Tablets: The iPad today is a slimmer, more powerful version of the model from a decade ago. However, in the Android Tablet world, there’s the exciting anticipation of “what will they come up with next?” This sense of innovation is the primary reason I continue choosing Android tablets over iPads. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the variety and options Android tablets offer.
Highlights.
- Innovation: Fresh features and unique designs.
- Versatility: Ideal for work and play.
- Affordability: Options for every budget.
- Customization: More personalization freedom.
Revolutionary Tablets That Transform Into Phones!
Let me begin with my personal favorite. Right now, I’m writing this on a Galaxy Z Fold 5, and it’s easily one of the best consumer electronics I’ve used in recent memory. As a phone, it’s more compact and narrower than most modern smartphones, but when unfolded, it offers a screen larger than my old Nexus 7. Thanks to Samsung’s wide range of multitasking features, I’m amazed at how much I can accomplish with just this screen.
How much, exactly? Everything. I’ve replaced my PC with a foldable phone. When I need a bigger display, I simply connect my phone to a lapdock or an external monitor and use the Samsung DeX desktop interface. My foldable pocket tablet serves as a true 3-in-1 device, something you can’t replicate with an iPhone or an iPad.
If you don’t need DeX or aren’t as enthusiastic about a stylus as I am, you might prefer a larger, book-style foldable like the OnePlus Open or the Google Pixel Pro Fold. As Micah Woods highlighted in his Galaxy Z Fold 6 unboxing, these book-style foldable phones are true phablets, unlike the smaller tablets of the past.
Tablets With E-Ink Screens
E-ink screens feel a bit like magic to me. How can something that looks like paper function as a screen? It’s not a concept that appeals to everyone, but I’m one of the few who love the idea of an e-ink laptop or desktop monitor that lets me do my computing without constantly bombarding my eyes with harsh light.
E-ink laptops aren’t a reality yet, and e-ink monitors are still quite pricey. However, e-ink technology has moved beyond just eReaders and single-use devices like the ReMarkable tablet. Now, companies like Boox offer fully functional Android tablets with Play Store access, bringing the benefits of e-ink to a wider range of devices.
I’ve owned both the monochrome and color versions of the Boox Tab Ultra. Boox refers to these tablets as “ePaper tablet PCs,” and that’s exactly how I used them. I wrote articles, communicated with colleagues, uploaded photos, and managed my finances—all with these devices, paired with my Light Phone 2. After finishing my work, I would unwind by reading ebooks and comics.
There may not be enough demand for an e-ink display on an iPad for Apple to include one, but in the Android world, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Tablets That Are Either Too Big or Too Small: Finding the Right Fit
With iPads, Apple controls the size options. If you’re looking for something large, the iPad Pro offers a 12.9-inch display. For a smaller device, the iPad Mini comes in at 8.3 inches.
On the Android side, if the iPad Pro feels too large, you can go even bigger. The Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra features an impressive 14.6-inch display. When paired with an optional keyboard, it effectively transforms into a full-sized laptop.
Looking for something smaller? The Boox Palma, with a 6.13-inch display, is about the size of a smartphone.
Since the Palma doesn’t have cellular radios, it qualifies as a tablet, right? While Boox markets it as a compact eReader with an e-ink screen, it offers full Play Store access, just like Boox’s other devices, allowing you to use it however you choose.
Tablets That Transform Into Ultimate Gaming Powerhouses
The Razer Edge takes a unique approach to gaming handhelds. Unlike the Steam Deck or most Windows handheld PCs, it isn’t a single device. Instead, it’s a tablet, similar in size to a Samsung Galaxy S Ultra, paired with a Razer Kishi V2 controller. If you already own a high-end phone, you could save money by simply purchasing the controller and skipping the Edge tablet altogether.
At launch, the Razer Edge wasn’t an easy recommendation due to its price, which was comparable to more powerful gaming handhelds with larger game libraries. However, when you consider the 144Hz 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display and the capable Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 chip, the Edge isn’t exactly overpriced.
Now that the Razer Edge is available at a reduced price or even used, it’s a more attractive option for Android gaming enthusiasts. You can hand it over to a family member or use it to save your phone’s battery from the strain of extended gaming sessions.
Tablets That Double As Smart Home Hubs
The Google Pixel Tablet, part of the Pixel lineup, isn’t positioned as a high-end device. While it isn’t particularly inexpensive by Android tablet standards, it falls somewhere in the middle, offering a balanced, average experience. It’s good, but not exceptional.
What makes the Pixel Tablet stand out isn’t the tablet alone, but the charging dock that comes with it. This dock doubles as a speaker, offering better sound quality than the tablet itself. It also props the tablet at a perfect angle for casual viewing. Besides charging, it can act as a smart clock, weather station, or calendar. You can also use it as a smartphone hub—think of it as a smart speaker with a screen that’s ready for Netflix binge sessions when you want to unwind.
The iPad might be the best all-around tablet for many people, and I won’t argue with that. But for me, it doesn’t quite fit my needs. Despite its powerful hardware, the iPad’s software limits what you can do with it. Without a feature like DeX, it’s hard to use it as a full-fledged PC. Like most tablets, it also requires a bag to carry around. Plus, for the same price, I can find better devices for gaming.
Is an Android tablet better? That’s not the point I’m trying to make. What I appreciate is that, every few years, a new one emerges with a feature or innovation that feels truly fresh.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the flexibility and innovation offered by Android tablets make them a more appealing choice for those seeking new experiences. Unlike iPads, Android tablets consistently push the boundaries of what a tablet can do.
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