Smartphones are great, but sometimes they are just a bit too small. On the other hand, laptops might be too big to carry around easily. But there is the perfect solution just in the middle — tablets. Right now, there are some excellent choices for tablets that you can get at reasonable prices. The battle between Android and Apple has not been taken to another level, and they compete between each other and Microsoft for first place in the category of the best tablet.
Which tablet will be the best for you will be something that you will have to determine based on what you will use it for. If you are looking for something cheap that you just want to give to your kids for some entertainment, you won’t have to research a lot, and you can just take any decent option in your price range. But if you would like a great tablet that you can use to replace your laptop when you are on the move or do any specific activity, you will have to spend some hours researching which one to get.Â
What you should always keep in mind when choosing a tablet is:
- Operating system;
- Size;
- Technical specifications;
- Price.
We will help you by giving you a short overview of the best tablets for 2022. This might help you find the perfect fit for yourself.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021)
Operational system: iPadOS 14
Weight: 682g
Screen size: 12.9-inch
Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
CPU: Apple M1
Memory: 8GB/16GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
The iPad Pro 2021 is probably the market’s best right now. The M1 chip, which is the same chip that the Apple Mac computers use, is the first sign that this table will be an absolute powerhouse. There are two versions — 11-inch and 12.9-inch, but we recommend getting the bigger one. The CPU helps a lot with the power efficiency of the iPad Pro, and now the battery lasts up to 9 hours even under intense usage.
And the display is just stunning. iPad Pro 12.9-inch offers a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and better brightness levels. Thanks to the mini-LED that replaced the standard LED backlighting, it is worth it. This is why this is a tablet perfect for designers. The display and the technical specs make it ideal for graphic designers, motion designers, UX and UI designers, and any creative person who wants to create something beautiful with it. The compatibility with Adobe products is also helping in this case.
As usual, Apple gives you different options for memory and storage size. We would recommend going for the 16GB of RAM and at least 512GB of storage because this is the best price ratio. And for such a powerful machine, you want to have more RAM and storage space. The cameras are also decent, but nothing impressive since taking pictures is not the table’s primary purpose. However, the price is a bit high for most users, but it is worth it since you get a lot of functionalities and a mighty machine in return.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
Operational system: Windows 11
Weight: 891g
Screen size: 13-inch
Resolution: 2880 x 1920 pixels
CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-17
Memory: 8GB/16GB/32GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
If you want to get a tablet for work, this is for you. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 feels like a laptop in most aspects. It is very powerful, and the display is big enough to work on any document you need. The cameras are good enough for making business calls, and the new Windows 11 is perfect for tablets. If you haven’t tried it, we can tell you that the new functionalities facilitate the work with tablets a lot, and on top of that, you can download any Android app on your Surface Pro 8.
If you get the version with 32GB of RAM, the 11th Gen Intel Core processor will be able to support you with any task. You can even play some games without any issues or overheating. And the beautiful screen will make this experience even more pleasant. The colors and the brightness might not be precisely at the level of iPad Pro 2021 but are still great for work and casual gaming or watching movies. The max refresh rate is 120Hz which is more than excellent.
Advertised as a business laptop, Microsoft Surface Pro 8 can replace your work laptop easily. There are new and updated peripheral devices as well. The Surface Pro Signature Keyboard now comes with the Surface Slim Pen 2, making working with your tablet effortless. The battery life is up to 16 hours, and the fast-charging functionality guarantees you won’t wait long before your battery is full again.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Operational system: Android 12
Weight: 726g
Screen size: 14.6-inch
Resolution: 1848 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Memory: 8GB/12GB/16GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
Undoubtedly Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the best Android tablet you can get. It is a very decent competitor of the iPad Pro 2021, maybe the next generation will be even better than Apple’s leader. The display size is excellent because, with the 14.6-inch screen, you can use it for work and entertainment. Samsung does better by giving you the S Pen, which you can use with the tablet as a part of the package, compared to the Apple Pencil that you need to buy separately.
The CPU is very powerful, so there is almost no task that you can’t do with this tablet. You can easily do every daily work tasks you have and more. The cameras are also great for work calls, but you better take them with your phone if you want quality pictures, which probably has a better camera.
Maybe the biggest benefit of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the operational system. Android still offers much more flexibility and a variety of apps. The characteristics and the display quality of the iPad Pro 2021 are slightly better in most parameters. Still, many people just don’t like how limiting iOS is or that some applications are unavailable for Apple or paid. So, if you are a fan of Android, you should go for Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. The price is a bit high, but it is the best you can find on the market.
Lenovo Yoga Tab 13
One more great option for Android fans. Here are the most important specs:
Operational system: Android 11
Weight: 830g
Screen size: 13.0-inch
Resolution: 1350 x 2160 pixels
CPU: Snapdragon 870
Memory: 8GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB
If you are looking for a more affordable Android tablet, our recommendation would be the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13. To be completely honest, this is more like an extremely big smartphone. The design is lovely and clean, and the built-in stand is also very handy if you would like to position the table straight. The display is very good but not nearly as impressive as the iPad Pro 2021 or even the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. The resolution is good enough for work and streaming but is close to what we see on new smartphones.
Something really cool about this tablet is the speaker. It has a large speaker housed in the stand section at the bottom, making it perfect for listening to music or watching videos and movies even without headphones. The only camera is in front and is decent for making business calls with its 8MP.
Since it is again an Android tablet, you can download any Android app you would want to use. The powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset will be able to handle even some light gaming if you would like to entertain yourself with your tablet. Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 has a very long-lasting battery and speedy charging. It is the perfect tablet for people that want to have just a temporary replacement for their laptop while traveling.
