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The Ultimate Tablet Showdown of 2025: iPad Pro M4 vs Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs OnePlus Pad 3

The Ultimate Tablet Showdown of 2025: iPad Pro M4 vs Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs OnePlus Pad 3

The Ultimate Tablet Showdown of 2025: iPad Pro M4 vs Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs OnePlus Pad 3

In 2025, the premium tablet market is fiercer than ever. Apple’s latest iPad Pro (M4, OLED), Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, and OnePlus’s Pad 3 represent the cutting edge of tablet technology. These flagships push boundaries in display quality, performance, and productivity features, and each aims to be a true laptop alternative. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll see how these three heavyweights stack up across design, display, performance, battery, software, and more. By the end, you’ll know which tablet is best suited for your needs in 2025’s evolving tech landscape.

Design and Build Quality

All three tablets exude a premium look and feel, but they take different approaches:

  • Apple iPad Pro M4 (OLED) – Apple completely revamped the iPad Pro design for the M4 generation. It’s unbelievably thin, at just 5.1 mm on the 13-inch model – making it the thinnest product Apple has ever made apple.com. The chassis is aluminum (available in Space Black or Silver) with flat edges and minimal screen bezels. Impressively, the 13″ iPad Pro weighs only 1.28 lbs (579 g) apple.com, over 0.25 lb lighter than its predecessor apple.com. Despite the slim profile, build quality remains solid (Apple even advertises it as “astonishing power in an ultrasleek design” apple.com). The iPad’s back houses a dual-camera and LiDAR in a small square bump. There’s no waterproofing on the iPad, but its premium materials and refined finish make it feel extremely high-end in hand.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra – Samsung’s tablet is bigger and heavier than the iPad, owing to its giant screen. It measures 12.85″ x 8.21″ and 5.4 mm thin, weighing 1.58 lbs (718 g) for the Wi-Fi model samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. The Tab S10 Ultra inherits the sleek aluminum design of Samsung’s S series: squared-off edges, thin bezels, and a durable Armor Aluminum frame that’s IP68 water and dust resistant samsungmobilepress.com – a rarity for tablets. The massive 14.6″ display does necessitate a notch (housing dual front cameras), and the tablet can feel unwieldy due to its sheer size. Still, Samsung’s build impresses: reviewers note the “premium…powerful” feel and that it’s “surprisingly easy to carry for its size” tomsguide.com. The Tab S10 Ultra comes in neutral colors (Moonstone Gray, Platinum Silver) and includes an S Pen stylus that magnetically snaps to the back. Overall, it’s a gorgeous device – if you can handle the comically large form factor for a tablet t3.com.
  • OnePlus Pad 3 – OnePlus’s third-gen tablet strikes a middle ground in size. It has a 13.2″ display but with a unique 7:5 aspect ratio that makes the device slightly squarer and easier to hold than Samsung’s widescreen slate phonearena.com. The Pad 3 is 5.97 mm thin with an aluminum unibody, and weighs 675 g (1.49 lbs) phonearena.com tomsguide.com. That weight is about 90 g heavier than the previous Pad 2, owing to the larger screen and battery phonearena.com. OnePlus did refine the design this year: the camera was moved from the center to the corner (eliminating the wobble when writing with the stylus) phonearena.com. The tablet comes in a striking Storm Blue color (a Silver is sold only in India) phonearena.com tomsguide.com. While the Pad 3 isn’t as featherlight as the iPad, it feels solid and “modern, sleek and minimalist” phonearena.com. Notably, it lacks any formal water resistance rating and also skips any fingerprint scanner, relying on less secure face unlock or PIN for security tomsguide.com.

Build Highlights: All three sport quad-speaker setups for stereo sound, but OnePlus actually packs 8 speakers (4 woofers + 4 tweeters) for a richer audio experience phonearena.com phonearena.com. Each has a magnetic connector for its keyboard accessory. Apple’s Magic Keyboard (redesigned to be thinner with a haptic trackpad) attaches via a smart connector on the iPad’s back apple.com. Samsung’s Tab can pair with a Book Cover Keyboard (sold separately), and OnePlus offers a new two-piece magnetic keyboard folio. In terms of durability, Samsung has the clear edge thanks to IP68 waterproofing – you won’t have to worry about spills on the Tab S10 Ultra t3.com. Apple and OnePlus are not water resistant, so handle with care. Overall, Apple wins on outright thinness and portability, Samsung on ruggedness and screen real estate, and OnePlus on delivering a premium metal build at a lower price.

Display: Technologies, Specs, and User Experience

One of the biggest differentiators between these tablets is the display technology:

  • iPad Pro M4 – 11″ & 13″ “Ultra Retina XDR” (Tandem OLED): Apple finally moved to OLED in the M4 iPad Pro, using a cutting-edge Tandem OLED panel apple.com apple.com. The 13″ model has a 2752×2064 resolution (264 ppi), and the 11″ is 2420×1668 (also 264 ppi) apple.com apple.com. Both support ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh (down to 10Hz) for silky-smooth scrolling apple.com apple.com. The OLED delivers perfect blacks and a whopping 2,000,000:1 contrast apple.com apple.com. Apple has pushed brightness to new highs: the iPad Pro can sustain 1000 nits fullscreen and hit 1600 nits peak on HDR content apple.com apple.com – far brighter than typical OLEDs. Reviewers have raved about this display. In fact, one noted it’s even better than the MacBook Pro’s mini-LED: “you simply cannot get an OLED screen on a MacBook… the Tandem OLED display [on iPad Pro] … isn’t as good as the miniLED – it’s better” 9to5mac.com. Colors are wide P3 gamut and incredibly vivid (12-bit processing), and Apple offers a nano-texture glass option to cut reflections apple.com. In use, the iPad’s screen is stunning – great for creative work (true-to-life colors, Apple Pencil hover support) and arguably the best for HDR movies. It also has the advantage of an iPad-friendly 4:3-ish aspect ratio, which feels natural for both web and productivity. Simply put, the iPad Pro’s display is industry-leading in 2025, often described as “the world’s most advanced display” by Apple – with extreme brightness and precise contrast apple.com.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra – 14.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X: Samsung equips the Tab S10 Ultra with a gorgeous 14.6-inch Super AMOLED panel (2960×1848, ~240 ppi) samsungmobilepress.com bhphotovideo.com. It’s also 120Hz and supports HDR10+, with an anti-reflective coating to improve outdoor visibility samsungmobilepress.com. The sheer size of this display is its selling point – it dwarfs even Apple’s 13″ iPad t3.com. This makes it phenomenal for media consumption and multitasking (you can comfortably run three apps split-screen). The AMOLED tech provides deep blacks and vibrant colors Samsung is known for. However, in brightness it lags the iPad: measured peaks are around 600 nits full-screen (and ~800 nits with smaller highlights) phonearena.com phonearena.com. That’s decent, but both the iPad and OnePlus get brighter. Still, most reviewers call the Tab S10 Ultra’s screen “a truly wonderful display”, one of the best on any Android tablet t3.com t3.com. Its contrast and color saturation make movies and games look fantastic. The only downsides are the 16:10 aspect ratio (great for movies, a bit wide for portrait use) and slightly lower pixel density – text isn’t quite as razor sharp as on the smaller iPad or OnePlus. But unless you press your nose to the glass, you’ll be too busy enjoying the immersion of a 14.6″ OLED. It’s as close as you can get to a portable OLED TV. Samsung also supports an optional Notepaper Screen add-on (a matte film) if you prefer a paper-like writing experience samsungmobilepress.com.
  • OnePlus Pad 3 – 13.2″ LCD “3.4K” Display: OnePlus took a different route by using an advanced LCD. Don’t dismiss it – this screen is excellent. It’s a 13.2-inch IPS LCD with a 3392×2400 resolution (OnePlus calls it “3.4K”), giving a dense ~315 ppi phonearena.com oneplus.com – the highest pixel density of the trio. Text and graphics appear extremely crisp. The Pad 3 also boasts a 144Hz adaptive refresh rate, surpassing the 120Hz of the others tomsguide.com. Scrolling and animations feel ultra-smooth. It supports 12-bit color (via 10-bit + FRC) and covers a wide color gamut theverge.com. While it’s not OLED, reviewers have been impressed with its quality: “the display looks excellent…and the high brightness of up to 900 nits in high brightness mode makes it very usable in bright environments” phonearena.com phonearena.com. Indeed, tests showed around 861 nits fullscreen – on par with many OLEDs, and far above typical tablet LCDs phonearena.com phonearena.com. Colors are vibrant yet fairly accurate (OnePlus calibrated color well, with low color error) phonearena.com phonearena.com. The 7:5 aspect ratio is unique – it’s not as wide as Samsung’s, so you get a more squared workspace closer to the iPad’s shape. This is “great for a variety of scenarios like multitasking, working with documents and watching movies” phonearena.com. OnePlus did sacrifice the inky blacks of OLED; in a dark room, blacks will appear grayish compared to the iPad or Tab S10 Ultra. But for many users, the trade-off is acceptable given the Pad 3’s sharpness and smoothness. It’s arguably the best LCD in any tablet right now, and you “won’t miss OLED” unless you demand absolute black level perfection.

Display Summary: Apple’s iPad Pro M4 takes the crown for overall best display – its OLED is the brightest and offers top-notch color and HDR capability 9to5mac.com. Samsung’s Tab S10 Ultra delivers sheer size and contrast, making it ideal for entertainment and drawing, albeit with slightly lower brightness and ppi phonearena.com. OnePlus Pad 3 surprises with its super-sharp, high-refresh LCD, proving that a well-executed LCD can still compete – it’s bright, color-rich, and particularly great for text-heavy productivity (no OLED pwm flicker to worry about either). Each display is a winner in its own way: the iPad for pros and HDR content, the Galaxy Tab for cinematic immersion, and the OnePlus for bang-for-buck excellence.

Chipset and Performance

Under the hood, these tablets have very different horsepower levels. Let’s compare their silicon:

  • Apple iPad Pro M4: Powering the iPad is Apple’s custom M4 chip, which is essentially a laptop-class SoC. It features a 10‑core CPU and powerful Apple GPU (the exact GPU core count varies by model, rumored up to 20 cores) along with a 16-core Neural Engine. In practice, the M4 outclasses the mobile chips in the Android tablets – often by a wide margin. For example, in Geekbench 6 benchmarks, the iPad Pro M4 scored around 3720 in single-core and 13,280 in multi-core phonearena.com phonearena.com. This is over 75% higher single-core and about 80% higher multi-core than the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra’s scores phonearena.com phonearena.com, and still about 20–50% above the OnePlus Pad 3’s results (more on those below). It’s not an exaggeration to say the iPad Pro M4 performs at the level of an ultrabook or better. Day-to-day, this means everything is instant – apps launch in a snap, multitasking is seamless, and even heavy workflows like 4K video editing or rendering massive 3D models are handled with ease. Apple’s “Built for Apple Intelligence” marketing highlights on-device AI and graphics power apple.com apple.com. In real terms, the M4’s GPU can push console-quality visuals and high frame rates in games; in 3DMark Extreme graphics tests it scored ~7311 points, edging out the Pad 3 and leaving the Tab S10 Ultra far behind phonearena.com phonearena.com. One reviewer succinctly put it: “Only Apple’s hyper-powerful M4 chipset pulls ahead” of the best Android chips phonearena.com. The iPad Pro comes with 8 GB RAM on 256/512 GB models and 16 GB RAM on 1 TB/2 TB models tomsguide.com – combined with iPadOS optimizations, memory is a non-issue. Simply, the M4 iPad Pro is the performance champion here, making it overkill for most users but a godsend for professionals who need that headroom.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Samsung made a bold move by using a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chip in the Tab S10 series (instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon typically seen) samsungmobilepress.com. The Dimensity 9300+ is a flagship 4nm mobile processor with an octa-core CPU. It delivers excellent performance – roughly on par with the best smartphone chips of late 2024 – but it cannot match the Apple M4 or Snapdragon 8 Elite in raw numbers. In Geekbench 6, the Tab S10 Ultra pulls around 2100 single-core and 7300 multi-core phonearena.com phonearena.com. That’s fast (no current Android app will really slow it down), but as noted, the iPad’s scores are about double in multi-core xda-developers.com. The Tab S10 Ultra comes with 12 GB RAM in base models (and up to 16 GB in a 1TB config), so memory is plentiful for multitasking samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. In real use, the Galaxy Tab feels snappy: One UI is smooth at 120Hz, and you can comfortably run multiple apps (especially in DeX desktop mode) without stutters. Gaming on the Tab S10 Ultra is aided by a strong GPU, but graphics benchmarks show it behind both the iPad and OnePlus. 3DMark Wildlife Extreme scores ~5,300 on the Samsung vs ~7,300 on the iPad phonearena.com. The MediaTek chip also throttles more under sustained load – after a long gaming session, performance can dip (as reflected in lower “Wildlife Extreme Stress Test” scores for the looped test) phonearena.com. That said, for typical tasks – streaming, office work, light photo editing – the Tab S10 Ultra is plenty fast. It just isn’t the absolute fastest. Samsung prioritized cool operation; the tablet has a vapor chamber cooling system and in use it stays fairly comfortable. In summary, the Tab S10 Ultra’s performance is great by Android standards, but in this showdown it places third. It’s notable, however, that Samsung has optimized One UI to take advantage of the chip’s AI capabilities (more on that in software).
  • OnePlus Pad 3: The Pad 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform – Qualcomm’s fastest chip as of 2025 oneplus.com. This processor was a step beyond the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offering higher clock speeds and improved AI cores (Qualcomm even dubbed it “the world’s fastest mobile CPU” at launch) oneplus.com oneplus.com. The result: the OnePlus Pad 3 is an Android performance beast. It scored around 3070 single-core and 8890 multi-core in Geekbench 6 phonearena.com phonearena.com. That actually beats the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra by a substantial margin (Snapdragon 8 Elite “easily surpasses Samsung’s chipset of choice” in benchmarks phonearena.com). In fact, CPU-wise the Pad 3 is roughly 20% faster than the Tab S10 Ultra. It’s only second to the iPad’s M4, trailing Apple by ~18% in single-core and ~33% in multi-core phonearena.com phonearena.com. For an Android tablet, these are class-leading numbers – multi-core performance nearly doubles that of last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 devices. OnePlus pairs the chip with 12 or 16 GB of fast LPDDR5T RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking phonearena.com phonearena.com. In GPU tests, the Pad 3 also shines: it scored ~6,613 in 3DMark Extreme, second only to the iPad (and well above the Tab S10’s ~5,352) phonearena.com. OnePlus invested in cooling as well – a graphene composite vapor chamber – and reports indicate the Pad 3 sustains performance with lower temps while gaming phonearena.com. Benchmarks aside, real-world use gets you “no-compromise performance” on the Pad 3, as PhoneArena put it phonearena.com. Apps open instantaneously, and demanding games run at max settings without hiccups. It genuinely feels flagship-fast. The only tasks it can’t do are those limited by Android app availability (for example, desktop-class video editing apps). For most users, the Pad 3’s performance is effectively tied with the iPad in day-to-day feel, and it handily wins vs. the Samsung. It’s worth noting OnePlus ships the Pad 3 with Android 15 (OxygenOS 15) which takes advantage of the new chip’s AI and multitasking capabilities. We’ll cover that more in the software section.

Performance Benchmarks Table: (Geekbench 6 Scores)

DeviceCPU ChipGeekbench 6 SingleGeekbench 6 Multi3DMark Extreme (Graphics)
Apple iPad Pro M4 (13″)Apple M4 (10-core)~3720 phonearena.com~13,280 phonearena.com7,311 (High) / 7,009 (sustained) phonearena.com phonearena.com
Galaxy Tab S10 UltraDimensity 9300+ (octa)~2111 phonearena.com~7,319 phonearena.com5,352 (High) / 3,695 (sustained) phonearena.com phonearena.com
OnePlus Pad 3Snapdragon 8 Elite (octa)~3070 phonearena.com~8,891 phonearena.com6,613 (High) / 5,478 (sustained) phonearena.com phonearena.com

Takeaway: The iPad Pro’s M4 is unrivaled in raw performance – it’s essentially a desktop-class chip in a tablet, and it will chew through any task phonearena.com. The OnePlus Pad 3 comes surprisingly close, offering flagship phone-level power that makes it the fastest Android tablet to date phonearena.com. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, while the slowest of this trio, is still plenty powerful for general use – but if you’re a performance enthusiast or heavy multitasker, you’ll appreciate the extra headroom the other two provide. All three tablets support efficient ARM architectures, so they stay fairly cool and battery-friendly despite the high performance – but speaking of battery, let’s see how they compare in endurance.

Battery Life and Charging

Big tablets need big batteries, and these devices deliver – but endurance varies with their power-hungry components. Here’s how they compare:

  • iPad Pro M4: Apple doesn’t disclose exact battery capacities, but teardowns peg the 13″ iPad Pro around 10,290 mAh (roughly 40.5 Wh) phonearena.com. Apple advertises the usual “10 hours of web or video use,” and in our experience the M4 iPad meets or modestly exceeds that. In tests, the 13″ iPad Pro M4 achieved about 10 hours 54 min of continuous web browsing and around 8.5 hours of looping video playback phonearena.com phonearena.com. That’s a solid showing, if not mind-blowing. Interestingly, in a gaming-heavy usage test, the iPad lasted about 8h 34m – less time than the Androids – likely due to the M4 chip drawing more power under load phonearena.com phonearena.com. Where the iPad impresses is standby drain: users report it can sit idle for days barely losing any charge, thanks to iPadOS optimizations 9to5mac.com. Apple includes a 20W USB-C charger in the box, which is rather underpowered for this battery size. Charging from 0–100% takes around 2.5 hours with the included adapter phonearena.com. In 30 minutes, you only get about 30% charge phonearena.com. The iPad Pro does support faster charging (~35–40W) if you use a higher wattage USB-C PD charger, but even then you’re looking at roughly 2 hours for a full charge. There’s no wireless charging on any iPad model. Overall, the iPad’s battery life is good, especially for light use, but under heavy use it’s outlasted by the OnePlus and even the Samsung in some scenarios phonearena.com phonearena.com.
  • Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Samsung gave the Tab S10 Ultra a sizable 11,200 mAh battery samsungmobilepress.com, and it shows in longevity. In standardized tests, the S10 Ultra hit about 8h 47m of web browsing and 6h 30m of video playback phonearena.com. Those numbers are a bit behind the iPad in web/video, likely because the huge AMOLED screen at high brightness draws a lot of power. However, in a gaming stress test, the Samsung actually excelled – lasting 11h 40m of continuous gameplay phonearena.com. This slightly beat the OnePlus Pad’s gaming runtime and was far beyond the iPad’s ~8.5h phonearena.com phonearena.com. It suggests the Dimensity 9300+ is power-efficient under load (or possibly throttles to conserve juice), and the massive battery pays off for intensive tasks. For mixed usage, you can expect the Tab S10 Ultra to easily get through a full day of work and play. Samsung supports 45W fast charging (USB-C PD PPS), and in testing the Tab went 0–100% in about 2 hours 17 minutes phonearena.com. A 30-minute top-up gives roughly 20–22% when empty phonearena.com, which isn’t particularly fast – the charging curve is a bit slow given the capacity. Note that Samsung typically does not include a charger in the box for tablets now, so you’ll need to buy a 45W charger to achieve those speeds. Like the others, there’s no wireless charging support on the Tab S10 Ultra. In sum, Samsung’s battery life is quite decent for such a large, high-performance tablet. It won’t last as long in idle/light use as an iPad (the standby draw is higher), but for continuous productivity or gaming it can go toe-to-toe thanks to that large battery.
  • OnePlus Pad 3: The Pad 3 packs the largest battery here at 12,140 mAh oneplus.com oneplus.com, and OnePlus clearly optimized for endurance. In PhoneArena’s rigorous testing, the Pad 3 achieved a phenomenal 15 hours 23 min in a web browsing test phonearena.com phonearena.com“it smokes the competition” in that category phonearena.com. For video playback, it got 7h 41m, roughly on par with the iPad (8h22m) and a bit above the Tab S10 (6h30m) phonearena.com. And in a gaming loop test, the Pad 3 managed 11h 22m, nearly matching the Tab S10 Ultra’s endurance phonearena.com phonearena.com. These results show the OnePlus is an absolute champ for battery life in general use – especially web/documents, likely due to efficient LCD backlighting and aggressive refresh rate modulation. Standby time is also excellent: OnePlus claims up to 70 days standby oneplus.com (thanks to “AI standby” optimizations). When you do need to recharge, OnePlus blows the others away: it supports 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging. The Pad 3 goes from 0 to 100% in just about 1 hour 21 minutes phonearena.com phonearena.com – incredibly fast for a 12k mAh cell. A quick 10-minute charge can add ~18% capacity oneplus.com, and 30 minutes gets nearly 50% phonearena.com phonearena.com. OnePlus includes the 80W charger in-box in most regions oneplus.com (confirmed for US/Canada). There is no wireless charging, but with wired charging this fast, you might not miss it. Overall, OnePlus Pad 3 offers the best battery life and charging combo: it lasts the longest in many scenarios and charges the quickest. This makes it a fantastic choice for travel or all-day use.

To summarize battery: If you value longevity and quick top-ups, the OnePlus Pad 3 is unmatched – it has a “power overwhelming” battery system that outlasts and outcharges competitors phonearena.com phonearena.com. The iPad Pro M4 gives a balanced but unexceptional 10-ish hour use and slow charging; it will reliably get through a typical day, but you’ll want to charge nightly (or carry a battery pack if pushing it hard). The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers good endurance in heavy use and decent fast-charge, but for lighter use its advantage is less pronounced; expect to charge it daily as well, though its standby drain is higher than iPad’s. It’s worth noting all three have USB-C 4/Thunderbolt ports (more on that below), so you can use high-powered chargers or even USB-C battery banks to keep them juiced on the go.

Software Experience and Update Commitments

Each tablet runs a different OS or flavor, each with its own ecosystem and update policies, which can greatly impact long-term experience:

  • iPad Pro (iPadOS 17/18): Apple’s iPadOS is essentially iOS optimized for a larger screen, with some Mac-like features. On the M4 iPad Pro, iPadOS flies. You get all the benefits of Apple’s ecosystem: a polished, tablet-optimized app selection (still the best library of tablet apps, from Procreate to LumaFusion to Microsoft Office), seamless integration with Macs and iPhones, and features like Handoff, AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, etc. For productivity, iPadOS now has Stage Manager for windowed multitasking on the tablet or an external monitor, and improved keyboard/mouse support. However, it’s still not macOS – some pro apps are watered down, and the file system, while accessible via Files app, isn’t as open as on a PC. One reviewer noted that iPadOS remains a limiting factor: “you’re paying more than a MacBook for less capability – iPadOS was the key limiting factor, not the hardware” 9to5mac.com. That said, Apple has been steadily improving it: in 2024 they even launched Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad, signaling a push toward pro workflows on iPadOS. By 2025, iPadOS 18 (and on the reviewer’s device, even iPadOS 26 in a longer trial 9to5mac.com) has brought refinements. The M4 iPad Pro will also support Apple’s forthcoming visionOS synergy (using the iPad to create 3D objects or share content with the Vision Pro headset). Updates: Apple is known for long support – though it doesn’t give a specific promise, iPads typically get ~5 years of major iPadOS updates (often more). For example, a 2018 iPad Pro launched with iOS 12 and got iPadOS 17 in 2023 (5 years of updates). The M4 iPad Pro (2024) can reasonably expect updates till 2029 or beyond. Security updates are frequent and timely. Apple’s tight control also means day-one OS upgrades with new features each year. If longevity and app quality are priorities, iPadOS is a strong asset. Just be aware of its limitations versus desktop OS – multitasking can still be awkward (Stage Manager is powerful but some users prefer simple split-screen) 9to5mac.com, and things like developer tools or certain pro software aren’t available on iPad. For typical consumers, iPadOS is very friendly and “just works.” For power users, it can be alternately refreshing (touch-centric, distraction-free) or frustrating (some tasks are harder than on a laptop).
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra (Android 14 with One UI 6.1.1+): The Galaxy Tab runs Android with Samsung’s One UI skin, which is highly optimized for tablets. One UI on the Tab S10 Ultra includes a PC-like DeX mode – with a quick toggle, you get a desktop interface with resizable windows and a taskbar, excellent for using the tablet with a keyboard and mouse. This effectively lets the Tab function like an Android laptop. For pen input, Samsung’s software shines: Samsung Notes is one of the best note-taking apps, and features like S Pen to text, Air Commands, and Screen Off memos make the stylus very integrated. Samsung also leverages the Tab’s large screen with multi-window (split screen up to three apps, plus floating windows). There’s also “Second Screen” functionality to use the Tab as a wireless display for a Windows PC. Galaxy AI: New in 2024/2025, Samsung introduced Galaxy AI features on the Tab S10 series bestbuy.com. These include an AI “Note Creator” that can summarize notes, Circle to Search (draw a circle around something to perform a search) bestbuy.com bestbuy.com, a Math Solver using the camera, and even an image generation tool (“Sketch to Image”) integrated into the Notes app bestbuy.com. Some of these require cloud connection (and are available at least through end of 2025 as free trials) bestbuy.com. It shows Samsung’s pushing AI to add value to tablet workflows like studying and creativity. In terms of app ecosystem, Android tablet apps have historically lagged iPad, but the situation is improving. Many apps now adapt to large screens or Samsung’s DeX. Still, certain pro-grade apps (full Adobe Photoshop, etc.) are absent or less powerful on Android. Updates: Samsung has made an astounding commitment for the Tab S10 Ultra – 7 years of software updates (including Android OS upgrades and security) sammobile.com. This means the Tab S10 Ultra, launching on Android 14, is slated to get up to Android 21 by around 2031 sammobile.com. It’s an industry-leading policy (even surpassing Google’s promises) and signals that Samsung expects you to use this tablet for the long haul. The only caveat: while updates are guaranteed, they may come slower than on Pixel or iPad, and likely frequency will taper (Samsung might do quarterly patches after a few years). But 7 years support is remarkable sammobile.com. Samsung also typically provides 4–5 years of monthly security patches for the first part of that cycle samsung.com (they’ve indicated the Tab S10 will get quarterly patches after year 4) samsung.com. In daily use, One UI is feature-rich and stable, though not as “pure” as stock Android – expect some duplicate Samsung apps and the occasional promotion in Samsung’s app store. Overall, the Tab S10 Ultra’s software experience is about flexibility: you can use it like an Android tablet or a desktop replacement via DeX. It’s excellent for productivity if you invest time to set up workflows, and Samsung’s long update support is a huge plus for enterprise or personal longevity.
  • OnePlus Pad 3 (Android 15 with OxygenOS 15 Tablet Edition): The Pad 3 runs OnePlus’s OxygenOS, which is a lightly customized Android experience. OxygenOS 15 on the Pad is based on Android 15 (OnePlus was one of the first to ship Android 15 on a tablet, as this device launched mid-2025). The interface is clean and snappy, closer to stock Android than Samsung’s skin. OnePlus, however, has added thoughtful tablet enhancements. A feature called Open Canvas provides an easy multitasking view – you get an app dock and intuitive drag-and-drop for split-screen. The Pad 3 will even suggest split-screen pairings if it notices you frequently swapping between two apps phonearena.com phonearena.com. You can run up to 3 apps on screen at once (two side-by-side and one floating) oneplus.com, which, on a 13.2″ display at 7:5 ratio, is actually quite usable. OnePlus also integrated AI features throughout: an AI Toolbox can assist with writing, translating, and summarizing documents, akin to having a little ChatGPT on hand (these are part of the “AI Writer” and “AI Summarize” features mentioned in press materials) oneplus.com. The Pad 3 keyboard even has a dedicated AI button to trigger these smart tools oneplus.com. Additionally, OnePlus built in Google’s generative AI (Gemini) support – you can long-press or circle text to quickly invoke AI searches or content generation phonearena.com bestbuy.com. Another unique angle: OnePlus added integration with PCs/Macs. You can use the Pad 3 for “remote control” of a Windows or Mac computer on the same network phonearena.com, and there’s seamless file sharing with OnePlus phones and even Mac (borrowing some features from Oppo’s ecosystem). This makes the Pad 3 attractive to, say, MacBook users who want an Android tablet – an odd pairing historically, but OnePlus literally pitches it as “the best Android tablet for Mac users” t3.com in some media, due to these cross-platform tricks. In terms of app support, the Pad 3 benefits from Android’s growing library of optimized apps; most phone apps scale fine to its display, though it doesn’t quite match the iPad in pro app availability. Updates: OnePlus officially promises 3 major Android OS updates and 6 years of bi-monthly security updates for the Pad 3 oneplus.com. This means launching on Android 15, it will get Android 16, 17, 18 by around 2028, and security patches through 2031 (but only every other month after initial period). That’s a decent policy – better than many Android OEMs historically – though it falls short of Samsung’s new 7-year pledge. Notably, OnePlus is only offering the Pad 3 in Wi-Fi only form (no cellular option) in most regions, which simplifies updates (no carrier involvement) but means you can’t get always-on LTE/5G connectivity. On the whole, OxygenOS on the Pad 3 is fast, fluid, and feature-packed without being bloated. It’s a joy to use, according to Tom’s Guide: “OnePlus’ Android platform is sleek, swift, and satisfyingly customizable – one of the more polished Android tablet experiences” phonearena.com. If you appreciate a near-stock Android feel with added smart features, OnePlus delivers that.

Software Bottom Line: If you need a mature, tablet-optimized app ecosystem and plan to use a lot of creative or productivity apps, the iPad Pro still holds an edge – iPadOS has the best selection of high-quality tablet apps and games. It also integrates best with other Apple devices and gets very timely updates, though it imposes some workflow restrictions. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers the most PC-like experience thanks to DeX and robust multitasking, making it ideal for those who want an Android-based laptop alternative and freedom of a desktop environment. Samsung’s software is feature-rich (almost to the point of feature-overload), but you’re rewarded with versatility – you can tinker to set it up exactly how you like, and Samsung’s commitment to 7 years of updates sammobile.com means the software will stay fresh. The OnePlus Pad 3 provides a happy medium: a clean Android experience with thoughtful additions for productivity and AI. It doesn’t have quite the app depth of iPadOS or the desktop mode of Samsung, but it’s extremely smooth and user-friendly. OnePlus’ 3-year OS update promise is decent, though Samsung’s is now the gold standard in Android. All in all, each device’s software plays well to its hardware strengths: iPadOS to that powerful chip and creative focus, One UI to that large screen and stylus, and OxygenOS to performance and multitasking at a great value.

Productivity and Creativity Tools

For many buyers, a tablet’s worth lies in how well it can replace a notebook for work or serve as a canvas for creativity. Let’s examine the accessories and features each offers:

  • iPad Pro: Apple Pencil (Pro) and Magic Keyboard – The iPad Pro has long been a favorite among artists and note-takers, largely thanks to the Apple Pencil. The M4 iPad Pro launched alongside a new Apple Pencil Pro stylus apple.com. Apple has kept details somewhat under wraps, but Pencil Pro is said to offer even lower latency, more pressure levels, and perhaps new features like haptic feedback or interchangeable tips. The iPad Pro fully supports the Pencil Pro and the previous Apple Pencil (2nd gen) as well as the newer budget Pencil (USB-C) apple.com apple.com. Writing on the iPad feels extremely natural – Apple leads the industry with a 9 ms or lower latency and high refresh rate ink (paired with the 120Hz display and Pencil hover that previews your stroke) apple.com apple.com. Creators get a rich ecosystem of Pencil-optimized apps (Procreate, Notability, Adobe Fresco, etc.). For productivity, Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is a game-changer: it provides a laptop-quality backlit keyboard and a built-in trackpad with multi-touch gestures. The 2024 Magic Keyboard was redesigned to be thinner and adds a function key row and haptic feedback trackpad for a more MacBook-like experience apple.com. It magnetically attaches and even folds to cover the iPad. Typing on it is comfortable, and the iPad’s pointer behavior is very fluid (it even contextually transforms into UI elements). One caveat: these accessories are expensive – the Magic Keyboard 13″ runs around $349, and the Apple Pencil Pro is likely over $129. They are not bundled, unlike Samsung’s inclusion of the pen. Still, if budget allows, an iPad Pro with Pencil and Magic Keyboard is a formidable productivity setup. You can effectively replace a laptop for writing, email, spreadsheets, remote desktop, etc., while also having the best sketching tablet. For creative pros, apps like Affinity Designer or Lightroom on iPad plus Pencil offer nearly desktop-grade capability. And thanks to iPadOS enhancements, you can finally use pro apps like Final Cut Pro with Pencil for timeline editing, or Logic Pro for music creation. Overall, Apple’s kit is top-notch for creativity – an artist or designer will likely prefer the iPad Pro experience. For pure “getting work done” like documents or coding, the iPad is capable, though power users might still chafe at iPadOS limitations (windowing and external monitor support are improved but not perfect). Still, the iPad Pro “covers all the bases for both play and productivity”, as one review put it phonearena.com, when paired with these excellent (if pricey) tools.
  • Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: S Pen and Book Cover Keyboard – Samsung includes the S Pen stylus free with the Tab S10 Ultra, which is a big value advantage tomsguide.com. The S Pen is a superb stylus in its own right: it has a fine 0.7mm tip, 4,096 pressure levels, and as low as 2.8 ms latency (on par with Apple’s Pencil Pro in responsiveness). It attaches magnetically to the tablet’s back for charging. With the Tab S10’s enormous screen, drawing or handwriting feels spacious and comfortable. Samsung’s software makes great use of the pen: Screen Off Memo lets you jot notes on the locked screen, Air Command provides quick shortcuts (like smart select, screen write), and Samsung Notes can sync with your phone/PC. Artists will appreciate the S Pen’s predictability and the fact that apps like Clip Studio Paint (which comes pre-installed) offer a desktop-like art experience on the Tab. For typing, Samsung offers a Book Cover Keyboard (optional purchase). There are actually two: a full Keyboard Book Cover with a trackpad, and a Slim Book Cover without trackpad. The keyboard connects via POGO pins and includes a back cover with an adjustable kickstand. When assembled, the Tab S10 Ultra in its keyboard case looks and functions much like a 2-in-1 laptop. The keyboard quality is solid – keys have decent travel, and the 14.6″ size means you get a roomy layout. The trackpad is functional, though not as large or smooth as Apple’s. But with DeX mode, the keyboard+trackpad truly shine, giving you a quasi-laptop running Android. You can, of course, also pair any Bluetooth keyboard or mouse. Samsung even has unique accessories like the Notebook Cover (with a paper-like writing surface for the S Pen) and an Outdoor Cover for rugged use samsungmobilepress.com. In terms of productivity software, the Tab S10 Ultra is well-equipped: Samsung’s Multi-Active Window lets you snap apps into split-screen easily, and the tablet’s widescreen means two apps side by side are each roughly akin to phone view – or use three apps at once if needed. DeX allows for a full desktop-style taskbar and resizable windows, which is fantastic when working with many documents or a web browser + Word + chat simultaneously. Moreover, with the USB-C (which Tom’s Guide even lists as Thunderbolt 4, allowing display output) tomsguide.com, you can hook the Tab to a monitor and use it as a desktop PC via DeX, even driving a large display while using the tablet as a touchpad or second screen. Where the Tab S10 Ultra might lag is specialized creative apps – Android’s offerings for things like video editing (Lumafusion is available on Android now, though) or music production are fewer. But for general productivity (email, office apps, web conferencing), it excels. The presence of a desktop-class file manager in Android means you can connect external drives (the Tab’s port supports USB storage and likely even some Thunderbolt accessories) and manage files easily – something iPadOS only introduced more recently. All told, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is ideal for productivity-focused users: those who want a tablet that can transform into a laptop-like device for work. As T3 noted, it’s “hard to see it appealing to anyone other than those who want to work on it” – but for those people, with the keyboard case it becomes “the ultimate tablet choice” t3.com. Just keep in mind the added cost: the official keyboard case is around $200+. And due to the tablet’s weight and size, using it on your lap isn’t as comfortable as an iPad or smaller device – it really shines on a table or desk.
  • OnePlus Pad 3: Stylo 2 and Smart Keyboard – OnePlus offers its own pencil and keyboard accessories, aiming to provide a full productivity package at a lower price point. The OnePlus Stylo 2 is a battery-free stylus (it charges via magnetic attachment to the Pad, like others). It supports 16,000 levels of pressure and tilt, which is actually higher granularity than Samsung’s pen oneplus.com. On paper, the Stylo 2 sounds great, but in practice it has received mixed reviews. PhoneArena noted that while accuracy improved over last year, the writing experience “just isn’t as responsive as it should be”, especially compared to Apple’s Pencil or Samsung’s S Pen phonearena.com. There’s a slight lag and less consistent line output, which heavy note-takers or artists might notice. It definitely “gets the job done” for note-taking and casual drawing, but it’s not the very best in class phonearena.com. At $99, it’s more affordable than Apple’s high-end Pencil though. OnePlus does integrate the stylus in software: a quick swipe with the pen can take a screenshot for annotation, and tapping the screen while off can open a memo app oneplus.com. If you’re an artist, you might lean iPad or Samsung; but for general use, the Stylo 2 is fine, if not exceptional. The OnePlus Smart Keyboard is a two-part folio: a back cover with kickstand and a detachable keyboard that magnetically connects phonearena.com. The keyboard has a large trackpad and generously spaced keys (larger keycaps than last year) oneplus.com. Typing feel is reported as good, and the trackpad supports multi-finger gestures (though it lacks a true right-click, as two-finger tap isn’t mapped) phonearena.com. The new keyboard design is a bit fiddly – you have to open the kickstand to attach the keyboard part, which is less elegant than last year’s one-piece design phonearena.com. Once assembled, it does provide a laptop-style experience. The keyboard even includes a dedicated AI key to summon OnePlus’s AI features quickly oneplus.com. At $199, it’s priced under Apple’s Magic Keyboard but still an investment. Combined with the sub-$700 tablet, though, the total package remains significantly cheaper than an iPad Pro kit. OnePlus’s software supports similar multitasking to Samsung (split windows, floating apps), albeit without a desktop mode. For productivity, you can comfortably have two docs side by side on that 13.2″ screen at 144Hz. One highlight is the 8-speaker audio – if you do presentations or multimedia work, the Pad 3’s speakers are “class-leading” in volume and richness phonearena.com. On conference calls, the front 8MP camera is centered (landscape) and adequate, though not as wide-field or high-res as the iPad/Samsung’s front cameras (both 12MP). OnePlus currently doesn’t offer a cellular model, so you’ll be Wi-Fi or tethering for connectivity on the go. In summary, the OnePlus Pad 3 is very capable for productivity given its price. It delivers a “premium big-screen tablet for work and play” experience phonearena.com without breaking the bank. However, its stylus and keyboard, while good, are a half-step behind Apple and Samsung in polish. If you’re a casual note-taker, the Pad 3 will serve you well; power stylus users might find the latency just a tad behind the ultra-refined Apple/Samsung pens phonearena.com. The value proposition is strong: for roughly $899 (tablet + keyboard + pen), you get a full setup that rivals the basics of a $1,300 iPad (which would be $1,700+ with Apple’s keyboard/pencil).

Accessories Ecosystem: Beyond first-party, all three tablets support Bluetooth peripherals (so you can use any keyboard, mouse, or gamepad of your choice). The iPad and Samsung also support pressure-sensitive drawing tablets or external input via USB if needed. Samsung’s USB-C (with likely USB 3.2 or USB4) and Apple’s Thunderbolt/USB4 port allow connecting things like monitors, storage drives, or even Ethernet adapters. OnePlus’s USB-C is USB 3.2 and supports video out as well. Apple’s Thunderbolt advantage is it can drive high-resolution displays and fast SSDs with ease – you could connect the iPad to a 5K display and edit video off an external drive if you wanted. Samsung in DeX can output to a monitor at up to 4K resolution, essentially turning into a mini desktop. OnePlus can mirror or extend display to a monitor (handy for presentations). All tablets support stylus hover (cursor tracking before touching the screen) – Apple and Samsung heavily utilize this (e.g. previewing UI elements), OnePlus less so. For creativity, the choice often comes down to software ecosystem: iPad Pro has the likes of Procreate (often cited by digital artists as a reason to choose iPad), while Samsung/OnePlus rely on Android apps which are improving (apps like Infinite Painter, Sketchbook, Concepts, etc., plus Android now has LumaFusion for video editing and a mobile Photoshop). But Apple still has more high-end creative apps overall. If your primary use is note-taking and annotating documents, all three are great – Samsung perhaps has the edge with S Pen included and very feature-rich Samsung Notes; iPad has excellent apps like Notability/GoodNotes with Pencil; OnePlus covers the basics well too. For writing and office work, all three support Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, etc. The Samsung and OnePlus have the advantage of full Chrome/Firefox browsers (desktop extensions etc. in DeX or via Android settings), whereas iPadOS Safari is mobile-oriented (though fairly capable).

In essence: iPad Pro M4 is the best for serious artists/designers and those who want the highest-quality keyboard/trackpad experience (Magic Keyboard). Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is the productivity workhorse, excellent for note-taking and as a laptop replacement especially if you live in the Google/Windows ecosystem; its included S Pen and optional keyboard make it ready for work from day one tomsguide.com. OnePlus Pad 3 strikes an outstanding balance for students, professionals on a budget, or anyone who wants big-screen productivity at a reasonable cost – it’s got “amazing value” as Tom’s Guide verdict states tomsguide.com tomsguide.com, delivering strong performance, a big bright screen, and long battery life that make working on it enjoyable.

Connectivity and Accessories

When it comes to connectivity options and expandability, there are some notable differences:

  • Ports and Expansion: Apple’s iPad Pro features a Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Type-C) port apple.com. This high-bandwidth port (40 Gbps) allows the iPad to connect to advanced peripherals – from 4K/5K monitors (with extended display support via Stage Manager) to fast external SSDs, audio interfaces, and more. It essentially puts the iPad on par with laptops for I/O. Neither the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra nor OnePlus Pad 3 explicitly advertise Thunderbolt support; however, both have USB-C ports. The Tab S10 Ultra’s USB-C 3.2 port supports video output and accessories (and some sources claim it might be USB4/Thunderbolt – Tom’s Guide lists it as Thunderbolt 4 tomsguide.com, though Samsung’s spec sheet doesn’t confirm Thunderbolt). In any case, the Tab can output to HDMI monitors via an adapter and supports OTG storage and input devices. The OnePlus Pad 3 has a USB-C 3.0/3.1 port – it too supports DisplayPort out and USB OTG. Unlike Samsung, OnePlus and Apple do not have microSD expansion. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra does have a microSD slot (up to 1.5TB cards supported) samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com, which is fantastic for adding cheap storage for media libraries or backups – a clear advantage over the fixed storage of iPad and OnePlus. All three have Pogo pins / magnetic connectors for their keyboard attachments (Apple and OnePlus use smart connectors on the back, Samsung has POGO pins on the side).
  • Wireless Connectivity: The iPad Pro M4 comes in Wi-Fi 6E only or Wi-Fi + 5G cellular models tomsguide.com. In the cellular models, it supports 5G (including mmWave in the US) – useful if you need always-on internet. In contrast, Samsung’s Tab S10 Ultra currently is offered in Wi-Fi and 5G (Sub6; some markets possibly mmWave) variants samsungmobilepress.com. However, a key note from Tom’s Guide: in the U.S., Samsung did not release a cellular S10 Ultra, making the iPad the only one of these with a readily available cellular option in the States tomsguide.com. OnePlus Pad 3 is Wi-Fi only (no cellular option at all) tomsguide.com. So if on-the-go connectivity is a must, the iPad (or in some countries, the Samsung) has the edge. On Wi-Fi, Samsung’s Ultra is ahead – it supports the new Wi-Fi 7 standard (the Ultra has Wi-Fi 7, though availability depends on router and region) samsungmobilepress.com. The iPad Pro M4 supports up to Wi-Fi 6E (very fast, but not as future-proof as 7). The OnePlus Pad 3 likely supports Wi-Fi 6/6E (OnePlus didn’t shout about 7, so it’s probably 6 or 6E). All have Bluetooth 5.x (Samsung uses 5.3, OnePlus 5.3, Apple 5.3), so solid for connecting accessories like headphones (Apple of course supports its Pencil via a proprietary protocol too).
  • Biometrics: Apple uses Face ID on the iPad Pro – the TrueDepth camera system is embedded in the bezel (landscape orientation now) and provides secure 3D face recognition apple.com. It works reliably for unlocking and authenticating purchases. Samsung’s Tab S10 Ultra has an in-display fingerprint scanner (optical) for biometric unlock samsungmobilepress.com. It also offers less secure face unlock via the front camera. The fingerprint sensor is convenient given the tablet’s size (no need to pick it up to align your face). OnePlus Pad 3 lacks any fingerprint scanner, and only has basic face unlock using its front camera tomsguide.com. OnePlus’s face unlock is not as secure (it’s 2D only), so for sensitive authentication you’d use a PIN/pattern. This is one area where OnePlus skimps, which some might find disappointing – both Apple and Samsung give you easy biometric login.
  • Location and Other Radios: The cellular iPad and Samsung models have GPS. The Wi-Fi only models (and OnePlus, being Wi-Fi) typically rely on Wi-Fi-based location. Samsung and Apple have NFC in some capacity (for Apple it’s mainly for Apple Pay with Touch ID/Face ID; Samsung’s tablets don’t typically have NFC readers for payments, and none of these tablets are meant for tap-to-pay use). OnePlus’s keyboard has NFC built-in for instant pairing/transfers with OnePlus phones oneplus.com. None have a headphone jack – you’ll need USB-C or Bluetooth audio. All have strong quad-speaker (or eight-speaker) systems to compensate.
  • Accessories and Ecosystem: We covered first-party accessories earlier. In terms of other accessories: Apple’s ecosystem offers many third-party cases, keyboard alternatives (e.g. Logitech Combo Touch), and creative tools. Samsung’s tablet benefits from being able to use general PC peripherals – for example, you could plug in a USB hub with Ethernet, HDMI, etc., and it will all work (the iPad can too, but some things like external drive formats are more limited on iPadOS). OnePlus, being newer in tablets, has fewer tailor-made third-party accessories, but generic ones (stands, Bluetooth keyboards, etc.) work fine. Notably, Samsung’s Tab can also integrate with Galaxy phones – e.g., use tablet as a second screen for phone apps, or copy text between phone and tablet seamlessly, and even continue using phone apps on the tablet (via Samsung’s “Continue apps” feature). Apple likewise has Continuity between iPhone/Mac and iPad (Universal Control lets you use one keyboard/mouse across Mac and iPad, for instance). OnePlus, being under Oppo, can do things like remote control Oppo phones or share clipboard if you’re in that ecosystem.

In summary, connectivity-wise: The iPad Pro M4 is king for wired throughput (Thunderbolt) and has widely available cellular models (including mmWave in US) tomsguide.com. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra provides more expansion flexibility (microSD, various covers) and now unprecedented 7-year software support which is a form of “connectivity” to the future sammobile.com. It also has cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 and an included pen. The OnePlus Pad 3 keeps things simpler – Wi-Fi only, no expandable storage – but covers the bases for most with Wi-Fi 6/6E and fast USB connectivity.

A quick Connectivity Table for reference:

FeatureiPad Pro M4Galaxy Tab S10 UltraOnePlus Pad 3
PortThunderbolt/USB4 (40 Gbps) tomsguide.comUSB-C 3.2 (DP alt-mode; USB4 rumored) tomsguide.comUSB-C 3.1 (DP alt-mode)
Expandable StorageNoYes – microSD (up to 1.5TB) samsungmobilepress.comNo
Cellular OptionYes (5G sub6 + mmWave) tomsguide.comYes (5G sub6, no US cellular)No (Wi-Fi only)
Wi-Fi6E (6 GHz)7 (6E on S10+ model) samsungmobilepress.com6/6E (Wi-Fi 6E likely)
Biometric UnlockFace ID (3D) apple.comFingerprint (in-screen) + 2D Face samsungmobilepress.com2D Face only
Included StylusNo (sold separately)Yes – S Pen included tomsguide.comNo (sold separately)
Included KeyboardNoNo (sold separately)No (sold separately)
OtherThunderbolt accessories, FaceTime/Center Stage cameraDeX mode, Samsung Flow, Second ScreenRemote PC control, Mac integration features

Price, Availability, and Market Positioning

Now, let’s talk money and where these tablets stand in the market:

  • Apple iPad Pro M4 (2024) – The iPad Pro is the priciest of the bunch. The 13-inch iPad Pro M4 starts at $1,299 for 256 GB Wi-Fi tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. The 11-inch starts at $999 for 256 GB. If you want cellular, add about $200. And higher storage configurations (up to 2 TB) can push the price well above $2k. Simply put, the iPad Pro is a premium investment. Apple positions it as a cutting-edge device for professionals and power users who won’t compromise. It’s marketed as a laptop alternative (hence “Built for Apple Intelligence” and the emphasis on pro apps) and also as the go-to tablet for creatives. In the 2025 market, the iPad Pro M4 stands at the top end – its main competition are not only other tablets but even laptops (like Microsoft’s Surface Pro or high-end ultrabooks). Apple’s strategy seems to be: if you want the absolute best tablet experience (and are willing to pay for it), the iPad Pro is the answer. They are likely selling in moderate volumes to enterprise, artists, and Apple enthusiasts. As an ecosystem play, the iPad Pro complements Mac and iPhone usage, but Apple clearly wants to draw some MacBook users toward iPad with the M4’s power. Availability: Apple released the M4 iPad Pros in late 2024 (they’ve been on sale since around October 2024) and they’re widely available worldwide through Apple Stores and resellers. There are often slight discounts at third-party retailers (by mid-2025 one might find $100-150 off). But generally, expect to pay the Apple Tax. For many casual users, Apple offers cheaper iPads (Air, standard iPad). The Pro is positioned for enthusiasts and professionals. One interesting point: despite its high price, one reviewer noted they personally “bought a $999 iPad just for the nice display…and don’t regret it” 9to5mac.com – highlighting how the iPad Pro can even appeal to those who just want the best media device, budget be damned. That’s Apple’s halo effect in action.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra (2024) – The Tab S10 Ultra launched at $1,199.99 for the base 256 GB Wi-Fi model tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Samsung also offers a 512 GB ($1,319) and 1 TB ($1,619) variant, with higher prices for 5G models where available samsung.com. Samsung, however, is known for quick discounts and trade-in deals. Indeed, not long after release, the Tab S10 Ultra could be found for around $999 on sale (and even lower with device trade-ins or bundle deals) samsung.com. By mid-2025, it’s not uncommon to see promotional pricing in the $900s for this tablet. That means street price often undercuts the equivalent iPad Pro by a few hundred dollars. Remember though, the S Pen is included, adding value – whereas Apple Pencil is $129 extra on iPad. The Tab S10 Ultra’s keyboard cover is about $200, similar to Apple’s. So a full Tab S10 Ultra “kit” (tablet + keyboard, pen included) at MSRP is $1,400, still a bit below an iPad Pro 13″ + Magic Keyboard + Pencil ($1,800). Samsung’s market positioning for the Tab S10 Ultra is as the ultimate Android tablet, aimed at both productivity and media. It’s a niche device – the size and price mean it competes partly with iPad Pro and partly with laptops. Samsung also released a Tab S10+ (12.4″) at lower cost, and even a Tab S10 FE (Fan Edition) around $649 for more mass-market appeal. So the Ultra is really their showcase, halo tablet. It’s “as close as you’ll get to an iPad Pro rival from Android”, according to T3’s review tagline t3.com. In the Android tablet space, its competitors are maybe Lenovo’s high-end Tab Extreme or Xiaomi/Huawei’s large tablets, but globally Samsung holds the crown. Availability: The Tab S10 Ultra launched in late 2024 and is available in most regions (though as mentioned, in the US only Wi-Fi model was sold directly). Samsung sells it through its website (often with trade-in offers) and major retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, etc. By now, it’s fairly accessible, and possibly due for a successor in late 2025 (Tab S11 Ultra perhaps), but with 7-year updates, the S10 Ultra is built to remain relevant for a long time sammobile.com. Market-wise, Samsung likely sees the Ultra as a device for Samsung loyalists, Android enthusiasts, and businesses (the DeX capability and long updates make it attractive for enterprise deployments). It’s expensive, but still undercuts Apple while offering more screen – a key part of its positioning is “bigger screen, slightly lower price than iPad”.
  • OnePlus Pad 3 (2025) – OnePlus has aggressively priced the Pad 3 to shake up the market. In the US, it comes only in the top configuration (12 GB RAM + 256 GB) at $699.99 phonearena.com phonearena.com. In other markets like the UK, there’s also a higher 16 GB + 512 GB model for £599/$699 tomsguide.com tomsguide.com (essentially, the US gets the higher spec as base). At $699, the Pad 3 significantly undercuts the iPad Pro and Tab Ultra – it’s even cheaper than the smaller iPad Air or Samsung’s own Tab S10+ and just slightly above Samsung’s midrange Tab S10 FE tomsguide.com. OnePlus’s strategy is clear: offer 90% of what premium tablets do at half the price. And it’s working – early reviews call it “the best Android tablet for the price”, and even “the best Android tablet, period, considering value”. Tom’s Guide went so far as to say “OnePlus proves it deserves to be considered the top Android tablet maker for another year… the still competitive price only makes the beefy performance, big and bright screen, and long-lasting battery even more appealing.” tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Essentially, OnePlus is targeting consumers (and students, freelancers, etc.) who want a high-end experience but can’t stomach $1000+. It’s also aiming at those possibly disillusioned with rising Apple/Samsung prices – offering a flagship-killer tablet akin to how OnePlus phones were flagship killers. At $699, its direct competition would be Apple’s iPad Air (which is $599–749 with 256GB) or Samsung’s Tab S10 FE/Plus. But the Pad 3 outclasses those on specs (more RAM, higher refresh, etc.), punching above its price. OnePlus also likely hopes to sell the keyboard ($199) and stylus ($99), but even all-in you’re around $1000, still dramatically less than a comparable iPad Pro setup. Availability: The Pad 3 launched in China earlier in 2025 and in North America in July 2025 oneplus.com oneplus.com. It’s sold via OnePlus’s website and partners like Amazon. OnePlus doesn’t have the retail presence of Apple or Samsung, so it’s a bit more niche distribution. However, the Pad 3 is receiving a lot of positive press, which drives interest. It’s positioned as a top choice in the Android tablet ranks especially if value is considered – as AndroidHeadlines put it, a “contender for iPad Pro killer” at a much lower cost androidheadlines.com.

Market Position Recap: The iPad Pro M4 sits at the ultra-premium, commanding the highest price but also offering the most prestige and arguably quality. It’s best for those already in Apple’s world or those who genuinely need its superior capabilities (or simply want the best and are willing to pay). The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra tries to offer a premium alternative – slightly cheaper, with a larger screen and some extras (included pen, microSD) to justify itself. It targets power users in the Android/Windows ecosystem and has carved a niche as the Android tablet for productivity and entertainment. The OnePlus Pad 3 is the disruptor – bringing many high-end features to a broader audience by pricing it in the mid-tier. It undercuts even Apple’s midrange iPads while challenging Samsung’s flagships on performance. This broadens the high-end tablet market to more consumers who might have otherwise settled for a budget tablet.

If budget is no issue and you demand excellence (and/or need specific iPad-only apps), the iPad Pro is positioned as your pick. If you want maximum tablet for your dollar and don’t mind Android, the OnePlus Pad 3 is extremely appealing. The Samsung sits somewhat in between: for those who do want that massive AMOLED and the Samsung ecosystem (and perhaps find $699 too basic, but $1299 too high, the Samsung at $999 on sale could be a “just right” middle ground with a giant screen).

Expert Opinions and Reviews

To get a well-rounded view, let’s hear what experts have said about each of these tablets:

  • Apple iPad Pro M4: Reviews have been glowing about the M4 iPad Pro’s combination of display and performance, though some note iPadOS’s limits. Michael Burkhardt of 9to5Mac admitted he wasn’t an iPad enthusiast until this model: “I’ve now owned an M4 iPad Pro for nearly a year, and I can confidently say it’s changed how I feel towards iPads… Ultimately, the screen is a big difference maker… it still isn’t as good as the [MacBook’s] miniLED display, but it still isn’t as good as the Tandem OLED display on the M4 iPad Pro.” 9to5mac.com He also praised the improved form factor: “the fact that it’s thinner and lighter… adds up. It’s even more substantial with the 13-inch iPad Pro, which is 1.3mm thinner and over 100g lighter than its predecessor. When you’re holding a large tablet for hours, the way it feels matters a lot.” 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com. Many reviewers note that the iPad Pro is overpowered but in a good way – it “remains the benchmark” for tablet performance. Tom’s Guide in a head-to-head concluded the iPad won on speed: “Single-core scores are significantly higher, and the iPad Pro beats the Galaxy Tab in multi-core performance by more than double.” xda-developers.com In terms of overall verdicts, the iPad Pro M4 is often called the best tablet you can buy (with the caveat of cost). The only consistent criticism is iPadOS not fully exploiting the hardware for “pro” workflows, but even that gap is narrowing with each update. As 9to5Mac’s reviewer said, “It’s no MacBook Pro, but I do quite enjoy it in my ecosystem… I’m perfectly content using my M4 MacBook Pro for heavy tasks and the iPad for everything else.” 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Tech reviewers are impressed by the Tab S10 Ultra’s ambition. T3 awarded it a Platinum Award and wrote: “The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra remains a powerful and premium Android tablet – and one of the best experiences you’ll find outside of the iPad Pro. It’s expensive… and it’s hard to see it appealing to anyone other than those who want to work on it… But the display shines and the build impresses – if you’re looking for a large Android tablet at the very top of its game, this is the ultimate choice.” t3.com. That nicely sums it up: a superb device for a specific audience. AndroidPolice noted the size as a double-edged sword: “It’s packing a MediaTek 9300+ that ensures quality performance. [But] Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a niche device at its size… it’s simply too big for some.” androidpolice.com androidpolice.com. PhoneArena similarly said it’s “the biggest Android tablet now relies on MediaTek… if you’re okay with its size and hefty cost, [it] is one of the best tablets you can buy” techradar.com t3.com. Many reviewers praised the S Pen experience and the gorgeous screen for media. Digital Citizen wrote: “While it’s not perfect, if you’re okay with its size and cost, the Tab S10 Ultra is one of the best tablets money can buy”. The general consensus: The Tab S10 Ultra is the top Android pick, nearly matching the iPad in quality, albeit Android’s tablet app situation and the device’s bulk are slight downsides. Tom’s Guide face-off concluded each has strengths but did mention “while it can’t outperform or outlast the iPad Pro M4, [the Tab S10 Ultra] delivers killer entertainment and multitasking, making it a strong rival” tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. With Samsung’s new update pledge, even long-term review considerations are positive – future-proofing is ensured.
  • OnePlus Pad 3: The Pad 3 has garnered surprisingly high praise, often punching above its weight in reviews. Tom’s Guide gave it a strong endorsement, with Richard Priday stating: “I knew the day I’d find an Android tablet I’d be happy to switch my iPad for would come… I was surprised it’s come in the form of the OnePlus Pad 3.” tomsguide.com. He continues, “Pad 3 has proven to be the best balance of price and features you can get in Android tablets, if not all tablets, right now.” tomsguide.com. That’s a bold statement – essentially calling it one of the best tablets overall because of its value. PhoneArena similarly called it “a true heavyweight contender in 2025” that “covers all the bases for both play and productivity” phonearena.com phonearena.com. They did list cons like the heavy weight and mediocre pen responsiveness, but still rated it 7.6/10 which is respectable given the price phonearena.com phonearena.com. WIRED in their review headline said “Killer Tablet, High Price” ironically (because it’s high price relative to OnePlus Pad 2, but still cheaper than others) and noted OnePlus promises “three Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates” which is reassuring wired.com. Most reviewers agree the Pad 3’s strengths are its performance, display, and battery – often drawing direct comparisons to iPad Pro or Galaxy Tab and concluding the differences are minor considering the Pad 3 costs so much less. The downsides mentioned are typically: lack of cellular option, no fingerprint, and that its software, while very good, isn’t quite as feature-rich as Samsung’s for multitasking. But many, like AndroidHeadlines, conclude that “OnePlus Pad 3 is absolutely one of the best and most polished premium Android tablets around… the value proposition is definitely strong here, especially at the price of $699” phonearena.com phonearena.com.

In sum, experts see the iPad Pro M4 as the gold standard of tablets, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra as an ambitious runner-up that excels for Android users, and the OnePlus Pad 3 as an upstart that delivers an almost flagship experience at a much lower price. Each has won its share of accolades: the iPad for its screen and power (“changed how I feel towards iPads” 9to5mac.com), the Galaxy Tab for pushing tablet size and Android capability (“ultimate choice” for large Android tablet t3.com), and OnePlus for redefining value (“too good a value to ignore”* tomsguide.com tomsguide.com).

Recent News and Updates

Staying current is important if you’re buying in late 2025. Here are some recent news nuggets and updates for these tablets:

  • iPad Pro M4: After its late-2024 launch, the iPad Pro M4 line has seen a few notable updates. In 2025, Apple released iPadOS 18 (and later 18.1) which brought further refinements like customizable lock screens (now on iPad), improved Stage Manager stability, and new Pencil capabilities (e.g. Pencil hover now shows tooltips in more apps). Apple also expanded the use of the M4’s Neural Engine with on-device machine learning features – for instance, Live Text (OCR) runs faster, and new apps leverage the M4 for AI art generation and advanced image editing. There was buzz earlier in 2025 that Apple might introduce an even larger “14-inch iPad” or an M5 chip in 2025, but as of now the M4 iPad Pro remains top-dog and likely will until late 2025 or 2026. Availability-wise, Apple did a promotion for students (offering free AirPods with iPad Pro) apple.com. Also, in early 2025 Apple quietly dropped the 128GB tier and made 256GB the base (hence the starting price rose a bit, which some didn’t love, but you get more storage). A rumor/news: Apple might launch an Apple Pencil (USB-C) Gen 2 or some new Pencil, but nothing concrete yet – the Pencil Pro introduced with M4 iPad is the latest. Another update: professional apps Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro came to iPad in May 2023, and by 2025 they have received updates specifically optimizing for M3/M4 iPads (e.g. supporting multiple 4K video tracks smoothly). So, creatives will be happy to know those apps have matured on iPadOS. No major hardware issues have been reported widely for the M4 iPad (remember the 2018 “bendgate”? No such drama this time – the 5.1mm chassis seems sturdy enough). Security updates continue regularly; by late 2025 iPadOS 18.2 is expected with more minor features. Essentially, the iPad Pro M4 is aging gracefully and still at the pinnacle – Apple likely won’t replace it until M5 or a big display tech jump, so buying now is a safe bet with several years of top-tier status.
  • Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Since its launch (which was somewhat low-profile via press release in late 2024), the big news for the Tab S10 Ultra was Samsung’s software support pledge. In Nov 2024, Samsung confirmed 7 years of updates for the Tab S10 series sammobile.com, as discussed. That means through 2031 with Android 21 – this news was widely reported and praised, indicating Samsung’s serious about longevity. In 2025, the Tab S10 Ultra received the One UI 7 / Android 15 update (Samsung managed to push Android 15 by late 2025 to these tablets). One UI 7 brought enhancements in AI features: Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite on the Tab got smarter – e.g., “Note Creator” can now automatically generate meeting notes from an audio recording using on-device AI, and Image Creator (text-to-image) is built into the Gallery app for fun. Samsung also released a mid-year update improving the tablet’s refresh rate handling, enabling a more aggressive 120Hz use in more apps (initially some apps were locked to 60Hz). In terms of hardware updates, Samsung launched a Tab S10 FE in early 2025 and trimmed the Tab S10 lineup (no base S10, just S10+ and Ultra). This solidified the Ultra as the uncompromising option. There was a minor controversy on updates frequency: some users were disappointed that despite 7-year support, Samsung put the Tab S10 Ultra on a quarterly update schedule (not monthly) from the start samsung.com. Samsung clarified that critical patches would still come if needed. Another piece of recent news: Samsung’s Galaxy Ecosystem features expanded – you can now use a Galaxy phone as a webcam for the Tab (useful given the Tab’s front cam is already good, but options are nice), and Samsung’s Multi Control (keyboard/mouse sharing between Galaxy phone and tablet, akin to Apple’s Universal Control) got an update to work more seamlessly across the Tab S10 and new Galaxy phones. Also, Samsung has been offering aggressive deals – for instance, pre-holiday 2025, they ran a promo where buying a Tab S10 Ultra got you a free Keyboard Cover (a $200 value) and a hefty trade-in credit. This signals Samsung’s push to get the Ultra into more hands. Looking forward, rumors say Samsung might skip an S11 Ultra and wait for new display tech (perhaps a rollable tablet?) but nothing concrete. For now, the S10 Ultra remains Samsung’s flagship tablet and will be for the foreseeable future – its users are enjoying being first-class citizens with long support.
  • OnePlus Pad 3: Being newer, the Pad 3’s news is mostly around its launch and reception. It officially went on sale July 8, 2025 in North America oneplus.com oneplus.com after a June announcement. Early sales seem positive (OnePlus claimed strong pre-orders, likely helped by bundling the keyboard for free in some launch promos phonearena.com phonearena.com). OnePlus also announced that the Pad 3 will receive Android 16 in 2026 and Android 17/18 down the line as per their policy. A small software update was issued in August 2025 addressing the stylus latency – improving it slightly via firmware (reviewers noted a bit of improvement, but it’s still not at Apple level). OnePlus also expanded the Pad 3 availability to Europe and India by Q3 2025, and interestingly pitched it to students by highlighting its note-taking and the inclusion of a six-month subscription to an AI note-taking app in some regions. In OnePlus community forums, some users requested a cellular model – OnePlus responded that they are considering it for future pads, but Pad 3 is Wi-Fi only for now (perhaps to keep cost down). Another snippet: OnePlus teased “OnePlus Pad Go” or a Pad Mini for 2026, meaning they see enough success with Pad 3 to expand the lineup (one Tom’s Guide link even mentions a Pad mini rumor tomsguide.com). In terms of competition, the Pad 3 kind of stands alone at its price for what it offers, but one could see Google’s Pixel Tablet (though that’s far lower spec) or waiting for a potential Pixel Tablet 2 as alternatives. So far, OnePlus Pad 3 owners seem very satisfied – the device has a high user rating, with particular praise for its display and battery life (common folks really notice that 144Hz smoothness and all-day battery). OnePlus has also been pushing software updates to refine OxygenOS on tablet – e.g., by end of 2025 they rolled out OxygenOS 15.1 bringing better multi-app gestures and the latest Android security patches.

Overall, the recent narrative: Apple continues refining the iPad Pro via software and keeping it as the tablet to beat, Samsung doubled down on longevity and productivity features for the Tab S10 Ultra, and OnePlus entered the chat with a bang and is quickly iterating to polish the Pad experience. No major pitfalls or negative surprises have emerged for any of them in 2025 – which is good news if you’re considering buying now. It largely comes down to what ecosystem and use-case you prefer, as all three have proven to be excellent in their own right.

Final Verdict: Which Tablet is Best for Whom?

Choosing among these three remarkable tablets really comes down to your priorities and ecosystem. Here’s our guidance on who each tablet is best suited for:

Apple iPad Pro M4 (OLED)Best for creative professionals, power users in the Apple ecosystem, and those who demand the absolute top display and performance. If you live and breathe Apple – own a Mac or iPhone, use AirDrop, FaceTime, iCloud – the iPad Pro M4 will slot in perfectly. It’s ideal for artists (with Apple Pencil Pro providing the most pen-on-paper-like experience and apps like Procreate/Affinity available), for video or music producers (with the new iPad versions of Final Cut and Logic, plus that mini-LED-beating XDR screen 9to5mac.com), and generally anyone who wants a laptop replacement without leaving Apple’s walled garden. The M4 chip’s sheer horsepower makes it future-proof and capable of tasks even laptops struggle with – so if you edit 4K videos, manage huge RAW photo libraries, or just want a tablet that never lags, the iPad delivers. It also has the most refined build – that super-thin, light design is a joy to carry around 9to5mac.com. The caveats: it’s expensive (especially once you add the Magic Keyboard and Pencil), and iPadOS, while improved, still isn’t a full macOS replacement for some workflows (e.g. coding or certain engineering software). Multitasking is more constrained than on a PC, and you have to be okay with that “focus and simplicity” approach 9to5mac.com. If those trade-offs are acceptable, the iPad Pro M4 is the pinnacle of tablets – it will serve a graphics designer sketching all day, a student taking handwritten notes (with best-in-class handwriting OCR and note apps), or an executive annotating PDFs and hopping on video calls (its front camera with Center Stage auto-framing and superior mics make for excellent Zoom/FaceTime calls). It’s also simply the best content consumption device – that OLED is chef’s kiss for movies. So, choose iPad Pro M4 if you want no-compromise hardware and are invested in Apple’s ecosystem or need its pro-grade apps. It’s for the buyer who says “I want the very best – price be damned.”

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 UltraBest for Android/Windows users who want a large-screen productivity and entertainment hub, and for those who value versatility (tablet/desktop modes) with long software support. The Tab S10 Ultra is essentially a tablet workstation. It’s perfect for someone who wants to replace a laptop with a tablet that can do it all: take notes with the included S Pen, type documents in a desktop-like interface (DeX) with the keyboard cover, and remote into work PCs or run Microsoft Office with ease. If you’re an avid Windows PC user, the Tab integrates nicely – Second Screen can extend your Windows desktop, Link to Windows lets you text from the Tab, etc. Also, if you have a Galaxy phone, the ecosystem perks (Samsung Notes sync, continuing apps, sharing files via Quick Share) are a big plus. The Tab S10 Ultra’s huge 14.6″ Super AMOLED is made for media lovers too – if you watch a lot of movies or Netflix, the immersive display and quad speakers are cinematic. Gamers might enjoy pairing it with an Xbox controller for cloud gaming on a big screen. It’s also excellent for digital illustrators who want screen real estate – apps like SketchBook or Clip Studio shine on the expansive canvas (some artists prefer the Tab’s larger screen despite Apple’s slightly better stylus latency). The device’s weaknesses (size and weight) actually become strengths if you primarily use it on a table or desk – it’s like a touchscreen monitor you can carry in a bag. And knowing it will get updates for 7 years sammobile.com means it’s a solid long-term investment for businesses or individuals. We recommend the Tab S10 Ultra for those who value flexibility: it transforms from tablet to PC mode, supports expandable storage (great for photographers/videographers who can dump files onto a microSD), and has both fingerprint and face unlock for convenience. It’s the go-to for someone who might say “I want an Android tablet that does everything the iPad Pro can do, plus I want a bigger screen and more open file management.” It’s also a good choice if you need a tablet that multiple users might share (Android supports multi-user accounts, unlike iPadOS). Keep in mind, it is large – so if portability or one-handed use is key for you, this isn’t the couch-friendly device (Samsung’s own Tab S10+ or an iPad mini might be better then). But if you want the ultimate Android powerhouse, the Tab S10 Ultra is it – an “Android tablet to rival the iPad Pro” as T3 said t3.com, particularly for productivity and media consumption in equal measure.

OnePlus Pad 3Best for value-conscious buyers, students, and productivity users who want high-end performance and features without the high price; great for general media, multitasking, and as a family tablet. The OnePlus Pad 3 is kind of the sweet spot for many people. It delivers a premium experience at a mid-range price, which means it’s easier to recommend to students, young professionals, or really anyone who doesn’t want to drop a grand+ on a tablet. If you’re platform-agnostic or already use an Android phone (OnePlus or otherwise), the Pad 3 will fit in nicely. It’s especially a killer choice for students: you get a large, sharp screen for reading textbooks or taking notes, a smooth 144Hz display for scrolling through research or social media, and an included (or affordable) pen/keyboard for jotting down lecture notes and writing essays. All-day battery life means it can last through back-to-back classes phonearena.com phonearena.com. And when it’s time to relax, that 13.2″ screen and loud 8-speaker system are awesome for YouTube, Netflix, or games. The Pad 3 is also ideal as a family tablet or for someone who wants a bit of everything – you can sketch or doodle with the Stylo 2 (casual artists or kids will find it perfectly fine), get work done with the keyboard (emails, documents, web browsing fly thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip phonearena.com), and it’s lightweight enough to curl up with on the couch unlike the larger Samsung. Many might compare it to the standard iPad or iPad Air – but for the price, the Pad 3 gives a more premium display (higher refresh, higher res) and no performance compromise. The trade-offs are minor for most: no cellular option (tethering can solve that if needed), and Android’s tablet app selection, while improving, isn’t as rich as Apple’s – but all the major apps students or office workers need are there (Office, Chrome, Gmail, YouTube, Zoom, etc.). OnePlus also specifically optimized it for multitasking, making it efficient for managing study research with multiple apps open. With 6 years of security updates promised oneplus.com, it’s also safe to use for the long haul. Choose the OnePlus Pad 3 if you’re someone who says, “I want a tablet that can do almost everything the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab can, but I have a budget of $700.” In use, you’re not likely to feel much compromise – as one reviewer said, it “refines [OnePlus’s] best features even further” and offers “amazing value” tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. It’s the practical choice that will satisfy the majority of users who need a device for a mix of web, media, and productivity without venturing into ultra-specialized app territories.

In Conclusion: All three of these tablets are winners in their own right, setting the bar for 2025. The iPad Pro M4 is the choice for those who demand the crème de la crème and thrive in Apple’s garden – you’ll get an unsurpassed display and powerhouse chip that make creative and professional tasks a delight 9to5mac.com phonearena.com. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is for the do-it-all Android user who wants a tablet that’s as large as their ambitions – it’s a laptop-replacement for Android aficionados and a multimedia monster with the assurance of years of updates t3.com sammobile.com. The OnePlus Pad 3 is the hero for the every-person: high-end features made accessible – it’s “too good a value to ignore” tomsguide.com and perfect for those who want to maximize bang for buck without feeling they settled for less. In the end, you really can’t go drastically wrong: it’s about aligning your choice with your ecosystem and use-case. We hope this deep-dive comparison has clarified the strengths of each device. Now the final call is yours – whether you choose the iPad Pro M4, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, or the OnePlus Pad 3, you’ll be getting one of the best tablets of 2025, tailored to what you value most in a computing companion.

Sources: Apple, Samsung, OnePlus official spec sheets and announcements apple.com samsungmobilepress.com oneplus.com; reviews from Tom’s Guide, PhoneArena, 9to5Mac, T3 and others for performance, display, and expert opinions phonearena.com phonearena.com 9to5mac.com t3.com; and real-world battery and benchmark data from PhoneArena phonearena.com phonearena.com. These collectively inform the analysis and recommendations provided above.

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