Number 1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

A fantastic tablet for watching movies and getting work done

Pros

• Big 16:10 screen is perfect for watching movies.
• Galaxy AI smarts promise a productivity boost.
• Potent performance for creative jobs and games.
• Longer software support.
• S Pen comes bundled with the tablet

Cons

• Not the most portable of tablets.
• Relatively minor upgrade over last year’s effort.
• Longer software support.

The Tab S10 Ultra maintains its competitive edge in the high-end tablet market of 2024 with slight but important upgrades over its predecessor, the Tab S9 Ultra. With a 14.6-inch AMOLED screen and a 16:10 aspect ratio, it’s perfect for watching movies and costs $1,199. Its design is big and stylish. Its 5.4 mm thickness and stronger Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame make it lighter and smaller than before, while also increasing its longevity.

Differentiating it from several rivals, the tablet maintains IP68 dust and water resistance. The S Pen, which is complimentary, still has an extremely low latency of 2.8ms, but its storage location is still a pain. Its MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor gives it respectable performance, but it can’t compare to the iPad Pro with an M4 processor from Apple. The smoothness of multitasking, gaming, and everyday use is unaffected by this.

Available storage capacities range from 256 GB to 1 TB (no microSD support), providing more than enough room for all your media and programs. Editing and productivity tools are only two of the many Galaxy AI functions introduced to the tablet. A full charge takes two hours using the 45W fast charging, which is slow for a device of its size, but the 11,200mAh battery gives up to 18 hours of use.

For Android users seeking a large-screen tablet, the Tab S10 Ultra is an excellent choice, even though the iPad Pro’s cheaper price and more powerful processor make it seem more appealing.

Number 2. Oneplus Pad 2

The Android-powered iPad Air alternative to get

Pros

• Vivid display.
• Great performance for the price
• Excellent battery life
• Elegant Design.
• Loud speakers.

Cons

• Mediocre rear camera quality.
• Poor desktop mode
• Stylus comes separately.

A more polished version of the original, the $549 OnePlus Pad 2 has strong hardware, a stunning 12.1-inch 144Hz screen, and great sound. Its Nimbus Gray finish updates the prior generation’s streamlined aluminum body and rounded edges. The display doesn’t reach 900 nits, but it still produces brilliant graphics at 580 nits, and the 7:5 aspect ratio gives it a laptop-like feel.

It surpasses its predecessor and competitors like the Galaxy Tab S9 with its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Although video editing isn’t its forte, it effortlessly manages regular jobs and games. With six stereo speakers, your media experiences are taken to the next level with powerful sound.

Despite the lackluster 13MP back camera, this tablet really comes into its own when it comes to productivity, thanks to features like the Open Canvas system that allow you to multitask. Adding on accessories like the Smart Keyboard and Stylo 2 stylus increases its versatility, although they do cost more. Even though it doesn’t have the best camera, the OnePlus Pad 2 is still an excellent Android tablet for watching videos and working on projects. At its pricing point, it goes up against the iPad Air M2 and the Galaxy Tab S9. However, its unique design and performance make it a viable option.

Number 3. Lenovo Tab Extreme

A big Android tablet with lots of power

Pros

• Snappy performance.
• Bundled stylus offers useful features.
• Vivid OLED display beats iPad in color reproduction.
• 68W fast charging capabilities.
• Excellent keyboard case.

Cons

• Window management could be better.
• Expensive.
• Lenovo productivity apps as frustrating as useful.
• Android lacks some ‘pro’ apps available on iOS.

A strong tablet that aims to bridge the gap between a tablet and a laptop, the Lenovo Tab Extreme costs $1,099,99. Its standout feature is its enormous 14.5-inch organic light-emitting diode display, which boasts 3K resolution, vibrant colours, and a silky 120Hz refresh rate—ideal for office or media use. The 740g design, low bezels, and all-metal construction give it a premium feel. While the spacious screen is great for multitasking and spreadsheets, its huge size makes it less than ideal for more informal uses, such as reading in bed or streaming video.

Powering it up are 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 CPU, which should be more than enough for light to moderate gaming and business. Its size, meanwhile, would make it difficult to use for fine-grained touch controllers in smartphone games. You can work comfortably all day long with the supplied peripherals, which include the Lenovo Precision Pen 3 and a keyboard case.

The Tab Extreme is a powerful and versatile tablet, but Android’s lack of tablet optimisation hinders its productivity emphasis. With the help of a rapid 68W charging, the 12,300mAh battery provides remarkable runtime. Its huge form factor and expensive price tag may discourage prospective customers from purchasing it, despite its impressive work companion features like USB-C DisplayPort for dual-screen setups. Although it is a fantastic tablet, it does need some sacrifices.

Number 4. Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro

A versatile and powerful Android tablet

Pros

• Bright IPS display with 144Hz.
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 1.
• long battery life.
• fast charging at 120 watts.
• Focus Pen stylus is great fun.

Cons

• No GPS.
• Officially only works with Xiaomi stylus.
• Stylus not included.

At about $530, the Pad 6S Pro stands out as a high-end tablet that offers great performance at an affordable price. On top of having a 3:2 aspect ratio and 3K resolution (3,048 x 2,032 pixels), it also has a slim 12.4-inch IPS display, a 144Hz refresh rate, and 360Hz touch sampling. The Tablet is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB storage providing further support. There are a few flaws to the device’s high-end design, such as its 6 mm thinness, aluminum unibody, and Gorilla Glass 5. These include a large camera bump and the absence of a cellular version or GPS.

An optional stylus called the Xiaomi Focus Pen is compatible with the tablet. It has 8,192 pressure levels and has intuitive capabilities including remote control functionalities. With six speakers, you can enjoy the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos. Despite not having an OLED screen, it makes up for it with a very brilliant display that can reach 868 cd/m².

The Xiaomi HyperOS, built on Android 14, allows for seamless multitasking on the Pad 6S Pro, with features including split-screen and desktop-like capabilities. The 10,000 mAh battery provides an astonishing amount of time—up to sixteen hours—to browse the web. You may get a full charge in as little as 39 minutes with the 120W rapid charger.

Even while it falls short in several areas compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ and Apple iPad Pro 12.9, the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro is still a great choice for gaming and movie consumption thanks to its fast processor, bright screen, and good acoustics.

Number 5. Honor MagicPad 2

A great Android Tablet for media consumption

Pros

• Lovely, premium design.
• Thoughtful AI implementations.
• Keyboard accessory is pretty good.
• High-resolution AMOLED display with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate.
• Eight-speaker setup gets loud while remaining clear.

Cons

• Android tablet app library still lacking.
• Not available in the US.
• Android still isn’t great for tablets.

At IFA 2024, Honor unveiled the MagicPad 2, a formidable mid-range tablet that offers a superior screen experience at an affordable price. With its 12.3-inch organic light-emitting diode display, 3K resolution, 1600 nits of brightness, and silky-smooth 144Hz refresh rate, it’s perfect for vivid images, seamless gaming, and cozy media consumption. With AI Defocus, Honor has made it easier for users to see clearly even after extended periods of use, while 4320Hz PWM dimming has reduced flickering to an absolute minimum.

The MagicPad 2 keeps its design simple and modern. It has flat edges, a round camera module, is lightweight (555g), and is slim (5.8mm). A USB-C port and power button are part of its straightforward design; it is also available in black and white with an iridescent sheen. It has a Smart Bluetooth keyboard and a Magic Pencil 3 stylus, however the latter is missing a touchpad, so navigating isn’t as smooth.

The tablet’s 10,050mAh battery and 66W rapid charging provide long-lasting power, while the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 CPU, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage provide strong performance. An eight-speaker system that has been certified by IMAX and uses spatial audio to improve audio performance. The software add-ons, such as Magic Portal and Magic Capsule, improve efficiency and allow for easier connection to other Honor devices. The MagicPad 2 is a great substitute for more expensive alternatives, such as the iPad Air, due to its reasonable pricing.