Acting as a middle ground between laptops and smartphones, tablets make for excellent devices for productivity on the go. They deliver a bigger canvas to work with than smartphones. And compared to laptops, they often last several hours longer thanks to their efficient mobile chipsets. The range of Android tablets is extensive too, with entry-level options starting at around Rs 10,000 while the more premium offerings climbing well beyond the Rs 1,00,000 mark. With so many choices on the market, here are a few things to keep in mind to help you score the best possible deal. Always get the right-sized tablet Since tablets come in such a wide variety of sizes, often greater than the more restrictive category that smartphones are, the screen size is an important deciding factor. If you are looking for a tablet for gaming, it is best to go with a slightly smaller device, whereas if you are looking for a tablet primarily for content creation, then we suggest a tablet with a bigger display. To give you a better idea of the sheer display size variety on offer, we’ll note down a couple of examples. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, for instance, has a massive display sized 14.6 inches - that’s laptop territory. And on the other end of the spectrum lies the iPad mini with its 8.3-inch screen. While 8 inches may not sound like a whole lot larger than the 6.7-inch smartphones in the mainstream today, tablets this size have significantly wider aspect ratios, allowing for a supersized viewing experience. Look for the right display type and processor Most tablets come with an IPS LCD screen, while some of the high-end devices offer more impressive OLED screens with better contrast, higher colour accuracy, and higher brightness levels. Tablets with IPS LCD screens are not necessarily bad but their OLED counterparts usually offer a much better experience, though they are also a lot dearer in price. Display technology aside, it is also important to consider other parameters like screen resolution, refresh rate, and brightness. As a tablet is a much bigger device, a lower resolution may be more noticeable here, especially when viewing up close. Similarly, the refresh rate is an important aspect for gamers, as it will make games look much smoother. Lastly, having a higher level of peak brightness ensures that the tablet offers a similar viewing experience in almost every lighting condition - an important factor if you travel a lot. If you are looking for a tablet primarily for content consumption, you don't really need a device with a top-of-the-line chip. However, if you are a gamer, then getting a tablet with a powerful processor does make a lot of sense. Also, make sure that it has enough RAM (at least 4 GB) and internal storage (at least 64 GB) so that the device can handle normal day-to-day tasks. Lastly, make sure to get a tablet that runs on the latest version of the Android OS at the time of purchase. Connectivity features also matter If you are someone who is always on the move, then getting a tablet with cellular connectivity is a must. There are quite a few tablets with 4G LTE capability, and some tablets also support the latest 5G network. If you are looking for a tablet for long-term usage, we recommend a 5G tablet, possibly with at least Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Based on these inputs, here are some of the best Android tablets available across the price range: Realme Pad Mini This is one of the most affordable compact-sized Android tablets with an 8.7-inch screen with an FHD resolution for Rs 11,999. The tablet is powered by the UNISOC T616 octa-core processor with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage, and the device also has an 8 MP primary camera and a 5 MP selfie camera. There is also an entry-level model of the realme Pad mini (review) with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, which costs Rs 9,999. This is a handy tablet that's affordable and also offers 4G connectivity. Xiaomi Pad 6 The Xiaomi Pad 6 (review) currently costs Rs 25,999, and this is one of the most capable tablets for the price considering it’s powered by the Snapdragon 870 SoC. It also has a 2.8K resolution display with a 144Hz refresh rate, which makes it great for gaming. On top of that, this is also one of the first devices from the company to ship with the all-new HyperOS. Lastly, the tablet has a high-speed USB-C port, which can output up to 4K resolution to a monitor or a smart TV. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen-2 If you are looking for a tablet with an OLED screen, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen-2 is the right choice. It is also one of the most affordable tablets on the market with an 11.2-inch 120Hz OLED screen and a 120Hz refresh rate. Running stock Android, this tablet is powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 1300T processor with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. The device supports both a stylus and keyboard, which can quickly transform this into a mini laptop. OnePlus Pad If you are looking for a tablet primarily for productivity-related tasks, then the OnePlus Pad (review) could be the device that you should look at. Currently available at a discounted price of Rs 39,999, this tablet offers OxygenOS, optimized for tablets, and the device also has a premium build with support for an external keyboard folio with a trackpad. Thanks to OnePlus’s connectivity features, the tablet works rather well with smartphones and accessories. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra This is the most powerful Android tablet on the market, and it is also the first tablet with generative AI capabilities. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, features a massive 14.6-inch screen. It’s priced at Rs 1,08,999, which also makes it one of the most expensive Android tablets on the market. When this tablet is paired with the keyboard folio, it transforms into a laptop. With its high-resolution OLED screen, this device can cater to gamers, movie buffs, and productivity seekers.
