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8 Inch Android Tablet for sale
Options on eBay are built with long-lasting batteries and offer a clear HD display at night. Most Android tablets come with a storage device that you can use for apps, pictures, videos, and more.
Each 8-inch tablet may have a slightly different procedure, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Consider the business and personal tasks you need to perform before you get a tablet on eBay.
A tablet with 16 gigabytes of storage should provide enough space for a young child. Tablets with lots of storage suit individuals who use photo and video apps frequently.
10 Best 8-inch Tablets 2022 (Latest Models)
This best 8-inch tablets comes with portable lightweight design and are packed with a good performance features. If you are planning to buy a tablet, it is very important to understand and compare the products that are available and then to finalize one. Understanding the features and aspects of the different tablets from different companies is a must because that will help to make a practical decision. These are a broad classification of some of the important factors which can prove to be helpful in buying the exact tablet that is needed. Here, the key points and features of some of the reigning 8 inch tablets from big brands are discussed to give a better insight into products to choose from. The recently launched Apple iPad mini (6th Generation) is a work of art, especially for users who want an ergonomically designed device with a comfortable hold.
It is backed with the 16-core Neural Engine that supports seamless performance, responsiveness and productivity, all in the compact device. The 12MP wide view camera ensures smoother video calls and clear communication. You also get a fully laminated display with True tone technology and anti-reflective coating for vivid and brighter visuals.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a 8.7 inch tablet that is here to amplify your performance and transform the overall user experience.
The LTE connectivity further streamlines user experience, making it a lot more accessible. The device is kid-friendly and is programmed with Samsung Kids for fun and interactive lessons.
Starting at $89.99, Amazon Fire HD 8 10th Generation is the best and affordable 8 inch tablet in the market. The tablet comes in both 32GB and 64GB internal storage capacity option to choose from, which can be again increased up to 1TB via microSD card.
It’s powerful 2.0 GHz quad-core processor allows it to deliver 30% faster while its all-day battery allows for a hassle-free, contributing usage. Amazon Fire HD 8 also supports hands-free Alexa and all other popular apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Netflix.
To make things easy, the tablet supports wireless charging and enhanced dual-band, Wi-Fi connectivity. Whether using it indoor or on the go, new Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4″ is designed to offer maximum satisfaction of ease and convenience to the users.
With stable and fast 4G LTE connectivity and great battery life that supports almost 10 hours of streaming on a single charge, what can be a better companion than this device? Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4″ offers crystal clear display combined with air filling sound from the dual speaker that makes it a great choice for all. With 32GB internal memory and 512GB on the microSD Card, this tablet is the most handy, useful and ready to use gadget for today’s genius minds. All-new Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is powered by a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor to enable the device to deliver faster and competent performance.
The Lenovo Tab M8 HD is a testament to that and brings stunning performance and a stylish design to the table. But, the list of pros doesn’t stop there as the Tab M8 HD brings a modern and refined look, especially with the full-metal cover and 82% screen to body ratio of the display.
Coming from Samsung, this tablet is a perfect blend of great performance and practical designing. It is fitted with 8” TFT fully touchscreen and is of 1280 x 800 WXGA resolution and 16M color depth. The device gets its amazing power from the 2GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 processor, and works on Android Pie 9.0 version.
This affordable and compact no-frills Android slate lives up to its specifications and claims.
The model runs on Android 10 OS and offers up to 32 GB hard disk and 32GB memory configuration, making this quite a responsive tablet for everyday usage. As far as productivity goes, the Onn tablet supports up to 10 hours of battery life, so users won’t have to go around looking for a power outlet every two minutes.
The 2.0 GHz Octa-Core Processor with 2GB RAM is a fair inclusion of specifications for the price. The long-lasting and replaceable battery allows you to work through consistent hours without worrying about finding a power outlet. The tablet is further integrated with Samsung Wireless DeX that reflects on the user experience and overall productivity to tackle work in tougher environment. The enhanced touch capabilities in the device further reflect on the work results, even with the gloves on. A close look at the features and specifications of Vastking KingPad SA8 will let you realize its potential and abilities. This amazing 8-inch tablet from Vastking GMS certified comes with an FHD 1920×1200 resolution IPS touch screen that makes for a fulfilling digital graphical experience for the users.
Given the price bracket of this product, you will be amazed at the display quality that makes it one of the best 8 inch tablets of 2022. This Android 10.0 OS tablet is powered by an Octa-Core CPU processor and supports 3GB RAM. Built-in 4000mah battery keeps it going for 10 long hours to deliver uninterrupted service and meet all expectations.
All the above-discussed tablets are recent releases and have successfully created a market for themselves owing to their great features.
13 Best 8-Inch Tablets on the Market 2022
These electronic devices ride the line between smartphones and laptops, thanks to their sporty size. Add in the fact these portable devices can be securely tucked away on your person without weighing you down, and it is pretty easy to see why an 8-inch tablet is an ideal gift. That said, there is no point in buying just any tablet, especially when the price for a good one is financially feasible these days.
So, to help you decide which one, or three, tablets you should get this year, we have created the following guide.
Read on to review all of the best 8-inch tablets on the market today and then take an in-depth look as to why 8-inch devices are likely preferable to any other size. And once again we have to update our article and we’re doing it happily because the new iPad Mini is better than we hoped. Nevertheless, let’s get into some details: as you know we’re not big fans of 8-inch tablets, because we like to get some work done on our devices, but after using the new iPad Mini..we changed our minds. First of all the display is gorgeous and it’s incredibly compact and when it comes to speed I couldn’t feel a difference between iPad Pro & iPad mini until you try out some of the high-demanding software.
The sound is beautiful, watching YouTube, Netflix without headphones is a real treat until you have to read subtitles.
Of course, it’s more convenient to write on a 10+ inch screen, but if you buy it as a secondary device for note-taking and schoolwork, it’s a good choice.
Overall, we believe it’s a great new generation iPad Mini which is great for entertainment – Youtube, Social Media, Video Calls, Reading, Texting, Games, etc. And it’s also convenient as a secondary device to take quick notes, do some hobby drawing and you can also do some typing if needed if you have a Bluetooth keyboard and manage your smart devices at home.
P.S it’s also a lot more convenient to play games on a smaller tablet rather than a big one. If you’re looking for a budget tablet that can get on the LTE network by itself, then I’ll say the Samsung Tab A 8.4″ is worth taking a look at Furthermore, it had a WiFi speed of 100 Mbps which isn’t bad, enough for video chatting and watching HD movies.
The display is really great for the price with good viewing angles. The battery life is decent even if you’re playing games, watching youtube, or movies.
Other Features: It is a dual sim tablet with a headphone jack, GPS, and radio. This device comes with the LTE network service unlike the other Samsung tablet modules with only WiFi As a user of this product, you can design different graphics, download movies, make notes, draw, and do much more stuff depending on your daily activities. The quality and performance of this device is outstanding, but it’s also on the high-end side, when it comes to price, due to that fact, we can give this tablet a better position.
(in 2021, January 19 finally released in the USA) The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 is the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 that was unveiled in October 2017. Overall it’s a good tablet, but it’s segmented for workspace people or hikers. But if that’s your main purpose for the tablet, we would suggest something bigger with better resolution e.g. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Samsung video advertisment for Galaxy Tab Active 3
Check Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 Full Review The recently launched Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a promising tablet when in the 8-inch category. The tablet brings an 8.70-inch touchscreen display that bears a resolution of 1340×800 pixels.
Talking about the build, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite comes with a glass front and an aluminum back. Together with the aluminum frame and plastic ends, the device gives a premium feel altogether. Alongside an 8.7-inch display, this Android 11 OS compatible tablet with One UI 3.1 features the octa-core Mediatek Helio P22T chipset, Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite also has the PowerVR GE8320 graphics powered by 3GB and 4GB RAM options to handle everyday processes pretty seamlessly.
But above all, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 lite packs a USB Type-C 2.0 port that can help charge the 5100 mAh battery really quickly. Overall it’s a good tablet for basic stuff – emails, video calls, surfing, youtube, movies, twitch and we liked it, and we believe it’s the best budget-friendly tablet from Samsung, right now. Great battery life alongside 15W fast charging
The Lenovo Smart Tab M8 tablet isn’t all that original, though. While the Smart Tab M8 comes equipped with some pretty nice features, there is a significant lack of quality in performance, even for a budget tablet. If you’re looking to entertain your kids – it’s a nice choice, plenty for kids to do, if you want it to buy it just to watch youtube videos and work as a voice assistant while you’re cooking – good choice.
Port: The microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD card slot You won’t be able to do those things you can do on iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab’s.
It also charges slower than the Plus version, but this device is available in multiple colors other than the Plus model. Specifications 🔧 OS: Android (9.0 Pie), FireOS UI
Color options Cons 👎 Limited applications due to OS A great 8-inch tablet, worthy of being bought as a present for a friend or family member.
Although this 8-inch tablet is equipped with Dolby internals, a household name in speakers, Lenovo graciously opted to include a headphone jack. So, between the brand name speakers and on-the-go plug-in essential, this 8-inch tablet has all your audio needs covered.
In addition to the impressive speakers, Lenovo equipped this bad boy with a battery capable of being used for about 20-hours. During that time span, the device never skimps on its exceptional responsiveness.
This means if playing games is your jam, this 8-inch tablet will be a keen ally. Other nifty features included are a pair of front-facing speakers and a micro SD card slot.
Storage 16 GB Flash Memory Solid State Vanquisher 8-Inch Ultra Rugged Tablet Windows 10 Pro
Another device equipped with an ear jack is the Vanquisher 8-inch Ultra Rugged Tablet. When manufacturing this device, Vanquisher followed military standards for tablets, specifically in regard to standing up to the harshest conditions.
This means you can comfortably hold the Ultra Rugged Tablet in one hand without having to worry about dropping it. And if you do so happen to let this tablet fall from your hands, the odds of it being damaged are ridiculously low.
Having this much protection also means this 8-inch tablet can be used in basically all weather conditions. The device has a built-in GPS system, which means you can use it to navigate the wilderness, even if your network doesn’t reach that far. This can be great for long-distance hikes into the middle of nowhere or a camping trip to a similar location. Just shy of 77% screen-to-body ratio, ASUS made our list of best 8-inch tablets this year due to the pristine imagery and selfie capabilities. The device comes with ASUS’s very own VisualMaster software, which makes viewing scenes through the camera virtually indistinguishable from what you see with 20/20 vision. Low light mode, which means decently bright photos around sunset without having to use the flash
Panoramic mode, capable of capturing almost 150 degrees from a camera viewpoint Shutter lag reduction, ready to capture all the real-world events as they unfold
In addition to the profound camera perks, ASUS makes a lot of in-house software, and a good portion of them are included with this 8-inch tablet. Be sure to check this one out if you want to know what it feels like to get a bunch of extras without overpaying in the process.
Just be sure to outline exactly what you are gifting if you decide to give this device away as a present this year. Then top off your holiday shopping session this year with a couple of Samsung Galaxy Tab A’s.
This impressive combo means binge watching Netflix for 14-hours in daylight or an awesome all-night gaming session is in store for whoever owns the Samsung Galaxy Tab A. But if gaming or watching videos is not your thing because you are always on the go, do not let that deter you from buying this device! In addition to playing music for approximately 150-hours, this tablet can take some really nice pictures.
And with a Micro SD card slot, you can hold about 250 GB of pictures without having to delete a single one. As we mentioned above, the Lenovo tablet offers a pristine audio experience. On the other hand, the Vanquisher device is the go-to for a durable handheld.
This type of material makes it possible for the device to stand up to quite a few tumbles before any damage starts showing. Expect your viewing experience to be high-quality, without lag or pixelation. Like Lenovo, this 8-inch tablet comes with Dolby speakers and a Snapdragon processor. Combining these two in one device produces a delightful experience, regardless of whether you are using the combo to play games, watch videos, or crank tunes.
The device even holds up well when trying to view content with the sun looming over it. Internally, you’ll find an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 CPU, 32 GB of built-in storage (with an option to expand its memory with a microSD card), and 3 GB of RAM. Namely, we want the device with the best internals and the biggest screen size. Unfortunately, this type of thinking usually ends up leading us down a trail doomed to be uncomfortable in the long-run.
Due to this, the screen needs to be a decent size so we can see clearly, even if we do not have vision problems. Matter of fact, most tablet users prop them up against something when playing a video, kind of like how we do with our smartphones. Speaking of which, phones are designed to be in our hands and close to our bodies, specifically our faces. As such, manufacturers design phones for this type of activity, hence why on average most smartphones are about 5 inches.
This ideal size makes it possible for our phones to fit securely in our pockets, travel with us, and provide us entertainment when we want it most. An 8-inch tablet is pretty close to cell phone size. Due to this, a smaller tablet offers most of the perks outlined above when discussing why manufacturers make smartphones about 5 inches long. However, the benefit of having those extra inches is typically nullified due to the loss of those smartphone-related conveniences we mentioned above.
To compare, here are the other super lightweight 8 inch tablets, ranked in the list below: Our buyer’s guide is designed to review the best 8-inch tablets on the market today. The topics listed below outline what you should consider before purchasing a device to suit your needs. Ideal devices remain lightweight and portable while providing crisp, clean entertainment.
Many of the 8-inch tablets on our list fall into this category, without sacrificing much, so be sure to be selective when choosing yours.
However, the downside to this is the user will be less likely to get up and move about, which can have adverse effects on health. If this metric is a top priority for you, plan on paying a bit more. If you have a preference for Android, there are plenty of devices supporting the operating system on our list.
That said, if you are not partial to either Android or Microsoft, consider getting an 8-inch tablet with dual functionality to suit all your needs. These days, the real perk resides in having a Micro SD slot for memory and a headphone jack for enjoying music privately in public. If you are looking for a lightweight & compact 8-inch tablet, the new iPad Mini 6 is your best bet. Based on all the previously mentioned features and considering all things.
Otherwise, consider reviewing each 8-inch tablet to see if it suits your needs or the person you intend to buy it for. You will be able to enjoy some entertainment, games and even get some productivity tasks done since the iPad Mini 6 is supporting apple pencil.
Best Android tablets 2022: which should you buy?
That size sees it dwarfing even the largest iPad Pro, but with its included S Pen stylus this also makes it a superb device for creating artwork, editing documents, taking notes, and other productivity tasks. The display is crisp at 1848 x 2960 and smooth at 120Hz, there’s tons of power from the Tab S8 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, and it has a great 12MP ultra-wide camera on the front, making this an ideal device for video calls. While the slate works brilliantly as a conventional tablet, it also has a built-in stand, so you can prop it up without a case, and there’s a micro HDMI port, so you can easily use it as a second screen for a laptop or other device – two features which we found very useful,. What you don’t get – in another unusual move – is a rear camera, but then tablets are never ideal for taking photos anyway, and we also found the design made it hard to use with a case.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus The best older Samsung tablet Specifications Weight: 575g Dimensions: 285 x 185 x 5.7mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 12.4-inch Resolution: 1752 x 2800 pixels CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus Storage: 128GB/256GB microSD slot: Yes Battery: 10,090mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 8MP specifications Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Gorgeous OLED screen + Premium design Reasons to avoid – Android lacks quality tablet apps – High price – but it justifies it You also of course get a whole lot of power from the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus’s Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset, enough that we found it the smoothest Android tablet experience we’d come across at launch.
Samsung has long been ruling the high-end Android tablet world, but it now faces an unlikely challenger in the form of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro. Coupled with loud quad-speakers, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro makes for an accomplished media machine, and with its long-lasting 8,600mAh battery it’s a great travel companion. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro packs an attractive metal build too, and it supports both a keyboard and a stylus, transforming it into a capable productivity device – though one that’s still no match for a typical laptop. That means it’s ideal for watching your favorite movies or shows, especially as we also found that it manages around 12 hours of battery life, so you won’t run out of juice at a pivotal moment. Storage is limited at either 32GB or 64GB and we’d like speedier performance in an ideal world, as the chipset was a little bit dated even at launch, but at this price, it’s not bad at all. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite The best affordable Samsung Android tablet Specifications Weight: 476g Dimensions: 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 10.4-inch Resolution: 1200 x 2000 pixels CPU: Exynos 9610 Storage: 64GB/128GB microSD slot: Yes Battery: 7,040mAh Rear camera: 8MP (wide) Front camera: 5MP specifications RAM 4GB RAM Storage Size 64GB – 128GB Colour Blue, Grey Read more ▼ Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at Currys (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Robust design + S Pen as standard Reasons to avoid – Can be a little sluggish – Some issues with S Pen
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 The best Android tablet for flagship buyers on a budget Specifications Weight: 420g Dimensions: 244.5 x 154.3 x 7mm OS: Android 9 (upgrade to Android 10) Screen size: 10.5-inch Resolution: 1600 x 2560 pixels CPU: Snapdragon 855 Storage: 128GB/256GB microSD slot: Yes Battery: 7,040mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 8MP specifications Storage Size 256GB Colour Brown, Grey Condition New Today’s Best Deals Preorder at argos.co.uk (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Beautiful AMOLED display + S Pen as standard Reasons to avoid – Samsung’s One UI not perfect – No headphone jack It’s not the perfect device – there isn’t a 3.5mm headphone jack and we found that the user interface had its own quirks – but it’s still a top Android slate.
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) The best compact, affordable Android tablet Specifications Weight: 355g Dimensions: 202 x 137 x 9.7mm OS: Fire OS Screen size: 8-inch Resolution: 880 x 1280 CPU: quad-core Storage: 32GB/64GB Battery: up to 12 hours Rear camera: 2MP (wide) Front camera: 2MP specifications Storage Size 32GB – 64GB Screen Size 4-inch Colour Black, Blue, White Read more ▼ Today’s Best Deals View at Currys (opens in new tab) View at Simply Be (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Super-low price + Great front camera placement Reasons to avoid – Poor screen quality – Locked to Amazon’s ecosystem
It’s an upgrade on its predecessor thanks to 30% more power, improved battery life, double the storage, and the presence of a USB-C (rather than micro USB) port, but that aside this is familiar territory if you’ve used an Amazon slate before. Huawei MatePad Pro The best Android tablet for productivity Specifications Weight: 460g Dimensions: 246 x 159 x 7.2mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 10.8-inch Resolution: 1600 x 2560 CPU: Kirin 990 RAM: 6GB/8GB Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB Battery: 7,250mAh Rear camera: 13MP (wide) Front camera: 8MP specifications Colour Grey Condition New Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Powerful hardware + Robust lightweight design Reasons to avoid – Limited software functionality – No headphone jack The Huawei MatePad Pro also has a stylish, slim, and lightweight design, plus an optional stylus and keyboard, so it’s premium and built for productivity.
That’s going to be a major issue for a lot of people, but if you can live without that then this comes closer than most Android slates to matching the iPad Pro experience. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) The best super-cheap Android tablet with a large display Specifications Weight: 465g Dimensions: 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm OS: Fire OS Screen size: 10.1-inch Resolution: 1920 x 1200 CPU: Octa-core Storage: 32GB/64GB Battery: up to 12 hours Rear camera: 5MP (wide) Front camera: 2MP specifications Storage Size 32GB Colour Black, Blue, Green Screen Type LED Read more ▼ Today’s Best Deals View at Currys (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Crisp display + Good battery life Reasons to avoid – Bit slow – Limited software For the price, you get a good quality and large screen with a 1920 x 1200 resolution, which we found was ideal for watching films or your favorite YouTube videos.
If you plan to use your tablet for work or creative endeavors then it’s also worth seeing whether it supports a keyboard or stylus, and whether any such things are included. Every tablet included in this guide has been reviewed in full, so we’ve spent a lot of time with each of them working out what’s good, what’s bad, and how they compare. We’ve made sure to fully test out their performance with apps and games, how good content looks on their screens, whether their interface is intuitive, how long the battery lasts, and how the cameras hold up, as well as assessing their design and build quality.
The Best Android Tablets for 2022
High-end iPads and Windows tablets dominate the top of the field with impressive tools for productivity, but Google’s Android operating system is very popular at lower price points. Plenty of RAM Acts as an Alexa smart display Cons Poor app selection
Unimpressive cameras No promise for OS updates after Android 12 Read Our Full Review $209.99 at Lenovo See It (Opens in a new window) App compatibility can be hit or miss Not waterproof Read Our Full Review $479.99 at Amazon See It (Opens in a new window)
Alcatel Joy Tab 2 4.0 Excellent Best for Affordable 4G Connectivity Bottom Line: The Alcatel Joy Tab 2 is an excellent alternative to Amazon’s Fire lineup, with a clean Android experience, strong LTE connectivity, and impressive audio quality. Strong LTE connectivity Excellent audio for the price Cons Cameras perform poorly in low light Read Our Full Review $199.99 at Metro by T-Mobile See It (Opens in a new window)
Poor cameras Base models include ads on the lock screen Read Our Full Review $59.99 at Amazon See It (Opens in a new window) Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) 3.5 Good Best for Video Playback and Zoom Calls Bottom Line: Amazon’s inexpensive Fire HD 8 tablet continues to be an excellent value for the price, but its poor app store is really starting to feel limiting.
Limited app compatibility Sluggish performance Read Our Full Review $89.99 at Amazon See It (Opens in a new window)
Very expensive No monitor mode Read Our Full Review $879.99 at Amazon Check Stock (Opens in a new window) You can find an endless array of no-name, plasticky sub-$100 slates sold at your local CVS or through mysterious “fulfilled by Amazon” drop-shippers. Acer, Asus, Lenovo, and Samsung used to deliver solid iPad competitors, but they’ve all slowed down their cadence to once every two years or so.
Android tablet manufacturers rarely use the latest version of the OS, and software upgrades are even less common. Speaking of Amazon, it and other large manufacturers like Samsung like to customize Google’s OS by adding a bevy of features, new app stores, and completely revamped user interfaces. Even if you don’t have the most recent OS iteration, Android continues to be the most configurable tablet operating system you’ll find. If you’re thinking of switching to a different carrier, be sure to check out LTE and 5G band support to ensure your tablet will work without any hiccups.
Amazon’s Fire HD 10 tablet is great for media streaming (Photo: Molly Flores) Most carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot for those times when you’re not close to Wi-Fi, and many newer cars have built-in LTE connectivity for road trips or keeping your child occupied while you sit in traffic. Many of these off-label tabs are perfectly serviceable, but we recommend choosing a brand you can count on for software support and hardware quality control.
Best Android tablet 2022: Exceptional iPad alternatives from £60
And while the best Android tablet will typically cost a lot less than its iOS or Windows counterparts, that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a shortage of quality options to choose from. Samsung is usually the way to go if you’ve got a decent budget, while Amazon’s devices are a great choice if you want to pick up one of the best Android tablets for not much money.
The smallest option on this best Android tablet list features a 7in screen, which is fine for catching up on the news or firing off a few emails but not so hot when you want to watch a movie. The difference isn’t always obvious on smaller screens, but if you’re buying a larger tablet and plan on doing a lot of streaming, aim for the highest resolution possible. If you’re using it for work and need to be able to save hundreds of files or find yourself recording videos and taking loads of pictures, 16GB will get eaten up pretty quickly. Cellular tablets typically cost more than Wi-Fi models, and you also have to factor in the extra money you’ll be spending on data. Amazon’s most affordable Fire tablet has long been the place to go if you want decent enough functionality for a ridiculously low amount of money, and the latest refresh further cements that status. The new processor delivered more than double the speeds of the previous model in our tests, helping to bring the All-new Fire 7 (2022) more in line with the competition.
Coupled with the gorgeous display is a super speedy octa-core Qualcomm processor that lets the S7 Plus breeze through everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. Key specs – Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus; Screen: 12.4in, 2,800 x 1,753px; Storage: 128GB or 256GB; Size: 285 x 185 x 5.7mm; Weight: 575g; Operating system: Android 10 (ONE UI 2.5) It still houses the MediaTek Helio P60T processor found in its predecessor so you’re not going to see a huge uptick in performance, but you won’t find a more rapid or responsive tablet for the money. Should you want to use the tablet as a makeshift laptop, it’s worth checking out the Productivity Bundle, which comes with a Bluetooth keyboard and a 12-month subscription to Microsoft 365.
Key specs – Processor: Octa-core 2GHz MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T; Screen: 10in, 1,920 x 1,200px; Storage: 32GB or 64GB; Size: 247 x 166 x 9.2mm; Weight: 465g; Operating system: FireOS 7 Its massive 14.6in AMOLED screen is a delight: its razor-sharp resolution and vivid colours make it the best display we’ve ever seen on any device and it’s sensational for watching content on YouTube, Netflix or any other streaming service. We weren’t all that impressed with this – the sheer size of the tablet makes it tricky to perch on your lap and we found the touchpad over-sensitive to ghost clicks.
Key specs – Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1; Screen: 14.6in, 2,960 x 1,848px; Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB; Size: 326 x 209 x 5.5mm; Weight: 728g; Operating system: Android 12 (ONE UI 4.1)
It’s £10 more expensive than the previous model but has received some much-needed hardware upgrades, with a faster MediaTek MT8168 processor and 32GB base storage, twice that of its predecessor. And if you’re happy to stretch your budget to £110, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2020) provides extended battery life, 1GB more RAM and a faster charger.
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core MediaTek MT8168; Screen: 8in, 1,280 x 800px; Storage: 32GB; Size: 202 x 137 x 9.7mm; Weight: 335g; Operating system: Fire OS This stock version of Android 11 is delightful to use, with no bloatware pre-installed, and the Play Store’s wide library of apps, games and services are at your disposal, too.
While this is disappointing, the Nokia T20 is still a commendable alternative to Amazon’s budget tablets and even more so if you aren’t fussed about watching video at higher resolutions. Key specs – Processor: Octa-core Exynos 9611; Screen: 10.4in, 2,000 x 1,200px; Storage: 64GB (128GB version not available in the UK); Size: 245 x 155 x 7mm; Weight: 467g; Operating system: Android 10.0 If you can live without the various apps absent due to the US’s ongoing trade war with China, the MatePad Pro offers some seriously impressive specs. Its Kirin 990 processor is speedy, the 10.8in display crisp and pixel-rich, and bezels are virtually non-existent at a mere 4.3mm thick: this is a device that’s all screen.
In addition to all of these attractive traits, the MatePad Pro can be charged wirelessly and also possesses the capability to reverse-charge other compatible devices. Key specs – Processor: Octa-core Huawei Kirin 990; Screen: 10.8in, 2,560 x 1,600px; Storage: 128GB; Size: 246 x 159 x 7.2mm; Weight: 460g; Operating system: Android 10 (EMUI 10.0.1) A lightweight and highly portable package of tablet, keyboard, stand and pen, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro makes a solid argument for the laptop alternative. Featuring an 11.5in OLED panel that produces exquisitely reproduced colours and purportedly reaches a peak brightness of 500cd/m², the P11 Pro is equally equipped for a workday or watching a movie.
The Snapdragon 730G processor sits in the middle of Qualcomm’s range, but was beefy enough to produce respectable scores in our series of benchmark tests. The results don’t match up to the iPad Air – the obvious Apple competition for this machine – but suffice to say that the P11 Pro never felt slow to use. Key specs – Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G; Screen: 11.5in, 2,560 x 1,600px; Storage: 128GB; Size: 171 x 264 x 6mm; Weight: 485g; Operating system: Android 10 The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a tried-and-tested hybrid that functions extremely well as a secondary device, though it’s rather dear, especially when you factor in the cost of the detachable keyboard and stylus pen.
Best tablet 2022: The top tablets from Apple, Amazon, Samsung and more
In addition to bitesize reviews of the best tablets on the market, we’ve included a comprehensive buying guide detailing which features you should prioritise and the other important things to consider before making a purchase. All of the tablets on this list will enable you to surf the internet, write a quick email, stream a TV show or partake in a family Zoom call, but some do those things far better than others.
If you just want a tablet for browsing the internet, watching Netflix and maybe a little light gaming, a 12.9in iPad Pro is overkill, even if it does handle all of the aforementioned tasks brilliantly.
Likewise, if you want to use your tablet for any kind of demanding work – chopping up 4K video or playing the greatest mobile games – the cheap and cheerful Amazon Fire 8 HD isn’t going to cut it, either.
Apple’s official iPad keyboard case starts at £159, while similar options for the Tab S and Microsoft Surface go for broadly the same price. You can save a few quid by going for third-party alternatives, which exist for all the most popular tablets, but be sure to check customer reviews before investing as they may behave oddly or not be up to snuff.
A tablet’s display quality is measured using a colorimeter and DisplayCAL software, and this determines colour accuracy, contrast and maximum brightness. Battery life ties into this, since we set the screen brightness to 170cd/m2, turn off all data connections and play a looped 20-hour video in the VLC app.
This picks up on the tone of ambient light in your environment and matches the display’s white point to that colour temperature so your eyes don’t have to readjust when you look up from the screen. It houses the same MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T processor as the 2019 model so doesn’t represent a huge jump forward in terms of performance, but it remains very snappy during daily use, booting quickly and switching between multiple apps with minimal fuss. If you’re willing to spend an extra £30, the Fire HD 10 Plus comes with an additional 1GB of RAM (4GB total), has a slightly different soft-touch finish and supports wireless charging. Key specs – Processor: Octa-core 2GHz MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T; Screen: 10.1in, 1,920 x 1,200; Storage: 32 or 64GB; Size: 247 x 166 x 9.2mm; Weight: 465g; Operating system: Android 9 (Fire OS 7)
Its only other real drawback is that the accessories that will transform it into a true laptop replacement are very pricey: with the official Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2, you’re looking at a total outlay of around £1,000. Battery life gets a marked improvement, now lasting roughly ten and a half hours, with a new processor boosting general speeds and responsiveness. Quality of life features returning from the previous model include hands-free Alexa, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot, now allowing you to extend the internal storage by up to 1TB. The 7in screen is still a bit weak by modern standards, and the restrictions of Amazon’s FireOS haven’t seen any improvements, but these feel like small concessions for how much the All-new Fire 7 gets right.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU inside it excelled during our in-house tests, showing the S8 Ultra to be a powerhouse capable of handling pretty much any task thrown at it. The large 14.6in 120Hz, HDR10+ Super AMOLED display delivers rich and bold colours and is generally one of the best tablet viewing experiences we’ve ever witnessed.
Sadly, you’ll have to fork out for Samsung’s two-part keyboard cover to get the most out of it, but if you do, the Tab S8 Ultra effectively doubles up as a big-screen laptop. With its impressive DeX mode, free S Pen stylus, superb performance and the potential for 5G connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is an Android tablet capable of taking on the mighty iPad Pro.
Key specs – Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1; Screen: 14.6in, 2,960 x 1,848; Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB; Size: 327 x 209 x 5.5mm; Weight: 726g; Operating system: Android 12 (One UI 4.1) RAM has also been given a minor boost from 1.6GB to 2GB, and although the 1,200 x 800 display is a little fuzzy compared to Apple’s tablet offerings, the Fire HD 8 (2020) is an absolute steal at under £100.
If you’re willing to pay a bit more for the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2020), you’ll get improved battery life, 1GB more RAM, wireless charging, a faster charger included in the box and Kindle Unlimited free for three months. Key specs – Processor: Quad-core MediaTek MT8168; Screen: 8in, 1,280 x 800; Storage: 32GB; Size: 202 x 137 x 9.7mm; Weight: 335g; Operating system: Android (Fire OS)
This year’s models are powered by Apple’s M1 processor and are faster and more responsive than ever – we’re talking laptop levels of performance wrapped up in a supremely portable package. The 12.9in model now features a Liquid Retina XDR display that delivers the highest peak brightness we’ve come across in a portable computer and excellent colour accuracy to boot. The integrated kickstand can be used to set the Surface Pro 8 to any viewing angle you wish, and the 3:2 aspect ratio display is perfect for working on while in laptop mode. The original iPad mini launched way back in 2012 and this sixth-generation model has finally got rid of its predecessors’ chunky upper and lower bezels.
It’s nippy as a result and that speedy performance is complemented by a sharp 2,266 x 1,488 display that delivers colours in the sRGB gamut with exceptional accuracy. There’s also support for Apple’s True Tone tech, which helps reduce eye strain by matching the white point on the screen with that of ambient light in the room.
The absence of a 3.5mm audio jack is a little annoying and battery life could be better, but for those seeking a quick, compact, well-designed tablet that balances screen size and function, the iPad mini is just the ticket. What’s more, since this is barebones Android, the software experience feels much more refined and you have all of the Play Store’s wide selection of games, apps and services at your fingerprints, too.
While performance is a little sluggish compared to its Apple rivals, the 2,000 x 1,200 screen is vivid, sharp and has a searing maximum brightness of 432cd/m², while battery life clocks in at a highly impressive 15 hours, significantly longer than the 10.2in iPad. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s 8MP rear camera and 5MP selfie-cam will cater for all your photographic needs, and the tablet comes with Samsung’s handy S Pen stylus included in the price. Key specs – Processor: Octa-core Samsung Exynos 9611; Screen: 10.4in, 2,000 x 1,200; Storage: 64/128GB (128GB version not available in the UK); Size: 245 x 155 x 7mm; Weight: 467g; Operating system: Android 10.0 Google may have abandoned the Pixel Slate some time ago, but this tablet-cum-laptop from Lenovo proves that Chrome OS tablets are alive and kicking.
Its strength comes in its versatility – use it as a tablet when you’re on the move (or on the couch) or attach the clip-on keyboard it comes with to transform it into a fully functional, if rather small, Chromebook. Its Full HD 10.1in screen is of excellent quality, with decent maximum brightness and superb coverage of the sRGB colour gamut, while its battery lasted over 16 hours in our video playback test – a frankly staggering result given how compact it is. Key specs – Processor: MediaTek P60T; Screen: 10.1in, 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 4GB; Size: 160 x 240 x 7mm; Weight: 450g (without keyboard); Operating system: Chrome OS With a screen that mimics the feel of paper, it doesn’t come with apps like Netflix or Twitter, but it is able to share your notes via Wi-Fi so you can access your doodles elsewhere.
The slim build doesn’t come at the expense of quality, either: the 11.5in OLED screen delivers exceptional colour reproduction and apparently reaches a peak brightness of 500cd/m², meaning that it can do a movie justice as well as handle your daily workload. Though speeds aren’t on the same level as some competitors – such as the lightning-quick Apple iPad Air – the P11 Pro has a secret weapon in its battery life. Key specs – Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G; Screen: 11.5in, 2,560 x 1,600; Storage: 128GB; Size: 171 x 264 x 6mm; Weight: 485g; Operating system: Android 10
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