Tablets continue to bridge the gap between smartphones and laptops. The past few years have seen tablets with so powerful specs that some of them can be called equivalent to laptops, at least in terms of hardware. This is what makes them great for productivity — be it for drawing with a stylus or taking notes, or even writing with their detachable keyboard docks. And with their expansive displays and powerful hardware, you can definitely use them for immersive gaming as well. Not to mention they are a boon for multimedia consumption, or even just reading your favourite book. Having said that, there is a wide spectrum of tablets that manufacturers target at different sets of users. This makes it hard to select a suitable tablet for your needs. That’s why we have created a list of the best tablets you can buy on the market currently.
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Things to consider before buying a tablet
- Display Type: If you plan to use the tablet for consuming media, make sure it comes with a high-quality screen as well as speakers. Two main display technologies on the market are: IPS LCS and OLED. If you want deeper blacks, a higher contrast ratio, and wider viewing angles than IPS panels, we recommend you go with OLED displays. To further enhance the picture quality, OEMs certify their tablets with HDR10/10+ or Dolby Vision or similar technology. When buying a tablet ensure the availability of these certifications. As such displays produce vibrant, vivid colours, and immersive pictures. On the other hand, if your work involves a lot of drawing, sketching, and photo editing, we recommend you get a tablet with a colour-accurate display. Similarly, if you are a gamer, you might want to purchase a tablet with a high refresh rate display.
- Screen size: As with most products with screens as one of their main components, what screen size tablet you purchase depends mostly on your personal preference. If you are buying the tablet to consume entertainment content or for work productivity, we recommend you go for a tablet that has a big screen size. As big displays will ensure you get immersive experiences in movies and games. They will also give you more screen space for productivity apps, web browsing, and more. Big screen sizes will also help in creative artistic works like painting, drawing, sketching, and more.
- Resolution: Display resolution directly correlates to the screen size. Tablets with big screen sizes and low resolution will have pixelated images due to a low DPI (Pixel Density per Inch). On the other hand, a tablet with high resolution will have a higher pixel density and will produce crisper images. No matter which tablet you buy, we recommend you check its screen size and screen resolution along with the display’s pixel density.
- Camera: While you may think cameras are not that important on a tablet. But in recent years, more and more people are using them for video conferencing. Ensure the tablet has a good front and rear camera for a hassle-free video calling experience.
- OS: The OS of a tablet is one of the most crucial factors to consider when it comes to selecting the right tablet. There are several operating systems available on the market — including Microsoft’s Windows, Apple’s iPadOS, Google’s Android and Chrome OS, and more. The OS on a tablet decides what functionality it’ll have and what apps it can run. And also, consider the ecosystem you are in. To give you an idea, say, you’re using an iPhone right now, and using other Apple devices such as Apple Watch and Mac. In this case, if you buy an iPad, you’d have an advantage here as it’ll seamlessly integrate with other Apple products you’re already using. All your apps, emails, contacts, and content from iCloud will be available to you on your new iPad as soon as you log in to your Apple account. The same applies to other OS ecosystems such as Android and Windows as well.
- Processor, storage, and RAM: Consider the processor and amount of storage and RAM you want. If you are planning to run heavy apps and games on your tablet, we recommend you opt tablet that has a powerful processor, which is coupled further with a high amount of RAM. This will allow you to run heavy apps and games with buttery smooth performance. In addition to this ensure a high amount of storage on your tablet so you can store your favourite apps, games, and other content without worrying about storage space.
- Connectivity: Manufacturers launch the tablets in two connectivity variants: a Wi-Fi-only model and a Wi-Fi + cellular connectivity variant. You have to decide, do you need that standalone cellular connectivity? As tablets with 4G and 5G connectivity cost more than Wi-Fi-only models. If you decide to purchase a Wi-Fi-only tablet, remember that you can always share your smartphone’s Wi-Fi hotspot for internet connectivity. Apart from this, you should also ensure that the tablet supports Wi-Fi 5.0 (and above) and Bluetooth 5.0 (and above), to ensure you get fast internet speeds and data transfers.
- Speakers: Speakers are one of the most ignored factors when purchasing tablets. A powerful speaker system will provide you with a booming and immersive sound experience. Make sure the tablet can give a good audio experience if you are going to use it for consuming entertainment content or playing games, and such.
- Battery life: You should also look out for the amount of battery life the manufacturer is claiming with a tablet. Bigger battery capacities are especially important on tablets due to their large, high-resolution displays.
- Accessories: Some tablets come with a range of accessories to make it easier to achieve your productivity goals. For instance, if you are an artist who draws and paints, you should purchase a tablet that supports a capacitive stylus. On the other hand, if you are into writing, you may want to purchase a tablet that supports a keyboard case/dock, as physical keyboards will make it easier to type.
Pro Tips
Pen and keyboard input support: Make sure the tablet comes with pen and keyboard support as it makes taking notes, typing, and drawing extremely easy and intuitive.
Fast charging: Most tablets tend to come with high-capacity batteries – and for this reason – juicing them up fully takes a lot of time. When considering any tablet, ensure that it comes with fast-charging tech support.
Build: Apart from ensuring a strong build, make sure that the build of the tablet is lightweight for portability so you can easily slip the tablet into your travel backpack so you can easily take it anywhere with you.
Best tablets under Rs 50,000
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is one of the feature-packed tablets on the market currently. Its expansive 12.4-inch display in a 16:10 aspect ratio offers an immersive viewing experience. The tablet is great for taking notes and drawing with its S Pen, which also magnetically attaches to the back of the tablet, so you don't lose it. Samsung is also claiming the pen now offers an upgraded real pen-like feel while drawing or taking notes. The company is also including the Clip Studio Paint app, which makes it easy to draw with its range of sophisticated built-in tools and functionalities.
You also don't have to worry about running out of storage as the tab supports storage expansion up to 1TB via a microSD card. Multitasking and gaming are going to be a breeze with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, which is coupled with 4GB RAM for even smoother performance. In terms of optics, you get an 8MP rear snapper, and a 5MP front-facing selfie camera, which provides a good video conferencing experience. Dolby Atmos support means you also get a rich audio experience.
Samsung also claims to provide up to 13 hours of continuous video playback on the Tab S7 FE, which is perfect for the long binges. And what's the tab can fully juice up in about 90 minutes with its 45W fast charging adapter, so you can quickly get back to what you were doing. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE also supports Samsung DeX, which lets you extend the tablet to offer a desktop-like experience by connecting a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. If you want a well-rounded productivity and entertainment device for under Rs 50,000, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is a perfect choice.
2. realme Pad X WiFi+5G Tablet
The sleek realme Pad X is one of the most feature-packed tablets out there in the market currently. If you want a powerful productivity slate and an excellent entertainment device in the timid-range segment, this is a perfect choice. The Pad X comes with slim chassis that measures as slim as 7.1mm – which makes it perfect as a travel companion. Powering this slate is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, which paired with the 6GB RAM offers a smooth and stutter-free performance. And in addition, the tablet supports pen and keyboard input for a next-level productivity experience.
Further, the pen has a 4096-level pressure sensitivity to let you draw to your heart's content and easily take notes on the go. It also gets a massive 8,340mAh battery which the company says offers over 10 hours of battery life. And the Pad has support for 33W Dart Charge support to let you quickly juice up the device. The tablet is a great choice for entertainment as well – sporting high-performing Dolby Atmos Quad speakers along with an expansive 10.95-inch WUXGA+ display, this tablet offers an immersive content consumption experience.
3. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is another feature-packed tablet on our list. The slate is extremely compact and lightweight. It measures just 5.8mm thick and weighs about 485 grams. It gets a unibody aluminium design for a premium look. Its 11.5-inch OLED display produces punchy colours along with deeper blacks and higher contrast for a cinematic movie-watching experience. Add to that the display also gets Dolby Vision and Netflix HD for exceptional picture quality. The tablet also takes care of your eyes with its TUV Rheinland eye protection certification. With Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G at the heart, the table cuts through most daily tasks with ease. Additionally, 6GB of RAM further ensures a smooth multitasking performance. The 128GB large storage gives you enough space for everything from apps and games to files.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro also comes with Pen and keyboard dock support, making it great for productivity as well. Its large 8,600mAh battery is good for movie watching as you get up to 15 hours of continuous video playback. The Quad JBL speakers provide along with Dolby Atmos support produce cinematic sound for a next-level audio immersion. Its front camera supports video background blur, which is perfect for distraction-free video conferencing. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is another choice for you if you're seeking a great entertainment and productivity device.
4. Apple 2022 10.9-inch iPad
Apple 2022 10.9-inch is a premium offering from Apple. It is powered by the powerful A14 Bionic Chip at the heart for fluid multitasking. For content consumption, the iPad 2022 packs a 10.9-inch (sRGB color scheme) Liquid Retina display with a True Tone feature for accurate visuals. In terms of optics, it gets a 12MP ultra-wide front camera for a great video conferencing experience. The slate also gets a 12MP Wide camera at the back with 4K video capture support.
The conveniently located Touch ID option at the top makes authentication extremely easy. One of the highlighting things about the 10th Gen iPad is that it makes charging and connecting accessories extremely convenient with the USB-C port on board. Further, the tablet also gets support for Apple Pencil (1st gen). Further, it also gets support for the Magic Keyboard Folio for keyboard input which again adds to the productivity. And lastly, thanks to the improved Bionic chipset at the heart, Apple is promising an all-day battery life on the 10-Gen iPad.
5. OnePlus Pad
The OnePlus Pad is an outstanding product that excels in every aspect. Its MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset ensures flagship-level performance, making it incredibly fast and responsive for all tasks, from browsing and productivity to gaming and multimedia consumption. The 11.6-inch 3K+ display with a stunning 144Hz refresh rate elevates the visual experience to new heights. The high-resolution display ensures crystal-clear images and sharp details, while the fast refresh rate ensures buttery-smooth animations and interactions, creating an immersive and enjoyable display.
With a massive 9510 mAh battery, the OnePlus Pad offers exceptional battery life, lasting through extended periods of usage without needing frequent recharging. And when you do need to charge, the 67W SuperVOOC fast-charging support gets you up to speed quickly, ensuring you spend less time tethered to a power outlet. The OnePlus Pad also packs capable cameras, an 8MP selfie camera, and a 13MP rear camera. In conclusion, the OnePlus Pad is a powerful and versatile tablet that impresses with its top-notch performance, captivating display, long-lasting battery, fast-charging capabilities, and capable cameras. Whether for work or play, this tablet is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a premium tablet experience.
6. iPad mini (6th Gen, 2021)
If you want something even more powerful than the standard iPad, but still prefer a more compact design, then the iPad Mini is perfect for you. It gets you the performance you need in a slim and compact form factor with its powerful Apple A15 Bionic chipset, which is the same processor found on the latest generation of the iPhone 13 series. The latest generation mobile chip from Apple boasts a 6-core CPU along with a 5-core GPU, bringing up to 40 per cent faster performance in CPU and up to 80 per cent more performance in graphics, compared to the A14 Bionic.
The 8.3-inch features slimmer bezels all around and is perfect for portability. Apple has further fine-tuned the display to reflect as little light as possible. This makes the content on the screen look much more detailed and sharp. Add to that, the panel has P3 wide colour support for vivid yet accurate colours, and can also peak up to 500nits of brightness for great sunlight legibility. The Touch ID is now integrated into the top button making it easier to unlock your iPad. Optics also get a notable improvement here with the 12MP ultra-wide front camera now supporting Centre Stage. You also get a 12MP rear-wide camera, which features a True Tone flash for improved low-light imagery. The iPad mini is now compatible with the 2nd Apple Pencil. The Pencil also attaches magnetically to the side to keep you from losing it.
7. Apple 2021 iPad Mini with A15 Bionic chip
If you want an even more powerful Apple slate, this version of the iPad is a perfect choice. The iPad Mini comes with an expansive 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and wide color, and the powerful A15 Bionic chipset at the core to handle any task you throw at it. There is Touch ID on board as well — and as usual – it makes authenticating things a lot easier. In terms of optics, you get 12MP Wide rear camera and 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Centre Stage, which automatically focuses on the subject while video conferencing for a convenient video-calling experience.
The iPad Mini also gets stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience. The tablet also includes ultra-fast Wi-Fi 6 that offers wide network coverage as well. This one also has a USB-C port for charging and connecting other accessories. The iPad Mini also gets Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support for a convenient drawing experience. The battery life is also excellent on this tablet – offering up to 10 hours of backup on a single full charge.
8. Xiaomi Pad 6
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is an outstanding product that offers a compelling package of features, making it a great choice for tech enthusiasts and tablet users alike. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset ensures powerful performance, delivering seamless multitasking, fast app launches, and smooth gaming experiences. The 11-inch 2.8K+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate is one of the standout features of the Xiaomi Pad 6. The high-resolution screen offers stunning visuals with sharp details, vivid colours, and excellent contrast. The fast refresh rate ensures smooth animations, making it ideal for gaming, watching videos, and scrolling through content.
With an 8840 mAh battery, the Xiaomi Pad 6 provides impressive battery life, allowing for extended usage without frequent recharging. Whether you're working on important tasks or enjoying your favourite entertainment, the Xiaomi Pad 6 is designed to keep up with your demands. The 8MP selfie camera and 13MP rear camera deliver decent photography capabilities. While not intended to replace your primary camera, they're great for video calls, quick snapshots, and document scanning.
Overall, the Xiaomi Pad 6 is a powerful and feature-rich tablet that stands out with its Snapdragon 870 chipset, captivating display, long-lasting battery, and capable cameras. Whether you need it for productivity, entertainment, or creative pursuits, the Xiaomi Pad 6 offers a premium tablet experience that is sure to impress.
9. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (2nd Gen)
Next on our list of best tablets for under Rs 50,000 is the HUION drawing tablet. As the name suggests, The HUION Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (2nd Gen) is a feature-packed alternative on this list. And just like most slates on this list, this one is also a great choice if you want a portable productivity and entertainment machine. The tablet sports a 2.5K OLED display which makes everything on the screen a surreal and vivid visual experience. It also gets Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos to offer next-level sound depth while watching movies and playing games. Sporting a dual-tone design with a polished glass-like finish – this slate is also a stunner.
The tablet sips juice from a massive 8,000 mAh battery and offers up to 14 hours of continuous video playback on a full charge. Even with its large-capacity battery inside, the tablet manages to be just under 480g of weight and measures around 6.8mm in thickness. Further, the Tab P11 Pro (2nd Gen) also gets Google Kids Space. Powering this tablet is a powerful MediaTek Kompanio 1300T processor which is further paired with 8GB RAM for a perfect combination of CPU power and smoothness while multitasking. Lastly, Lenovo is promising up to two generations of Android upgrades for an extended device lifespan.
10. Lenovo Tab P11
The last tablet on our list of best tablets for under Rs 50,000 is the Lenovo Tab P11. The Lenovo Tab P-series has always offered excellent value to users. And the Lenovo Tab P11 follows the same line of strategy. For starters, the slate sports an impressive-looking 11-inch 2K IPS display for pixel-perfect image reproduction. Further, the display can peak up to 400 nits of brightness for good sunlight legibility. It also gets TUV Rheinland certification to protect your eyes. At the heart, this one packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor, which is paired with 4GB of RAM for smooth UI rendering. The built-in 128GB storage is further expandable via a microSD to up to 256GB if needed.
The large 7,500mAh battery gives enough juice for 12 hours of continuous video playback. The Smart Quad stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos produce immersive theatrical sound. It also gets a 13MP rear camera for photography, and an 8MP front camera for hassle-free video conferencing. The Lenovo Tab P11 is housed in an aluminium alloy casing to provide you with premium looks and long durability. The tab runs on Android 10 for broad app compatibility and has a zero-touch face-unlocking feature as well.
