Mobile Technology

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 vs. iPad Pro 9.7

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 vs. iPad Pro 9.7
Two very similar tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro
Two very similar tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro
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Colors
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Colors
Two very similar tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro
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Two very similar tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro
Stylus
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Stylus
Fingerprint sensor
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Fingerprint sensor
microSD
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microSD
Split-screen multitasking
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Split-screen multitasking
Cellular option
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Cellular option
Release
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Release
Starting price
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Starting price
Software
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Software
Speakers
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Speakers
Battery
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Battery
Camera megapixels
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Camera megapixels
Built-in storage levels
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Built-in storage levels
RAM
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RAM
Display resolution
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Display resolution
Display size
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Display size
Build materials
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Build materials
Weight
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Weight
Dimensions
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Dimensions
Chip
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Chip
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Many people think of iPads when tablets come to mind, but there are plenty of worthy alternatives. The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, for example, is shaping up to be very similar to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. Let's take a look at their specs and features.

Size

Dimensions
Dimensions

These are very similarly sized devices. The iPad is the slightly larger of the two, but there's not more than a couple of millimeters' difference in any dimension.

Weight

Weight
Weight

If you're concerned about fatigue from holding the tablet in one hand, the iPad is also the weightier of the two, but only by a slim margin. Its Wi-Fi-only and WiFi + LTE variants are about 2-percent heavier than their Tab S3 counterparts.

Build

Build materials
Build materials

The Tab S3 has a glass back panel, which might look nice, but could be less practical on a handheld device than the iPad's aluminum unibody.

Colors

Colors
Colors

The Tab S3 will be available in three colors, but Samsung has yet to confirm which variants will be available to US customers. The iPad Pro is available in four different metallic finishes.

Display size

Display size
Display size

The two displays are identically sized.

Display resolution

Display resolution
Display resolution

They also have identical resolution. Resolution isn't the only measure of a screen's quality, but without doing a side-by-side look, it would be hard to say which one is more attractive.

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint sensor

Both tablets have a fingerprint sensor for security.

Cellular option

Split-screen multitasking
Split-screen multitasking

They're also both available in Wi-Fi-only or (more expensive) Wi-Fi plus LTE variants. the Wi-Fi Tab S3, however, will launch first, with the LTE model arriving at an unknown later date.

Keyboard support

Cellular option
Cellular option

Both makers designed these tablets to play nice with an optional add-on keyboard cover (sold separately).

Stylus

Stylus
Stylus

They also both support active stylus input, but Samsung includes the S Pen stylus with the Tab S3, while the Apple Pencil is sold a la carte for US$99. The S Pen does not need any charging, but the Apple Pencil charges through the iPad's Lightning port.

Chip

Chip
Chip

Samsung opts for a capable Qualcomm-made processor, while Apple manufactures its own.

RAM

RAM
RAM

The Tab S3 has twice the RAM, but to be fair, Android and iOS devices use RAM differently.

Storage

Built-in storage levels
Built-in storage levels

The iPad Pro is available in three sizes, but the Tab S3 is only available with 32 GB of built-in storage.

microSD

microSD
microSD

However, the Tab S3 has a microSD slot for expansion up to 256 GB. Good luck finding a microSD slot on an Apple device.

Camera megapixels

Camera megapixels
Camera megapixels

The Tab S3 adds in one additional megapixel in its rear camera.

Battery

Battery
Battery

The iPad's battery is bigger, but there are many factors that go into overall battery life.

Speakers

Speakers
Speakers

Both tablets have four audio speakers.

Software

Software
Software

The Tab S3 is an Android 7.0 Nougat-running tablet. The iPad has iOS 10.

Split-screen

Fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint sensor

Both operating systems allow for split-screen multitasking, so you can use either tablet to use two apps at once.

Release

Release
Release

Samsung has not yet confirmed US availability yet, but we do know that the Tab S3 goes up for pre-sale in the UK on March 17, to hit shelves on March 31. We expect it to hit other markets not too long after that.

Starting price

Starting price
Starting price

Samsung has not officially confirmed US pricing, but just for projection's sake, the previous generation Tab S2 had a starting retail price of $499.

If you're considering these two tablets, read on for more information: New Atlas' review of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, or our hands-on impressions of the Tab S3.

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