Which tablets compare to iPad

The tablets most comparable to iPad are the Samsung Galaxy Tab S series, Microsoft Surface Go, and Lenovo Tab P12 Pro. Each matches iPad in at least one category — screen quality, processing power, or price — but none match it across all three. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize raw performance, screen size, software ecosystem, or cost.

iPad itself comes in four lines: iPad (base model), iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad mini. A tablet comparable to one iPad line may not be comparable to another. The base iPad costs around $329; iPad Air runs $599; iPad Pro starts at $999. Tablets from other makers cluster in similar price bands, but the features and performance within each band vary significantly.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE matches the base iPad in price and screen size but uses a slower processor and older software.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra matches iPad Pro in screen quality and processing power but costs more and uses Android instead of iPadOS.
  • Microsoft Surface Go 3 offers a keyboard and stylus in the box at iPad Air pricing, but the smaller screen and Windows operating system suit different work styles.
  • Lenovo Tab P12 Pro delivers a larger screen than most iPads at a lower price, though battery life and app selection lag behind iPad.
  • The choice between iPad and competitors often comes down to whether you need iPadOS apps, prefer Android or Windows, and what you plan to use the tablet for.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE versus base iPad

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE costs $349, sits in the same price range as the base iPad, and has a 10.9-inch screen to iPad's 10.2 inches. Both run for roughly 10 hours on a charge and come with 64 GB of storage. For reading, video, and web browsing, they perform similarly.

The base iPad uses Apple's M1 chip; the Galaxy Tab S9 FE uses Samsung's Exynos 1280 processor, which is noticeably slower. If you plan to run demanding apps — photo editing, video work, or games — the iPad will handle them faster. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE runs Android 13, while iPad runs iPadOS. Android has more customization options, but iPadOS has a larger library of tablet-specific apps. The iPad also receives software updates for longer — typically five to six years versus three to four years for Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra versus iPad Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the closest non-Apple competitor to iPad Pro. It has a 14.6-inch AMOLED screen (iPad Pro 12.9 has a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display), a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that matches iPad Pro's performance, and 120 Hz refresh rate on both. Both support styluses — Apple Pencil for iPad, Samsung S Pen for the Galaxy Tab — and both can run professional software.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra starts at $1,099, which is $100 more than iPad Pro 12.9. The larger screen is an advantage for design work and media consumption, but the S Pen is included with Samsung while Apple Pencil costs extra. The real difference is the operating system: iPadOS has stronger support for creative apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco, while Android offers more file system control and customization. If you use specific iPad apps for your work, iPad Pro is the only choice. If you use cross-platform software like Photoshop or Affinity Designer, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a genuine alternative.

Microsoft Surface Go 3 for productivity and typing

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 costs $399 and comes with a keyboard and stylus included — neither iPad nor Samsung tablets include these. The 10.5-inch screen is smaller than most iPad models, and the processor (Intel Pentium Gold) is slower than iPad's. However, it runs Windows 11, which means you can install desktop software like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and specialized tools that don't exist on iPad or Android.

Surface Go 3 is best for people who need to work with Windows software or prefer a keyboard for typing. If you spend most of your time in web browsers and apps, iPad offers better performance and battery life. If you need to run Windows programs that have no tablet equivalent, Surface Go 3 is the only option among these three. The keyboard is useful but adds bulk; iPad keyboards are sold separately and are generally more polished.

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro for screen size and value

The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro has a 12.6-inch OLED screen — larger than any standard iPad — and costs $499, which is less than iPad Air. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor is fast, and the screen quality rivals iPad Pro's. It includes a stylus and keyboard cover, though both are lower quality than Apple's accessories.

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro runs Android 12 (upgradeable to Android 13), so app selection is broader than iPad in some areas but narrower in professional creative apps. Battery life is solid but typically falls short of iPad by a few hours. The larger screen is genuinely useful for reading PDFs, spreadsheets, and watching video, but the software ecosystem is the limiting factor if you rely on specific iPad apps. For general use — email, browsing, streaming, note-taking — it's a strong value. For professional creative work, iPad is still the safer choice.

How to choose based on what you'll use it for

If you use specific apps that only exist on iPad — Procreate, LumaFusion, or certain medical or design tools — iPad is your only option. Check the App Store for the software you need before choosing a competitor.

If you need a keyboard and stylus for work, Surface Go 3 includes both, while iPad and Samsung tablets require separate purchases. If typing is your main task, Surface Go 3 is worth the trade-off in performance.

If you want the largest screen for reading or media, Lenovo Tab P12 Pro offers more display space than iPad at a lower price. If you want the fastest processor and longest software support, iPad Pro or iPad Air are the most future-proof choices, even if they cost more upfront.

If you're locked into Android or Windows for other devices, choosing a tablet that matches your phone's operating system reduces friction — you can share files more easily and use the same apps across devices.

Price and long-term cost comparison

iPad's initial cost is competitive, but the real advantage is resale value and software longevity. A two-year-old iPad typically sells for 50 to 60 percent of its original price; Samsung and Lenovo tablets drop to 30 to 40 percent. If you plan to upgrade every three to four years, iPad's higher resale value narrows the cost gap.

Accessories also matter. iPad keyboards and styluses are expensive but widely available and hold their value. Samsung and Lenovo accessories are cheaper but often feel less refined. If you plan to buy a keyboard and stylus, factor that into your total cost — it can add $150 to $300 to the tablet's price.

Software updates are free on all platforms, but iPad receives them for longer. If you keep a tablet for five years or more, iPad's extended support window means fewer security gaps and longer usability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an Apple Pencil with a Samsung or Lenovo tablet?

No. Apple Pencil only works with iPad. Samsung tablets use the S Pen, and Lenovo uses its own stylus. Each system is proprietary, so you cannot mix and match.

Which non-iPad tablet has the best app selection?

Samsung Galaxy tablets have the largest app library among Android tablets because Samsung has the biggest market share. Lenovo Tab P12 Pro uses the same Google Play Store, so app selection is identical. Neither matches iPad's library of tablet-specific apps, especially for creative work.

Do Samsung and Lenovo tablets get security updates as long as iPad does?

No. Samsung typically supports tablets for three to four years; Lenovo is similar. iPad receives updates for five to six years. If security and longevity matter to you, iPad is the safer long-term choice.

Is the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra worth the extra cost over iPad Pro?

It depends on your software needs. If you use iPad-specific apps, no — iPad Pro is the only option. If you use cross-platform software and prefer Android's file system, the larger screen and included S Pen may justify the extra $100.

Can I run desktop software on a Samsung or Lenovo tablet?

Not directly. Android tablets cannot run Windows or Mac software. Only Microsoft Surface Go 3 runs Windows, so it can install desktop programs. If you need desktop software, Surface Go 3 is your only option among these tablets.