7 Key Upgrades Samsung Needs to Beat the iPad Pro with the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series has long been a formidable competitor to Apple’s iPad line. With each iteration, Samsung has pushed the boundaries of design, performance, and features to stay relevant in the premium tablet market. However, the iPad Pro remains a dominant force, often overshadowing Samsung’s flagship tablets in terms of sales and popularity. The upcoming Galaxy Tab S10 Plus could be the tablet that finally tips the scale in Samsung’s favor, but it will need to do more than just match Apple—it has to outshine it.

For Samsung to succeed in taking down the iPad Pro, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus will need to address specific areas where Apple excels, while also amplifying its own strengths. From improved productivity features to superior hardware design, Samsung has the tools to win—but only if it plays its cards right. Consumers want the perfect blend of entertainment, productivity, and portability, and the Tab S10 Plus must deliver on all fronts.

In this article, we will explore the critical upgrades that Samsung should focus on to create a superior device and take on the iPad Pro. From the display and stylus enhancements to software integration and pricing strategies, here’s what Samsung needs to do to make the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus a true iPad Pro killer.

Summary

Display and Design: Elevating Visuals and Ergonomics

Samsung’s Super AMOLED vs. Apple’s Liquid Retina Display

Samsung is known for its stunning Super AMOLED displays, and the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus must continue to leverage this strength. The iPad Pro’s Liquid Retina is renowned for its smoothness and color accuracy, but Samsung’s AMOLED technology offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better energy efficiency. To beat Apple, Samsung should focus on enhancing:

Brightness and HDR Support: The Tab S10 Plus needs to push beyond 1000 nits of brightness with robust HDR support to outclass the iPad Pro’s display in high dynamic range content.
Refresh Rate: Matching or exceeding the iPad Pro’s 120Hz ProMotion display is crucial. A faster, more responsive screen will not only improve fluidity for productivity tasks but also elevate the gaming experience on the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus.
Form Factor and Durability: Samsung’s thin bezels and lightweight design are already strong points. However, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus could benefit from introducing a new form factor that includes more durable materials like reinforced aluminum or an advanced scratch-resistant coating to outlast the iPad Pro’s sleek but scratch-prone chassis.

Display Innovations: Samsung’s Competitive Edge

Samsung should aim to integrate innovative display features to differentiate the S10 Plus from its Apple counterpart. A rollable or foldable display could bring an entirely new category of versatility, allowing users to switch between tablet mode and a compact, ultra-portable form factor. Such innovations would set Samsung far apart from Apple, giving them a massive competitive advantage in the premium tablet market.

Productivity and Multitasking: The Ultimate Workstation

Refining DeX Mode: A Desktop Experience on a Tablet

One of Samsung’s most underrated features is its DeX mode, which transforms the Galaxy Tab into a desktop-like experience. While iPadOS has made strides with multitasking, it lacks the full-fledged desktop experience that DeX can offer. To beat the iPad Pro in productivity, Samsung needs to:

Enhance DeX Usability: Improve the integration between DeX and Android apps, ensuring that all popular productivity apps like Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace are fully optimized for DeX.
Wireless Connectivity: Make wireless DeX more seamless, allowing users to quickly connect their Tab S10 Plus to external displays without the hassle of cables.
Multi-Window Support: Samsung can take multitasking a step further by allowing multiple app windows to open side-by-side with greater fluidity, possibly improving on iPadOS’s Split View and Slide Over modes.

S Pen vs. Apple Pencil: Boosting Creativity and Precision

The S Pen has always been a flagship feature of Samsung’s tablets, but it needs to become more intuitive to surpass the iPad Pro’s Apple Pencil. Key areas of improvement include:

Latency and Pressure Sensitivity: Reduce latency to match or exceed the Apple Pencil’s near-zero lag. Additionally, providing higher levels of pressure sensitivity and better tilt functionality would offer a superior drawing and note-taking experience.
Advanced Gesture Controls: The Tab S10 Plus should introduce more air gesture controls, allowing users to control the tablet with the S Pen without ever touching the screen. This could be useful for presentations or remote navigation.
Magnetic Charging and Storage: While the S Pen already features magnetic attachment, Samsung can enhance this feature by integrating wireless charging and improving the magnet strength to prevent the pen from being dislodged during transport.

Software and Ecosystem: Creating Seamless Integration

Samsung One UI vs. iPadOS

While One UI is highly customizable, it often lags behind iPadOS in terms of polish and stability. To attract professionals and power users, Samsung needs to offer:

Software Optimization: Invest in better integration between hardware and software, ensuring that the Tab S10 Plus performs as smoothly as possible even when running high-performance tasks like video editing or 3D modeling.
Samsung Ecosystem: Samsung’s range of devices, from smartphones to smartwatches, needs better cross-device functionality. By improving continuity features, Samsung could compete with Apple’s seamless ecosystem, where users can start tasks on one device and continue them on another without interruption.

Third-Party App Support

Samsung also needs to encourage better third-party app development for Android tablets. Many apps are designed for phones and don’t translate well to larger screens. By collaborating with app developers to ensure their apps are tablet-optimized, Samsung can reduce one of the iPad Pro’s biggest advantages: the sheer quality and quantity of apps designed specifically for the iPad.

Battery Life and Charging: Lasting Power and Fast Top-Ups

Extended Battery Life for Heavy Usage

Battery life is a crucial factor for tablet users, especially those using the device for both work and play. The iPad Pro already offers excellent battery life, but the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus needs to push further:

Improved Power Efficiency: With a more efficient processor, Samsung can extend battery life even with a high refresh rate display and powerful performance. Targeting a 14-16 hour battery life on mixed-use could give it a clear edge over the iPad Pro’s approximately 10 hours.
Battery Management Software: Samsung can introduce smarter battery management tools that allow users to optimize battery usage based on their activity. For instance, activating a low-power mode that doesn’t drastically reduce performance during productivity tasks could enhance user experience.

Faster Charging: More Power in Less Time

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus should feature super-fast charging, potentially with 45W or higher capabilities, allowing it to reach full charge in under an hour. Apple’s iPad Pro is still limited to 18W charging, and surpassing this would make the Tab S10 Plus more convenient for users who are constantly on the go.

Pricing Strategy: Premium Quality Without the Premium Price

Competitive Pricing and Value for Money

One of the biggest obstacles for Samsung is matching Apple’s price while delivering equal or superior quality. Samsung should focus on:

Flexible Pricing Tiers: Offering the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus at different storage and connectivity options can appeal to a broader range of users. While the high-end model can compete with the iPad Pro, a lower-tier version with reduced storage or without 5G support could attract users who want premium quality at a lower price point.
Bundle Deals: Including the S Pen in the base package and offering discounted accessories like keyboard covers or wireless earbuds could add value without increasing the base price, giving users a better deal than Apple’s often expensive add-ons.

Conclusion

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus has the potential to dethrone the iPad Pro, but only if Samsung focuses on key improvements. By enhancing the display, optimizing software, refining the S Pen, and offering better value for money, Samsung can create a device that appeals to professionals, creators, and everyday users alike. If Samsung can deliver on these fronts, the Tab S10 Plus could redefine what a premium tablet is capable of, offering a true alternative to Apple’s best-selling iPad Pro.

For now, the ball is in Samsung’s court. The tablet market is ready for disruption, and the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus could be the game-changer that shifts the landscape in Samsung’s favor.