Which is Better: Samsung Galaxy Note Pro vs. Galaxy Tab Pro

The panels on every model are incredibly vibrant and generate stunning visuals. But if you’re forte is playing 3D games and steaming Netflix videos, then the obvious choice remains the Pro 12.2, which sports a beautiful 2,560x1,600 screen with 247 ppi. Not exactly the pixel-per-inch ratio we’re accustomed to on the iPad Air (263 ppi) or Mini (326 ppi), but it suffices.

It’s also worth nothing the contrast ratio between the Pro 12.2 and the smaller Tab Pro models aren’t that far apart when brightness is at 100 percent. You really won’t be able to tell the difference. Just keep in mind the benefits are more rewarding with a bigger screen.

All Wi-Fi Pro models are running on Samsung’s Exynos processors with the 12.2-inch versions carrying the stronger 1.9 GHz octa-core chips. Seeing how we were afforded the only tablets available (Tab Pro 8.4/ 10.1 and Note Pro 12.2), we ran Quadrant Standard tests on the top two, as the lower-tier Tab Pro suffered from download issues. The mid-tier Tab Pro scored around 14,585 and the Note Pro clocked in around 14,747. That goes to show performance between the Tab Pro 10.1 and Note Pro 12.2 is pretty close, which makes us curious to know how powerful the Tab Pro 12.2 will be when launched.

Expect Android 4.4 KitKat and the latest TouchWiz UI with its new interface called UX Magazine—a graphically enhanced environment that takes advantage of featuring multiple applications on the larger diagonal of the screen and allows four apps to run simultaneously. It’s a notable upgrade, though we prefer the cleaner and less cluttered UI present on the Galaxy S5. The Note Pro offers more thanks to its bundled S-Pen stylus and optimized programs. So having access to Action Memo and S Finder, along with universal Galaxy features like Multi Window seem more accustomed on the Note Pro line.

No surprise here. They all look identical, taking on the same house design of the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) and Galaxy Note 3—leather rear cover with faux stitching and all. The only differences lie in size and weight. For comparison purposes, the Tab Pro 8.4 scales in around 331 grams and the Note Pro 12.2 at 750 grams. Generally, no one should have the desire to lug around any tablet larger than ten inches. Hence why we’re swaying towards the lighter models.

Advantage: Tab Pro

Each respective size carries the same battery: 4,800mAh (8.1-inch), 8,220mAh (10.1-inch), and 9,500mAh (12.2-inch). Considering nearly all the hardware remains the same on each model, it’s surprising to see the difference in vitality performance between the Note and Tab variants. Battery life on the Tab Pro 10.1 proves to be more efficient than on the Note Pro 12.2, lasting about seven hours through continuous Wi-Fi engagement in contrast to the Note Pro’s eight hours. The latter also took longer to charge, taking up to six hours to reach 100 percent capacity. It only required about two hours to get a full battery on the Tab Pro 10.1.

We're looking at an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front-facing camera for all Pro versions. And as expected, neither shooter holds up to the image quality produced on any Android-powered smartphone. The only thing more frustrating than revising images on either tablet is trying to access the camera settings or scroll through the mode-select wheel on the larger models. Yet through all the complaints, the Note 12.2 remains the better option, only because it records audio better and the larger screen showcases the color reproduction of captured photos best.

As with most Galaxy products, Sammy's gone on to produce a line of accessories for both slates: including a folio case, wireless keyboard, and mouse. However, the Note Pro offers a case/keyboard attachment not available for the Tab Pro. Samsung's also go on to confirm all Bluetooth-connected devices will work with either device. It's a numbers game from here.

Generic music player, IR Blaster for universal remote functionality, and vast media format support (Minus DivX codec)—most of the multimedia premiums are accounted for on each tablet. We actually noticed audio quality to be slightly better on the Tab Pro with the speakers producing clearer sound and better music reproduction.

Then again, you have to take into account screen real estate when viewing content, especially if one of the options is a gorgeous 12.2-inch panel. Not to mention Samsung also bundles the Note Pro with an “Ultimate Content Gift Pckage” consisting of pre-paid services for Bloomberg Businessweek+, Cisco WebEx Meetings, Dropbox, LiveSport.TV,and more. Consider it a matter of preference here.

Advantage: Note Pro

None of these come cheap. The Tab Pro 10.1 and Tab Pro 8.4 are the more affordable options at $500 and $400, respectively. In terms of the 12.2-inch models, the Tab Pro (32GB) comes tagged at $650, with the Note Pro 12.2 ($32GB) reaching the higher cost of $750. Talk about a far cry from what Apple and other Android tablet makers are charging. In addition, the largest Pro model is the only version made available for purchase at the moment, along with the two smaller versions of the Tab.