Best Android tablet
The finest Android slates around. CHRIS MARTIN and ANYRON COPEMAN report
If you’re thinking about a new tablet, one company will almost certainly come to mind first: Apple. Thirteen years after making its debut, the iPad (in its various sizes) remains the go-to device for millions of people. They’re a no-brainer if you own an iPhone, but what if you prefer Android phones?
In that situation, it usually makes most sense to get a tablet that’s also running Android. The software experience isn’t quite as good as iPadOS, but there are plenty of tablet apps these days and extensive customization options.
There’s also loads of choice, with Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus and Lenovo all represented below. Each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, but there’s a device here to suit any prospective buyer.
SIZE
The first thing to consider (apart from budget) is screen size. This ranges from around 7- to 13 inches, although for
most, an 8- or 9-inch tablet represents the best compromise between usability and portability. With bigger screens comes more weight. Aim for a maximum of around 450g, as anything heavier can be uncomfortable to hold for long periods, such as when watching a film. That said, if you intend for your new slate to spend most of its life propped up on your lap or on a desk, weight isn’t likely to be so much of an issue.
STORAGE
Ideally, you should aim for 32GB of internal storage as a minimum, but more is better for downloading media. Many, but not all, Android tablets feature a microSD card slot, so you can add more storage when you need it. If you’re going for a tablet with no slot, make sure you buy the biggest capacity you can afford, as videos and some apps can use up an awful lot of storage in a single hit. And don’t forget that the big number on the box – 32GB, say – is the total amount. The usable amount, in other words the amount which is empty and available for you to use after the Android OS itself is installed, can be quite a lot less than that headline figure.
DISPLAY
Few tablets these days have poorquality screens, but some do. Look for an IPS LCD or (better yet) OLED/ AMOLED screen and avoid anything with a ‘TN’ screen as these have poor viewing angles. In terms of resolution, higher is better, but the more important number relates to pixel density. Aim for 300 pixels per inch (often abbreviated to ‘ppi’) or higher, as this will ensure a sharp-looking image that’s not jagged or blocky.
FEATURES
Most Android tablets feature Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as their primary means of connectivity, and some have NFC as well. NFC may come in handy for pairing to other compatible devices quickly, but it’s by no means essential.
What’s more useful is a video output so you can connect your tablet to your TV (usually via HDMI). However, you can use most Android tablets with Google’s Chromecast for watching catch-up TV, YouTube and other internet video services that are supported.
Some tablets have GPS – which makes them useful for navigation – but not all do. Another thing to watch for is a SIM slot. This is useful if you want to get online when you’re travelling or out of Wi-Fi range.
However, you’ll usually pay more for a cellular (3G/4G/5G) tablet, and you will need a dedicated SIM card
with a data-only plan to enable in. In truth, it’s better to tether your tablet to your smartphone, if your mobile plan/ carrier allows this.
PERFORMANCE
If you want to know if a particular model is great for gaming or too slow for web browsing, then read our reviews, which include benchmark results for a more empirical comparison; you can’t rely on specifications such as processor speed or number of cores it possesses to guarantee good performance.
We also test battery life, to give you an accurate idea of how long each tablet should likely last between charges. The best tablets last around ten hours or more, while the worst only manage four to five hours on a charge.
The same applies to cameras, and as with performance, you shouldn’t judge by the number of megapixels. Instead, check out our test photos in each review to see whether you’re happy with the quality on offer. Few Android tablets have great cameras, and quite a few have awful ones, so if photos, videos and video calls are important, don’t buy before you’ve read this.
1. BEST OVERALL
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
Price: £999 from fave.co/45efmGL Pros: Fastest Android tablet; great screen and sound; versatile interface and controls; thin and waterproof Cons: Apps and performance behind iPad Pro; expensive
Those looking for a high-end Android tablet won’t be disappointed with the Galaxy Tab S9+, the middle child of the 2023 range. At 12.4-inch, it’s certainly not small, but significantly more manageable than the 14.6-inch Tab S9 Ultra. But it’s still wafer thin at just 5.7mm and features full IP68 dust and waterproofing – a rare find in the tablet world.
There are plenty of premium specs elsewhere, including an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
chipset and no less than 12GB of RAM. Furthermore, there’s a high-quality OLED screen with dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. It means the Tab S9 Plus is more high-end than some laptops.
Samsung also includes the S Pen stylus and there’s decent sound by AKG, long software support and lots more to like. Price is the only real thing that counts against it.
2. BEST BUDGET ANDROID TABLET
Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE
Price: £199 from fave.co/47CHyUQ Pros: Lightweight, attractive design; great audio; 90Hz display; excellent battery life
Cons: Slow charging;only two OS updates; annoying extra apps
The Redmi Pad SE offers value for money that can’t be matched by any tablet – Android or otherwise. It costs just £199 at full price in the UK, yet delivers all the fundamentals of a great tablet.
That includes an attractive design, despite thick bezels around the display. It’s an 11-inch FHD+ LCD panel here, but the 90Hz refresh rate makes it feel much more premium. Alongside impressive quad speakers, it’s a great tablet for content consumption.
With two-day battery life for most people, this an excellent tablet for the price. But you will have to put up with slow charging, while the combination of bloatware and limited software support are frustrating.
3. BEST ANDROID TABLET FOR PRODUCTIVITY
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Price: £1,299 from fave.co/46AfxvD Pros: Stunning 120Hz display; great performance; included S Pen; IP68 rating; 5G support
Cons: Very expensive; not many optimized apps
The Tab S9 Ultra represents the absolute pinnacle of Android tablets. It’s too big (14.6-inch display) and expensive (from £1,199) for most people to consider,