Comparing the Apple iPad Pro With Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

The iPad Pro is capturing the attention of consumers and enterprise users alike. Here’s how it matches up against perhaps its biggest rival: the Galaxy Tab S2.

There’s a big difference between the Galaxy Tab S2 and the iPad Pro in display size. The iPad Pro comes with a 12.9-inch screen, much larger than the 8- and 9.7-inch options offered in the Galaxy Tab S2. With that larger screen comes more ability to view multiple apps at once, as well as extra room to watch videos or browse the Web. But some may wonder whether it’s too large for certain uses.

Customers deciding between the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S2 will have a software decision to make. While the Tab S2 runs Google’s Android Lollipop, Apple’s tablet will come with iOS 9, the latest installment in that company’s mobile platform. Customers who have a preference will want to opt for the device running their operating system of choice.

The power built into both the iPad Pro and the Tab S2 is worth mentioning. The Tab S2 has Samsung’s own Exynos 7 octa-core system on a chip that includes two quad-core components with clock speeds of 1.9GHz and 1.3GHz. The iPad Pro is launching with the A9X 64-bit chip that Apple says is more powerful than nearly half of the portable notebooks on the market. Look for both devices to be powerful enough for nearly any need.

Another key factor in choosing between the Apple and Samsung tablets is the home-grown apps that ship with them. Apple partisans will get Safari, Mail, Apple Music and other standard apps on the iPad Pro. Samsung, meanwhile, will deliver access to its Samsung Apps store. Interestingly, there will be more Google apps available than Samsung apps out of the box, including Gmail, Google Play and Chrome. Overall, customers will need to determine whether they’d rather use Apple apps or those from Samsung and Google before choosing either option.

Portability is something that, according to recent research, is a major factor in the tablet-buying decision. If that’s the case, Samsung’s tablet may win out. After all, the Galaxy Tab 2 is much smaller and lighter than the iPad Pro. But these tablets are generally thinner and lighter than most notebooks, and they will both fit easily in a tote bag, ready to go anywhere with their owners. Thus, their relative size alone is unlikely to be a decisive factor in the buying decision. Applications and intended uses, whether for business or personal use, will carry greater weight.

The accessories for the Galaxy Tab S2 and Apple’s iPad Pro are important selling points. Apple’s iPad Pro offers a “smart keyboard” accessory that makes typing on the device feel more like a notebook. The iPad Pro also works with Apple Pencil, a product that reacts like a real-life writing instrument on the screen. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S2 also has a range of accessories, including its own version of a smart keyboard that makes it easier to type and get work done.

When customers are looking to buy tablets that may be considered notebook replacements, storage is a major concern. That’s why Apple has bundled 32GB and 128GB drives in its iPad Pro models. The Galaxy Tab S2, meanwhile, ships with 32GB and 64GB versions, but supports a microSD card with up to 128GB of more storage. Both should suffice for most customers.

Samsung won’t initially deliver a version of the Galaxy Tab S2 with LTE mobile connectivity in major markets, but it will soon. So, customers in the U.S. will be able to get either a WiFi-only model or one that also includes LTE connectivity. The iPad Pro offers the same connectivity options, leaving neither device with a competitive advantage.

While the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S2 may have many uses in the enterprise, they are also worthwhile options for consumers. That’s precisely why Apple spent so much time saying that the iPad Pro’s bigger screen will allow for appealing video viewing and gaming. Samsung has done the same with its Tab S2, saying that the device’s Super AMOLED display will mean the difference between good-quality visuals and outstanding-quality visuals when watching movies or gaming.

As the previous slides show, Apple and Samsung have configured their tablets to serve personal and business applications. But they put a finer point on that recently by showing exactly how they’re achieving those goals. Apple, for example, showcased how the iPad Pro could be used in several enterprise arenas and how it can deliver to corporate customers more value than earlier models. In addition, the Galaxy Tab S2 comes bundled with the Microsoft Office productivity suite while Microsoft Office is downloadable on the iPad Pro. Overall, both devices seem ready to serve the consumer and enterprise markets equally well.