Apple iPad Pro vs Google Pixel C – Which is the Best Tablet of 2016?

Apple iPad Pro and Google Pixel C both of them are the best flagship tablets of 2016 and both of them are good and bad in someway or other. Although, iPad’s are well known for their performance and portability since long, we can’t even misjudge Pixel C because this time it’s made by Google itself. Also, both the flagship tablets of this year are hybrid, that means now you can connect keyboard to replace it with your needs of laptop and work effortlessly on the go. But that doesn’t sum up to decide – “which is the best tablet of 2016” to buy – Apple iPad Pro or Google Pixel C? Deciding this was never been so easy, until we compared both the flagships here Head-To-Head…

Apple iPad Pro vs Google Pixel C

Let’s begin.

At what price do they come for?

The iPad Pro is priced at $599 for 32GB with Wi-Fi only variant. Whereas, the 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular variant is priced at $729. (Apple has removed 16GB variant on iPad Pro due to storage limitations and everyone praised Apple for that.)

At the same time, Google Pixel C is priced at $499 for 32GB variant and $599 for 64GB variant.

Buyers should note that the smart keyboard does not come with iPad Pro or Pixel C package. Those who want to turn their tablet into laptop have to pay additional $150 to $200 for smart keyboard.

Winner – Google Pixel C

Retina Display on iPad vs IPS LCD on Pixel C

iPad pro comes with 12.9 inch Retina Display (3.2” more than previous gen iPad Air 2) with 2048 x 2732 pixels resolution which reveals extreme bright colors. This slate is coated with anti-reflective layer, which increases outdoor visibility intensity. NighShift is enabled here for fixing white balance, this can save your eyes in extremely dark conditions. Gaming and watching movies experience is further delighted with its massive 12.9” Retina display. iPad Pro also allows you to draw sketches and design graphics using Apple Pencil. So, if you are a graphics designer or an artist then iPad Pro will be best choice for you.

Meanwhile, Google’s Pixel C comes with 10.2 inch LTPS IPS LCD Display. Resolution of 2560 x 1800 pixels, makes display of Pixel C crispier than iPad Pro. The screen is further improved with Low Temperature PolySilicon technology which increases battery-life and keeps the display power consumption down.

As far as PPI (Pixels per inch) is concerned iPad Pro’s display has 264ppi and Pixel C’s display has 308ppi.

Both the displays are really delighting for eyes and both of them offer really good viewing angles. Though, Pixel C’s display might seem good by numbers, iPad Pro’s display is a clear winner here because of its support for Apple Pencil.

Winner – Apple iPad Pro

Does its design turn heads?

Well…

There is nothing new on iPad Pro’s design as Apple is following almost same design patent as iPad Air 2, just a bigger display. This slate weighs around 715g, which is slightly heavier and not suitable for working by holding in hands for longer-time period.

Whereas, Pixel C weighs around 517g making it a really lightweight tablet. Google has done tremendously good job with design of Pixel C. It has anodized aluminum unibody design which gives it a premium look and feel. But, you are not getting fingerprint sensor here, I think which is mandatory nowadays for security purpose. Even low-end techs are getting fingerprint sensor these days. However, google has missed this opportunity.

As far as turning heads and catching eyeballs in public is concerned, Google Pixel C does caught more attention of people because everyone is fond of iPads but not everyone knows about Pixel C yet.

Winner – Apple iPad Pro

How much power does they pack inside?

iPad Pro is departed with Apple A9x chipset which is incredibly powerful. You can do multitasking so smoothly with the help of powerful performance and well optimization of OS. I didn’t experienced any kind of frame drops or lack while gaming due to its athletic 12 core-PowerVR series7 GPU. Whereas, Google Pixel C is departed with Nvidia X1 processor. It runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. For gaming purpose, Nvidia Maxwell GPU of Pixel C gives tough competition to iPad Pro.

iPad Pro comes with 4GB RAM onboard whereas on Pixel C it’s 3GB. iPad Pro comes in 3 different storage variants 32GB, 128GB and whopping 256GB variant. Meanwhile, Pixel C comes with only 32GB and 64GB storage options and no 128GB! This might be deal breaking for some users.

Gaming on both the tablets was buttery smooth and even though they were able to handle some of the most demanding titles like GT Racing 2, Infinity Blade etc.

Editing 4K video was super smooth on iPad whereas on Pixel C it did felt little bit slow, may be due to its 3GB RAM.

Winner – Apple iPad Pro

Which tablet has the best camera?

Both the tablet comes with 8MP rear facing sensor which is capable of recording 1080p full HD video at 30fps.

Front facing camera on Pixel C has 2MP sensor whereas iPad Pro has 5MP sensor.

In our testing, photos and videos on iPad were more better than on Pixel C. They felt slightly more saturated and more crispier. But, Pixel C’s camera is even not bad either.

Winner – Apple iPad Pro

Can both the tablets last for a day?

iPad Pro is packed with massive 10307 mAh battery which can deliver up to 10hr of video playback. At the same time Pixel C is packed with 9243 mAh battery and can deliver up to 12hr of video playback. As iPad Pro has massive 12.9” display it consumes more power compared to Pixel C and that’s why Pixel C outperforms iPad Pro in battery backup. So, for productivity hunters who are looking for a tablet with long lasting battery Pixel C might be your best bet.

Winner – Google Pixel C

Conclusion –

If you are a normal user who does bit of gaming, web-browsing and video watching, then Pixel C is perfect for you. You shouldn’t spend $100 more for an iPad. But, if you are looking for a tablet on which you can multi-task, edit videos, compose music or do graphics designing then iPad Pro with Apple Pencil can do wonders for you.

Final Opinion –

In the end, I will suggest you to buy iPad Pro. Why?

• iPad Pro supports dual-screen multitasking which let’s you work on two apps side by side. Whereas, Pixel C doesn’t supports dual-screen multitasking at all. I would say that Google has not taken advantage of Pixel C’s big display.
• iPad pro provides more storage options. Display is also better on iPad Pro as it is coated with anti-reflective layer.
• Drawing artwork or illustrations on iPad Pro with Apple Pencil is boon for designers whereas there is no such feature on Pixel C.

So, winner and the best flagship tablet of 2016 is iPad Pro.

Image by – Google, Apple and The Verge.