Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs Apple iPad Pro vs iPad (2018): Specification shootout

Ahead of the Galaxy Unpacked event which is expected to see the launch of the Galaxy Note 9 later this month, Samsung has just unveiled the successor to last year's Tab S3.[caption id="attachment_4880831" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 will likely come to India soon. Image: Samsung Newsroom[/caption]The Tab S4 features a larger 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display (up from 9.7-inch on the Tab S3) and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 handling processor duties. You also get 64 GB and 128 GB storage options to choose from, though 4 GB RAM is standard.Samsung has also upped the battery size to 7,300 mAh to allow you more juice to run through tasks.In a nutshell, the new Galaxy Tab S4 is the Korean giant's effort to challenge the dominance of Apple in the tablet market, which has seen Android tablets almost being wiped out completely. Apart from the ability to attach a keyboard to the tablet to turn it into a 2-in-one device, Samsung has also thrown in DeX support for the Tab S4, making it a very compelling option for those who work on the go.[caption id="attachment_4468235" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Apple iPad (2018) features a smaller 9.7-inch display. Image: tech2/ Nimish Sawant[/caption]Apple, on the other hand, decided to dwell on a slightly different approach for 2018. Instead of adding incremental updates to its entire lineup, Apple announced a more affordable iPad and added Apple Pencil support to it. They also tweaked the price to appeal to students who would want to pick up a portable 2-in-1 that's great to watch Netflix on but is also powerful enough to finish assignments on.But the only reason Apple did that this year is because the company already has a range of more powerful iPad Pro lineup in place. The Apple iPad Pro 10.5 inch launched last year, is much more capable than the iPad (2018) and is also priced along the same lines as the Tab S4. The iPad Pro features a 120 Hz Retina display which works flawlessly with the Apple Pencil.[caption id="attachment_4880901" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Apple iPad Pro was launched back in July 2017. Image: Apple[/caption]Samsung is not too far behind and has also added a better S Pen to the mix, to lure the likes of designers etc, but comparing the price of both devices, they're certainly not targeted to the same users. The Galaxy Tab S4 starts at a price of €600 which translates to roughly Rs 58,000. The Apple iPad (2018) on the other hand, starts at Rs 28,000 for the base Wi-Fi-only variant and an additional Rs 10,000 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant. So, based on what your needs are, you could even settle for the iPad (2018) instead of shelling out more for the iPad Pro or the Tab S4.But if you are contemplating getting a tablet and you're not sure whether to settle for Apple's iPad Pro or to settle for arguably the best Android tablet in the market, here's a lowdown on how the specifications fare.

Tablet	Apple iPad (2018)	Samsung Galaxy Tab S4	Apple iPad Pro 10.5 inch
Display Size (inch)	9.7	10.5	10.5
Resolution (pixels)	1536 x 2048	1600 x 2560	2224x1668
Pixel Density (PPI)	264	287	264
Display Type	IPS LCD	Super AMOLED	Retina LED backlit
Dimensions(mm)	240 x 169.5 x 7.5	249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1	250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1
Weight (gm)	469	482	469
Dual SIM	No	No	No
SIM Type	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Connectivity Types	GSM/HSPA/HSPA+/ LTE	GSM/HSPA/ LTE	GSM/HSPA/ LTE
Processor	Apple A10 Fusion	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835	Apple A10X Fusion
CPU Cores	Quad-core	Octa-core	Six-core
CPU Clock Speed (GHz)	2x Hurricane & 2x Zephyr	4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo	3xHurricane & 3xZephyr
GPU	PowerVR Series7XT Plus	Adrena 540	PowerVR Series7XT Plus
RAM	2 GB	4 GB	4 GB
Ruggedness	–	–	–
On-Board Memory	32/128 GB	64/256 GB	64/256/512 GB
Expandable Memory	No	Yes, up to 512 GB	No
Sensors	Fingerprint (Touch ID), accelerometer, gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensor	Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (Touch ID), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Primary Camera	8 MP f/2.4	13 MP f/1.9	12 MP f/1.8
Optical Image Stabilization	No	No	Yes
Camera Array	Single Camera	Single Camera	Single Camera
Autofocus System	Phase detection autofocus	Phase detection autofocus	Phase detection autofocus
Secondary Camera	1.2 MP, f/2.2	8 MP, f/1.9	7 MP, f/12.2
Video Capture	1080p @60 fps, SloMo @ 30 fps	1080p @60 fps, 2160p@30fps	1080p @60 fps, 2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps
Flash	No	No	No
OS Version	iOS 11	Android Oreo 8.1	iOS 11
AI (Smart Assistant)	Siri	Google Assistant	Siri
GPS	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, HT80 with MIMO	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot
Bluetooth	4.2	5	4.2, A2DP, EDR
NFC	No	No	Yes
Infrared	No	No	No
Fingerprint Scanner	Yes	No	Yes
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes	Yes
Radio	No	No	No
USB Type	Lightning	Type-C 1.0 reversible connector	Lightning
USB Standard	USB v2.0	USB v3.1	USB v3.0
Battery (mAh)	32.4 Wh	7,300	8134 (30.8 Wh)
Fast charging	Yes	Yes	Yes
Colors	Silver, Gold, Space Grey	Black, White	Space Grey, Rose Gold, Gold, Silver
Prices in India	Rs 28,000	Approximately Rs 55,700	Rs 50,800

As seen in the specifications, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is definitely more powerful than the Apple iPad (2018) and rivals the iPad Pro.However, your choice will boil down to which operating system you prefer. If you are stuck up on Android and do not want an iOS device, the Tab S4 is definitely the most powerful, premium tablet you can pick up, given the limited choices you have. On the flip side,  the iPad Pro is not only a cheaper pick but is also better optimised for the larger screen real estate (thanks to iOS 11) that you get on a 10.5-inch display. The iPad Pro also offers a far superior display given that it has a 120 Hz retina panel in comparison to a Super AMOLED panel on the Tab S4.If you are buying a tablet for the first time and you're confused whether to spend Rs 58,000 on an Android tablet, it would be advisable to pick up the cheaper Apple iPad (2018) which should have you covered.