7P notes: Apple iPad versus Samsung Galaxy Tab S

Overview

Both of these kinds of devices can be successfully used for digital art, note taking, etc. Each has its strengths and weaknesses - but overall they're quite comparable.

My detailed notes on each

Drawing experience

It's hard to pick a winner - their drawing experience is similar but has some key differences. If you are used to traditional drawing tablets, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab with its S pen will deliver a more similar experience.

  • Pen technology - The Galaxy Tab S series uses Wacom EMR technology. This is the same technology that powers all of Wacom's products. And especially if you're coming from a background of using drawing tablets then this will feel more natural to you than using an apple pencil.

  • Hover - Support for hover has always been available with the Samsung Galaxy Tab series. But it is only works with certain Apple Pencil models and with certain iPads.

  • Buttons - Pens that work with the Galaxy Tab series also have a single button. But the Apple iPad pencil does not have such a button

Pointer lag

  • Apple iPad - very low (which is good)

  • Samsung Galaxy S tab - very low but not quite as good as an iPad

In practice both are excellent in terms of pointer lag.

Reliability

I've owned an Apple iPad since they first came out in about 2011. And they've always been highly reliable devices.

I've had Samsung Galaxy Tab S devices for about the last year and a half. And they also seem highly reliable.

Applications

There is a good set of applications across both types of devices. Though you will encounter some applications that only work with the specific device.

My favorite apps to use are clip studio paint and infinite painter which work on both kinds of devices

Here's a list of some of the more popular apps

Application
iPad
Samsung Galaxy Tab S

Procreate

YES

NO

Procreate Dreams

YES

NO

Clip Studio Paint

YES

YES

Krita

NO

YES

Infinite Painter

YES

YES

Concepts

YES

YES

More here: applications

Aspect Ratio

iPads are around a 4X3 aspect ratio. And Samsung Galaxy S tablets have a 16 by 9 aspect ratio.

I think the 4X3 aspect ratio of the Apple iPad is in general a better choice. The size of the Galaxy S tablets makes sense for watching things like videos which are often in 16 by 9 aspect ratio but it can feel awkward to hold especially for the larger sizes.

Pens

  • Apple iPad: There are multiple pen versions. The one I recommend is the Apple Pencil 2 or the Apple Pencil Pro because they support pressure, tilt, and hover.

    • Do NOT buy the Apple Pencil USB-C version - it does not support pressure sensitivity

  • Samsung: There are several versions of the S pen and they aren't clearly labelled. The one I am discussing is the one compatible with the Galaxy Tab S series of tablets.

Pen Pressure handling

There are significant differences in pressure handling.

  • Samsung S pens - are OK in terms of pressure handling. They have a slightly higher IAF (3gf to 6gf) and don't have a high maximum pressure (200gf). More here: 7P notes: Samsung S Pen

  • Apple Pencil 2nd GEN and Apple Pencil Pro - These have a very low IAF based on users' comments (some people say <1gf) and a high maximum pressure of 500gf.

Pen nib retraction

  • The apple pencil has a fixed tip.

  • Like any EMR drawing tablet, the Samsung S pen features a nib that retracts

Pen included with tablet?

  • Apple iPad - you have to buy the Apple Pencil separately. It does NOT come with an iPad.

  • Samsung Galaxy S series - the Samsung S pen comes with the tablet.

Pen replacement cost

Don't lose your pen! They aren't cheap to replace. The Apple Pencil is very expensive compared to the Samsung S Pen.

  • Apple Pencil 2: $130 USD

  • Samsung S Pen for Galaxy Tab: $50

Pen wear

Both pens can experience wear at their drawing end, and you may need to buy replacement tips/nibs.

  • For the Apple pencil, the tip can be replaced. Apple sells a pack of 4 for $19 - or $4.75 per tip.

  • For the Samsung S Pen, the nib can be replaced. You can find various nibs on Amazon at price of around $1 per nib.

Pen tech

  • Apple Pencil uses a proprietary protocol that is similar to AES

  • Samsung S Pen uses EMR (Electromagnetic Resonance) which is what drawing tablets from brands such as Wacom, Huion, XP-Pen use.

Pen buttons

  • Apple pencil has no buttons

  • Samsung S pen has a single button

Videos

Other resources

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