After 48 hours side‑by‑side testing, we reveal which tablet actually boosts our productivity by over 30%—can the Tab S9 Ultra dethrone the iPad Pro 12.9?
We compare the renewed Apple 2021 iPad Pro 12.9 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra to help you choose the best large tablet for creativity, productivity, and media on Amazon. Our hands-on notes focus on real-world use, performance, and value.
Creative Powerhouse
We found it to be a powerful, well-rounded tablet that handles creative and productivity tasks with ease. Its display and accessory support make it especially appealing for professionals and creators who prioritize color accuracy and responsiveness.
Large Canvas
We appreciate the tablet’s expansive AMOLED canvas and included S Pen, which make it ideal for media, note-taking, and split-screen workflows. While it’s a heavy-duty content machine, its size reduces everyday portability compared with smaller 12–13 inch tablets.
iPad Pro 12.9
Tab S9 Ultra
iPad Pro 12.9
Tab S9 Ultra
iPad Pro 12.9
Tab S9 Ultra
Design, Build Quality and Portability: Which Feels Premium?
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) — materials and handling
We find the renewed iPad Pro still feels extremely refined: an aluminum chassis with flat edges, a glass front and that familiar Space Gray finish make it feel premium in hand. At about 10.4 ounces on the spec sheet, it’s light for a 12.9-inch tablet, so one-handed holds for short periods are reasonable and it sits stably on our lap for typing.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra — materials and handling
The S9 Ultra’s build also reads premium: thin bezels, a metal frame and large glass surface give it a high-end look. The 14.6-inch footprint makes it a statement device — gorgeous but clearly larger and heavier than the iPad Pro, so one-handed use is impractical and lap use can feel top-heavy.
Portability, ergonomics and accessory fit — practical differences
We prefer the iPad Pro for balanced portability and premium feel; the S9 Ultra wins when screen size and an included S Pen matter more than pocketability.
Display, Audio and Media Experience: Watching, Drawing, and Presenting
Panel and HDR: mini‑LED vs AMOLED
We compare the iPad Pro’s 12.9″ Liquid Retina XDR (mini‑LED) to the Tab S9 Ultra’s 14.6″ AMOLED. The iPad’s mini‑LED wins on HDR: bright highlights, punchy speculars and reliable local dimming make HDR movies and pro photo previews pop. The S9 Ultra’s AMOLED delivers deeper blacks and more saturated colors, which gives streaming and gaming an immediate “cinema” feel on a bigger canvas.
The S9 Ultra’s larger 14.6″ panel pulls you into content — excellent for split‑screen multitasking and showing work to others — while the iPad’s higher pixel density makes fine detail and text crisper for editing.
Touch, Pencil and S‑Pen performance
We test responsiveness with Apple Pencil (2nd gen) and the bundled S Pen. Both feel near‑instant for sketching and note‑taking. Apple Pencil is marginally more precise for hair‑fine strokes and pressure dynamics in Procreate; S Pen gives superb latency and the huge screen makes broad gestures more comfortable. Palm rejection and tilt support are excellent on both.
Speakers, video calls and media
Both tablets have quad speakers and Dolby Atmos support. The iPad delivers very balanced, accurate audio—great for dialogue and music mixing. The S9 Ultra uses its bigger body to add a touch more physical bass and stage for movies. For video calls, the iPad’s Center Stage adds practical framing advantages.
Size vs immersion — practical tradeoffs
We’d pick the iPad for HDR editing and portability; the S9 Ultra when maximum screen real estate and deep blacks matter most.
Performance, Battery Life and Accessories: Power for Work and Play
Performance: day‑to‑day and heavier tasks
We find the M1 iPad Pro still feels snappy for app switching, gallery edits and light video work—optimised iPadOS apps (Procreate, LumaFusion) leverage Metal and deliver smooth timelines. The Tab S9 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 plus 12GB RAM handles aggressive multi‑window workflows and many Android apps without stutter; its extra RAM helps keep many apps resident while we jump between tasks. For raw single‑threaded speed the M1 often edges out, but for sustained multitasking the S9 Ultra is a potent contender.
Battery life and charging expectations (renewed units)
The iPad Pro spec lists roughly a 10‑hour day in mixed use; the S9 Ultra’s larger cell often matches or slightly exceeds that in moderate brightness despite its bigger AMOLED. With renewed units we expect some battery wear—plan for modestly reduced runtime versus new units and confirm the seller’s battery test/return policy. Chargers and cables may not be included; check listings.
Storage, expandability and real‑world space
Accessories and productivity impact
We’d pick the iPad for app‑optimized pro workflows and pen precision; we’d pick the S9 Ultra for raw multi‑app endurance, included S Pen and larger on‑device storage.
Feature Comparison
Software, Ecosystem and Real-World Use Cases: Which Fits Your Workflow?
Platform and apps
We see iPadOS as the clear leader for creative apps—Procreate and LumaFusion are iPad‑exclusive and feel buttery on the M1. Lightroom, Photoshop, Office and Google Workspace run well on both. On the Tab S9 Ultra Android 14, Samsung Notes plus pen integration is excellent and many Android pro apps are improving, but a few pro-grade tablet apps remain iPad‑only.
Multitasking and file management
Both handle split‑screen and floating windows. The S9 Ultra’s 12GB RAM and large AMOLED make aggressive multi‑window workflows smoother when we keep many apps resident. iPadOS offers polished Stage Manager (on supported iPads) and a streamlined Files app; Android gives more direct file access and easier USB‑C drive use.
Continuity and peripherals
We love iPad for tight continuity with iPhone and Mac—Handoff, Universal Clipboard, AirDrop and native Magic Keyboard/Apple Pencil support boost productivity. The S9 Ultra shines with a bundled S Pen and DeX/Link to Windows options that make it feel closer to a laptop when we need desktop apps.
Cameras and video conferencing
For remote work the iPad Pro’s TrueDepth front camera with Center Stage and strong mics keeps us framed and audible. The S9 Ultra’s large screen and solid front cameras are great for multi‑participant calls and presentations; both deliver professional results in typical home/office lighting.
Support, updates and resale
Apple historically provides longer OS support and resale value—useful for renewed buys. Samsung offers strong support and features but generally shorter OS longevity. With renewed units we recommend verifying seller warranty, battery health and return policy.
Who should buy which
Final Verdict: Which Renewed Large Tablet Should You Buy?
We name the iPad Pro overall winner for performance, pro apps, and Apple Pencil workflows; the Tab S9 Ultra wins for its larger AMOLED, included S Pen, and storage.
Buying renewed: verify seller rating, warranty/returns, battery health and photos. Buy iPad Pro for pros; choose Tab S9 Ultra for media/value today.