5 Tablets Instead Of The 2024 iPad Pro
Apple’s top iPad model, the iPad Pro, has finally been upgraded after 18 months. The 2024 version comes in two sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches. It has the new M4 chip, making it very powerful.
The 1TB and 2TB models also have a special nano-texture finish on the screen, which cuts down glare more than the standard models.
However, the new iPad Pro is still very pricey and runs on iPadOS, which has some limitations. Here are some great alternatives you might consider instead of the 2024 iPad Pro.
5 iPad Pro Alternatives In 2024
iPad Air (2024)
Apple launched two new iPads this year: the iPad Air (2024) and the iPad Pro (2024).
Apple has made the 2024 iPad Air much like the iPad Pro. Now, it comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch. The larger 13-inch model costs less than $1,000, so you don't need to spend over a thousand dollars for a big iPad.
Although the iPad Air (2024) doesn’t have the iPad Pro’s new OLED screen, its LED Liquid Retina display still looks great. It’s bright, has vivid colors, and minimal reflections.
The only downside is that it has a 60Hz refresh rate instead of the 120Hz ProMotion display. Even so, most people will find the display more than good enough.
The iPad Air (2024) now has the M2 chip instead of the M1. This gives you lots of power and smooth performance, making it perfect for everyday tasks and more demanding games and entertainment.
The iPad Air (2024) is not as slim as the latest iPad Pro (2024) and doesn’t have the M4 chip. However, it’s now available in a bigger size and is still very powerful. Plus, it’s much cheaper!
Though most people don't buy an iPad for its camera, the iPad Air (2024) shares the same 12MP main camera as the iPad Pro (2024). It takes decent photos when needed and is handy for scanning documents. The 12MP front camera is also good for video calls and selfies.
iPad Pro (2022)
If you're thinking about an iPad Pro, the 2022 models are still great options. They’re powerful and often discounted now that the newer models are out.
You can get the iPad Pro (2022) in two sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch. The 11-inch has a standard Liquid Retina screen, while the 12.9-inch has the brighter Liquid Retina XDR screen.
Both displays look fantastic with vivid colors, deep blacks, and sharp text, plus the smooth 120Hz ProMotion feature.
The 2022 iPad Pro runs on an older chip, but it’s still very fast. It handles everyday tasks, video watching, gaming, photo and video editing, and drawing with ease.
For most people, this performance is more than enough. It also provides up to 2TB of storage, which is ample for storing your files.
If you don’t need the latest version, the 2022 iPad Pro is still a fantastic tablet. Plus, you can save money since retailers often offer discounts on this model to clear their stock.
iPad (2022)
Apple leads the tablet market with the iPad. The iPad Pro is their top model, but not everyone needs that much power. If you just need a basic iPad, the standard iPad (2022) is a great option.
It has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina LED screen. This display shows bright colors and sharp text, even though it’s not as fancy as other screens. Most people won’t notice the 60Hz refresh rate.
The iPad (2022) uses the older A14 Bionic chip. It’s not as powerful as the newer chips but still fast enough for everyday use. It runs iPadOS 17 smoothly and handles common tasks well. For watching videos and browsing, it’s more than enough.
If you’re looking for a simple iPad, this one is ideal and easy on your budget.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
If you’re thinking about getting the 13-inch iPad Pro (2024), you might also want to look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. Keep in mind, this tablet runs on Android.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the Android version of the big iPad Pro, but it’s even larger with a 14.6-inch AMOLED screen.
This display is one of the best available, with a resolution of 2960 by 1848 pixels, HDR10+ support, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Everything looks vibrant, sharp, and smooth.
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip and 16GB of RAM, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers excellent performance and can even replace a laptop. It has 256GB of storage, and you can add more with a microSD card.
While Android isn't always ideal for tablets, Samsung DeX changes that by making the interface more like Windows, which is a big plus for power users over iPadOS.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra costs about the same as the 13-inch iPad Pro (2024). If you’re open to switching platforms, it offers more flexibility than the iPad Pro.
OnePlus Pad
If you’re open to using an Android tablet, the OnePlus Pad is a great choice. It has a unique design and a beautiful color that stands out.
The OnePlus Pad has an 11.61-inch LCD screen, which is similar to the 11-inch iPad Pro (2024). It has a resolution of 2800 x 2000 pixels and supports a 144Hz refresh rate for some apps and games.
For everything else, it runs at 120Hz. Even though it’s an LCD, the screen shows bright colors and deep blacks, making it good for watching videos.
The tablet has a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip, 8GB RAM, and 128GB of storage. It can run up to 24 apps at once, although most people won’t need that much multitasking. This is better than what the iPad can handle with iPadOS.
The battery life is also impressive. With a 9,510mAh battery, it can last a full day or more on a single charge. On standby, it can last about a month, or 50 days if you aren’t using accessories or background apps. The 67W charging makes it one of the fastest-charging tablets.
Best of all, the OnePlus Pad costs half as much as the 11-inch iPad Pro, making it a great alternative.
Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”