iPad Pro 12.9-inch and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra lead with the biggest screens

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra are the largest tablets you can buy today, both with 12.9-inch displays. The iPad Pro uses an OLED screen with 2732 × 2048 resolution, while the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has an AMOLED screen at 2960 × 1848 resolution. Both are genuinely large — closer to a small laptop than a phone — and both cost over $1,000 before you add storage or accessories.

If you want the absolute largest screen available, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra technically edges ahead with a 14.6-inch option, though Samsung also sells the same tablet in the 12.9-inch size. The 14.6-inch model is harder to find in stores and carries a higher price tag, but it gives you the most screen real estate of any mainstream tablet.

Size matters less than what you actually do with the tablet. A 12.9-inch screen is large enough for most people to read documents, watch video, or draw without strain. A 14.6-inch screen adds noticeable extra space but also adds weight and makes the tablet less comfortable to hold for long periods. Before you choose based on screen size alone, think about whether you will carry it often or mostly use it on a desk.

Key Takeaways

  • The iPad Pro 12.9-inch and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra both have 12.9-inch screens and cost over $1,000 before storage upgrades.
  • The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra comes in a 14.6-inch version if you want the largest screen available, though it is heavier and more expensive.
  • Larger screens are better for reading, video, and creative work, but add weight and reduce portability.
  • Mid-size tablets like the iPad Air (10.9 inches) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (11 inches) offer a balance between screen space and usability for most people.
  • Screen size alone does not determine value — consider what you will use the tablet for and whether you will carry it regularly.

iPad Pro 12.9-inch: the largest Apple tablet

Apple's iPad Pro 12.9-inch is the biggest tablet Apple makes. It has an OLED display with 2732 × 2048 resolution, which means text and images are sharp and colors are accurate. The screen is bright enough to use in sunlight, and the refresh rate goes up to 120 Hz, which makes scrolling and animations feel smooth.

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch weighs 1.5 pounds, which is heavy enough that holding it for more than a few minutes becomes tiring. Most people use it on a stand or lap desk rather than in their hands. It comes with 128 GB of storage as the base model, but you can upgrade to 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB. The price starts around $1,100 for the base model and goes up from there.

The iPad Pro works best if you already own other Apple devices — it syncs with your iPhone and Mac, and you can use it with the Apple Pencil for drawing or note-taking. If you use Android phones or Windows computers, the iPad Pro still works, but you lose some of the seamless integration.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: the largest Android tablet

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra comes in two sizes: 12.9 inches and 14.6 inches. Both have AMOLED screens, which means blacks are truly black and colors are vivid. The 12.9-inch model has 2960 × 1848 resolution, and the 14.6-inch model has the same pixel density, so text is equally sharp on both.

The 12.9-inch Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra weighs 1.3 pounds, making it lighter than the iPad Pro by about 3 ounces. The 14.6-inch version weighs 1.6 pounds, which is noticeably heavier and less practical to hold. Both models have a 120 Hz refresh rate and support the Samsung S Pen stylus, which comes in the box with the tablet.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra starts at around $1,100 for the 12.9-inch model with 128 GB of storage. The 14.6-inch version costs more and is often harder to find in retail stores. If you use Android phones and want a large screen, this tablet integrates smoothly with your existing devices.

When a 12.9-inch screen is actually too large

A 12.9-inch tablet is genuinely large, and it is not the right choice for everyone. If you travel often, carry your tablet in a bag, or use it while sitting on a couch, a smaller tablet may be more practical. The weight and size make extended hand-holding uncomfortable, and the tablet does not fit in most bags designed for smaller devices.

The iPad Air 10.9-inch and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 11-inch are both smaller but still large enough for most work and entertainment. They weigh about a pound, which is manageable for longer periods, and they fit in standard tablet bags. Both cost around $600 to $700, which is several hundred dollars less than the 12.9-inch models.

If you mostly watch video, read, or browse the web, a 10.9-inch or 11-inch screen gives you most of the benefit of a larger tablet without the weight penalty. The difference in screen real estate is noticeable but not dramatic — you can still read documents and watch movies comfortably.

Screen resolution and brightness matter as much as size

A large screen is only useful if the image quality is good. Both the iPad Pro 12.9-inch and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra have high resolution and bright displays, so text is sharp and colors are accurate. Cheaper tablets with large screens often have lower resolution, which means text looks blurry and images lack detail.

Brightness is especially important if you use your tablet outdoors or near windows. The iPad Pro 12.9-inch reaches up to 1,000 nits of brightness, and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra reaches similar levels. This makes both tablets readable in bright sunlight, which is not true of all large tablets. If you plan to use your tablet mostly indoors, brightness matters less.

The refresh rate — how many times per second the screen updates — affects how smooth scrolling and animations feel. Both the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra have 120 Hz refresh rates, which is the highest you will find on tablets. This is a nice-to-have feature but not essential for most people. A 60 Hz refresh rate is still smooth enough for reading and video.

Accessories and stands make large tablets more usable

A 12.9-inch tablet is too heavy to hold comfortably for long periods, so most people use it with a stand. A basic stand costs $20 to $50 and props the tablet at an angle for reading or watching video. If you want to use the tablet for drawing or note-taking, a stand that adjusts to different angles is more useful.

A keyboard case turns a large tablet into something closer to a laptop. Apple's Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro costs around $350 and includes a trackpad, which makes it easier to work with documents and spreadsheets. Samsung's Book Cover Keyboard for the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra costs around $200 and does the same thing. Both add significant weight and bulk, so they are best for people who plan to use the tablet on a desk most of the time.

A stylus is useful if you draw, take handwritten notes, or edit documents. The Apple Pencil for the iPad Pro costs $130 for the standard version or $350 for the Pro version with extra features. The Samsung S Pen comes with the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra at no extra cost, which is a significant advantage if you plan to use a stylus regularly.

Price and storage options for the largest tablets

Both the iPad Pro 12.9-inch and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra start around $1,100 for the base model with 128 GB of storage. If you need more storage, the price goes up quickly. The iPad Pro offers 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB options, with each step costing $100 to $200 more. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers 256 GB and 512 GB options at similar price increases.

Storage matters if you plan to keep a lot of files, photos, or video on the tablet. If you mostly stream content and store files in the cloud, 128 GB is usually enough. If you read movies for travel or keep a large photo library on the tablet, 256 GB or more is worth the extra cost.

Both tablets hold their value reasonably well if you decide to sell them later. An iPad Pro from two years ago still sells for 50 to 60 percent of its original price, and Samsung tablets follow a similar pattern. This means the true cost of ownership is lower than the sticker price suggests, especially if you plan to upgrade in a few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 12.9-inch tablet too big to use as a regular tablet?

A 12.9-inch tablet is large and heavy enough that most people use it on a stand rather than holding it. If you want to hold a tablet in your hands for extended periods, a 10.9-inch or 11-inch model is more practical. A 12.9-inch tablet works well if you mostly use it on a desk or lap desk.

Can I use a 14.6-inch tablet as a laptop replacement?

A 14.6-inch tablet can replace a laptop for some tasks, especially with a keyboard case and stylus. However, tablets run different software than laptops, so some programs you use on a computer may not be available. A tablet is best for reading, writing, drawing, and web browsing rather than for software development or video editing.

Which is better for drawing: iPad Pro or Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra?

Both tablets are excellent for drawing. The iPad Pro works with the Apple Pencil, which has low latency and pressure sensitivity. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra comes with the Samsung S Pen at no extra cost, which saves you $130. The choice depends on whether you prefer iOS or Android and whether you want to pay extra for the Apple Pencil.

Do I need to buy a case for a large tablet?

A case protects your tablet from drops and scratches, which is especially important for expensive models like the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. A basic case costs $20 to $50, and a keyboard case costs $150 to $350. If you carry your tablet in a bag, a case is worth the investment.

How long do large tablets last before they slow down?

Both the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra are fast enough for most tasks and should remain usable for four to five years. After that, software updates may slow them down, and the battery will hold less charge. Most people upgrade every three to four years, though older tablets can still be used for reading and video.