Best tablets to buy in India 2022: Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and more

Tablets were not as popular in India a couple of years ago as they are today. They have slowly progressed to become a household item and continue to fill the gap between a smartphone and a laptop. With most tablets offering basic features and functionality, even the cheaper ones, a lot of consumers already have or are looking to purchase a new one for school or office work, creative tasks, consuming content, and so on. If you’re planning to buy a new tablet soon, then you’ll find this guide quite useful. We’ve listed down some of the best tablets in India that you can buy in 2022.

The list below includes Android and iOS tablets across different price ranges. We’ve also touched upon a few things to consider before purchasing a tablet in India. There are plenty of brands to choose from, and different types of tablets for different use cases. Let’s get started!

Things to consider when purchasing a tablet

Before purchasing a tablet, there are a couple of things that you should consider such as use case, price, features, and type of operating system. 

Purpose

The first thing you should consider is why do you need a tablet? Do you need one for entertainment purposes, or to get your school or office work done remotely, or maybe a bit of both? Based on what you’ll use the tablet for, you can narrow down the list and probably have a fair idea of what exactly do you need. For example, if you are an artist and want a reliable digital canvas, investing in an iPad is a wise choice thanks to the intuitive Apple Pencil. On the other hand, if you want a tablet just to watch video content and read books, then you don’t have to spend a lot of money and can probably go for a budget Android tablet.

Price

Budget is the next important factor to consider when purchasing a new tablet. There are tablets that are available for as low as Rs 6,000 and go all the way up to Rs 2 lakh. At the lower end of this price bracket, you can expect affordable tablets that offer basic functions such as content consumption, light gaming, reading books, and so on. On the higher side of the spectrum, tablets can be used for content creation,  playing high-end games, watching high-resolution content, and such. The mid-range tablets offer the best of both worlds or a cross between the two. Decide on what you need the tablet for and then maybe look for something within a price range. 

Features

Most tablets today offer all basic features and functionality including an app store, a decent amount of storage and memory, good battery life, and connectivity options. If you’re planning to use the tablet at home most of the time, or in a place where internet is easily accessible, then you can stick with a Wi-Fi-only variant instead of spending extra on a model that includes cellular connectivity. However, if you are going to travel and take the tablet with you, then you might need one that supports 3G or LTE connectivity, although it isn’t very difficult to tether your smartphone’s mobile data using Wi-Fi hotspot. Look at the features that are important to you before putting down your money.

Operating system

Do consider which operating system you want on your tablet. Apple tablets are considered to be the best in the business and run on iPadOS. This is a great option for those who’re already part of the Apple ecosystem and have other products such as the iPhone, MacBook, etc. Then there’s Android, which is more popular among users in India as there are plenty of tablets to choose from across a wider price range.

Best tablets in India 2022

ModelPrice
Apple iPad Air 5th-genStarting at Rs 54,900
Apple iPad 9th-genStarting at Rs 30,990
Apple iPad Pro M1Starting at Rs 71,900
Apple iPad mini 6th-genStarting at Rs 46,900
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8Starting at Rs 58,999
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 UltraStarting at Rs 1,08,999
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FEStarting at Rs 39,999
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8Starting at Rs 16,999
Lenovo Tab Yoga 11Starting at Rs 27,999
Lenovo Tab P12 ProStarting at Rs 69,499
Lenovo Tab M7Starting at Rs 7,999
Realme PadStarting at Rs 13,999
Realme Pad MiniStarting at 10,999
Nokia T20Starting at Rs 15,499
Microsoft Surface Go 3Starting at Rs 49,936
Xiaomi Pad 5Starting at Rs 26,999

Apple iPad Air 5th-gen

iPad air 5th gen

This is the latest iPad Air from Apple. The 5th generation of Apple iPad Air comes with an excellent price-to-performance ratio. It boasts a stylish and premium design, with slim formfactor. At the core of the iPad Air 5th Gen lies one of the most powerful chipsets  from Apple – the M1 chip. The tablet is designed to handle powerful tasks that creators and professionals alike seek in their machines – such as video editing, photo editing, and more. The new iPad Air is also good for taking notes and drawing things as it supports Apple Pencil (2nd Gen). Apple has also improved the front camera with the Centre Stage and other useful features this time. The device also gets Magic Keyboard compatibility and Touch ID (built into the top button). There is also a larger 10.9-inch screen, which supports True Tone and P3 wide colour for natural and more vibrant imagery.

Apple iPad Air 5th-gen: Price in India and availability

The 64GB + Wi-Fi model of the Apple iPad Air 5th-Gen costs Rs 54,900, while the 64GB with cellular connectivity costs Rs 68,900. Whereas the 256GB + Wi-Fi variant costs Rs 68,000 and the 256GB storage variant with cellular connectivity costs Rs 82,900.

Buy iPad Air (5th-Gen, 2022): Apple, Amazon, Flipkart

Pros

  • Most bang for the buck
  • PC-level performance with Apple M1 chip
  • Improved front camera

Cons

  • Base storage starts at 64GB and caps out at 256GB for the most expensive model

Apple iPad 9th-gen

Apple recently updated its cheapest iPad tablet with the A13 Bionic chipset and a 10.2-inch Retina display. The new 2021 iPad comes with slimmer bezels, TouchID, and supports Apple Pencil 1st generation. It is a perfect choice for anyone wanting to try out the Apple iPad but doesn’t want to spend a lot of money. The iPad is also a great option for students, especially in a work/study from home scenario.

Apple iPad 9th-gen: Price in India and availability

The 2021 iPad Wi-Fi variant with 64GB storage is available for Rs 30,990. The 64GB variant with both Wi-Fi and Cellular will cost you Rs 42,900. 

Buy: Reliance Digital, Apple

Pros: 

  • Cheapest Apple iPad
  • Large display with TouchID
  • Supports Apple Pencil 1st gen

Cons:

  • Not as powerful as other iPads
  • No flash

Apple iPad Pro M1

If you’re looking to buy the most powerful iPad, then look no further. The 2021 iPad Pro is powered by the Apple M1 chip, which makes this tablet more powerful than most Windows-powered laptops, and any Android tablet out there. The iPad Pro is targeted at professionals and creative users who need a tablet that can perform resource-intensive tasks. It is available in two sizes, one with a standard 11-inch LCD display and a high-end model with a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion. The tablet gets slim bezels, FaceID, TrueDepth front camera, dual rear cameras, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, 5G, and more.

Apple iPad Pro M1: Price in India and availability

The 2021 iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi with 128GB storage starts at Rs 71,900, whereas the Wi-Fi+Cellular 128GB variant is priced at Rs 85,900. The base iPad Pro 12.9-inch Wi-Fi with 128GB storage starts at Rs 99,990 and the Wi-Fi+Cellular variant starts at Rs  storage will cost you around Rs 1,13,900. 

Buy iPad Pro 11-inch: Apple, Amazon
Buy iPad Pro 12.9-inch: Apple, Amazon

Pros:

  • Excellent display
  • Powerful M1 chip
  • Base variant is available with 128GB storage

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • 12.9-inch model can be large and heavy for some users

Apple iPad mini 6th-gen

The smallest iPad finally received a refresh last year and is now a true pocket beast. The 2021 iPad mini gets an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with slim bezels similar to the iPad Pro. The tablet is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic processor and brings features like dual-stereo speakers, TouchID, and support for 5G. It also brings support for the second-gen Apple Pencil that can easily attach to the top and charge wirelessly and a USB Type-C port instead of Lightning.

Apple iPad mini 6th gen: Price in India and availability

The 2021 iPad mini 6th generation Wi-Fi with 64GB will cost you Rs 46,900. The Wi-Fi+Cellular base version starts at Rs 60,900. 

Buy: Apple, Amazon

Pros:

  • Small compact design
  • Beautiful 8.3-inch display 
  • Apple A15 Bionic 

Cons:

  • Only dual-stereo speakers

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is one of the most premium and powerful Android tablets you can buy on the market. It is good for getting the work done – be it handling intensive tasks, drawing or taking notes, or even gaming. The tablet’s large 11-inch screen with rounded corners makes watching movies an immersive experience, and its 120Hz refresh rate makes everything buttery smooth. Samsung is also bundling the new and improved low-latency S-Pen with the Tab S8, which the company says gives a new level of control while drawing. And what’s more, the Galaxy Tab S8 also includes an excellent drawing app – the Clip Studio Paint, that lets you draw to your heart’s content. The camera also gets an improvement here with the Auto Framing feature, which automatically adjusts the frame so the subject remains centred and focused during video conferencing and video recordings. 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: Price in India and availability 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 pricing for the Wi-Fi variant is Rs 58,999 and the cellular (5G) variant costs Rs 70,999. 

Buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: Amazon, Samsung Store 

Pros

  • Powerful performance with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
  • Impressive 16:10 display with vibrant colours
  • Great sound quality 
  • Thin and lightweight
  • Good cameras

Cons 

  • No charger in the box
  • Expensive

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra (review) is an upgraded version of the Galaxy Tab S8. It comes with an AMOLED screen and HDR10+ certification for vibrant and popping colours. And since it’s an AMOLED panel, you also get deeper blacks and a higher contrast ratio as well. Apart from the upgraded display, most other features remain the same here. You get 120Hz refresh rate, S-Pen support, Auto Framing for the camera, and a larger battery capacity. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra also touts up to 512GB of storage so you can store your favourite apps, games, movies and music, and more without worrying about storage space. And yes, you get the feature-rich and intuitive software experience with the OneUI 4.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: Price in India and availability 

The 256GB + Wi-Fi model of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra costs Rs 1,08,999, while the 5G variant costs Rs 1,22,999. 

Buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: Amazon, Samsung Store

Pros

  • Gorgeous AMOLED display
  • Great sound quality 
  • Powerful performance
  • Good cameras

Cons

  • Very Expensive
  • No charger in the box

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is probably one of the best value-for-money Android tablets available today. It features a large 12.4-inch display with slim bezels and is powered by an octa-core processor, which is plenty powerful to run most tasks and apps. It gets 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage, with support for microSD cards up to 1TB. The tablet features a long-lasting battery, cameras at the back and the front, and support for S-Pen. 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE: Price in India and availability

The base variant with Wi-Fi support will set you back by Rs 39,999. It’s also available with Cellular support, which starts at Rs 46,999.  

Buy: Reliance Digital, Amazon

Pros:

  • Large 12.4-inch display
  • MicroSD card support
  • Works with S-Pen

Cons:

  • Not powerful enough
  • Lacks 3.5mm headphone jack 

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is one of the best mid-range tablets for multimedia consumption and reading in the Rs 15,000 price range. The tablet ships with a large 10.5-inch screen with slim bezels and a high 1,200 x 1,920p resolution. Samsung is using a quad speakers setup with Dolby Atmos for immersive theatre-like sound. You also get a long-lasting 7,040mAh battery, which is perfect for long binge-watching. The Tab A8 also gets up to 128GB storage and up to 4GB RAM. There is Samsung Knox platform security, which protects you against any external security threats for peace of mind. The device also get seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem of hardware such as content sharing with the Samsung Watch, Galaxy Buds, and more.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: Price in India and availability 

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 pricing starts at Rs 16,999 for the Wi-Fi-only variant, while the LTE variant starts at Rs 18,999.

Buy: Amazon, Samsung Store

Pros

  • Good design and build
  • Immersive sound with four Dolby Atmos speakers
  • Value for money

Cons

  • TFT screen
  • No fingerprint sensor
  • 15W charging could be slow

 

Lenovo Tab Yoga 11

Lenovo has a bunch of tablets on sale in India, including the mid-range Tab Yoga 11. This tablet features an 11-inch FHD display that supports Dolby Vision and is powered by the MediaTek Helio G90T octa-core processor. It features 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, and comes with a microSD card slot. There’s an 8-megapixel rear camera, and another 8-megapixel camera at the front. It has a 7,500mAh battery, quad JBL speakers, and is an excellent Android tablet for entertainment and gaming.  

Lenovo Tab Yoga 11: Price in India and availability

The Lenovo Tab Yoga 11 is available with Wi-Fi and LTE for Rs 27,999.

Buy: Amazon, Reliance Digital

Pros:

  • Affordable Wi-Fi + LTE tablet
  • Large 11-inch screen with Dolby Vision
  • Quad JBL stereo speakers

Cons:

  • No Pen support
  • Battery life

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro

The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro tablet is sleek and beautiful. The slate sports a bigger and brighter 2K AMOLED display this time, with features such as an HDR10+, Dolby Vision certification for vivid visuals, and Dolby Atmos, making it the perfect tablet for media consumption. Additionally, the Tab P12 Pro also supports 120Hz high refresh rate for smooth visuals and comes with TÜV Rheinland certification for low blue light emission to protect your eyes. Tasks such as gaming and content creation are going to be a breeze on this tablet, thanks to the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset at the heart. The tablet packs a a huge 10,200mAh battery so you don’t have to worry about running out of battery juice in the middle of the day. Other features include Lenovo Precision Pen 3 (included in the box) and Keyboard cover support. 

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro: Price in India and availability

The pricing for the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro starts at Rs 69,999.

Buy Lenovo Tab P12 Pro: Amazon

Pros

  • Giant AMOLED screen with vivid visuals
  • Immersive audio with Quad Dolby Atmos Speakers
  • Sleek design
  • Pen (included in the box) and supports keyboard cover

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No headphone jack 
  • Runs on Android 11

Realme Pad

Realme recently launched its first tablet for Indian consumers, which is a decent mid-range device that comes with a large 10.4-inch WUXGA+ display. The tablet is powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 chipset and has 4GB RAM with 64GB storage. The tablet is great for entertainment purposes and can play most modern mobile games with ease. You also get a large 7,100mAh battery, an 8-megapixel front camera, and another 8-megapixel camera at the back. 

Realme Pad: Price in India and availability

The Wi-Fi variant of the Realme Pad is priced at Rs 13,999, whereas the Wi-Fi + LTE model will cost you Rs 15,999.

Buy: Flipkart, Realme

Pros:

  • Aluminum construction and lightweight
  • Decent cameras
  • Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos

Cons:

  • Slow processor
  • No stylus and HDR10 support

Realme Pad MINI

Realme Pad MINI is a toned-down version of the standard Realme Pad. That’s not to say it is any less impressive than its elder sibling. You still get a large 8.7-inch screen, with 7.6mm thin bezels. The tablet also gets a large 6,400mAh battery along with an 18W fast-changing support. As for the storage, the Realme Pad Mini is equipped with a 64GB of fast UFS 2.1 storage, which can be expanded up to 1TB using a microSD card. An 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera are taking care of the optics. The Realme Pad MINI also includes 3 different display modes to help reduce blue light emission and offer a comfortable reading at nighttimes. Lastly, Realme has extensively tested this tablet to offer a worry-free long lifespan. To sum it up, Realme Pad MINI is perfect for those who are looking for a budget tablet that offers good multimedia consumption and reading experience. 

Realme Pad MINI: Price in India and availability

Pricing for the Wi-Fi variant starts at Rs 10,999, while the pricing for the LTE model starts at Rs 12,999.

Buy Realme Pad MINI: Flipkart, Amazon, Realme Store

Pros 

  • Large display good for multimedia consumption 
  • Good battery life
  • Value for money

Cons

  • Average performance

Nokia T20

The Nokia T20 is yet another affordable mid-range tablet available in the Indian market. Although not as easily available, unlike the rest of the tablets in this list, you can get one from certain retail and online stores. The T20 features a 10.4-inch 2K resolution display and it is powered by a Unisoc T610 SoC, with 4GB RAM with 64GB storage. A microSD card slot is also available for storage expansion up to 512GB. The tablet features an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel front camera, stereo speakers with a power amplifier, and an 8,200mAh battery. 

Nokia T20 : Price in India and availability

The Nokia T20 tablet with Wi-Fi is priced at Rs 15,499 online, whereas the Wi-Fi+LTE variant is priced at Rs 18,499.

Buy: Croma, Flipkart

Pros:

  • Large 10.4-inch display
  • microSD card support
  • Stereo speakers

Cons:

  • Low screen brightness
  • Heavy and not enough RAM

Microsoft Surface Go 3

Microsoft’s Surface Go 3, the sequel to an already excellent Surface Go 2, is an extremely portable Windows 11 detachable 2-in-1 tablet. The device retains almost a similar design to its predecessor and features an excellent build and great craftsmanship. You get the same PixelSense 10.5-inch touchscreen display that bears vivid colours along with an integrated adjustable kickstand at the back for increased convenience and utility. It also gets a 1080p webcam and a great Studio Mics setup for a clear and distraction-free video conferencing experience. Surface Go 3 also includes plenty of ports for your accessories – such as USB-C, headphone jack, and MicroSD card reader as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity. Microsoft is also claiming up to 11 hours of battery life with this 2-in-1 portable. As for the audio, it gets Dolby Audio for an immersive sound.

Microsoft’s Surface Go 3: Price in India and availability

The ‘8GB + 128GB + Intel Pentium T6600 Processor’ combo sells for Rs 49,936. 

Buy Microsoft’s Surface Go 3: Amazon, Reliance Digital

Pros:

    • Portable build
    • Good display
    • Windows Hello support on the 1080p webcam
    • Integrated kickstand
    • Plenty of ports
    • Long battery life

    Cons

    • Competition offers better performance for the price 
    • Stylus and keyboard cover not included in the box

    Xiaomi Pad 5

    Xiaomi Pad 5 is a perfect entertainment and productivity device with a gorgeous 2.5K display (16:10 aspect ratio), powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 processor, and Dolby Atmos quad speakers. Additionally, the display also supports 120Hz high refresh rate and DCI-P3 colour space for smooth visual and vibrant colours. Thanks to its stylus, which comes with magnetic charging, and keyboard cover support, you can use the tablet to draw or type things out quickly. Xiaomi Pad 5 easily fits in your backpack with its 6.85mm thickness. The tablet also packs a large 8,720mAh battery for a long battery backup. Furthermore, Xiaomi has optimised the MIUI to provide you with an extended multitasking experience.

    Xiaomi Pad 5: Price in India and availability

    The 6GB + 128GB model sells for Rs 26,999, while the 6GB + 256GB variant sells for Rs 28,999. 

    Buy Xiaomi Pad 5: Mi Store

    Pros

    • Powerful performance with Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 
    • Good battery life
    • Immersive audio with Hi-Res and Dolby Atmos
    • Gorgeous 2.5K display with 120Hz high refresh rate
    • Extremely thin and portable build

    Cons

    • Stylus and keyboard cover not included in the box
    • No headphone jack