The Best Tablet 2021
Mar 20th, 2021
The Best tablets of 2021
We put together the best iPads and Android tablets of the moment. The best tablets are handy tools, as they serve as portable media devices, productive offices as well as a drawing platform for art. They even work as huge phones or small laptops.
So if you are looking for a new tablet, you have come to the right place. At TechRadar, we have tested all the highest quality products on the market, from which we have put together the top ten tablets for purchase at the moment.
Choosing the right tablet can be a complicated task at worst, as the right model acts as both an effective laptop replacement and an entertainment device. In addition, it should be easy to carry, look good, and last long enough for the battery.
Fortunately, we’ve been able to test all the products on the list in our office, so we know exactly what they can offer in terms of features, battery life, performance, and price. This is why our list is constantly alive as new models enter the market. Our recently released Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus was added to our list , in addition to which we have criticized the Galaxy Tab S7 and iPad Pro 2020 , which are sure to bring more variety to the list.
Below we have put together the best tablets of the moment, from which we hope you will find just the right model for you.
Tablet vs. smartphone
Smartphones and tablets are the hottest devices today. While tablets and smartphones look pretty much the same, there are still big differences between them. The biggest difference between tablets and smartphones is, of course, size. Tablets are much larger than smartphones, and screen size is typically the basis for measurement. Tablets range from models with a 7-inch screen, the most popular being about 10-inch models. There are also models with an even larger screen size. Smartphones are much smaller, and most models sport a 4-inch screen. It is important for smartphones to be small because most people, especially men, carry them in their pockets.
There is also a difference in the applications you can use. Tablets and smartphones typically share the same functionality; Android tablets and smartphones as well as iPad and iPhone. But there are apps that only work on tablets and not smartphones. This is not due to processor limitations, but usually the impracticality of small screens with the application. When connected to a network, smartphones are trump tablets. Almost all smartphones have Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, the latter is basically provided because connecting to a cellular network is essential for smartphones. The tablets have at least WiFi connectivity, but only high-end and priced models have 3G connectivity.
The primary function of smartphones is still communication, even though we have a wide range of uses. Tablets, on the other hand, are not intended to replace the phone. While some tablets have the ability to send text messages or make calls, many don’t. You can immediately exclude tablets without 3G, as the hardware is necessary for this function. And while you can make calls with your tablet, you’ll probably have to buy a Bluetooth headset because holding a big tablet in your face is pretty tricky.
Smartphones can do tablet and other tasks. If you’re usually on the go, a smartphone is a better choice because you can quickly pull it out or save it as needed.
The best tablets in a nutshell
1. iPad Air 4 (2020)
2. iPad 10.2 (2020)
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
4. iPad mini (2019)
5. iPad Pro 10.5
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
8. iPad Pro 12.9
1. iPad Air 4 (2020)
The iPad Air 4 (2020) is the best option on the market for those who don’t want to splurge their money on the most expensive of all. The lighter iPad offers the key features of the iPad Pro collection at a much lower price.
It’s even worth noting that the new iPad Air 4 (2020) features a blade A14 Bionic system circuit. It is an exceptionally powerful processor as well as familiar from iPhone 12 phones.
There is also support for the keyboard and the Apple Pencil stylus. So it’s completely comparable to the iPad Pro if you’re considering replacing your laptop with a tablet. Comprehensive powers and stylish color options make it a workable solution for most users. However, it should be noted that the smallest model with 64 GB of memory should not be chosen. Namely, its state ends without help in the middle.
- • Weight: 458 g
- • Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm
- • Operating System: iPadOS 14
- • Screen size: 10.9 inches Resolution: 1,640 x 2,360
- • System circuit : A14 Bionic | Memory: 64 GB / 256 GB
- • microSD slot: No
- • Battery: Up to 10 hours Rear camera: 12 MP
- • Front camera: 7 MP
2. iPad 10.2 (2020)
The iPad 10.2 (2020) isn’t particularly significant as an annual update, as it offers only slight improvements over the iPad 10.2 (2019). However, the small streams create an excellent whole, which is why the latest 10.2-inch iPad is the best low-cost option on the market.
The most significant innovation over our predecessor on the list is the new and faster A12 Bionic system circuit. In addition, the device comes with a 20 W charger, which allows the battery to charge significantly faster than previous models.
The latest version has not fixed things that are already intact. It still comes with a great iPadOS operating system and support for an Apple Pencil stylus and Smart Keyboard. Battery life is also great again. Unfortunately, there are even small weaknesses involved. First, the front camera is surprisingly modest, in addition to which the model with 32GB of storage runs out really quickly. We definitely recommend grabbing the 128GB model sooner.
- • Weight: 490 g
- • Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm User Interface: iPadOS 14
- • Screen size: 10.2 inches Resolution: 1,620 x 2,160
- • Processor: A12 Bionic
- • Memory: 3GB Storage space: 32/128 GB
- • microSD slot: No
- • Battery life: Approx. 10 hours Rear camera: 8 MP
- • Front camera: 1.2 MP
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
The first Android tablet on our list is the best tablet Samsung has ever made, as well as a tough competitor to Apple’s iPad Pro models. The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus’s 12.4-inch, 2,800 x 1,752-resolution AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz actually beats Apple’s counterparts, which still have LCD displays.The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset, on the other hand, is the most powerful tip on Android hardware, in addition to which the tablet arrives in a sleek and durable metal shell that is still extremely thin.
For those who want 5G technology, there is also a separate model, in addition to which the Samsung S Pen is included in each sales package. Android may not be exactly like iPadOS as an operating system, but if you don’t want Apple models, this is your best option.
- • Weight: 575 g
- • Dimensions: 285 x 185 x 5.7 mm
- • Operating system: Android 10
- • Display: 12.4 inches Resolution: 1,752 x 2,800
- • Processor: Snapdragon 865 Plus
- • Storage capacity: 128 GB / 256 GB
- • microSD slot: Yes | Battery: 10,090 mAh
- • Camera: 13 MP + 5 MP
- • Front camera: 8 MP
4. iPad mini (2020)
Apple doesn’t have a foldable phone yet - but if it did, it might look somewhat unlocked from the current iPad mini. While this year’s mini has hardly changed from its predecessor nearly four years ago, the concept is still extremely functional.
The tablet is easy to take from a backpack or large pocket, write a few notes and toss back to its storage location. The design of the iPad mini already feels a bit old-fashioned with its thick edges, but the tablet is attractively priced for its surprisingly high power. The iPad mini is the only compact tablet on the market that we can currently recommend.
- • Weight: 304 g
- • Dimensions: 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm
- • Operating system: iOS 12
- • Display: 7.9 inches Resolution: 1,536 x 2,048
- • Processor: A12 Bionic
- • Storage capacity: 64 GB / 256 GB
- • microSD slot: No
- • Battery: 5,124 mAh
- • Rear camera: 8 MP
- • Front camera: 7 MP
5. iPad Pro 10.5
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro is still one of the top options, although the affordable iPad 10.2 tends to meet usage needs effortlessly.
iPad Pro 10.5 includes all the tools you need for efficient use. Support for Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard is included. Some can also take advantage of the tablet as a laptop replacement thanks to the iPadOS system.
The ProMotion display impresses in everyday use. Plus, thanks to even smaller edges, the device isn’t even significantly bigger than the iPad Pro 9.7 . The iPad Pro is especially suitable for professional use, but it also gives great media consumers an excellent tool.
- • Weight: 469 g
- • Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm
- • Operating system: iPadOS Screen size: 10.5 inches Resolution: 1,668 x 2,224
- • Processor: A10X Fusion
- • RAM: 4 GB
- • Memory: 64/256/512 GB
- • microSD slot: No
- • Battery: 8.134mAh
- • Camera: 12 MP
- • Front camera: 7 MP
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a less expensive version of the Galaxy Tab S6, but instead of a smaller screen, it offers a hint of weaker features to keep the price low.
Compared to its big brother, this model also features a state-of-the-art chipset as well as better cameras, but it is also significantly cheaper than the other options on this list.
If you’re specifically looking for an Android tablet, Samsung’s options are some of the best on the market, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite ranks among these.
- • Weight: 476 g
- • Dimensions: 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm
- • Operating system: Android 10
- • Display: 10.4 inches Resolution: 1,200 x 2,000
- • Processor: Exynos 9610
- • Memory: 64 GB / 128 GB microSD slot: Yes
- • Battery: 7 040 mAh
- • Camera: 8 MP
- • Front camera: 5 MP
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 used to be the best Android tablet and is still a great deal in terms of a great purchase. However, the new models and especially the Tab S7 Plus have already driven many places ahead.
The Tab S6 has two rear cameras, a powerful system circuitry and a best-in-class AMOLED display. On top of all that, it already comes standard with an S Pen, which is great for taking notes or drawing. You can also purchase a convenient keyboard as an accessory to bring the user experience even closer to your laptop.
The most significant weaknesses of the tablet are the lack of a headphone connection and Samsung’s own One UI, which does not maintain iPadOS-level reliability. However, if you absolutely want an Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is your best option.
- • Weight: 420 g
- • Dimensions: 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm Operating system: Android 9
- • Screen size: 10.5 inches Resolution: 1,600 x 2,560 pixels
- • System circuit : Snapdragon 855 Storage space: 128 or 256 GB
- • microSD slot: Yes
- • Battery: 7 040 mAh
- • Rear camera: 13 MP + 5 MP
- • Front camera: 8 MP
8. iPad Pro 12.9
The iPad Pro (2018) models are arguably the best tablets of the moment. They are very expensive, but you also get a lot of value for your money.
Apple sought to develop devices from its tablets that could, at least in theory, replace your laptop. At the same time, they are demanding the acquisition of a costly keyboard and Apple Pencil. The new Apple Pencil finally attaches with a magnet, the speakers are incredibly good and the edges of the screen are admirably thin. It's easy to fall in love with this.
- • Weight: 468/632 g
- • Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm / 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm
- • Operating system: iPadOS Screen size: 11 inches or 12.9 inches Resolution: 2,388 x 1,668, 2,048 x 2,732
- • System circuit : A12X Bionic
- • Memory: 64 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | microSD slot: No
- • Battery: 7,812 mAh / 9,720 mAh
- • Camera: 12 MP
- • Front camera: 7 MP
Best tablet: buying guide
Tablets are emerging as essential devices for work, communication and entertainment for many people. It goes without saying that when you decide to buy one you always look for the best, the one that makes the competition eat the dust, but the choice is not as simple as it seems.Fortunately we can say that "the best tablet " in an absolute sense does not exist. It is necessary to make subjective assessments, even before objective ones, identify the hardware / software features you really need and choose which device is best suited to your budget, as well as to your needs. But how do you find the right tablet for your needs? First of all, we need to answer a series of very important questions: is it better a tablet with a compact size, 7 or 8 inches, or a larger 10-inch device? Is it worth buying a tablet with 3G or LTE connectivity (given the price increase compared to Wi-Fi only models)? Better Android, iOS or Windows as a tablet operating system? Let's try to find an answer together.
How to choose a tablet
We have just said that "the best tablet" in an absolute sense does not exist: you have to choose the tablet that best suits your needs, and to choose the tablet that best suits your needs you have to take into account numerous technical characteristics. Here are the most important ones.
Display
Standard tablet sizes are 7 ", 8" and 10 ". The choice between one of these formats must be made according to your needs: if you need an extremely light and handy device to be used mainly outside the home, 7 or 8 inch tablets are preferred . Such a small screen, however, reduces the legibility of the writings, makes the use of videos less enjoyable and does not offer great comfort for prolonged typing of texts. The 10 "tablets are the ones that offer the best ratio between compactness and comfort: they are not excessively bulky, they allow you to work quite easily and offer an excellent multimedia experience.
Finally, there are tablets over 10 inches (eg 12 ″) that can be associated with bases or covers with keyboard and allow you to write directly on the screen thanks to special pens. They are to be considered in all respects as substitutes for notebooks, so they are not very portable compared to those of 10 "or less, but offer an unrivaled experience in terms of work (you can write on them very comfortably) and entertainment (watching movies on a 12 ″ screen and more is a real pleasure!). There are also models with reduced bezels on the market (for example the latest iPad Pro or Galaxy S5e), which allow you to have a large display in a device that is not prohibitive for use on the move.
As for the technical aspect, in the screen of a tablet the resolution must first be evaluated , i.e. the number of pixels that are displayed on the device screen: the more there are, the sharper the contents displayed on the device. To influence the level of sharpness of the contents on the screen there is then the pixel density which is measured in pixels per inch (ppi) and indicates, precisely, the number of points reproduced in each inch of the screen. Also in this case, the greater the number of pixels reproduced per inch, the sharper the contents (especially the texts) reproduced on the display.
Other parameters, a little more advanced, that you can consider are the support for HDR technology that allows you to see a wider range of lights and shadows on the screen and support for P3 technology , which instead increases the number of colors displayed on the screen. screen. It must be said that both of these technologies are only available on high-end tablets.
To distinguish high-end tablets and cheaper tablets there may also be the quality of the display itself , its responsiveness and its ability not to attract fingerprints. Without getting too technical, if you want to be informed about these aspects, look for a review of the tablet you have spotted and check the evaluations made by the reviewer on the quality of the screen.
Finally, a brief hint on the types of panels that you can find on tablets currently on the market: most of the tablets on the market are supplied with an IPS LCD display , but there are also some devices, such as Samsung's top-of-the-range ones. , which use Super AMOLED panels. LCD displays are seen slightly better in sunlight and reproduce colors slightly more faithfully than AMOLEDs, which however have very deep blacks (as the black pixels are actually off), a better contrast ratio and a lower energy consumption. Given these due considerations, it must be said that the quality of the panels can be variable, so with the same technology used you can find tablets with more or less wide viewing angles and tablets that reproduce colors more or less faithfully.
You may also have heard of refresh rate and screen-to-frame ratio . The first in English is called refresh rate , and it is the number of times per second that the display updates. The higher the refresh rate, the higher the perceived fluidity during use. The screen-to-frame ratio, which you can also find as screen-to-body ratio in English, is the percentage of the surface that the display occupies on the total front surface. The higher the number, the smaller the bezels surrounding the screen.
Support 3G / 4G / 5G and telephone functionality
Is it worth buying tablets with 3G or LTE support ? Well, it all depends on your needs. If you often need to use your tablet outdoors and you need an Internet connection that is always on, the answer can only be yes. However, we must know that data network support does not mean being able to make phone calls with the tablet (in fact, only a few devices have this function, and they are almost all from 8 ″ down).
Tablets with 4G / LTE support , depending on the category of LTE supported, can surf at different speeds on the data network. If you want to make the most of the potential of the latest 4G networks, buy a tablet with LTE support of category 6 or higher, in this way you can surf up to 300Mbps in download.
As easily understood, tablets capable of connecting to 3G and LTE networks are more expensive than those that surf only in Wi-Fi, and even slightly heavier. No tablets with integrated 5G modem are currently available on the market .
As for Wi-Fi support, also consider the support for the Wi-Fi AC class which allows you to take full advantage of the data transfer speed of wireless AC routers (which allow you to reach 1.3Gbps) and dual-band networks , i.e. networks that take advantage of the 5GHz network.
Internal memory, expansion and ports
Tablets can be equipped with “fixed” or expandable memory . Devices with expandable memory differ from those with "fixed" memory in that they allow you to store apps, photos, videos and other data on external memory cards (microSD). If you plan to install a lot of apps and / or store a lot of videos, you need to buy a tablet with enough internal memory (I'd say over 16GB) or with support for external memory cards. It must also be considered that the GB of space occupied by the operating system and the apps that are pre-installed on the device must be subtracted from the nominal value of the tablet memory (eg 32GB).
Another feature to which particular attention must be paid is the allocation of ports available to the tablet. Apple's iPads, for example, are equipped with only the Lightning port that allows you to recharge the device, connect it to the computer and, using special adapters, connect it to the TV or to accessories for data transfer (eg USB sticks created for hoc for iOS devices). Many Android and Windows tablets are equipped with ( Micro / Mini) USB ports and Micro / MiniHDMI ports that allow direct connection to external storage devices, televisions or monitors.As for the USB ports, we must take into account the support for OTG technology (short for USB On-The-Go), through which it is possible to use keys, hard drives, keyboards, mice and other USB devices on the tablet.
CPU, RAM and battery
Before buying a new tablet, it would be good to inquire about CPU and RAM performance . The CPU, that is the processor, is the one that determines the speed with which the device is able to execute applications, system processes and games; RAM is the one that allows you to run multiple applications and games at the same time without slowing down (the more RAM there is, the better the so-called multi-tasking is managed).
IOS devices generally need less RAM than Windows and, above all, Android devices due to a matter of structure and optimization of the operating system . Therefore, you should not be “scared” if a top-of-the-range iPad has less RAM than an Android or Windows tablet belonging to the same market segment.
As for the battery , the average autonomy of a tablet is 1-2 days, but there are so many variables at stake that you have to examine device by device. To approximate the actual duration of a tablet, it is necessary to examine the capacity of the battery with which it is equipped (which is expressed in mAh). However, we must bear in mind that the amperage of a battery is not everything: a battery with a lower amperage can last as long as a battery with a higher amperage, if not longer, thanks to better software optimization.
Convertible tablets
There are tablets that come with a removable keyboard, which can act as a base (sometimes with additional battery) or as a cover for the device. These devices are called convertible or "2-in1" tablets as they can normally be used as tablets or, when connected to their keyboard, as real notebooks. They can be equipped with various operating systems and can have various sizes.
The most advanced convertibles, such as Microsoft's Surface Pro or Apple's iPad Pro are to be considered as real replacements for notebooks, and in fact they are larger than 10 ″. Note that the base with keyboard is not always included in the tablet package, it often has to be purchased separately.
Pen support and fingerprint sensor
Need pen writing support ? The answer, even in this case, is not unique: it depends exclusively on your needs. Those who need to add notes on documents, highlight texts, create drawings and create projects related to the world of graphics, would do well to look for a tablet with pen writing support; others can also do without it.
In stores there are also "passive" pens that allow you to write or draw on tablets that do not officially offer pen support (eg the non-Pro iPad models), but their degree of accuracy is very low. Take them into consideration just to make some highlights on the documents and nothing more.
Another feature worthy of attention is the presence of a sensor for fingerprint recognition , through which it is possible to unlock the tablet, make online purchases and authenticate in various apps simply by placing your finger on the tablet. It seems a negligible feature, but once tried it becomes almost indispensable.
Camera
Taking photos or videos with a tablet is not the best of convenience, let's face it. But if you are interested in this feature, on the market you can find many devices equipped with cameras that have very little to envy to those of the best smartphones. To evaluate the photographic performance of a tablet, do not stop at the number of megapixels of the cameras or the presence or absence of the flash: look for reviews online and view examples of photos or videos taken with the tablet you have "eyed". Only in this way will you be able to discover the real photographic potential of the device you intend to buy.
Audio
Tablets are perfect for enjoying movies, TV series, music and other multimedia content. It is therefore important to buy a tablet with a satisfactory sound system. With this in mind, before making a purchase, find out about the number of speakers on the tablet (i.e. the number of audio speakers) and the quality of the audio they can generate. A tablet with multiple speakers ensures more enveloping sound and generally higher volume than a tablet with only one speaker.
Operating system
The eternal battle between iOS and Android also recurs in the world of tablets, but Windows does not stand by. Here are some of the main strengths and weaknesses of each platform.
iOS
iOS - is the operating system pre-installed in Apple's iPad. It is very easy to use but on the other hand it has a "closure" that does not allow you to fully customize it like Android. The apps can only be downloaded from the official App Store, but they are many and are generally more optimized for the tablet format than those found on Android. OS updates arrive on day one on all Apple-supported device versions.
Android
Android - is the platform that offers the user the greatest freedom of action in the mobile environment. It has many applications that can be downloaded both from the official Play Store and from external sources, but this freedom is paid for with the risk of running into malware from time to time (an almost non-existent problem on iOS). The operating system updates released by Google do not arrive on day one on all devices, we have to wait for the various manufacturers to distribute them (except for the tablets of the Nexus family which are produced directly by "big G").
Windows 10
Windows 10 - is the same operating system that is installed on PCs, it allows you to run both traditional Desktop applications and Modern apps. It allows the user maximum freedom of action and is often found on hybrid devices based on x86 architecture, which can become a notebook from a tablet thanks to special bases with keyboard. Receive updates on day one.
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