and the best Android tablets
1. Xiaomi Mi Pad 9 ($280)
The best Android tablets we’ve used for work
Type: tablet
Operating system: Android
Storage: 128GB–256GB
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 ($399)
The best tablet for everything you need
Type: tablet
Operating system: Android
Storage: 32GB–64GB
Read our full review.
Best for: Everything you need to read on a tablet
The best tablet for reading online is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. We’ve used the Tab S3 for years and it’s still going strong. This year, the Tab S3 was improved as a tablet that’s small and light, with a larger screen and a more powerful processor. The new Tab S3 also has some handy new features and a new display called Super AMOLED. Unfortunately, Samsung is still selling the Tab S3 at $399, but you can grab the Tab S3 from Google stores for $79.99.
The Tab S3 has a 12.5-inch screen, which is larger than the previous model and about an inch taller than the Tab S4. The screen is also more or less the same resolution as the last model, but the display has been changed to be sharper. The Tab S3 also has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, which is the same as the one found in the Galaxy Tab S4 and Note 9.
Samsung includes a fingerprint scanner in the tablet, but it’s not necessary to use a fingerprint scanner if the screen is black. The tablet also supports 64GB storage and comes with a microSD card slot.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 has a metal build and a plastic back, but it’s a good, solid piece of software. The keyboard is adequate and the tablet is slim and light. Battery life is good, lasting up to 12 hours.
One of the biggest improvements is the 10.5-inch Full HD touchscreen. It’s not as sharp as the rest of the competition, but it’s sharp enough for productivity on the go.
The Galaxy Tab S3 runs Android 7.0, but it’s not that bad and it’s not too bad at all. The Tab S3 runs Android 8.0 Pie out of the box and comes with a one-year limited warranty.
A few months ago, the Tab S3 had $500 off, but the discount was removed. You’ll still have to drop $100 for the original deal, but you can find discounts and deals on the Galaxy Tab S3 for $149.99, £149.99, and £169.99.
Samsung’s software is always one step behind Apple’s on performance, but the Tab S3 continues to run a top-of-the-range processor and a top-of-the-line screen. The device is also the only tablet to support Google’s Chromecast technology.
Samsung also includes an 8GB microSD card slot and a microSD card reader, so you can expand the tablet’s storage with extra cards. Samsung’s software updates are also usually on par with Apple’s, which is rare for a tablet this cheap.
The Galaxy Tab S