Whether for streaming series, as an uncomplicated alternative for everyday work or for digital artists – tablets have become indispensable in the technology world. They owe their breakthrough above all to the undisputed market leader Apple, which keeps setting new standards with its models.
The Apple iPad Pro is no exception here: with its lightning-fast M1 chip processor and 11-inch or 12.9-inch display with a resolution of 2388 × 1668 (11 inches) and 2732 × 2048 pixels ( 12.9 inches), Apple sets the bar very high. The iPad Pro models primarily appeal to a creative target group that likes the internal memory of up to 2 terabytes and the combination with the sleek second-generation Apple Pencil. The only drawback: the relatively high price. TECHBOOK has therefore started looking for alternatives to the iPad Pro, for which the buyer does not have to dig so deep into his pocket.
What do cheaper Apple iPad Pro alternatives have to be able to do?
There’s no question: the Apple iPad Pro is the premier class of the most powerful tablets on the market and, bottom line, sees itself only as a competitor to the iPad Pro predecessor models or direct successors. In the everyday test, however, the average user is faced with the question of whether so much power in a small box is actually necessary for his needs or whether a cheaper product is sufficient.
Depending on the personal use of the luxury tablet, the competition – including the Apple manufacturer itself – offers some good alternatives to the iPad Pro. Be it for film fans who only want to follow their favorite stories on a razor-sharp display, or for graphic designers with high demands on the features of the tablet and the available graphics programs and apps.
To give you an overview of what Apple’s iPad Pro can do, here’s a quick summary.
Apple iPad Pro (2021) features for comparison
Pros and cons of the Apple iPad Pro (2021)
Rating at idealo: grade 1.5 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Fast performance thanks to the M1 chip
- + 5G support
- + Sharp 11-inch or 12.9-inch display
- + Outstanding Apple quality
cons
- – Relative expensive
- – Keyboard and Apple 2 Pencil must be purchased separately
Also read: Laptop, TV, smartphone or tablet – what is most frequently streamed on?
The eye-catcher among the iPad Pro alternatives: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
With the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+, Android has launched a good iPad Pro alternative that can do more than just answer emails and surf the web. The 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display, which is considered energy-saving and durable, and with 2800 x 1752 pixels even comes close to the resolution of the iPad Pro, stands out in particular – only direct sunlight should be avoided. Other advantages are the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor and the relatively long battery life – even when running a series marathon. High quality and top-level performance speak for themselves with this Android tablet. As a big plus, there is also the S-Pen operating pen in the basic configuration.
Features of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
Advantages and disadvantages of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
Rating at Stiftung Warentest: grade 1.8 / Idealo: grade 1.6 | 5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Energy-saving, bright display
- + Fast processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
- + Relatively long battery life
- + S Pen included
cons
- – Only slightly cheaper than the iPad Pro
- – S-Pen partly needs getting used to
The all-rounder: Microsoft Surface Pro 7
If you’re not sure whether your next purchase should be a tablet or a netbook, you’ll find the perfect mix in the Microsoft Surface Pro 7: the Windows tablet can be easily transformed into a compact laptop with the Microsoft Surface Pro Signature Type Cover. The 12.3-inch display transmits a crisp play of colors, even if its size makes the tablet appear a bit clumsy. Windows users are happy: you don’t even have to do without desktop applications such as Microsoft Office and full-fledged apps for editing videos and images. With the additional purchase of a stylus, the practical all-rounder also proves to be an insider tip for graphic designers and digital artists. This makes the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 a good alternative for the iPad Pro for a wide target group – especially for Windows fans.
Features of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Advantages and disadvantages of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Rating at Stiftung Warentest: Grade 2.0 / Idealo: Grade 2 | 4 out of 5 stars
Per
- + 12.3-inch PixelSense IPS display
- + Access to desktop apps
- + Available with IntelCore i3, i5 or i7
- + Very quiet
cons
- – Keyboard cover and stylus must be purchased separately.
- – Battery life shorter than Microsoft Surface Pro 6
The price-performance winner: Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6
The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 impresses with a simple design, a brisk working speed and a pleasant handling. The 12.6-inch display has a high pixel rate and not only transmits moving images from YouTube, Netflix & Co. in good style, but also proves to be particularly fluid when writing, swiping and scrolling. The new operating system HarmonyOS 2.0 also makes a good impression. However, the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 does not have access to standard Google services such as Google Maps and the Huawei app gallery can still be expanded. Those who are happy to accept this compromise will find a tablet with good performance at a fair price in the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6.
Features of the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6
Advantages and disadvantages of the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6
Rating at Stiftung Warentest: grade 1.8 / Idealo: grade 2.0 | 4.5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Good 12.6 inch display
- + value for money
- + Relatively long running time
- + Very good typing experience
cons
- – Harmony OS operating system takes some getting used to
- – Google services only through third party providers
The variant for a small budget: Xiaomi Pad 5
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a low-budget variant of the Apple iPad Pro. Particularly interesting: You still don’t have to do without the sharp display with 120 Hertz and a resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels. Thanks to the integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 chip, the Android tablet effortlessly masters complex games and multiple applications at the same time. The 8720 mAh battery provides several hours of fun without the tablet having to be plugged in. Of course, no serious competition with the Apple iPad Pro should be expected at this low price. On the other hand, the Xiaomi Pad 5 has established itself as a solid tablet for the smaller budget, where average users only have to do without additional equipment such as LTE, GPS or the fingerprint sensor.
Features of the Xiaomi Pad 5
Advantages and disadvantages of the Xiaomi Pad 5
Rating at Stiftung Warentest: Grade 2.0 / Idealo: Grade 1.7 | 2 out of 5 stars
Per
- + 11 inch LCD display
- + Relatively high work speed thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 chip
- + Relatively long battery life
- + Fair mid-range price
- + Multitasking function
cons
- – No LTE variant
- – Only two speakers
Also read: 11 Tablets at Stiftung Warentest – Apple and Samsung in front
The Apple alternative: Apple iPad Air (2020)
Apple fans who don’t want to do without the brand, the usual quality or the operating system will find a good solution in the Apple iPad Air. In terms of appearance, the 11-inch versions of the Air and Pro in particular are now very similar, but the inside makes the main difference: the A14 chip in the iPad Air can be compared with the revolutionary M1 chip in the iPad Pro, which is also used in the current MacBook is installed. There is also a clear discrepancy between RAMs. However, the Apple iPad Air is perfectly adequate for answering e-mails, surfing the Internet, watching movies and for standard use of applications. Only Apple enthusiasts with higher ambitions and performance-hungry programs should rely on the slightly more expensive Pro version.
Features of the Apple iPad Air (2020)
Pros and cons of the Apple iPad Air (2020)
Rating at idealo: grade 1.5 | 4 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Sharp 11 inch display
- + Relatively high working speed thanks to the A14 chip
- + Compatible with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2
- + 12 MP wide-angle camera
- – Only available in 11 inch variant
- – Keyboard and stylus must be purchased separately
- – Less RAM than the iPad Pro
Conclusion on the iPad Pro alternatives
There is no doubt: With the iPad Pro, Apple has created a tablet of the master class. It surpasses the electronic competition in most important properties and features such as the iconic 12.9-inch screen, the M1 chip processor, which also ensures a brisk working pace in the new MacBooks, and the practical supplement for creative minds by the Apple Pencil 2 and the Magic Keyboard. But the proud price discourages private users in particular from spontaneous purchases.
The good news at the end: It doesn’t always have to be Apple or Pro. Because many tablets from the competition are now at a similarly high level as the Apple iPad Pro. In the TECHBOOK list, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ for demanding Android friends and the Windows alternative of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 stand out in particular.