Microsoft has entered the world of connected tablets with the Surface Pro X. The Redmond giant has now redesigned the model with a new version: Surface Pro X 2020. While it can be considered the best Windows 10 tablet of the latest generation, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best tablet for performance. ...
Now even in the world of Android and Apple, there are several professional tablets. This is a comparison of the three tablets we think are the best for productivity and power users: Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020, latest iPad Pro, and Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 +... Please note we mean the 12,9-inch version iPad Prorather than 11-inch.
Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020 vs. Apple iPad Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 +
| Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 + 5G | 11 Apple iPad Pro 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT | 208x287x7,3 mm, 774 g | 285x185x5,7 mm, 575 grams | 280,6 x 214,9 x 5,9 mm, 641 grams |
| DISPLAY | 13 '' 2880x1920p (Quad HD +) LCD | 12,4 inches, 1752x2800p (Quad HD +), Super AMOLED | 12,9 inches, 2048x2732p (Quad HD +), IPS LCD |
| CPU | Microsoft SQ2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ 3,1GHz Octa Core | Apple A12Z Bionic, ten-core processor 2,5 GHz |
| MEMORY | 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB | 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB dedicated micro SD slot | 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB 6 GB of RAM, 256 GB 6 GB of RAM, 512 GB 6 GB RAM, 1 TB |
| SOFTWARE | Windows 10 | Android 10 One UI | iPadOS |
| CONNECTION | 802.11 Wi-Fi a / b / g / n / ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| CAMERA | One 10 MP 5MP front camera | Dual 13 + 5 MP, f / 2,0 and f / 2,2 Front camera 8 MP f / 2.0 | Triple 12 + 10 MP + LiDAR f / 1.8 and f / 2.4 Front camera 7 MP f / 2.2 |
| BATTERY | Up to 15 hours (nominal) | 10090 mAh, fast charging 45 W | 9720 mAh, fast charging 18 W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | LTE, pen stand, keyboard stand | 5G, pen stand, keyboard stand | Optional LTE, Pen Stand, Pen Stand, Reverse Charging |
Design
If you are looking for the most attractive design, you should opt for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 +: it is more compact, thinner and lighter. Its construction is entirely made of aluminum, and the bezels around the display are very narrow. At the same level, there is the iPad Pro, which is heavier but with even narrower bezels around the screen. Like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 +, the 2020 iPad Pro is housed in a solid aluminum body.
Even the Surface Pro X 2020 is made of high quality material, but we recommend its competitors for their narrower bezels and more compact dimensions. In every case, you get a pen and keyboard stand with high quality accessories.
Display
The most convincing display in my opinion is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 +. The reason is simple: this is the only display with an AMOLED panel, and it shows brighter colors as well as deeper blacks. Plus, it has a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10 + certification, with the former for a smoother viewing experience while the latter improves picture quality, especially on streaming platforms. Thanks to the active digitizer, you can use the S Pen with 4096 pressure levels.
Hardware and software
In terms of performance, the 2020 iPad Pro is the winner. The powerful Apple A12Z Bionic chipset and iPadOS make it the smoothest and fastest tablet of the trio. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020 runs Windows 10, which might be better for many users looking for the best tablet for productivity.
iPadOS is a great operating system for productivity, but many professional programs for Windows 10 are missing and only supports apps. This is why Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020 is more interesting. With the Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020, you can even play PC games (if the hardware allows it, of course).
Android for tablets is the worst operating system for productive users, but good for multimedia. Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020, Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 + and Apple iPad Pro are all connected tablets, but Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 + is the only one with 5G support.
Camera
Looking for the world's best tablet with the best camera? Choose iPad Pro without thinking twice. It has a triple rear camera incorporating the best primary sensor, as well as an excellent 10MP ultra-wide angle lens and an optional LiDAR scanner for very accurate depth calculations for AR devices. The second place is taken by the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 + with a dual super-wide front camera, while the Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020 lags behind with a single 10MP camera.
Battery
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 + battery lasts about 15 hours for video playback, just like the Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020 with normal use, and the iPad Pro 2020 about 12 hours. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 + has the fastest charging technology with 45W.
Price
You can find the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 + for around € 900 / $ 1054, the iPad Pro 2020 from around € 1000 / $ 1170, and the Surface Pro X 2020 at over € 1200 / $ 1405. Which tablet is the best?
It mostly depends on the usage. If you are a general / multimedia user, you may prefer the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 +. But avoid this in all other cases. If you want professional desktop software and games, go for the Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020. If you sit in the middle and are a professional user but don't need advanced desktop software, then iPad Pro 2020 is the best choice.
Microsoft Surface Pro X 2020 vs. Apple iPad Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 +: pros and cons
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