Buying a tablet can be a daunting task these days, and it depends on what you want from the device: are you looking for a laptop replacement? Whether you need a device for education, work, or entertainment, there are several factors to consider when choosing a tablet. The prices for these devices can also vary depending on your budget. If you’re planning on buying a tablet for productivity, you’ll want to look at the premium end for branded accessories. While it may be worth buying an ultrabook or lightweight laptop at this price point, tablets can be more versatile and portable. But how many options do you have at different price points? We take a look at your choices in the latest episode.
In this week’s episode of the Gadgets 360 podcast Orbital, host Akhil Arora speaks with Senior Reviewer Sheldon Pinto and Reviews Editor Roydon Cerejo about tablets and recent offerings for Android users from companies like Xiaomi, Realme, and Motorola.
A tablet in the budget segment — including tablets priced between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 30,000 — can offer value for those looking for an entertainment device. These aren’t powerful tablets, but they’re good enough for watching videos or playing some light gaming. You can choose from options like the Realme Pad or the Motorola Tab G70 . However, finding accessories for tablets in this price range can be a challenge. One exception in this price range is the Xiaomi Pad 5, which offers powerful hardware under the Rs. 30,000 mark, including a capable processor, a 120Hz display, and optimized software. However, you may end up spending more on accessories for this tablet.
Xiaomi Pad 5 Review: The Android Tablet Experience Made Right
Moving further to the mid-range segment, which includes tablets priced above Rs. 30,000, buyers can look at options from Samsung and Apple. For instance, the iPad mini (2021) is a compact tablet that features Apple’s recent A15 processor along with Apple Pencil support. However, its smaller display might be a drawback for some users. The iPad Air (2022) with the M1 SoC offers more power and comes with support for Apple’s accessories including a keyboard.
iPad Mini (2021) review: portable, but is it also that handy?
While these tablets may offer decent performance, it’s worth noting that the base models come with 64GB of storage with only Wi-Fi connectivity, which may not be enough for all users. On the Android front, you might want to consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE , which offers expandable storage and an included stylus. You can optionally purchase a keyboard, and Samsung also offers its handy DeX mode for power users.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE review: Can it replace your laptop?
If money is no object, the premium segment includes the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro and the 13-inch model that features a Mini-LED display with HDR and HLG format support. You can also pick up one of Microsoft’s Surface tablets, such as the Surface Go 2, which is powered by an Intel processor. There’s a more powerful Surface Pro 8 that has much better hardware and runs Windows 11. Samsung also offers its Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8 Plus, along with the much larger 14-inch Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra that costs over Rs. 1 lakh.
We also discuss the importance of software on a tablet, how multitasking can improve app usage based on what you need from the tablet, and the availability of apps across platforms.
You can listen to all this and more in our half-hour-plus episode by clicking the play button in the Spotify player above.
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