Main Difference – Samsung Tab Pro S vs Microsoft Surface Pro 4
The main difference between Samsung Tab Pro S and Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is that Samsung Tab Pro S is slimmer and lighter and, comes with an AMOLED display, keyboard, and better battery. The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is a powerful device which comes with customizable hardware options and a larger and higher resolution display.
The Samsung TabPro S is a powerful device, but it may surprise some as it does not support the Android OS but the Windows 10 operating system. This device was introduced at the CES 2016 press conference held recently. This is due to the partnership signed between Samsung and Microsoft recently.
Samsung TabPro S Review – Features and Specifications
Samsung’s latest device, the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is the next generation device that has been developed in order to compete with rivals like Microsoft surface Pro 4. These devices are mainly targeting to capture the hybrid computing space of the mobile market. The new Samsung Galaxy TabPro S comes with a sleek design and is ultra-portable. This device is capable of running Windows 10 which provides endless possibilities for the user as it is a powerful operating system.
Design
As the name suggests, the Pro version developed by Samsung looks better than the previous versions of the same device. The body has been made up of magnesium alloy instead of plastic which was found in the earlier versions. This new body design feels great in the hand and is comfortable at the same time.
Display
The display that comes with the device is a 12 inch AMOLED display, which is one of the best displays found in today’s market. This is the first time such a display has been used in tandem with the Windows operating system. The resolution supported by the display is 2560X1440. The screen is able to produce deep blacks and vivid colors quite well as with other super AMOLED displays of Samsung in the market. The pixel density of the screen is 216 ppi which is a good value for a large display.
Dimensions and Weight
The thickness of the device is just 6.3mm; this device is thinner than the Microsoft Surface Pro and the Apple’s iPad Pro. It is a really thin device and does not feel like a PC by any means. The dimensions of the device are 290.3 x 198.8 x 6.3 mm and the weight of the device is 696g.
Processor
The new Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S is powered by Intel’s 6th generation Intel Core M, dual core chips which are capable of clocking speeds of up to 2.2 GHz.
Storage
The storage available with the device is 128 GB or 256 GB, which uses solid stage technology.
Memory
The device comes with 4GB RAM, which provides ample memory for multitasking and operation of graphics intensive applications.
Operating System
The device is able to support Windows 10. This is the first device with an AMOLED display to support Windows 10 which is a noteworthy feature.
Connectivity
The device is expected to come with connectivity features like Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-fi, USB Type C which is reversible and can support faster data speeds and fast charging capabilities. NFC is also supported by the keyboard for additional features.
Battery Life
The battery capacity of the device is 5200mAh which is refueled using a USB Type C, which is Samsung’s proprietary charging setup.
Additional/ Special Features
This is a very powerful device, from a productivity point of view. The device comes with a keyboard to increase the productivity features of the device even further.
Word documents can be easily edited with this device. The keyboard that accompanies the device is spacious to say the least and typing is relatively comfortable.
The device has some other cool and unique features as well. The keyboard comes with a built-in NFC tag which can be coupled Samsung smartphone. The phone’s fingerprint scanner can be used in order to unlock the device.
Camera
The front-facing camera and the rear facing camera both come with the same resolution of 5 megapixels.
Availability
The device was announced on January 5th, 2016, and the device will be released into the market by February this year.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review – Features and Specifications
Pros
Is able to work as both a laptop and a tablet
Type Cover, Surface pen provide more productivity
Device is thin and light
Cons
Battery Life is not great
Type cover has to be bought separately and is very expensive.
Design
From a design point of view, it just looks like the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. But the devices have been designed and engineered in a great way. The case of the device is made up of manganese which can be placed on a stand and can be adjusted to 150 degrees. The magnesium case gives the device a premium look. The stand which has been designed to hold the device is sturdy as well.
Dimensions and Weight
The thickness of the device stands at 8.45mm, and the weight of the device is 800g. The weight and the thickness of the device is higher than similar sized standard tablets in the market. The dimensions and the weight of the device may not be exciting but the ability of Microsoft to fit in today’s desktop processors into such a small space is an impressive feat. The volume control button has been placed on the top of the device while the power button has been placed beside the volume rocker. When compared with other tablets that are in the market, this device is comparatively hefty, but comfortable and can be held in one hand.
Display
The screen size of the device is 12.3 inches larger than its predecessor. The bezels which hold the screen and the device together has been made thinner to provide a larger screen real-estate without making any compromises on the device. The capacitive window button has also been removed in aid of the above larger screen. The display is sharper, and the resolution of the same is 2736X1824 pixels. The pixel density of the device is 267 pixel per inch. The pixel density of this device is more than the pixel density on the MacBook Pro. The text, photos, and movies that are displayed on the screen are crisp and clear. Individual pixel are not visible on the screen. The colors produced by the screen are accurate too. The screen is also bright enough to be viewed in direct sunlight, but some blurriness can be caused due to reflections. The display is named “Pixel Sense” as it consists of thin components.
Processor, Memory, and Storage
From a computational point of view, both Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and its predecessor both perform at the same level. Media editing has been enhanced by faster disk speeds. The type cover and the pen tool, provide productivity options which cannot be provided by a standard tablet.
The device is customizable which means the user can choose the processor, memory and storage according to his need or preference. The device can be a combination of the following components. Core i5 Processor, 4GB RAM, 128 GB SSD or Core i5 processor, 8GB, 256 GB SSD or Core i7 processor, 8GB RAM and 256 GB SSD. The entry level device supports the Core M processor.
Storage
Storage can be expanded up to 128 GB with the use of a micro SD card.
Camera
The 5-megapixel camera is a front shooter which is capable of supporting Windows hello. This feature is capable of supporting biometric authentication technology. This feature is mainly used to log the user into the device in a few seconds. The windows hello may change the way we interact with our computers in future. The rear camera has a resolution of 8-megapixel resolution.
Operating System
The device supports the Windows 10 operating system.
Connectivity
When compared with its predecessor, no new ports have been added to the device. The ports available on the device are USB 3.0 and the Mini display port.
The power connector used by the device is proprietary and it feels a bit insecure when plugged into the device. We feel it would have been a better choice to move to USB Type C which would have been a more convenient way to increase the number of USB connections the device could support. But there is an extra USB port which can be used for charging.
Battery Life
The battery life of the device is not that great as the battery cannot last a whole day. This is due to the design of the device. This is a bit disappointing for a flagship device.
Additional/ Special Features
Surface pen
The surface pen is a significant component that comes with the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. It comes with 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity. The previous pen had only 256 which is a massive improvement on the sensitivity on the new pen. The pen also comes with an eraser, and it can magnetically stick to the side of the device without any problem. Using the pen on the surface Pro is almost like using pencil on paper. This is mainly due to the technology used on the tip of the pen and input technology used. The use of the pen on the screen feels natural and fluid. Clicking the pen will open up One Note and tapping it again will take the user to one drive.
Keyboard
The keyboard is a killer feature of the surface. When compared with the previous version, it is a bit heavier. The experience offered by the keyboard is comparable with that found on high-end laptop keyboards. The keys stick out of the cover which makes it easy for the user to feel the keys and type. Typing can be done at a steady pace without any problem. The device with the keyboard is portable as well. The type cover also comes with a unique track pad. It is 40 percent larger than the one found on the previous model. Its accuracy and smoothness is impressive. Another feature to note is this Type cover is compatible with the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 as well, which is good news for existing users.
The surface pro is a balanced device as a whole, and can be steady on a table or lap without any issues.
Difference between Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S and Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Design
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S: Dimensions of the device are are 290.3 x 198.8 x 6.3 mm and the weight is 696g.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4: Dimensions of the device are 292.10 x 201.42 x 8.45 mm and the weight is 786g. The keyboard is backlit and also comes with a touchpad.
Comparatively, Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is a slimmer device and weighs less that the Microsoft surface Pro 4. Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is the most portable device.
Display
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S: The 12-inch display uses Super AMOLED Technology and the resolution of the screen is 2160 x 1440. The pixel density of the screen 216 ppi. The 12- inch display uses Super AMOLED Technology and the resolution of the screen is 2160 x 1440. The pixel density of the screen 216 ppi.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4: The size of the display is 12.3-inches and the resolution of the screen is 2736 x 1824. The pixel density of the screen 267 ppi.
The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is the first device where AMOLED display and Windows 10 OS co-exist in one device. The Microsoft surface Pro comes with a larger display at 12.3 inches and also has a higher resolution that the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S.
Camera
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S: The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S rear camera has a resolution of 5 megapixels, and the front-facing camera comes with 5 megapixel resolution.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4: The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 rear camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, and the front-facing camera comes with 5-megapixel resolution.
The Microsoft Surface Pro has a more powerful rear camera which comes with a resolution of 8MP and accompanied with features like autofocus.
Hardware
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S: The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S is powered by a 6th generation Intel Core M processor which consists of a dual-core 64 bit, clocking a speed of 2.2 GHz. The built-in storage of the device is 256GB. The memory that comes with the device is 4GB
Microsoft Surface Pro 4: The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 S is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor. The graphics are powered by Intel Iris 540. The built-in storage of the device is 1000GB. The Memory that comes with the device is 16GB.
The above configuration has been listed for the highest configured unit. It is worthy to note that the device is customizable to the user. The processors that can be customized are the Core M, Core i5, and Core i7. Memory that is available are 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and the storage options available are 128 GB, 256GB, 512 GB, 1TB.
Battery
The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S has a battery capacity of 5200mAh. The battery can be charged quickly thanks to the type-C port on the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S. The device can last for over ten hours whereas the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is only able to last for 9 hours.
Accessories
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro is sold with the keyboard whereas the Microsoft Surface Pro keyboard is sold separately.
Samsung Tab Pro S vs Microsoft Surface Pro 4 – Summary
When compared with many of its contenders found in the market, the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is able to stand out due to its unique features.
The Microsoft surface Pro is a great hybrid device which can be a tablet and a laptop at the same time. It can be used as a lightweight tablet and also a productive laptop at the same time with is ideal for productivity users. The only problem with the device is the battery life it brings to the table.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 from a specification point of view is a better device. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S comes with the keyboard, the Super AMOLED display paired with the Windows OS. It is also the most portable device of the two which is lighter and slimmer of the both.
