11.04 x 8.46 x 0.23 inches (280.4 x 214.9 x 5.8 mm)

9.81 x 6.47 x 0.28 inches (249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1 mm)

11.45 x 7.95 x 0.28 inches (290.85 x 202.04 x 7.0 mm)

Weight

22.33 oz (633 g)

17.04 oz (483 g)

25.79 oz (731 g)

Materials

Back: Aluminum

Back: Glass

Back: Aluminum

Biometrics

3D Face unlock

Iris scanner, 2D Face unlock

Fingerprint (touch)

Features

Stylus

Hardware & Performance

System chip

Apple A12X Bionic APL1083

Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998

Intel Core-i7 8500Y

Processor

Octa-core, 2490 MHz, Vortex and Tempest, 64-bit, 7 nm

Octa-core, 2350 MHz, Kryo 280, 64-bit, 10 nm

Dual-core, 1500 MHz, 64-bit, 14 nm

GPU

Apple 7-core GPU

Adreno 540

Intel HD Graphics 615

RAM

4 GB LPDDR4

16 GB

Internal storage

1000 GB

64 GB

256 GB

Storage expansion

Slot Type

microSDXC, microSDHC, microSD

OS

iOS (12.x)

Android (9.0 Pie, 8.1 Oreo), Samsung One UI

Chrome OS

Battery

Capacity

7300 mAh

Internet use

LTE

9 hours

10 hours

Wi-Fi

10 hours

Music playback

195.00 hours

Video playback

16.00 hours

Cellular

LTE (FDD)

Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 66, 71

LTE (TDD)

Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46

UMTS

850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz

GSM

850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz

CDMA

800, 1900 MHz

Data

LTE-A, HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s, HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s, UMTS

Connectivity

Mobile Payment

Apple Pay

Multimedia

Screen mirroring

TV-out

Wireless screen share

Shopping information

MSRP price

$ 1899

$ 650

$ 1599

Related phones

View Full specs

PhoneArena Rating:

8.0

Read Full Review

Display 12.9" 2048 x 2732 pixels

Camera 12 MP / 7 MP front

Processor Apple A12X Bionic, Octa-core, 2490 MHz

Storage 1000 GB

View Full specs

PhoneArena Rating:

8.0

Read Full Review

Display 11.0" 1668 x 2388 pixels

Camera 12 MP / 7 MP front

Processor Apple A12X Bionic, Octa-core, 2490 MHz

Storage 1000 GB

Battery 7812 mAh

FEATURED VIDEO

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32 Comments

1. AmashAziz

Posts: 2873; Member since: Jun 30, 2014

I don't want to sound fanboyistic but I don't think any other pure-tablet stands a chance against the new iPad Pros. High pricing is probably the only major thing the new iPads lose at.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:00 PM 6

2. bucknassty

Posts: 1291; Member since: Mar 24, 2017

you're right... i prefer android on my phone, but the ipad has tablets on lock... but that pricing is ultrabook territory, that's ... ugh

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:04 PM 1

10. Atechguy0

Posts: 918; Member since: Aug 03, 2018

The pixel slate can run not only Android apps, but Steam, and Steam VR programs as well. Plus web apps. The Pixel slate can even run full blown Linux programs, and now Windows programs as well. The Pixel slate is superior to the overpriced iPad by a mile.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:43 PM 3

14. kiko007

Posts: 7465; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

The Pixel Slate is laggy as hell. It isn’t even superior to the low-end iPad, let alone these Pros.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:54 PM 0

15. bucknassty

Posts: 1291; Member since: Mar 24, 2017

who has this review? and which version were they using, i would like to see it... see if its worth it

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 1:18 PM 0

26. strategic_developer

Posts: 1627; Member since: Jul 17, 2018

So is speed all you care about? Products that tend to do more, usually are slower. Slower doesn't make it worse and faster isnt always better. Yes iPhones and iPads are better at speed, but they are not better in mostly everything else and those things actually matter. Like being able to charge a 4000mah battery, faster than your smaller battery taking 3 hours. How about even in a caged battery, my device won't allow down because of it. How about my phone has never died with 20%/30% battery left. What about it not taking the best low light pictures, has terrible OIS compare to the galaxy. How about why Apple can't put Beats headphones in the box. Why can't they include needed adapter? Removing the Jack? How only finally recording video with stereo sound. You are the same guys who say, I dont want to pay for features I dont plan tonise like with Samsung phones. Makes perfect since. But you also rather pay the same price as if you had them? The reason cheap cars are cheaper is because it offers a lot less than luxury ones. So would it make since for a fully loaded Camry, to cost the same as 7 series BMW? No! So why is it ok for a ohone. But all that matters is speed and sales? Yes applaud things that offer you zero benefit vs what does. Yes the XR as an example will be quite fast, considering it's an $800 phone, pushing a resolution found on a $100 phone. So if the A12 is as great as Apple claims it is, then let it push some QHD screens and see what happens. If you had a car with a V14 engine, wouldn't you want to take it too a track and see what you can do? Or would you rather sit in traffic and do nothing? Do you actually just take your iPhone and install apps and sit their opening and closing them to see how fast you can do it? I mean is that all it's good for?

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 8:26 PM 1

31. MobileNico

Posts: 94; Member since: Aug 26, 2012

Pixel slate isn't out yet, so...

posted on Oct 31, 2018, 6:30 AM 1

32. bucknassty

Posts: 1291; Member since: Mar 24, 2017

thats what i thought.... i was very suspicious of this.... laggyness statement that someone has made without any proof

posted on Oct 31, 2018, 7:24 AM 0

23. whatev

Posts: 2112; Member since: Oct 28, 2015

I love Sgodsell damage control crisis, it’s so lovely :)

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 4:09 PM 0

24. strategic_developer

Posts: 1627; Member since: Jul 17, 2018

I too prefer Andeoid on my phone and iOS in the iPad. Especially for splitscren apps. But now that the Note and S have a "desktop mode" the iPad is no longer .y goto.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 7:37 PM 0

3. JCASS889

Posts: 428; Member since: May 18, 2018

how come in the specs comparison they put the max amount for the ipad storage, but put the minimum amount for the slate and others? trying to puff up the ipad?

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:05 PM 0

25. strategic_developer

Posts: 1627; Member since: Jul 17, 2018

got. And 10" vs 12". When Apple shows have smaller ones more comparable. The 12" is simply too big vs the Surface.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 7:38 PM 0

4. L0n3n1nja

Posts: 1511; Member since: Jul 12, 2016

Tab S4 clearly wins for value, even if it is limited by Android.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:10 PM 0

7. kiko007

Posts: 7465; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

You have a really, really odd definition of value.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:21 PM 1

12. Atechguy0

Posts: 918; Member since: Aug 03, 2018

Just like some have a really odd definition of value when it comes to the iPad. The pixel slate is superior to the new iPad. Especially when it can run a lot more apps from a lot more platforms. Like Steam, including Steam VR, Chrome Web apps, Linux apps, and naturally Android apps as well. But not only that the slate will be able to run full blown Windows programs as well. So the Pixel slate is superior to the overpriced iPad.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:49 PM 1

27. strategic_developer

Posts: 1627; Member since: Jul 17, 2018

And how do you define limited? Atvmeast the Tan comes with a pen. You dont have to pay $129 for it. The Tab uses an industry standard resolution, which means apps will scale properly. The Tab allows for multiple accounts on one device. TheYab also supports mice and keyboard input, both via USB and Bluetooth. Oh and it also has a desktop mode where you can scale apps all the way up to 4K when attached to a displayport TV. And I can run pretty much most Android apps in this mode and have them all winnowing like a real PC. How exactly is that limited? Oh and I have access to file storage with unlimited storage. No oud required. Can the iPad Donald that? Which one is more limited? Maybe you were being sarcastic? Android and Windows have no limitation, while iOS and Mac OS are veryimited in comparison. Yet they cost more. Come on man just be fair, not fan.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 8:36 PM 0

5. ahmadkun

Posts: 520; Member since: May 02, 2016

I'm always trying to run away from apple but this new ipad is ridiculously great .. apple did a great job here .. but i still don't know if there is 3.5 mm jack !

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:14 PM 0

6. torr310

Posts: 1618; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

Android tablets really should have the premium lines as the phones.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:16 PM 1

13. Atechguy0

Posts: 918; Member since: Aug 03, 2018

Actually look at the pixel slate.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:50 PM 0

28. strategic_developer

Posts: 1627; Member since: Jul 17, 2018

Dowsnt one of the Galaxy tablets have a dual glass design?

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 8:37 PM 0

30. whatev

Posts: 2112; Member since: Oct 28, 2015

Lmao, Techie and Sgodsell, you don’t get the point, he’s saying “premium”, which part of that word didn’t you understand?

posted on Oct 31, 2018, 1:21 AM 0

8. alligator

Posts: 93; Member since: Jan 09, 2016

The tablet at home is used only by the kids. I don't see a real reason to pay $1000+ for something which can break it on the floor so I prefer a cheaper Android tablet with a good cover and can be replaced easily in 2-3 years.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:24 PM 1

9. AmashAziz

Posts: 2873; Member since: Jun 30, 2014

This isn't for your kids.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 12:42 PM 2

19. Valdomero

Posts: 626; Member since: Nov 13, 2012

This is a Pro unit, designed for photographers, videographers and such. Of course, you can buy one to watch youtube and play fruit ninja but it's like buying a Ferrari to go visit your grandma that lives 1 block away.

posted on Oct 30, 2018, 2:37 PM 3

22. whatev

Posts: 2112; Member since: Oct 28, 2015

I’ll buy it mostly for gaming and multimedia, there’s no better tablet for games, I know some trolls will say mobile games are crap, but some of them are good and some of them are e-sports, I can’t wait to have it