Whether you’re on the hunt for one of the best iPads or want to buy one of the best Android tablets. We have shortlisted the best tablets of 2023 to help you find the perfect tablet for you.
Tablets range from being excellent portable media players to productivity beacons with special features like modular accessories (imagine magnetically detachable keyboards) plus, in some cases, stylus support; offering a level of versatility and adaptability that even the best 2-in-1 laptops can’t match – especially when pricing is factored in the best tablets available right now.
The iPad Pro 2022, for instance, might be the most potent iPadOS device available, but you might discover that an iPad Air does everything you need and weighs significantly less, meaning you’re going to be saving money while getting exactly the tablet that is suitable for you by choosing the less expensive Air. In fact, one of the finest affordable tablets could be all you actually need.
Every major tablet has been put through extensive testing and real-world use. Additionally, we are aware of what to search for and what merits your time and money.
iPad Pro 12.9 (2022)
As of 2023, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is Apple’s top tablet and has laptop-class power owing to an M2 CPU. Although this may be excessive given that the M1 from the previous generation can hardly be taxed by anything you’d perform on a tablet, it makes the device future-proof.
This device resembles the iPad Pro 12.9 in most other respects, including having a large 12.9-inch screen that employs mini-LED to produce better visuals than those seen on lesser iPads.
It has useful functions like Face ID, worthy cameras, and support for accessories like Apple’s Magic Keyboard as well as the Apple Pencil 2. And Apple Pencil 2 is better than ever here because of its hover-detection, making this even better for drawing on than other iPads. It is also exceptionally thin and light for all the technology on offer.
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is costly and certainly overkill for most people, but if you want a tablet with a lot of power, this is it.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 688g
- Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm
- OS: iPadOS 16
- Screen size: 12.9-inch
- Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
- CPU: Apple M2
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
- MicroSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
- Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP + LiDAR
- Front camera: 12MP
iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)
The M1 chipset that drives the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is unquestionably its most impressive feature. Since this chipset was directly taken from Apple’s most advanced 2021 Macs, you are effectively receiving desktop power on a tablet.
When we evaluated the tablet, we were astounded by how efficiently the processor handled games as well as operations like picture and video editing. This tablet offers more advantages than just that, though.
It also features a mini-LED screen for the first time in an iPad, which has a remarkable peak brightness of 1,600 nits, a refresh rate of 120 Hz, and a resolution of 2048 x 2732. It’s excellent all around and is clear, bright, and brilliant.
Along with a powerful battery, a respectable camera, a premium aluminium design, and support for the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2, which are offered separately but make the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) into a true work tool, we used them nonstop during our testing time.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 682g
- Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm
- OS: iPadOS 16
- Screen size: 12.9-inch
- Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
- CPU: Apple M1
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
- MicroSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
- Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP
- Front camera: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Samsung’s goal with the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is to surpass Apple’s slate rather than only compete with the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022). And it does so in certain respects.
Samsung tablet has a 14.6-inch screen, which is even larger, and it comes with an S Pen in the box, but you must purchase an Apple Pencil separately for the iPad. Despite our initial fears, the enormous screen is fantastic whether you’re using it for creativity or simply watching films.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is also capable of competing with Apple’s top tablet in a number of areas, such as power (thanks to a potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU) and photography (both slates have a convenient 12MP camera).
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra also comes with a keyboard folio that has fantastic speakers and lots of storage. The fact that it runs Android means that in many respects it is actually an even larger iPad Pro. Due to Android being a rather awkward tablet operating system, the Tab S8 Ultra falls short of the best that Apple has to offer in large part due to the final issue.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 726g
- Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm
- OS: Android 13
- Screen size: 14.6-inch
- Resolution: 1848 x 2960 pixels
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
- MicroSD slot: Yes
- Battery: 11,200mAh
- Rear camera: 13MP + 6MP
- Front camera: 12MP + 12MP
iPad Air (2022)
Apple’s most recent iPad Air is far more similar to the iPad Pro than to its entry-level tablets. Additionally, we had to repeatedly confirm which tablet it was when we tested the item.
There is an all-body display, the M1 chipset, support for the Apple Pencil, and a powerful battery. Oh, and of course it runs on Apple iPad OS, a tablet operating system that is incredibly practical. When put to the test, it performs almost as well as the iPad Pro, which is remarkable given its stated price.
The iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra are among the best tablets we’ve tested, yet they only surpass it in a few areas, such as with their larger screens, more storage, and higher-resolution displays. However, if you don’t have enough money to cover those two expensive tabs, this mid-range option can be perfect for you.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 461g
- Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm
- OS: iPadOS 16
- Screen size: 10.9-inch
- Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels
- CPU: Apple M1
- Storage: 64GB/256GB
- MicroSD slot: No
- Battery: 10-hour
- Rear camera: 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
iPad Pro 11 (2021)
The iPad Pro 11 (2021) is a fantastic tablet, but it pales in comparison to the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021), which has a Mini LED display. However, it still features a fantastic 11-inch 1668 x 2388 screen with a 120Hz refresh rate plus the same supercharged Apple M1 CPU as its larger sister, so absolutely nothing can slow this down. Instead, this must settle for LCD like its predecessor.
The iPad Pro 11 (2021) is also lighter and smaller than the 12.9-inch model, making it more portable. Due to its smaller size and less impressive screen, it is also more reasonably priced, but it is still not inexpensive.
However, you may always spend more money on a supported Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil if you have additional cash to spare. All things considered, this is a really strong and adaptable slate, but one that is little let down by its limiting software.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 466g
- Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm
- OS: iPadOS 16
- Screen size: 11-inch
- Resolution: 1668 x 2388 pixels
- CPU: Apple M1
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
- MicroSD slot: No
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
- Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP
- Front camera: 12MP