Amazon’s Alexa Tablet 12 Pro ($499 to start) is an Android tablet that completely surprised me. As the flagship of the new Alexa tablet line, which effectively replaces Amazon Fire tablets, this slate runs on Android and is built to work seamlessly with Alexa+. While that integration is certainly a selling point, I’m truly impressed by the hardware that elevates this Android tablet above its peers and even puts it on par with the best iPads.

The sturdy aluminum unibody is great in hand, making it feel like a premium device. It’s also thin and light enough to hold comfortably for extended periods. My favorite feature is the 12-inch 2.8K display. Though it’s not an OLED, everything you see looks bright and colorful. The optional Nanomatte anti-glare option is also a huge game-changer.

This Alexa tablet runs full-blown Android, bringing Google Play services to an Amazon tablet for the first time. It also serves as an excellent replacement for the best Kindles. This helps make the Alexa tablet feel like an extension of the Amazon ecosystem, though that part might not matter much if you don’t already own Alexa devices or a Kindle.

After using the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro as my daily driver for watching videos and reading for the better part of a week, I can comfortably say it’s one of the best Android tablets and best tablets right now. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but if you’re an Alexa user or want a slate with an anti-glare screen, you won’t go wrong here. Find out more in my full review.

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? As its name suggests, the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is a slate built to work with the Alexa ecosystem. Beyond that, it’s an Android tablet that arguably rivals Apple’s entry-level iPad.
• Who is it for? This device is for folks who want a tablet that can control their Alexa devices or an Android slate with an anti-glare display.
• What does it cost? The Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro starts at $499 for a model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. For $150 more, you can add a Nanomatte display. The most expensive stand-alone model with 256GB of storage and a Nanomatte display costs $679. A productivity bundle that includes the Alexa Pro Keyboard and Alexa Pro Pen is also on sale for $799.
• What do we like? We like the sleek design, lovely display, Alexa+ integration, smooth performance, and long-lasting battery life.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like the high cost of upgrading storage and moving to the Nanomatte model. The peripherals can also get quite pricey.

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro review: Specs

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro review: The ups

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro has a lot to offer, thanks to its superb display, sleek design, long battery life, and smart Alexa integration.

Sleek design

Amazon didn’t reinvent the wheel of tablet design, as the Alexa Tablet has the basic form of modern-day slates. That said, it’s a beautiful aluminum slab with a slim profile and elegant curves. The all-black chassis also gives the tablet an air of sophistication.

The design is decidedly minimalist. In landscape, the power button sits on the top-left edge, while the volume buttons sit on the top-left corner. The 8MP front camera lies right in the center, along the thin bezel. On the back, you’ll find the 13MP rear camera and the Alexa logo. Like most modern tablets, it has a single USB-C port on the right side, or bottom if you’re holding the tablet in portrait mode.

Speakers flank the left and right sides, and they’re pretty good for tablet audio. Dialogue-heavy podcasts and videos sound great, with clear, distinct voices. The speakers also do a good job with movies and TV shows that feature a wide range of audio. And while music can lack bass, it’s still plenty punchy and clear.

Vivid display

The 12-inch display on the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is a wonder to behold. Everything appears crystal clear, thanks to the sharp 2800 x 1840 resolution that brings out even the smallest details. While this isn’t an OLED, it still delivers excellent contrast between dark and light elements. Colors are vivid, and the overall brightness never overwhelms.

I watched a lot of YouTube videos during my testing, and I loved how the matte display diffused the lighting in my living area. Whether it’s bright and bold animated series like Invincible or gritty action shows like Reacher, everything looks fantastic. I also appreciate how the matte display on this tablet doesn’t soften color nearly as much as I’ve seen on other devices utilizing similar tech.

How did the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro do in our display benchmarks? As you can see above, color reproduction (sRGB and DCI-P3) isn’t oversaturated, and color accuracy (Delta-E) matches other tablets and laptops we’ve tested.

The numbers line up with my experience, as I found the hues generally looked natural. HDR brightness doesn’t get as high as on other devices, but to my eyes, the brightness was just perfect. Numbers-wise, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is comparable to the Apple iPad 11.

The display on my review unit has a slightly rough texture that mimics paper, which is great for reading. Speaking of reading, comic books look gorgeous because the matte display slightly mutes colors, creating a more paper-like appearance. If you’re into reading digital comics like I am, this is arguably the best tablet for reading your favorite funnies.

Strong performance

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro delivers solid performance for an Android tablet, thanks to its mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor and 8GB of RAM. While this isn’t a workhorse tablet, it generally performs well for web browsing and video streaming. However, I noticed that performance slowed when I opened up multiple Chrome tabs and other apps.

On the Geekbench 6 CPU test, Amazon’s new tablet scored similarly to the Apple iPad 11 in both single- and multi-core performance. These results match my experience: throwing too much at Amazon’s slate makes it struggle.

You can certainly use this tablet for productivity, especially with its optional peripherals, but it won’t replace a traditional laptop. However, if you’re using Amazon’s slate mainly for entertainment and light work in Google Docs, its performance won’t disappoint.

Long battery life

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro delivers excellent battery life. In our battery life test, which involves continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the display set to 150 nits of brightness, the tablet endured for an astonishing 13 hours and 17 minutes! As you can see below, that’s almost two hours longer than the iPad 11.

During a stay-at-home weekend, when I sporadically watched YouTube videos and read comics and novels with the display at 70% brightness, the tablet generally dropped from 80% battery to the low 40s over 16 hours.

On weeknights when I’m only home in the evening, the battery drops by about 10% over four hours of use. This is more than enough for all-day usage!

Seamless Amazon ecosystem integration

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro works great as a standalone slate, but it really shines as a hub for your Amazon devices and apps. As Amazon says, the tablet has the intelligence of Alexa+ and has built-in access to Google Play Store apps. And naturally, the tablet also works well as a Kindle.

I own an Amazon Echo Dot and have two smart lights that support Alexa. When I was winding down for the night, I could dim the lights right on the tablet instead of pulling out my phone to open the Alexa app. And if I wanted to fire up a song on my Echo Dot, I either typed or vocalized the request to the tablet. All of this was relatively seamless. If you don’t care to chat with Alexa, you can go into settings to swap to Google or Bing’s respective voice assistants.

I’m a fan of Kindles, so I loved using this tablet as another Kindle device. When you open the Kindle app, a fun wave-like animation washes across the screen. This isn’t just for show, as the tablet instantly lowers blue light and disables notifications to replicate the Kindle reading experience. This also helps extend battery life. I also like that it has three visual modes: full color, muted colors like on a Kindle Colorsoft, or full black and white.

If you own a lot of Alexa-supported devices, this Alexa tablet does a nice job of letting you control them all. It serves that purpose well, but it might not be a feature for everyone, which leads us into the next section…

Sharp cameras

If you want to look your best on video calls or snap some photos, the tablet’s front and rear cameras are up to the task. The front 8MP camera captures details of my face, clothing, and background, as you can see above.

Then there’s the 13MP back camera, which also captures details nicely. While I wouldn’t personally use a tablet to take selfies or capture video, I’m impressed by the strong resolution both cameras deliver.

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro review: The downs

While the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is a great Android tablet, it has its drawbacks.

For Amazon users only

This is a very Alexa-centric tablet. That's clear the moment you see the home screen, where you’ll find an assortment of Amazon apps like Prime Video, Audible, Kindle, the Silk browser… and even Luna!

And since it runs on Android, you can also quickly access a slew of Google apps. If that wasn’t enough, UI elements like an Alexa+ widget in the bottom-right corner also remind you that this is an Alexa device.

All of this can be extremely handy for folks who often utilize Amazon and Google apps. I use many of the latter and several of the former, and it’s nice being able to access those apps quickly. However, if you’re not invested in the Amazon ecosystem, they might as well be bloatware, especially if you just want a no-frills Android tablet.

Speaking of Android, it’s still not nearly as snappy and consistent as iPadOS. There is always a slight bit of delay when scrolling through pages on sites and apps. I also had some apps take forever to load or completely crash unexpectedly. Those instances aren’t frequent, but they happen far more often than they do on an iPad.

Expensive peripherals

To get even more use from the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, you can purchase the Alexa Pro Keyboard and Alexa Pro Pen.

The Pro Keyboard isn't just for typing; it also doubles as a protective case for the tablet. This peripheral has a leather-like texture that feels good against your fingers and palms. The membrane keys are better than you’d expect for a tablet keyboard, with nice travel distance and even spacing. I don’t have problems typing on this keyboard, even with my big hands. I also like the dedicated Alexa button beside the arrow keys that instantly brings up the AI assistant.

The Pro Pen is a pretty great stylus, having a similar weight and feel to an Apple Pencil Pro. Thanks to the tablet’s matte texture, writing with the stylus (almost) feels like writing on paper. Writing notes in the margins of a Kindle book is almost identical to doing the same action on a Kindle Scribe — which makes sense given how they’re both Amazon devices.

While I think the Pro Keyboard and Pro Pen are excellent peripherals, they’re both pretty expensive — the former costs $149 and the latter $89. There’s currently a $799 bundle that saves you $120, but that’s still a steep price to pay on top of the tablet.

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro review: Verdict

I enjoyed my time with the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, as it’s a far better slate than I expected. Sure, Android can be somewhat sluggish, and I've rarely (if ever) needed to interact with Alexa+, but the excellent hardware ultimately won me over. The design is perfect, and the Nanomatte display makes for a wonderful viewing and reading experience. I also love how this tablet doubles as a Kindle.

Serious Alexa or Google users will find a lot to like about the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro. If you don’t fall into that category, the iPad 11 offers a more responsive, stable operating system and has almost all the apps and services on the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro. But if you liked what I had to say about this slate, then you should consider checking it out. You might end up loving it as much as I have!

Just as its leaving Android on its Fire TV sticks, Amazon is adopting Google's operating system for its newest generation of tablets, dousing its Fire OS — and moniker — after more than a decade.

At the same time, Amazon's new tablets now prominently feature Alexa+ as a persistent widget that lives in the lower righthand corner of the devices, to be summoned at a moment's notice.

In addition to receiving spoken or written queries, Alexa+ is also able to look at whatever is on the screen of the tablet, and act on your prompts.

For example, you might have a picture of a plant you've photographed on the screen; Alexa+ can look at the photo and tell you what it is.

The other really clever feature on the new Alexa tablets is a "Kindle Mode" — open the Kindle app, and the tablet will silence notifications and change the display to a more Kindle-like experience, muting the colors and making it seem closer to an actual e-reader.

Here's a rundown of the new tablets; there are five in all — three Amazon Alexa Tablets, and two Amazon Kids Tablets, aimed at younger audiences.

Amazon Alexa Tablets

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro

The headlining model is the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro and its optional nanomatte display. Amazon said it worked with Corning to create a photolithography process that helps preserve color and contrast while cutting down on glare.

Looking at the nanomatte and glossy displays side by side, the latter did exhibit deeper blacks, though the nanomatte display was pretty close — and as you can tell by the photo, dramatically reduces the glare.

When using both my finger and the optional stylus, the nanomatte display also felt very comfortable and smooth.

The Tablet 12 Pro, like the other modes, is made out of aluminum, and has a much more premium feel than older Fire tablets. It's 6.5mm at its thinnest, and has a 12-inch, 280 PPI display (2800x1840) with a 120Hz refresh rate and a rated brightness of 500 nits. It has a 3:2 aspect ratio, which Amazon says is better suited for productivity work.

Inside is a 4nm 8-core chip with up to 16GB of RAM, along with Dolby Atmos speakers, and Wi-Fi 6E. Amazon says the Tablet 12 Pro will last up to 16 hours of video playback, which goes up to 20 hours when in Kindle mode.

One of the long edges of the tablet has a small indentation to magnetically attach the Amazon Alexa Tablet Pro Pen ($89.99, sold separately); on the other edge is a pin connector for the Amazon Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard ($149.99).

The Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro will start at $499.99 with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage; the nanomatte model starts at $549.99.

Amazon Alexa Tablet 11

Geared more for entertainment, the Amazon Alexa Tablet 11 has a 2.5K display (276 ppi, 2560x1600, 90Hz refresh rate) in a 16:10 aspect ratio, which the company says will be better if you want to kick back and watch a movie.

Like the 12-inch model, it has an aluminum unibody, but has an 8-core processor with 8GB of RAM, dual Dolby Atmos speakers, and will last up to 15 hours playing video.

Amazon Alexa Tablet 11 starts at $329.99 in Graphite, Amethyst, and Matcha, with 8GB RAM and 64GB storage; unlike the Tablet 12 Pro, there's no option for a nanomatte display.

Amazon Alexa Tablet 8

Last is the Amazon Alexa Tablet 8, which has an 8.7-inch 1340x800 display, and weighs 11.6 ounces. It has an 8-core processor, Wi-Fi 6 and will last up to 14 hours of video playback. It starts at $229.99 with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, and comes in three colors: Graphite, Rosette, and Teal.

Amazon Kids Tablets

Amazon is also relaunching its Kids Tablets in two sizes: 8.7 inches and 11 inches. Like earlier models, these too will come with protective bumper cases, which will be offered with designs from popular franchises like Paw Patrol and Barbie. The 8-inch tablet will last up to 14 hours on a charge when playing video, and the 11-inch will last up to 15 hours.

Like previous kids' tablets, these models will have the usual array of parental controls, from content restrictions to time limits to whitelisted web pages. Like the grown-up tablets, there's an Alexa+ button in the corner, but it's a more siloed, kid-friendly version.

The Amazon Kids Tablet 8 starts at $229.99 and Amazon Kids Tablet 11 starts at $329.99.

Outlook

All of the new Amazon tablets will be go on sale in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada on October 14, 2026, and will be available in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain on October 19.

Having held all of the new tablets, I can attest to their much-improved design, and the 12-inch model certainly felt responsive when I was swiping and using the stylus; we'll have to get one in our lab to see how it compares to the best Android tablets, but its matte display will surely be a differentiator.

Even though these tablets have Alexa+ as their go-to AI, because these are Android-based, you can also use Gemini as the default voice assistant, which makes for an interesting dichotomy.

These new tablets are also more expensive than previous versions; the Fire HD 8 tablet, for instance, only cost $129, while the kids' model was $179. This is partly a reflection on the current state of electronics as well as the fact that the new tablets use more durable materials, but the higher prices could give some parents pause.

Stay tuned for our full assessments of these devices; we hope to get them reviewed soon.

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When my phone’s screen isn’t large enough for the task at hand, I often reach for a tablet instead. However, unless you charge yours religiously every night, picking one up usually means finding a dead battery and a digital paperweight.

Over the years, I’ve tested many of the best tablets — from a compact, gaming-focused slate to a massive 14-inch one that felt more like a clipboard than something you could easily slide into a bag. Yet of all the devices I’ve used, only one ever solved the constant battery-drain dilemma.

With its magnetic charging dock, I really felt like Google's Pixel Tablet set a new standard that other companies would follow. Boy, was I wrong. Not only did Google recently discontinue the Pixel Tablet, but I've yet to see another manufacturer attempt a similar always-charged dock setup.

If you can’t keep a device permanently docked, the next best solution is a low-power, simplified approach that simply refuses to die. After testing out TCL's full-featured NXTPAPER tablets, I recently got my hands on the new TCL Note A1. Unlike those general-purpose slates, this one is built entirely around reading, writing, and taking notes with its included T-Pen Pro stylus.

After using the Note A1 for the past three weeks, it’s become the only tablet I reach for at my desk — and the one I slip into my backpack whenever I leave the house. If you’ve had your eyes on a productivity-focused slate from reMarkable, Boox, or even Amazon’s Kindle Scribe, here’s why the TCL Note A1 deserves a spot on your shortlist.

A display-first approach

The Note A1 that TCL sent over for me to check out arrived in a single box split in two. While the larger half held the tablet itself along with a stylus, some extra pen tips, and a charging cable, the smaller half held a magnetic flip cover.

Right from the start, I knew I was dealing with a very different type of tablet thanks to the quote printed on the inside of its box: “Knowledge grows by piling up facts, wisdom shines through simplicity.” I couldn’t sum up the design philosophy behind the Note A1 better myself.

At 10.24 x 7.74 x 0.22 inches, this 11.5-inch tablet gives you plenty of screen space to work with in an incredibly slim package. Meanwhile, at 500 grams or just over a pound, the Note A1 is designed to be easy to carry and take with you anywhere — because you never know when inspiration will strike.

Instead of going with thin bezels all the way around, the one on the left side of the device is a bit larger at roughly three-quarters of an inch wide, just like on the original Kindle Scribe. The larger size makes the device easier to hold in your left hand while you write, but that extra space is also used to house a home button with a built-in fingerprint scanner.

This is a bit different from the rest of TCL’s NXTPAPER tablets that lack a fingerprint scanner, but I found it to be a welcome addition — just like the one integrated into the power button on my NXTPAPER 70 Pro phone.

When you look around the sides of the Note A1, you won’t find much. There’s a power button on the top left, and then on the bottom right, there’s a USB-C port for charging. Given it wasn’t designed as a media consumption device like a lot of other tablets, there isn’t a physical volume rocker.

If you’re wondering why the USB-C port isn’t centered, I suspect this probably has to do with TCL’s optional keyboard case. When attached, you can plug a charging cable in cleanly on the bottom right without having it hanging awkwardly from the middle of the device. It’s a small but well-thought-out touch.

Around back, the Note A1 has small, circular magnets wrapped in soft-touch plastic on three of its corners along with a 13 MP rear camera and a trio of pogo pins for connecting the keyboard case. The tablet’s case is made from aerospace-grade aluminum, and in addition to letting you quickly snap on a cover, these round magnets prevent the back of the device from getting scratched.

TCL definitely went with a less-is-more approach with some parts of the Note A1, but the company didn’t skimp on its specs either. Powered by an older but very efficient MediaTek Helio G100 processor, the tablet ships with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Despite being less than a quarter inch thick, the Note A1 still packs an 8,000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging. The display is the star of the show, though, and instead of an E-Ink screen, it’s equipped with an 11.5-inch NXTPAPER Pure display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and my personal favorite, matte anti-glare glass.

After adding my fingerprint and going through the rest of the setup process, it was time to see what the Note A1 was capable of.

Not your typical tablet

Instead of completely reinventing the wheel, TCL took many of the best aspects of its NXTPAPER tablets and incorporated them into the Note A1.

While you can’t switch between modes and instantly go from full color to black and white like with other NXTPAPER devices, you still get that matte, paper-like quality from the tablet, which makes reading ebooks and documents a very satisfying experience that’s also easy on the eyes.

The Note A1 isn’t entirely black and white, either. There are hints of color throughout its UI, and you can look at photos or watch YouTube videos like you would on any other tablet. Speaking of the display, it's flicker-free and buttery smooth thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. You won’t see any of the typical lag you do on an E-Ink screen here.

Besides its lack of volume buttons, the one thing that made me instantly realize the Note A1 isn’t just your typical tablet occurred the instant I turned it on for the first time. Instead of going to your standard Android home screen, the device’s main page is actually for notes. You can view all of your existing notes and documents or create new ones with a tap on the plus icon.

The Note A1 is powered by Android, and once you dive into the settings menu, this is immediately apparent. However, the Android version wasn’t listed there, and tapping on the build number didn’t unlock developer options like it does on other Android devices.

It did take me a bit to get used to, but now that I’ve become accustomed to the Note A1’s Android skin, I actually wouldn’t mind seeing it on one of TCL’s next Android phones. At a time when people are installing custom launchers to fight doom-scrolling, the company did an excellent job of equipping this tablet with a distraction-free UI.

Just like with its other recent tablets and phones, you also get access to all of TCL’s AI tools for transcription, translation, and more, but you can turn them off if you want. One AI feature I particularly liked is Inspiration Circle. When you long-press the button on the T-Pen Pro stylus, you can then circle a note or file to add it to a dedicated Inspiration Space.

In practice, this works a lot like the Essential Key and Essential Space on newer Nothing phones. It’s worth noting that if you do decide to use TCL’s AI features, many of them are handled locally on the Note A1, while more demanding ones are carried out over the cloud through a partnership with Microsoft Azure.

Although the Note A1 comes with Microsoft’s apps like Edge and Outlook pre-installed, you can download Google apps or pretty much any other app you like from the Play Store, unlike on reMarkable’s E-Ink tablets.

Just note that your mileage will vary from app to app. For instance, while I could download, log in, and use Reddit, I kept getting an error message that I was using an incorrect version of X when I tried to launch it. You can also sideload Android apps, but I wouldn’t recommend that unless you know what you’re doing and what you’ve downloaded for security reasons.

I tried reading a few graphic novels uploaded as PDF files right from the Note A1’s home screen, and while it worked, I just couldn’t get it to save my place. Then, after downloading and installing CDisplayEx, I was able to read Resident Alien and other digital comics with ease. In fact, they looked great on the Note A1’s 11.5-inch, 3:2 screen.

I’m sure there’s even more I can do with TCL’s latest tablet. However, after three weeks of taking notes, reading ebooks and graphic novels, checking my Gmail and Slack messages, and reading the news, I’m very impressed with the Note A1 and its simpler, more streamlined Android skin.

A tablet worth keeping handy

As I normally do when testing out a new tablet, I kept it right at the ready on my desk. Surprisingly, though, while I’d be constantly recharging other tablets, the Note A1’s battery life continued to wow me during the time I spent using it as my daily driver.

Over the course of three weeks, it never ran out of battery and flat-out died. In fact, after leaving it untouched for a few days, the lowest I saw its battery get was 30%.

Even now, as I’m writing this late on Friday, after charging it on Tuesday before heading out to take pics, it’s still at 70% battery life. In addition to its extra-large 8,000 mAh battery, I think a big part of its lengthy battery life comes down to how the Note A1 enters Standby Mode when not in use for extended periods.

Now, would I recommend this tablet for watching YouTube videos and playing games? Absolutely not, as one of the best cheap tablets would be better for the former, while a more powerful device like the RedMagic Astra 2 would be a better fit for the latter. You can certainly watch videos on the Note A1, but your fingers need to be quick on the draw to pull down its Quick Settings menu since you don’t have physical volume controls after all.

Instead, I think this tablet is a great fit for those who want something simpler that’s easy on the eyes while also being incredibly thin and light — without the premium price you’d pay for an iPad Air. The Note A1 is exactly what its name implies: a handy device that comes with a stylus in the box for taking notes, brainstorming, and jotting down ideas.

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra ($1,399) is here for those who want a super-sized Android tablet. This year’s model is admittedly a nominal upgrade from the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra I reviewed last year, but on its own, it’s a great premium slate for folks in the Android and Samsung ecosystems.

As before, this tablet features an enormous 14.6-inch display that’s as perfect for watching your favorite streaming shows as it is for juggling multiple apps. The thin, lightweight, and sturdy design makes it an unobtrusive travel partner, while the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip inside provides the slate with enough power to run your apps and games. You also get nearly 12 hours of battery life to get you through most of the day.

While the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has many of the things I liked about the previous model, it also shares some of that tablet’s shortcomings. The tablet can still be too cumbersome to hold comfortably for long periods, and DeX Mode still isn’t the Windows 11 equivalent you’d expect. To truly use the Tab S12 Ultra for work, you’ll need the $399 Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra Pro Keyboard—which is in addition to the slate’s already higher $200 price hike.

Despite its shortcomings, there’s no denying the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra delivers on screen size and an ultraportable design. Right now, it’s one of the best Android tablets around — even if it isn’t the laptop replacement you might expect. Find out more in my full review!

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is the latest version of the company’s flagship, oversized tablet.
• Who is it for? For anyone who wants a large OLED tablet that can also serve as a laptop replacement.
• What does it cost? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra starts at $1,399 / AU$2,299.
• What do we like? We like the sharp and vivid OLED panel, elegant lightweight design, strong Android tablet performance, and long-lasting battery life.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like the $200 price bump from last year’s model, and that DeX Mode requires an external monitor for full functionality.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: Specs

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: The ups

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has one of the best OLED displays among tablets, along with strong performance, long battery life, and a sleek, thin design.

Thin and light design

There’s not much to say design-wise, as the Tab S12 Ultra is virtually identical to its predecessors. As before, this Android tablet measures 12.8 x 8.2 x 0.2 inches (326.3mm x 208.5mm x 5.1mm) and weighs 1.6 pounds (695 grams). Though holding this enormous tablet isn’t always comfortable, the thin, lightweight design makes it easy to travel with.

When you hold the Tab S12 Ultra horizontally, the power and volume buttons are on the top left-hand side. On the right-hand side, you’ll find a microSD card slot and a single USB-C port for charging. Before you ask, no, there is no headphone jack.

Design-wise, Samsung isn’t looking to reinvent the wheel. Some folks might have wanted a fresh look, but I’m fine with this tried-and-true design. The Tab S12 Ultra is as thin and light as ever, and that’s what matters here.

Vibrant OLED

Another carryover from previous models is the large 14.6-inch OLED panel, which remains as impressive as ever. The OLED delivers excellent contrast between dark and light elements, while the sharp 2960 x 1848 resolution helps you see every detail in whatever you’re watching.

That was my experience watching a nature video on YouTube, where the animals and locales looked lifelike thanks to the OLED panel’s strong detail and contrast. Trust me, your eyes won’t be disappointed when viewing videos on this tablet.

How did the Tab S12 Ultra fare in our lab tests? Color reproduction (sRGB and DCI-P3) is generally oversaturated, as both go past the 100% target, which makes for more vivid colors. Color accuracy (Delta-E) is also great. And as before, this tablet also gets plenty bright when displaying HDR content, nearly hitting 1,000 nits across the entire screen.

The Tab S12 Ultra does well against competitors like the iPad Pro M5 and OnePlus Pad 3. Samsung’s slate delivers brighter SDR than both, though the iPad Pro gets a tad brighter with HDR content. Color-wise, the iPad Pro and OnePlus Pad 3 aren’t as vivid, though their values deliver more naturalistic hues than the Tab S12.

Strong performance

The new Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra upgrades the prior model’s MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor to the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip, while RAM remains the same at 12GB regardless of how much storage you choose. Although there isn’t a massive performance boost from gen to gen, you’re still getting a slate that offers solid performance.

Though I wouldn’t replace my laptop with this tablet, I could still get work done on it without too much trouble. It can handle my typical workflow, which includes multiple open Chrome tabs and the occasional YouTube video. Android also feels snappy, and I rarely (if ever) have apps take too long to load. Navigating the tablet’s settings is also seamless.

As you can see in the table above, the new Tab S12 Ultra has slightly better single- and multi-core performance than last year’s model. That’s commendable, but it’s still not comparable to the powerful iPad Pro M5, which remains the fastest tablet out there.

Again, the Tab S12 Ultra isn’t a slouch when it comes to performance, but Apple’s premium slate still outclasses it. However, if you’re just using this tablet to play Android games, run some work-related apps, or watch YouTube, that performance gap won’t matter much.

Solid battery life

To be upfront, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra doesn’t last as long as last year’s model. So why is battery life still in “The ups” section? Because even though this tablet’s endurance is lower, it’ll still last you for the better part of a workday and then some.

In our battery life test, which involves continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the display set to 150 nits of brightness, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra lasted 11 hours and 31 minutes. In contrast, its predecessor lasted over 30 minutes longer.

Though you don’t want battery life to decline in a newer model, it’s not a steep drop-off. That said, the iPad Pro M5 and especially the OnePlus Pad 3 outpace the Tab S12 Ultra by a wide margin. Leaving the included charger at home won’t be an emergency, but it’s better to take it with you just in case.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: The downs

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is an impressive and massive Android tablet but it's not without its downsides which include DeX Mode limitations and a higher price than last year's model.

DeX Mode still isn’t great

DeX Mode, which provides Samsung devices with desktop-like functionality, remains largely unchanged from the previous version. While it certainly makes the UI feel more like Windows, it still has some of the shortcomings from before.

To make the most of DeX Mode, you’ll need to connect the Tab S12 Ultra to an external monitor. Doing this brings up a Windows-like taskbar on the connected monitor, while the tablet gets a less functional taskbar. Sure, this mostly works as advertised, but I still liked it better when DeX Mode functioned on its own without the need for peripherals.

$200 price bump

To be clear, the Tab S Ultra series has always been Samsung’s most expensive tablet line. Even so, the $200 price increase over last year’s model could make some reconsider their decision to buy this slate.

Why the price hike for nominal upgrades? As I’m sure you’ve already guessed, it’s likely due to the ongoing RAM crisis, which has driven up component costs. Not only does this probably account for the price hike, but it also explains why Samsung didn’t pack more RAM into this tablet than into last year’s model—doing so would’ve driven the price up even further.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: Verdict

Even if the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra can’t truly replace your laptop and is now $200 more than last year’s model for nominal upgrades, it’s still an overall great Android tablet at what it does. Even if its performance isn’t equal to iPad Pro’s, the beautiful OLED panel certainly rivals that of Apple’s premium slate.

If you’re an Apple fan, then you’re better off with an iPad Pro or even an iPad Air. And if all you’re looking for is an Android tablet to stream content on, then the much more affordable $399 Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is a better bet. But if you’re a Samsung user and want an Android tablet with the largest canvas out there, you can't go wrong with the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra.

The RedMagic Astra 2 could easily be mistaken for an iPad mini thanks to its compact 9-inch design and rounded corners. However, under the hood, it’s powered by one of Snapdragon’s fastest mobile processors and paired with more RAM than in many other laptops. All of that makes for an excellent and very portable gaming tablet.

With dual USB-C ports, you can charge the Astra 2 with a mobile game controller attached or even connect the tablet to a monitor or TV for a big-screen gaming experience. Speaking of gaming, there’s a physical switch on the side that activates RedMagic’s dedicated Game Space launcher. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, you can also run full PC games from Steam right on the tablet using the company’s optional Game Hub app.

Then there’s the screen. With a 185Hz OLED panel, the Astra 2 isn’t just fast, but it delivers stunning visuals with deep blacks and excellent picture quality overall.

I’ve been using the Astra 2 as my daily driver for the past two months — both at home and while traveling — and this compact but almost overpowered gaming tablet hasn’t let me down yet, even if it can be a little rough around the edges at times. My RedMagic Astra 2 review will help you decide if this is the best tablet for your needs or if it’s worth sacrificing raw performance for a more budget-friendly alternative.

RedMagic Astra 2: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? A compact Android tablet with high-end specs for gaming.
• Who is it for? For people who want the best mobile gaming experience on a tablet, as well as for Android users who want a small tablet like the iPad mini.
• What does it cost? The RedMagic Astra 2 starts at $699, or you can get an upgraded version with more memory and storage for $799.
• What do we like? Its compact size and premium design, the integrated fingerprint scanner in the power button, the gorgeous 185Hz OLED screen, and that it has dual USB-C ports and the performance of its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
• What don’t we like? The tablet’s premium price, that it doesn’t come with any extra accessories, how RedMagic OS feels clunky and that the main, full-featured USB-C port isn’t centered.

RedMagic Astra 2: Specs

RedMagic Astra 2: The Ups

From its premium build and powerful components to its stunning OLED display, the Astra 2 isn’t just another budget Android tablet. Instead, it feels even better than Apple’s iPad mini in hand while delivering a console-like experience if you want it.

The anti-iPad mini

At 8.15 x 5.28 x 0.27 inches, the Astra 2 is slightly larger than the iPad mini to account for its 9.06-inch display versus the latter’s 8.3-inch panel. With an anodized aluminum frame, rounded corners, and a glossy screen, this Android tablet instantly feels premium.

On the left side — assuming you’re holding the tablet in landscape mode — there’s a power button with an integrated fingerprint scanner next to a set of speaker grilles. When holding the Astra 2 this way, I really like how my index finger rests right on the top edge, which makes securely logging in via my fingerprint a breeze.

Then on the right side, there’s a full-featured USB-C port next to the other set of speaker grilles. One thing that sets the Astra 2 apart from other tablets is the red toggle switch across from its volume rocker. Called the Competitive Key, switching it on lets you jump from your Android home screen right into RedMagic’s GameSpace launcher, but more on that later. There’s also a second USB-C port for charging the device or connecting accessories centered along the bottom edge.

It’s only when you flip the Astra 2 over that you realize this isn’t an iPad mini or even your standard, compact Android tablet. At the top of the device, there’s a 3D vapor chamber for cooling, complete with customizable RGB lighting and a glass strip on top so you can see everything. Then on the right edge, there’s a 13MP camera.

While this design choice might not be for everyone, I really like it. You get just a touch of gamer flair while knowing that, yes, this tablet is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. If this chipset sounds familiar, that’s because it powers many of the best phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the OnePlus 15, and even the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Deep blacks and faster frames

Despite all that power under the hood, the Astra 2’s display immediately steals the show when the tablet is powered on. With symmetrical 4.9mm bezels on all sides, you see more of the screen than on the iPad mini 7, which has thicker 8.5–9mm bezels and a 3:2 aspect ratio. At a resolution of 2400 x 1504, you also get a bit more screen real estate to work with, though Apple just barely wins on pixel density at 326 vs 316 pixels per inch.

The Astra 2 also features a 16:10 aspect ratio, which results in less letterboxing when watching TV shows and movies. Although I don’t normally watch movies on a tablet, I made an exception while testing the Astra 2 thanks to its stunning OLED display.

While watching Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings to get ready for Avengers: Doomsday, the darker, nighttime fight scenes in Macau stood out for their rich, deep blacks, while the lush greenery of Ta Lo in the latter half of the film really popped.

Thanks to the Astra 2’s full-featured USB-C port, I also connected a pair of the best smart glasses, the Viture Pro 2, and watched several films on the tablet during a flight home from Berlin. As with Samsung’s DeX, RedMagic lets you use the tablet’s display as a trackpad while wearing display glasses, though it lacks some of the polish of Samsung’s implementation, with written directions hardcoded across the screen.

You can’t crank up movies and TV shows past 60Hz, but with games it’s a different story. There are quite a few of the best Android games that let you play at a higher 120Hz or 144Hz, or on the Astra 2, which has an 185Hz refresh rate. Given I’m more of a PC gamer, though, RedMagic’s Astra 2 has another really cool trick up its sleeve.

A tablet-sized console

The Astra 2 is nothing if not a highly versatile gaming tablet. Sure, you can play all the most demanding Android games, from Zenless Zone Zero and Wuthering Waves to Genshin Impact and Fortnite, with ease and all the settings turned up. However, that’s far from your only way to play.

Just like how you can dock the Nintendo Switch 2, if you have one of the best monitors with USB-C in, you can get a one-cable, big-screen gaming experience with the Astra 2. Likewise, with a device like the Genki Covert Dock 3, you can connect the tablet to a TV.

With the Astra 2 connected to my Innova CB32U1 monitor, I toggled the Astra 2’s Competitive Key and got a full-fledged game launcher on my display, and I could also use the tablet simultaneously. All of the games you have installed appear in RedMagic’s Game Space, and you can also stream games from your PC or consoles using their respective remote play apps.

Although it didn’t come pre-installed on my review unit, I was able to get the full AAA experience locally after downloading RedMagic’s GameHub app. That’s right, with GameHub installed and your Steam or Epic Games account linked, you can play many of the best PC games via emulation directly on your Android tablet.

I loaded up a few and played my go-to game, the skateboarding sim Session, along with Valve’s Portal 2 at 50–60 fps without having to turn down their settings too much. The experience wasn’t perfect, and getting to the main menu in Metro Exodus took much longer than I expected. Still, being able to play the PC games you already own on your Android tablet is much better than being limited to mobile games, especially when big ports like Resident Evil 4 or Death Stranding are only available on Apple’s iPadOS.

RedMagic Astra 2: The Downs

The Astra 2 is an impressive Android tablet that easily rivals Apple’s iPad mini, but it’s not without its downsides. From a very premium price for a smaller tablet to a USB-C port that isn’t quite in the right place, there are certainly some kinks RedMagic needs to iron out before a potential follow-up.

Full-featured but off-center

Two is always better than one, and that’s especially true for USB-C ports on a device like the Astra 2. That way, you can play and charge at the same time or even use a wired keyboard and mouse while emulating PC games in the GameHub app. However, there’s just one problem: these dual USB-C ports aren’t identical.

While the USB-C port on the right side of the Astra 2 is a 3.2 Gen 2 port with DisplayPort out, the one on the underside of the tablet is a slower, less capable USB 2.0 port. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, and on my Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 with an identical dual-port setup, it isn’t. However, the Astra 2’s more powerful USB-C port is located in a very awkward place.

Now that many of the best mobile game controllers support smaller tablets like the Astra 2 or iPad mini, my first instinct was to attach one on either side of RedMagic’s tablet.

Unfortunately, instead of being centered, the more powerful USB-C port is located above the speaker grille on the right side. With my Razer Kishi Ultra connected, a good portion of the Astra 2 hangs below the controller, similar to the screen lip on the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. However, while that handheld gaming PC’s screen extends slightly, almost half of the Astra 2’s display was positioned below my telescopic controller.

You see similar setups when people try to put a telescopic game controller on one of the best foldable phones. I just never expected to have to deal with something like this on a tablet specifically made for gaming — and mobile gaming at that.

A steep investment without the extras

At $699 for the base model or $799 for the version with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the Astra 2 is certainly a premium Android tablet. If mobile gaming is your thing and you want to play on a larger screen, or if you want a very future-proof tablet, the Astra 2 could be worth it.

After paying $549 for the Legion Tab Gen 3 back in 2025, before RAMageddon hit, it makes sense that RedMagic had to raise the price of the Astra 2. With components getting more expensive, launching it at $499 for the base model, as the company did with the Astra 1, no longer makes sense.

What surprised me, though, was how little was in the box. Of course, I got the tablet itself and a charging cable, but I was disappointed I didn’t find any other extras beyond a few stickers. For comparison, the Legion Tab Gen 3 included a folio case with a removable magnetic front cover and a glass screen protector.

Apparently, Lenovo has also become a bit more stringent with included freebies in the Tab Gen 5, likely to keep costs down. Still, I would have loved to see a case with a built-in stand included with the Astra 2, especially since you can’t comfortably use a mobile game controller with it because of that off-center USB-C port.

RedMagic Astra 2: Verdict

The RedMagic Astra 2 is certainly an outlier among Android tablets. For starters, it has a compact, portable 9-inch design with true flagship power under the hood. Its 185Hz OLED display makes whatever content you’re watching or playing stand out in the best way. You also get dual USB-C ports and a fingerprint scanner integrated directly into its power button for secure, seamless logins.

While the off-center, full-featured USB-C port is a bit of a bummer, along with the Astra 2’s higher price, the device still feels exceptionally premium in hand. Still, I would have loved to have a case in the box and for RedMagic to work out a few of the kinks in its proprietary Android launcher.

If you want the versatility of a tablet that’s also highly portable and a gaming experience that’s almost on par with one of the best PC handhelds, the Astra 2 can’t be beat. It’s one of the best Android tablets I’ve tried yet, and while using it, I didn’t miss my iPad mini at all.

Let’s be honest, it’s hard to get excited about Android tablets when you can get an iPad instead. However, one slate rose above the rest in 2026 and truly stands out — so much so that we awarded it the best tablet in our Tom’s Guide Computing Awards. Which tablet is that? The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2, which is on sale at a nice discount.

Right now, you can get the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 for $289 at Lenovo. This tablet typically retails for $399, so you’re saving $110. The big deal here, and I mean that quite literally, is the enormous back speaker that delivers loud, punchy sound for a tablet. Its rotatable built-in kickstand is also noteworthy. Read on to see why you should consider buying the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2. (For more deals, check out our guide to the best tablet sales).

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While it’s not entirely fair to call this a speaker with a tablet attached, it also wouldn’t be inaccurate, since that huge JBL-9 unit speaker is the main reason you’d want to buy this tablet. There are 9 built-in speakers: four tweeters, three woofers, and two passive radiators. Those last two speakers deliver deep bass, while the tweeters handle higher-frequency sounds. As a result, movies, podcasts, and music sound vibrant. You can even use Lenovo’s tablet as a Bluetooth speaker, which is a nice bonus.

Then there’s the built-in kickstand, which attaches directly to the speaker. It can rotate 360 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise, letting you orient the tablet horizontally when watching movies or vertically for reading. The kickstand is made of aluminum, like the rest of the tablet, so it stays firmly in place once you’ve set it up. This is easily the best kickstand I’ve seen for a tablet.

While the big speaker is the main draw, this is still a tablet. The 12.1-inch (2560 x 1600) display delivers sharp, bright, and colorful image quality, despite not being an OLED panel. Color reproduction is generally oversaturated, which accounts for the vivid colors. Those colors truly stand out thanks to the bright SDR and HDR brightness.

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 isn’t the most powerful tablet out there, but if you just want an entertainment-focused slab with strong picture quality and exceptional speakers, get this one now while the deal lasts.

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 ($399) is the most unique tablet I’ve ever reviewed. It delivers exceptional sound thanks to the enormous JBL-9 speaker on its back. You could be forgiven for thinking it’s a speaker with a tablet attached! This is the most defining feature, but there’s more to like about Lenovo’s entertainment-focused tablet.

The bright, colorful 12.1-inch 2K display is ideal for watching your favorite videos and movies. The Tab Plus Gen 2 is also great for reading and web browsing. The large speaker can make the tablet uncomfortable to hold for too long, but the handy built-in kickstand balances that out, and you can rotate it for vertical or horizontal viewing.

If you’re looking for a powerful tablet for work, this slate isn’t for you, thanks to its relatively weak MediaTek Dimensity CPU and 8GB of RAM. But if you’re looking for an excellent entertainment machine with the best tablet sound, you should seriously consider the reasonably priced Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2. Find out more in my full review!

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is an Android tablet built for entertainment.
• Who is it for? For folks who want a tablet to watch videos and that can deliver stellar, punchy sound.
• What does it cost? The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is typically $399 but is often discounted. At the time of writing, it’s on sale for $289 on Lenovo’s website.
• What do we like? We like the giant speaker that pumps out phenomenal sound, the handy kickstand, and the vivid 2.5K display.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like that the tablet can be cumbersome to hold for long periods and that its performance isn’t suitable for productivity.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: Specs

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: The ups

The Tab Plus Gen 2's giant speaker and rotatable kickstand instantly draw attention, but it also features a sharp, vibrant 12.1-inch display and long-lasting battery life.

Incredible speaker sound

Speaker quality is, at best, a footnote in my tablet reviews, since slates generally produce less-than-stellar sound. With the Tab Plus Gen 2, this is the first thing I want to discuss as it’s the standout feature—so much so that I had already written an entire piece about how the gargantuan speaker on this Android tablet isn’t a gimmick. If you’ll pardon the cliché, the speaker quality is music to your ears.

The JBL 9-Unit Pro speaker system is what makes the magic happen. As its name suggests, there are nine speakers: four tweeters, three woofers, and two passive radiators. Those last two speakers deliver deep bass, while the tweeters handle higher-frequency sounds.

Sound is great out of the box, but to make everything truly sound spectacular, you’ll need to head into the Dolby Atmos sub-menu in sound settings. There are three presets: Dynamic, which identifies the content and automatically adjusts for the best sound; Movie, which provides surround sound and clearer dialogue; and Music, which delivers detailed audio so every note and beat sounds punchy. Music also has presets: Detailed, Balanced, and Warm, plus a manual equalizer.

I’m a hard rock and heavy metal fan, and I’m almost always disappointed by the thin, flat sound from most tablets when listening to these genres. That wasn’t the case here, as everything from death metal bands like Amon Amarth to ‘80s tunes like Stan Bush’s “The Touch” sounded rich, punchy, and loud. Movies and podcasts also sound incredible in Movie Mode, with dialogue coming through clear and crisp.

The presets let you quickly enjoy whatever you’re listening to, but you can also dive into the equalizer settings to truly fine-tune how things sound. Regardless, your ears won’t be disappointed.

Built-in, rotatable kickstand

The other notable design feature is the built-in kickstand. Attached directly to the speaker, the kickstand can rotate 360 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise. This lets you comfortably orient the slate horizontally when watching movies or vertically for reading.

While the rotating kickstand moves smoothly, it firmly stays in place once you’ve set it to your preferred position. And when you’re ready to travel with the slate, the kickstand snaps back into place when you push it inward. This might be a minor thing to some, but rotating the kickstand is also enjoyable since you can feel small bumps along the way.

I enjoy reading digital comics, so I love propping the tablet up on my table in portrait orientation so I don’t have to hold it while I read. The 16:9 aspect ratio is relatively close to a real comic’s trim size, which also helps. Naturally, this is also a great way to read books.

Like the kickstand, the tablet is made of sturdy aluminum that doesn’t bend or flex easily. Even if you won’t hold the tablet very often (more on why shortly), its smooth metal body feels nice against your fingers. I also like how the concave volume and power buttons are on the back and easy to reach when it’s in the horizontal position.

Vivid display

The 12.1-inch (2560 x 1600) display on the Tab Plus Gen 2 might not stand out as much as the huge speaker, but it’s also no slouch. Even without an OLED panel, you get sharp image quality that’s bright and colorful.

When watching the latest trailer for the Street Fighter movie, I was impressed by how good everything looked. The detail and colors on the costumes and super moves pop. And thanks to the smooth 120Hz refresh rate, all the action moved smoothly. For watching movies, TV shows, and other videos, this display gets the job done.

Our lab test confirms what my eyes saw. Color reproduction (sRGB and DCI-P3) is generally oversaturated, which accounts for the vivid colors. Color accuracy (Delta-E) is also on par with other tablets. Those colors truly stand out thanks to the bright SDR and HDR brightness.

As you can see, Lenovo’s tablet quite literally outshines Apple’s iPad 11 and the OnePlus Pad Go 2 in both SDR and HDR brightness with adaptive brightness disabled. In fairness to the iPad, it delivers more natural hues than both Android tablets, since its sRGB and DCI-P3 values are closer to the 100% target.

Epic battery life

If you’re going to spend hours watching videos, then you’ll want a tablet that can last for the long haul. Thankfully, that’s the case here, as the Tab Plus Gen 2 offers astonishing battery life.

In our battery test, which involved continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the display set to 150 nits of brightness, Lenovo’s slate lasted 16 hours at 60Hz and 13 hours and 39 minutes at 120Hz. While the OnePlus Pad Go 2 lasted almost 40 minutes longer, Lenovo’s tablet outlasted the iPad by nearly four and a half hours.

I should note that the Tab Plus Gen 2 takes a while to fully charge. In our testing and in my own experience, it took 30 minutes to charge the tablet to 20%. Though you won’t have to charge the battery very often, just keep in mind that you’ll have to wait a while to fully juice it up.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: The Downs

While the Tab Plus Gen 2 excels as an entertainment device, it falls short in some key areas.

Awkward to hold

The giant JBL speaker is the Tab Plus Gen 2’s main selling point, but it can also be a hindrance.

Because the speaker adds bulk to the tablet’s bottom, holding the slate like a traditional tablet can be burdensome. While 1.69 pounds doesn’t sound that heavy, the weight distribution makes the tablet feel heavier.

If you rest the tablet on your lap or use the kickstand to prop it up on your desk, then its weight won’t be an issue. However, this isn’t a slate you can easily hold with one hand, let alone two, for long periods.

Basic performance

I don’t consider this a major drawback since this is an entertainment-focused tablet. Still, if you plan to do serious work on the Tab Plus Gen 2, you might not get the smoothest or fastest experience because of its lackluster performance.

The Tab Plus Gen 2 handles basic tasks like scrolling websites in Google Chrome and reading books on Kindle without issue. However, when I opened multiple apps or Chrome tabs, performance suffered. If I wanted to use this for work, where I typically have 20 to 30 Chrome tabs open, I wouldn't have the smoothest experience.

While the Tab Gen 2 matches the OnePlus Pad Go 2 in both CPU performance (Geekbench 6) and gaming performance (3DMark), these MediaTek Dimensity-powered Android tablets still can’t compete with Apple’s entry-level iPad.

Again, you won’t have a sluggish experience when using this tablet for its intended purpose. Just keep your expectations in check if you try to run heavier workloads or graphically demanding video games.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: Verdict

I’m an iPad Pro user, so an Android tablet truly has to go above and beyond to impress me. And that’s exactly what the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 has done thanks to its amazing sound quality, versatile kickstand, and crisp image quality.

Sure, it’s not powerful for heavy workloads, but if you mostly watch videos or read, this tablet has everything you’d need. The fact that it tops out at $399 is just icing on the proverbial cake. If you’re looking for an iPad alternative for your entertainment needs, don’t ignore the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2.

If you’re reading this, then you’re considering whether it’s beneficial to get your kid a tablet for schoolwork. That’s reasonable. The best tablets are lighter than most laptops, can cost less than many Chromebooks, and students already know how to use them. The appeal is pretty evident.

That said, a tablet isn’t just a small computer. It’s a distinct device with its own strengths and limitations for schoolwork. If you’re deciding whether a tablet makes sense for your child this year, you need a clear picture of both sides before you hit buy.

I’ve reviewed dozens of tablets over the years and have spent a lot of time testing whether certain models (like the iPad Pro) can realistically replace a laptop. The answers aren’t always cut and dry, but I have a solid sense of when a tablet works for schoolwork and when it falls short.

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using a tablet for school to help you make the right call.

Tablets for school: The pros

A tablet’s form factor is hard to beat. Most students can toss an iPad or mid-range Android tablet into a backpack without thinking twice because they’re so thin and light. Better options last a full school day on a charge, and they’re ready the second you take them out of rest mode or open the case. That lower friction is especially helpful for younger students.

Tablets are also strong for more visual, interactive schoolwork. Reading digital textbooks, annotating PDFs with a stylus, watching short instructional videos, and using educational apps all feel natural on a tablet. Many schools already deliver content through Google Classroom or similar platforms that work cleanly with tablets. If your kid needs to sketch, snap photos of notes, or complete interactive worksheets, a tablet with a decent stylus can feel more intuitive than a traditional laptop.

Cost is another factor. A solid mid-range tablet paired with a keyboard case can sometimes be cheaper than a budget laptop, and there’s generally less to break or keep updated. For a student who mainly needs a device for reading, research, light writing, and school apps, a tablet can cover a lot of ground without the extra complexity of a full computer.

If you've already decided to get a tablet for back-to-school, here are some options I recommend.

Tablets for school: The cons

While tablets can work well for school, they come with some serious drawbacks.

Serious tasks like writing longer papers, building spreadsheets, coding, or juggling multiple apps are still noticeably harder on a tablet than on a laptop. Even with a keyboard attached, multitasking and file management often feel limited. If your child’s schoolwork involves a lot of writing or switching between documents, a tablet can slow them down.

You’ll also need to account for the cost of peripherals if you want real school use out of the tablet. Something like Apple’s Magic Keyboard makes typing far more comfortable than the on-screen keyboard, and keeps an iPad protected from accidental drops. A stylus isn’t always essential, but it can be if your child takes notes by hand or does any drawing. The cost of these peripherals can erase the tablet’s initial price advantage.

Not every school’s software or testing platform plays nicely with tablets, either. Some require specific browsers or extensions that work more reliably on a laptop. If your kid’s school leans heavily on certain tools, a tablet can create more headaches than it solves.

Finally, distraction is a bigger issue on a tablet. It’s much easier for a student to fire up a game, fall into YouTube, or get lost on social media instead of finishing homework or getting to bed on time. Those same temptations exist on laptops, but the tablet form factor makes them easier to slip into.

If these cons are a deal-breaker, here are two excellent and budget-friendly laptops I suggest you get for your kid instead.

Bottom line

A tablet can be a fantastic tool for schoolwork, but only if it matches how your kid works and what their school expects.

For younger children focused on reading, interactive lessons, and lighter assignments, a tablet is often the better fit. For older students handling longer writing, research projects, or heavier software, a proper laptop is usually the smarter daily driver. Solid options in that category that I recommend include the Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Neo, both of which currently start at $699.

If you decide to go the tablet route, pair it with a good keyboard case, enable strong parental controls, and set clear rules about when it’s a school device versus a fun distraction. This keeps the advantages while limiting the downsides.

More from Tom's Guide

• Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Neo: Which $699 laptop is right for you?
• 12 essential back-to-school laptop accessories under $50 I recommend
• I tested the new Dell XPS 13 for two weeks — here's 3 things I love (and 1 I hate)

I’ve reviewed dozens of the best tablets over the years, and the one thing they almost always have in common is less-than-ideal speaker quality. While the best iPads tend to produce great sound, their speakers can’t compete even with built-in TV speakers. Perhaps that's why Lenovo decided to slap a giant speaker on its Tab Plus Gen 2 to buck this trend.

I’m currently testing the Tab Plus Gen 2 and will have a full review for you soon. But I wanted to write a dedicated piece on the tablet’s sound since it’s so darn impressive. Whether it’s ear-scorching heavy metal or your favorite podcast, everything sounds fantastic on this tablet thanks to its enormous JBL speaker and its various sound settings.

If you’re like me and are generally disappointed by tablet speakers, then the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 will be literal music to your ears. Let me tell you why.

Speaker tech

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 features a JBL 9-Unit Pro speaker system, tuned by Dolby Atmos. That 9 isn’t superfluous, as it’s exactly how many speakers this thing packs.

To be specific, this includes four tweeters, three woofers, and two passive radiators. The latter two allow the speaker to produce truly deep bass, while the tweeters handle higher-frequency sounds. Combined, they deliver exceptional audio quality for a tablet.

My initial experience

I decided to go into the deep end right from the start by firing up Amon Amarth’s “We Rule the Waves” to see how the speakers handled melodic death metal at max volume. While the bass was punchy and the overall sound was room-filling, I wasn’t impressed by the thin midrange. This is a demanding genre even for a good speaker system, so I initially chalked it up to that.

Next, I fired up Lion’s “Transformers” from the legendary (and childhood trauma-inducing) 1986 film. This song sounded better than the Amon Amarth track since everything came through evenly and punchy. 80s songs also aren’t nearly as compressed as modern songs, which also helps.

After that, I watched an episode of the The Comics Pals on YouTube and was equally stunned by how natural the dialogue sounded. All the panelists came through clearly, even if some had better microphones than others. I also liked how well the speaker handled the dialogue and music in the latest Avengers: Doomsday trailer, making everything sound appropriately cinematic.

I was already impressed by the out-of-the-box sound experience, but then I realized you could select different sound profiles within settings. This is when I went from impressed to having my mind (or my ears) completely blown.

Optimized sound

The Dolby Atmos sub-menu is where you can get the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 to sound its absolute best. There are three presets: Dynamic, which identifies the content and automatically adjusts for the best sound; Movie, which provides surround sound and clearer dialogue; and Music, which delivers detailed audio so every note and beat sounds punchy. Music also has its own presets: Detailed, Balanced, and Warm, along with a manual equalizer.

Listening to the aforementioned songs with the Music preset enabled makes a world of difference, as everything from the highs and mids to the lows packs an appropriate amount of power and bass.

For Amon Amarth specifically, the Warm preset in Music helps the guttural vocals stand out more. The Transformers track sounded fantastic and made me even more stoked to see the 40th-anniversary screening next month!

As you’d expect, Movie mode is perfect for movies, TV shows, and trailers. For instance, I felt like I was in the theater when I fired up the Doomsday trailer again. Dialogue-focused videos also sound fantastic in Movie mode, though I found the sound was a tad richer and fuller in Music mode.

I didn’t mess around too much with the equalizer settings, as I’m no audio engineer. But I like that this option exists for the true audiophiles out there. While the Dynamic preset is decent enough, its mid-range is too thin to my liking. The Movie and Music presets are the best bet for nearly all the content you’ll be engaging with on this tablet.

Music to my ears

If you’re looking for a tablet with phenomenal speaker quality, you can’t do much better than the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2. While that giant speaker looks somewhat awkward and makes the slate heavy to hold, it excels at what it's designed for. The out-of-the-box sound is pretty impressive, but it can sound way better with some minor fiddling.

There’s more to discuss about this entertainment-focused Android tablet, such as its display quality, performance, battery life, and more, so stay tuned for that. But if you found what I said interesting, then don’t hesitate to check out this tablet, especially since it’s pretty affordable at $299. Trust me, your ears will thank you!

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The Motorola MotoPad (2026) is a light, thin, and affordable tablet with powerful audio, a vibrant display, and all-day battery life. While its MediaTek Dimensity 6300 CPU isn’t winning any benchmarking awards, it is powerful enough to handle light research, web browsing and email management.

Unfortunately, Motorola also positioned the MotoPad as capable of casual gaming. Which only highlights its dismal graphics performance, as the Arm Mali G-57 integrated GPU struggles with any game more demanding than Candy Crush.

Despite the MotoPad’s grim graphics performance, it's a great tablet to use as a work or school sidecar in addition to a traditional laptop, and it’s fantastic as a streaming device for your next movie night. But is that enough to make it onto our best tablets list? Let’s take a closer look.

Motorola MotoPad: Cheat sheet

• What is it?: The Motorola MotoPad is an affordable tablet for every-day use.
• Who is it for?: Students and professionals who need a lightweight, portable tablet for work, class, or relaxation.
• What does it cost?: The Motorola MotoPad (2026) comes in one $249 configuration.
• What do we like?: The MotoPad has a lightweight, easily portable build, and sports a unique bronze green color aluminum chassis. It’s got powerful audio, all-day battery life, and it's affordable.
• What don’t we like?: The MotoPad is advertised as capable of casual gaming, but its graphics are underpowered for anything beyond puzzle games.

Motorola MotoPad: Specs

Motorola MotoPad: The ups

The MotoPad has plenty going for it, from its lightweight, stylish design to its robust audio system and crisp display, to its all-day battery life. Combined with its affordable price, the MotoPad is a fantastic bargain.

Lightweight, stylish design

The Motorola MotoPad (2026) comes in a striking Pantone Bronze Green aluminum chassis with modern detailing and a glass camera hub on the back panel that makes it feel like a more premium tablet.

The MotoPad is also incredibly lightweight at just 1.06 pounds with a thickness of 0.28 inches, making it a lightweight fashion statement that’s easy to slot into a bag or backpack to take to work or school, or even to fit into your carry-on for inflight entertainment on your next vacation.

The only real drawback in the MotoPad’s design is its lack of ports, as it features just one USB-C port and one 3.5mm Audio Jack. So you’ll need to use bluetooth accessories if you plan to charge the MotoPad while also connecting a keyboard or mouse to it. Then again, most people tend to use bluetooth accessories these days, so that’s not as much of a drawback as it would have been a few years ago.

The MotoPad also comes with a MicroSD card reader, so you can expand your device storage up to 2TB from the 128GB base storage option. Which is a nice addition for a budget tablet. But the real star of the MotoPad’s design is that unique Pantone Bronze Green colorway, which gives the MotoPad a sense of identity that most budget tablets lack.

Affordable pricing

The MotoPad has only one configuration, boasting a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 CPU with integrated Arm Mali G-57 graphics card, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and an 11-inch, 90Hz, 2,560 x 1,600, LCD display. That configuration costs just $249, making it one of the more affordable Android tablets on the market.

It’s a whole $100 cheaper than our best budget tablet pick, the Apple iPad 11, and it's less than half the price of our favorite Android tablet, the OnePlus Pad 3. Of course, the MotoPad takes a significant performance hit over the OnePlus Pad, but the price differential is nothing to scoff at. In fact, only our favorite budget Android tablet, the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) is cheaper at $139. And the Fire HD 10 has some serious drawbacks like middling performance and Amazon’s poor app selection holding it back.

Like most tablets, the MotoPad’s $249 price tag doesn’t include a case or the Moto Pen Ultra ($99). So if you want to protect your tablet and get the most use out of its touchscreen display, you’ll need to invest at least another $100. But even then, you’re still saving compared to the iPad 11 and OnePlus Pad 3.

Ideal audio and display for a video binge

While the MotoPad does have a 3.5mm audio jack, if you’re just relaxing at home you likely don’t want to use headphones or earbuds. And that’s where the robust quad-speaker system comes in.

The MotoPad has speakers on both the top and bottom sides of the tablet which gives you great sound balance when held in landscape mode, however the speakers are powerful enough you can use the tablet as a set of portable speakers in either orientation. In fact, I found the most comfortable listening range was at about 20-30 percent rather than the tablet’s full volume.

That powerful audio combined with the MotoPad’s crisp LCD display, make it an ideal streaming companion for a movie night or Netflix binge session.

While not the most impressive display we’ve ever tested, the MotoPad’s LCD display does cover 112% of the sRGB color space, which is more than enough vibrancy for most content. And at 430-nits of average brightness, the MotoPad can cut through most indoor glare. Unfortunately, the MotoPad isn’t equipped with HDR, so it’s not the best option to binge the Battle of Winterfell during the final season of Game of Thrones, but most other shows and movies will play just fine on the MotoPad.

All-day battery life

Battery life is as key for a tablet as it is for a laptop, though most tablets haven’t come close to the 24-hour battery life mark the way some recent laptops have. However, you still want at least 8 hours of web surfing battery life on a tablet if you plan to use it for school or for work. And the MotoPad exceeds that threshold handily.

On our web surfing battery test, the MotoPad (2026) lasted a solid 10 hours and 31 minutes on Wi-Fi, while its battery life dropped down to 10 hours and 1 minute while using LTE data. The Apple iPad 11 lasted 11 hours and 25 minutes on WiFi, and the OnePlus Pad 3 lasted 16 hours and 21 minutes using its adaptive refresh rate setting. The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) lasted 12 hours and 39 minutes. While this does put the MotoPad at the bottom of the pack, it's still more than enough battery to last for an 8-hour work day or a full day of classes.

Motorola MotoPad: The downs

While the MotoPad’s general performance is nothing to write home about, the tablet’s graphics performance is the real let-down.

Middling performance

The MotoPad is on the below-average side of things in terms of performance. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 is an 8-core, 6nm CPU so it’s not going to be as powerful as the iPad 11’s A16 processor or the OnePlus Pad 3’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. The iPad 11 gets nearly 3x the multicore performance of the MotoPad, while the OnePlus Pad 3 hits nearly 4x the performance on benchmarks like Geekbench 6 or Adobe Premiere Rush.

But the MotoPad does have enough computing power to handle web browsing, light research tasks, email management, and casual puzzle games. Which does make it a bit more powerful than the Amazon Fire HD 10, which can slow down when running more intensive tasks.

The MotoPad is just fine for your average day-to-day computing tasks, but it’s nothing special. And it’s not going to drastically speed up your work or school life.

Dismal graphics performance

Unfortunately for Motorola, gaming was part of the MotoPad’s marketing. The MotoPad’s integrated Arm Mali G-57 MC2 graphics card is great for puzzle games like Candy Crush or Block Blast which come pre-installed.Unfortunately, running any game more graphically intense than a puzzle game results in slowdowns, graphics stuttering, and unplayable frame-rates. This is particularly true with action titles like Genshin Impact or Fortnite. If I wasn’t intimately familiar with the controls of both games, I wouldn’t even be able to navigate the menus well enough to do any kind of combat, and even that was a struggle at under 30fps on the lowest possible graphics and resolution presets.

Granted, I wasn’t expecting much considering the MotoPad barely scraped past 7fps on the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark and was a 2fps slideshow on Wild Life Extreme. So if you want to do any kind of real gaming on the MotoPad, I would highly recommend downloading a game streaming app like Nvidia GeForce Now, because it’s the only way you’ll get decent performance.

Considering Motorola advertised the MotoPad for “casual gaming,” the grim graphics performance is more of a detriment than if gaming never even made it into the MotoPad’s marketing. While you could argue that Genshin and Fortnite are too intensive on mobile to be considered casual games, they are two of the most popular mobile titles on the market and are considered casual games by the gaming industry. Thus, calling the MotoPad’s casual performance abysmal feels earned.

Motorola MotoPad review: Verdict

The Motorola MotoPad (2026) is an ideal work or school companion, and it makes for a fantastic streaming experience thanks to its colorful display and powerful audio system. Its lightweight, bronze green chassis makes it easy to fit into a backpack or bag alongside your work or school laptop, but it also works as a standalone Android device if you just want to watch a few movies and maybe read a book while on vacation. That experience alone is worth praise, but at just $249, it’s an incredible bargain.

The only pitfall with the MotoPad is its underpowered GPU, but there are ways around that. Game streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now are available on the Play Store, which will get you a much smoother gaming experience than the native GPU performance. Plus, tablets aren’t exactly a high-performance gaming device anyway.

The next Prime Day event launches on June 23, which means it’ll be your opportunity to save some cash on your next tablet. While the big sales haven’t hit just yet, some worthwhile deals are happening right now.

For instance, you can save $80 off the TCL Tab A1 Plus and $40 off the Lenovo Tab M11 if you’re looking for an Android tablet. Want an iPad instead? Well, the base iPad 11 is currently $50 off, while the 11-inch iPad Pro M5 has been discounted by $62.

There isn’t much to choose from at the moment from well-known brands, but I’ll update this post with the latest deals as we get closer to Prime Day, when we’ll surely see better offerings. Now, here are 5 early Prime Day deals to check out.

Also, if you’re not yet an Amazon Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial at Amazon and students can get a 6-month free trial. For more ways to save, check out the Tom's Guide Savings Squad as well as our list of the best Amazon promo codes this week.

Quick Links

• Lenovo Tab M11: was $249 now $209 @ Amazon
• TCL Tab A1 Plus: was $299 now $279 @ Amazon
• 11" iPad (A16): was $349 now $299 @ Amazon
• 11" iPad Air (M4): was $599 now $559 @ Amazon
• 11" iPad Pro (M5): was $999 now $937 @ Amazon

Early Prime Day tablet deals

From the Nexus 7 to the iPad mini, I’ve always preferred smaller tablets you can hold in one hand and easily slip into a bag, which is why I was so surprised when I found myself reaching for an absolutely massive 14.3-inch slate instead.

Unlike other tablets where specs and sheer power are the main draw, the screen itself is why you’d choose a device like the TCL NXTPAPER 14 over something more conventional. Its specs are nothing to scoff at either though, with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and a whopping 10,000 mAh battery under the hood. However, the paper-like feel of its matte display and how you can go from a dedicated black and white ink mode to color paper mode with the push of a button is the kind of thing you truly have to see for yourself.

Although I tested out its smaller, more powerful sibling the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus, it was the NXTPAPER 14 that first caught my eye. Even under harsh direct lighting, its larger screen remained completely glare and reflection-free. Now, I finally had a chance to use it in the real world and not just at a mall in Taiwan.

I’ve been using the NXTPAPER 14 for the past few months and while it may not end up being my daily driver, there’s certainly a place for larger tablets like this one — especially if you’d rather carry something more substantial under your arm.

From tablet to portfolio

One thing I immediately appreciated about the NXTPAPER 14 is how TCL provides you with everything you need right in the box. You get a folio-style case with a magnetic cover, a lengthy charging cable and more surprisingly, a pressure-sensitive, active stylus with a USB-C port on the side for charging.

Even with many of the best tablets, you often find yourself hunting for accessories like a case or screen protector after the fact. TCL takes the guesswork out of protecting and making full use of its NXTPAPER tablets, so you can instantly go from unboxing to enjoying them. And while there isn’t a screen protector in the box, I wouldn’t recommend using one since that would mean missing out on the paper-like feel of the NXTPAPER 14’s matte display.

I’m no digital artist but I like having a stylus on hand for scrolling and signing the occasional document. TCL’s T-Pen is quite capable too with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and around 100 hours of battery life on a single charge. What I like most about using it though is how the combination of its active tip and the matte texture of the NXTPAPER 14’s display feels. You don’t get that same drag when using a stylus like the Apple Pencil or the Surface Pen on a glass tablet.

Another thing I really enjoy about the NXTPAPER 14 is how it feels under my arm when carrying it from room to room around my house. With a screen slightly larger than your standard sheet of printer paper and an aluminum back, it really feels like I’m holding a clipboard folio that’s ready for any task.

Made to scroll

As someone who’s constantly checking the news, it almost feels like I scroll for a living when I’m not hammering away on my keyboard. With 7.9 inches from top to bottom horizontally or an even larger 11.9 inches vertically, the NXTPAPER 14 just feels great for scrolling. It’s almost like going from a budget laptop to one of the best laptops with a much larger trackpad.

TCL doesn’t let the NXTPAPER 14’s extra screen real estate go to waste either. Not only can you have two apps running side by side, but you can also have one app in floating window mode while another runs full-size behind it—great for having a calculator or a quick chat window just a tap away.

Going all the way back to your app drawer can be a hassle on a massive tablet like this one, which is why TCL added its Edge Bar feature. By swiping in from the edge and briefly holding, you bring up a customizable mini dock with useful shortcuts and tools, but you can also add your own apps to the mix.

As an avid reader, using the NXTPAPER 14 in portrait mode feels even better, at least for me. Whether I’m scrolling through a Google Doc or even the recently redesigned Tom’s Guide home page, I still can’t get over how much I can see at a time on this tablet’s larger display.

Though I covered this in more depth with the NXTPAPER 11 Plus, don’t forget that you aren’t limited to your standard reading modes here either. With a push of its namesake NXTPAPER Key, you can switch from the default Regular Mode to either Color Paper Mode or Ink Paper Mode. Both have their upsides, but I particularly like how using Ink Paper Mode on the NXTPAPER 14 extends its battery life significantly. There’s just something about seeing your remaining battery estimate jump from double to triple-digit hours with the push of a button.

If reading isn’t your thing, you’re still in luck because at 14.3 inches, the NXTPAPER 14 is around the same size as a portable monitor.

A smarter portable monitor

You won’t have any trouble running the respective apps for any of the best streaming services on the NXTPAPER 14. However, when I first used it to stream video content, I did so a bit differently. I was wrapping Christmas presents in the sitting room where we don’t have a TV and wanted to put on something in the background. Instead of Netflix, I opened the app for the Ugreen NAS I recently added to my home network and watched one of my favorite holiday movies to help deal with the fact that I’m terrible at wrapping presents.

As I recently had a chance to test out Genki’s new Covert Dock 3 with my Switch 2, I wanted to see if I could get some more demanding games running on the NXTPAPER 14. With its octa-core MediaTek MT8781 processor, you can play some simple games, but you won’t be playing the mobile version of Red Dead Redemption anytime soon. That’s where Genki’s ShadowCast 3 Pro comes in.

I hooked up the Covert Dock 3 under my desk, but instead of plugging in an HDMI cable to go out to my TV, I used the ShadowCast 3 Pro to get the video feed from my Switch 2 on the NXTPAPER 14. I did have to buy and download the Noir Pro: USB Camera app for $9, but that’s a small price to pay to play my Switch 2 on a tablet.

As I recently had a chance to test out Genki’s new Covert Dock 3 with my Switch 2, I wanted to see if I could get some more demanding games running on the NXTPAPER 14. With its octa-core MediaTek MT8781 processor, you can play some simple games, but you won’t be playing the mobile version of Red Dead Redemption anytime soon. That’s where Genki’s ShadowCast 3 Pro comes in.

I hooked up the Covert Dock 3 under my desk, but instead of plugging in an HDMI cable to go out to my TV, I used the ShadowCast 3 Pro to get the video feed from my Switch 2 on the NXTPAPER 14. I did have to buy and download the Noir Pro: USB Camera app for $9, but that’s a small price to pay to play my Switch 2 on a tablet.

Not quite prime real estate

The NXTPAPER 14 remains just as impressive after using it for several months now as it did when it literally stopped me in my tracks while walking through that mall in Taiwan. I always thought smaller was best when it comes to tablets, but after spending some quality time with its massive display, I now appreciate all that extra screen real estate.

Compared to more premium tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra or the iPad Pro, the NXTPAPER 14 does struggle at times with more demanding tasks. However, not only are you paying half or even a third less than those flagship prices, but you also don’t have to budget for the extra cost of accessories like a case or a stylus — TCL gives you the whole "clipboard folio" kit right in the box.

Given that TCL was kind enough to send over both the NXTPAPER 14 and the 11 Plus, I’m going to use the latter when I need portable power and the former when sheer screen size is most important. Still, you can’t go wrong with either of these more affordable tablets, especially as they pack in plenty of unique features you just won’t find anywhere else.

Who knows? Maybe TCL will go even larger with its next NXTPAPER tablet. Even if it doesn’t, though, I’d love to see a second-generation NXTPAPER 14 with just a bit more power under the hood to match its massive potential.

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Most Android malware is spread through dodgy apps and sideloaded programs, meaning that you can slightly control what gets on your device. However, researchers at Kaspersky have discovered a new Android backdoor, dubbed Keenadu, that is embedded in the firmware of tablets from several manufacturers.

The new report indicates that Keenadu can be distributed via compromised firmware images, other backdoors, embedded in system apps or modified from third-party sources or even the Google Play Store.

The firmware version is the most potent and has infected more than 13,000 devices mostly in Russia, Japan, Germany, Brazil and the Netherlands. Keenadu apparently does not activate if the language or time zone is associated with China, which indicates a potential clue as to its origin.

How it works

Kaspersky researchers noted that it's mostly being used for fraudulent ads, but that it's capabilities go far beyond that. It can inject itself into the Android "Zygote" process, a core system process that launches every app on your device.

This means it can give bad actors broad control and visibility over your system.

“Keenadu is a fully functional backdoor that provides the attackers with unlimited control over the victim’s device,” Kaspersky told BleepingComputer. "It can infect every app installed on the device, install any apps from APK files, and give them any available permissions.”

The researchers also found the malware in several apps that were available on the Google Play Store, including a smart home camera app that had over 300,000 downloads.

In a confirmed example, firmware images on the Alldocube iPlay 50 mini Pro tablet were compromised, including in tablets released after the vendor was informed of the malware. The firmware has valid signatures, meaning that it's a supply-chain issue where malicious code was injected during software development or even the manufacturing process.

Here's the silver lining: if you have one of the best tablets from a flagship brand like OnePlus or Samsung, you likely won't be affected by this malware. However, lesser-known Android manufacturers or knock-off ones seem to be more dangerous, and affected vendors haven't been totally named. This is quite similar to how malware was found on millions of budget Android TV boxes last year.

How to stay safe

If you have a budget Android tablet, especially from a smaller or knock-off brand, it's worth checking for software updates. You can also try installing fresh firmware from a reliable third-party. Kaspersky did say that vendors have been notified and hopefully are working on clean firmware updates.

Beyond that, it may be safer to invest in a tablet from a trusted manufacturer. We can help you with choices of the best tablets under $500 and the best Android tablets overall.

A Google spokesperson told Android Authority that "Android users are automatically protected from known versions of this malware by Google Play Protect." The spokesperson added that Play Protect will warn you and disable apps known to exhibit Keenadu behavior.

Google Play Protect is on by default, but if you want an extra layer of protection, you can run one of the best Android antivirus apps alongside it for scanning and defending your tablet or phone.

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I didn’t expect to love the OnePlus Pad Go 2 ($399) this much. Sure, I’m a fan of the company’s tablets, but none of the units I’ve tested or reviewed would make me consider them over one of the best iPads. And while Apple continues to have a stranglehold over the tablet industry, I wouldn’t mind using the OnePlus Pad Go 2 as my daily driver.

What’s so great about this mid-range slate? For starters, its vivid 12.1-inch display does a phenomenal job of delivering sharp and clear images when you’re browsing the web, playing games, or reading comics. Though an OLED option would have been nice, everything looks quite nice on this screen.

The snappy and user-friendly OxygenOS is arguably the Pad Go 2’s secret weapon, since it makes finding and launching apps so seamless. Open Canvas provides one of the best multi-tasking experiences for tablets, as it lets you have up to three apps in a flexible interface. The user experience here is virtually identical to the OnePlus Pad 3, only for $200 less.

While the OnePlus Pad Go 2 doesn’t have a distinctive design like its sibling slates and its fast-charging isn’t all that fast, its virtues more than make up for any shortcomings. If you’re looking for one of the best Android tablets, this is the one to get. Find out more in my full review.

OnePlus Pad Go 2 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The OnePlus Pad 2 is a 12.1-inch mid-range tablet that runs on OxygenOS.
• Who is it for? This is a tablet for anyone who wants a reliable productivity and gaming machine at an affordable price.
• What does it cost? The OnePlus Pad 2 costs $399 on OnePlus’ website. Right now, you can select either the OnePlus Pad Go 2 Folio Case or Pad Go 2 Stylo as a free gift. Separately, the former costs $44 while the latter sells for $79. However, at time of writing, these add-ons cost $31and $59 (respectively).
• What do we like? We like the bright and colorful display, snappy, user-friendly operating system, and easy portability.
• What don’t we like? The somewhat boring design compared to other OnePlus Pads and slow charging.

OnePlus Pad Go 2 review: Specs

OnePlus Pad Go 2 review: The ups

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 is a fantastic mid-range Android tablet thanks to its bright and colorful display, fast performance, and fluid operating system. Its long battery life is another major bonus.

Vivid display

The 12.1-inch 2800 x 1980 LCD panel delivers a fine viewing and reading experience. The oversaturated colors help comics pop off the screen, while the sharp resolution makes it easier to read text.

Watching videos like the X-Men-focused Avengers: Doomsday trailer is just as enjoyable, as I’m able to see all the different shades of red in Cyclops’ optic blast. Everything runs buttery smooth thanks to the variable 120Hz refresh rate.

Our lab tests confirm my anecdotal experience. As you can see in the table below, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 does indeed have oversaturated color representation (sRGB and DCI-P3), along with good color accuracy (Delta-E). While the brightness doesn’t exactly hit the advertised 900 nits in high brightness mode, the average 554 nits of HDR brightness is more than enough for outdoor watching.

How does the OnePlus Pad Go 2 compare to the iPad 11? The display on OnePlus’ slate can get brighter and has more vivid hues. While the numbers might favor the Pad Go 2, the iPad offers more naturalistic tones. Color accuracy is also just slightly better on the iPad.

Lightweight design

You’d be forgiven for mistaking the OnePlus Pad Go 2 for an iPad. The design isn’t identical, but it’s very close. Though some folks aren’t fond of the large rear cameras on OnePlus’ tablets, no one can deny they give the slates a distinctive look. Losing that aspect is a bit of a bummer.

Even if the Pad Go 2 has a fairly basic shape, it’s a design that makes it easy to use and carry around. At 10.47 x 7.59 x 0.27 inches and 1.32 pounds, you can comfortably hold this slate for extended periods. It’s also lightweight and thin enough to slip into your backpack and forget it’s there.

One unique aspect that the Pad Go 2 retains is the display’s 7:5 aspect ratio, which makes it taller and wider than many tablets. The display’s proportions are closer to a laptop’s. This aspect ratio is perfect for novels and comics, so I’m glad OnePlus didn’t change that.

Even if the OnePlus Pad Go 2’s design isn’t that distinct, it’s still functional, portable and comfortable to use — exactly what you want in a tablet.

Good performance

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra processor and packs 8GB of RAM. While these aren’t high-end components, they provide this slate with enough power for smooth multitasking and running relatively demanding apps.

Playing a YouTube video while multitasking across various apps didn’t present a problem for the OnePlus Pad Go 2, as everything ran smoothly and without slowing down. I saw some stuttering and frame rate drops in Genshin Impact, but it wasn’t enough to kill the experience.

On the Geekbench 6 CPU test, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 performed decently, though it’s clearly outmatched by the iPad 11 with its more powerful A16 chip. Apple’s tablet also lapped the Pad Go 2 on the 3D Mark graphics test.

Though the iPad 11 outclasses the OnePlus Pad Go 2 in our performance tests, you’ll find it performs surprisingly well under real-world conditions. This is impressive for a mid-range Android tablet.

Epic battery life

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 is one of the longest-lasting Android tablets we’ve tested. In our battery life test, which involves continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the display set to 150 nits of brightness, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 lasted for an epic 16 hours and 39 minutes. As you can see below, that’s basically seven hours longer than the iPad 11.

During my own testing, I watched YouTube videos, browsed the web, and played games for about two hours, and the battery dropped to 80%. If you forget the tablet’s charger at home, you won’t be worried at all.

Snappy Oxygen OS

OnePlus’ OxygenOS 16 is one of my favorite things about the Pad Go 2. There’s a taskbar with your most recently used files, a built-in app drawer that helps with navigation, and a two-pane view that also facilitates navigation. Features like this make using the tablet feel very intuitive.

Speaking of productivity, Open Canvas is a fantastic multitasking tool for those who want to use this tablet for work. You can have up to three apps in an interface that allows you to keep said apps at your preferred size. Like with Open Canvas on the OnePlus Pad 3, the Pad Go 2 makes suggested pairings if you frequently switch between apps. I find these suggestions pretty handy. Performing the gestures required for this sort of splitview is pretty seamless.

As expected from a modern computing device, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 has built-in AI features. This includes summaries, text generation, and translation — all of which you can access by swiping the side of the screen whenever you need these features. You’ll also find dedicated buttons for them in relevant apps. I didn’t find much use for these features, but they could be useful to you.

Though I still prefer iPadOS 26 over OxygenOS 16, the latter is an excellent skin for Android that functions wonderfully.

OnePlus Pad Go 2 review: The downs

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 is an almost perfect Android tablet. Unfortunately, it has one flaw that can be frustrating if you’re in a hurry.

Slow charging

While the OnePlus Pad Go 2 offers incredible endurance, charging its 10050 mAh battery takes an inordinate amount of time. The tablet is supposed to have “fast” 33W charging, but in my experience, charging is anything but fast. It took me a little over two hours to fully charge the slate from zero percent battery, which can feel like an eternity.

I bring up slow charging because I know this could be a point of contention for some. While I wish charging didn’t take as long, the trade-off is that you get exceptional battery life. Because of that, you won’t always have to keep charging this tablet. It comes down to whether you want a long-lasting battery or fast charging.

OnePlus Pad Go 2 review: Verdict

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 proves that Android tablets can be just as enjoyable and functional to use as Apple’s iPads. Granted, those already deep in the Apple ecosystem likely won’t be swayed to buy this slate, but if you’re platform agnostic, OnePlus’ tablet is a fantastic alternative.

If you need a mid-range tablet that delivers better overall performance, offers greater app compatibility, and has an OS that will be supported for many years, then the iPad 11 is your best bet. However, if you’re into Android tablets or want a slate that plays nice with your OnePlus phone, you should give the OnePlus Pad Go 2 a shot. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Is your TV, smartphone, tablet, or even washing machine starting to show its age? Don’t stress, because Samsung Australia's Tech Upgrade sale is still going strong!

The sale, which started earlier this month, lets you pair huge discounts with Samsung's Trade-Up program, making it easy to replace your worn-out gadgets for shiny new ones, all while saving you a nice chunk of change.

I'm not talking small discounts, either — depending on the device you're trading in and the product you're looking to upgrade to, you could save thousands of dollars.

For instance, Samsung's 83-inch OLED S85F 4K TV currently has an initial discount of AU$2,200, bringing its price down to AU$6,999 AU$4,799, which is already a mammoth saving. However, you can get up to an additional AU$325 off by trading in your old television — that's a potential saving of AU$2,525 on the RRP!

Alternatively, you could opt for the 77-inch model of Samsung's flagship 4K OLED TV of last year, the S95F, which sports a huge AU$1,200 discount up front, bringing its price down to just AU$7,999 AU$6,799. On top of that discount, you can also get up to AU$375 of trade-in value for your old TV, meaning you can nab this stunning television for only AU$6,424.

In my 4.5-star Samsung S95F OLED TV review, I praised its "game-changing anti-glare display" and "exceptional picture quality", calling it "Samsung's greatest OLED television to date," and I still stand by all of that.

If a new tablet is what you're after, you're in luck — Samsung is also offering some big savings on its Galaxy Tab S10 and Tab S11 slates, with select models reduced by AU$300 right off the bat, with up to AU$940 of additional trade-in value up for grabs. Best of all, your old tablet will fetch at least AU$400 in trade-in, no matter how old or damaged it is.

These are just our top device picks from Samsung's Tech Upgrade sale, which will keep adding and removing deals until March 4, 2026.

Be sure to check out the Tech Upgrade sale landing page to see everything on offer, including an 18.5kg/10kg Bespoke AI washer and dryer combo that’s been discounted by AU$2,000, plus up to AU$800 trade-in value for your old machine. That's a potential saving of AU$2,800 on the RRP!

It’s not every day I’m walking through a mall and end up stopping in my tracks to play with a tablet, but that’s exactly what happened last summer in Taiwan.

After a week of checking out the latest gadgets at Computex, I headed to Taipei’s legendary electronics market, Guang Hua Digital Plaza for some last-minute sightseeing. While I usually prefer smaller tablets like the iPad mini or the Lenovo Legion Tab 3, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 immediately stood out. Maybe it was the massive 14.3-inch screen or the chance to finally see and feel TCL’s innovative NXTPAPER tech in person, but I was hooked.

Late last year, TCL sent over that same tablet along with its smaller, more powerful NXTPAPER 11 Plus and even a smartphone with the same paper-like display for me to test out at home. While its larger sibling hooked me initially, the NXTPAPER 11 Plus quickly became my go-to device. Its 11.5-inch screen makes it easy to slip into a bag and it’s also the perfect size for reading.

Unlike with other tablets I’ve tried in the past, I didn’t feel compelled to put a screen protector on this one and I’m glad I didn’t, as doing so would ruin my favorite thing about it: the paper-like feel of its matte display. I also didn’t have to worry about finding a case for the NXTPAPER 11 Plus since TCL includes one in the box along with a fully equipped stylus.

Here’s what it’s been like using TCL’s NXTPAPER tech for the past two months and why the NXTPAPER 11 Plus is easily one of the best tablets on a budget, especially if you’ve flirted with the idea of picking up a reMarkable Paper Pro over a standard Android tablet.

Surprisingly equipped right out of the box

At a time when you’re lucky to get a USB-C cable in the box, I was instantly impressed by everything TCL manages to cram into the box with both the NXTPAPER 14 and the NXTPAPER 14 Plus.

Unlike with one of the best iPads, it can be hard finding a case or other accessories for some Android tablets. TCL takes the guesswork out with its tablets so instead of shopping for the right case, you can get right to using your new device.

I really like the included folio case for a couple of reasons. For starters, it’s magnetic and instantly turns off your tablet’s screen when closed. However, there are also plastic feet on the bottom side that, in addition to turning the case into a very sturdy stand, provide you with a place to store the included stylus.

I’m no digital artist by any means but I’m quite partial to having a stylus for each of my tablets. I find using a stylus makes it a lot easier to scroll through the news each morning without accidentally opening stories I wasn’t planning on reading. The same goes for poking around a device’s settings menu and quickly making changes like not having new apps added to my home screen for instance.

I also really like how this is an active stylus that’s pre-paired with the NXTPAPER 11 Plus. After powering it on, I was able to start using it right away and surprisingly, I haven’t even had to charge it yet, though it does get up to 100 hours of use on a single charge. There are also two up and down keys on the stylus that you can program to do things like instantly take you back to the home screen or open TCL’s Sidebar.

Speaking of which, the Sidebar is a collection of customizable shortcuts that you can access by swiping with your finger (or the stylus) to go back and holding it there for an extra second or so. You can add actions like taking a screenshot as well as shortcuts to your favorite apps. I found this feature to be both pretty clever and well implemented.

The included case and stylus are useful extras but it’s the display itself and TCL’s proprietary screen technology that kept me going back to the NXTPAPER 11 Plus again and again.

An almost instant transformation

The NXTPAPER 11 Plus has your standard USB-C port on the side as well as a power button and volume rocker up top. However, across from those two buttons is the device's namesake NXTPAPER Key. This is where the device’s magic happens and on this newer tablet, it’s also equipped with a backlight that you can turn on or off. When enabled, the light “breathes,” perhaps to help you remember that a total display transformation is just a button press away.

The NXTPAPER Key is also customizable and you can choose what a single press, double press and long press does. By default, a single press lets you switch between its three different modes: Regular Mode, Color Paper Mode and Ink Paper Mode. The animation that accompanies this switch is pretty neat too, especially when going from the black and white Ink Paper Mode back to the full color Regular Mode and vice versa.

After owning a Kindle for years now to read ebooks, I was really taken aback by how closely TCL’s NXTPAPER is able to mimic ePaper even though it uses an LCD display. This gives you the best of both worlds since you have that easier to read black and white look but with the much faster refresh rates of LCD over ePaper.

My favorite part of using either of the non-standard NXTPAPER modes though is that your entire device along with all of the apps you use are instantly transformed. Whether I was scrolling through Google News or browsing Reddit, everything – including pictures – was either in black and white Ink Paper or Color Paper.

There are plenty of health benefits like reduced eye strain and less blue light when using a tablet equipped with TCL’s NXTPAPER, but I found the matte display — technically nano-matrix lithography etching — was the most useful for me day to day as someone that can’t stand the glare of a glossy display, especially when taking pictures.

Glare-free versatility

Although most of my time testing the NXTPAPER 11 Plus was spent in the comfort of my own home, I decided to bring the tablet with me to a doctor’s appointment followed by a trip to IKEA to see how it handled the real world.

Right from the get-go, I was impressed by how usable it remained even in direct sunlight. Most tablets struggle in this situation, but thanks to that matte display, I wasn’t squinting just to make out what was on the screen.

Even outside on a table, the NXTPAPER 11 Plus was just as functional in the great outdoors as it was at home. This is the kind of device you can comfortably use while sitting in the grass — say, on a college campus — and since the case has a built-in stand, you really don't need to pack anything else.

Once my appointment was over, I headed to IKEA and, after polishing off some Swedish meatballs, I spent a few minutes using the tablet in the food court. At first glance, you might think I was just reading an ebook on a normal tablet. However, I actually had Ink Paper Mode enabled, which really made the text pop. Since the display isn’t working as hard to render a full spectrum of colors in this mode, switching to black and white is a clever way to stretch its already impressive 8,000 mAh battery even further during long days out.

Then, when it was time to check out IKEA’s new smart home accessories — namely its Matter-equipped buttons — I just closed the folio case and slid the tablet back into my backpack, knowing it would be perfectly safe without an extra sleeve.

Although the NXTPAPER 14 wowed me initially, I’ve found that 11.5 inches is the perfect middle ground for both portability and screen real estate. It’s a large enough screen to multitask with two apps side-by-side, yet in portrait mode, it’s ideal for reading both books and news articles.

Since this tablet is only $370 full price and is often found for under $300 on sale, it’s the kind of device you can take everywhere without constant worry. If I were using an iPad Pro or a premium Samsung tablet, I might be tempted to leave it at home to keep it safe. With the NXTPAPER 11 Plus, however, I wouldn’t think twice before throwing it in my bag for a weekend trip or a long flight.

Consider me in-matte-uated

I have to admit, what initially enticed me about TCL’s NXTPAPER was how photogenic this display tech is. As part of my job, I often have to snap pics of a particular app or service running on a smartphone or tablet. While direct sunlight pretty much always looks great in photos, glare absolutely doesn’t. Back at that mall in Taipei, I wondered what it would be like having a device I could easily photograph even in less than ideal conditions and those few quick pics I took in IKEA prove that TCL’s NXTPAPER is perfect for this.

Glare-free photos did draw me in at first, but I wasn’t expecting to love the way a matte touchscreen felt on my fingertips. That little bit of resistance you get from a non-glossy screen really makes simple actions like swiping or scrolling feel a whole lot more premium. Add to this how I can instantly switch between full color or black and white system-wide while still running what is essentially stock Android, and I couldn’t be happier with both of the tablets and the smartphone TCL sent over.

After getting a taste of the all-matte life with these devices, I found myself wondering if TCL would ever bring its NXTPAPER tech to one of the best monitors or even one of the company’s TVs. Swiping my finger up and down or even using the included stylus felt entirely different than it normally does. Not because TCL is also partial to matte screens, but because a display like that is required for the company's NXTPAPER to work its magic.

I don’t plan on putting down the NXTPAPER 11 Plus anytime soon, but the jury is still out on whether or not I’d be willing to switch to one of TCL’s smartphones to have this same premium-feeling sensation whenever I take my phone out of my pocket. I guess only time will tell.

More from Tom's Guide

• I replaced my work laptop with the biggest Android tablet you can get — here's what happened
• The Pixel Tablet is even better with a stylus and I found the best one
• I got tired of having a bad remote play experience so I used Wi-Fi 7 and this powerful gaming tablet to fix it for good

Update: See our top 11 gadgets of CES 2026 from day 2!

There’s nothing quite like CES, and the huge consumer tech showcase is off to a flyer with some fantastic products already on display across the show floor.

Tom's Guide has been on the ground in Vegas for the first day of the event and we've rounded up our 10 favorite products. These examples of upcoming tech are worth a look for enthusiasts or anyone curious about wallpaper TVs, wild lighting, or even having a robot at home, all from the likes of Samsung, LG, and more.

Here are our picks of the best new products at CES 26 on day one, with more to come in our ongoing CES 2026 live blog.

LG Wallpaper TV

LG is no stranger to TVs, but this one is particularly incredible. It’s a panel so thin that you literally can’t see it from the side, with no physical inputs.

It’s a glimpse at the future, but it’s more practical than previous models, too. It’s an improved panel from the prior version, using a handy breakout box to wirelessly beam your set-top box or game console, and it’s slated to launch at a price comparable to LG’s more standard OLED models.

The usual caveats about input lag will no doubt apply, but if LG can minimize that potential downside, it could be a great showpiece for your home.

Dreame X60 Range

Dreame already has a great range of robot vacuum products, but the new X60 Series will kick things up a notch.

This is the new flagship robot vacuum from the company and boasts 35,000 pa of suction and an AI-enhanced "Omnisight" system. Which, we hope, means it'll be even better at navigating past obstacles in your home.

Elsewhere, the clever Cyber X vacuum (pictured above) has a base station with four legs that means it'll be able to clamber up stairs like some kind of robot pet to continue its cleaning. It's also got a carry-on water tank, so it doesn’t need to keep revisiting its base station to fill up. Which will probably help prolong the battery life too.

Paper Android tablet

Global Editor in Chief Mark Spoonauer said that the world’s thinnest tablet, from China-based Haining Toall Technology, doesn’t feel real — and he’s not wrong. It’s called ‘Paper’, and it really does earn that name.

It’s somehow a whole 2mm thinner than the iPad Pro M5, measuring at just 3.1mm, but still sporting a 13-inch AMOLED display, two USB-C ports, and a mini-HDMI. It’ll start at $1,500, though, and come in 256GB and 512GB versions with specs to be revealed at a later date.

It’ll run Android, but the battery life is just three hours, so it might be more of a gimmick than something you’d use day-to-day, at least for now.

Govee Ceiling Light Ultra

Govee is going big on AI with its new lineup of Ultra lighting for your ceiling, with the company letting users sync their lighting to sun cycles.

You’ll also be able to use more natural language to shift the lighting, which will use a LuminBlend+ technology to allow for no fewer than 281 trillion color options and a wide color temperature range that runs from 1000K to 10,000K.

Not only can the ceiling option produce slick patterns when you look up, but there’s a new Floor Lamp 3 model that takes advantage of these new features, too.

SwitchBot AI MindClip

The AI wearable trend is continuing with smart home company SwitchBot revealing the AI MindClip wearable that will help you keep track of your conversations.

It’ll record your spoken conversations, summarise work calls, or save personal audio to a database, and supports more than 100 languages. It’s intended to work as a “second brain”, but many of its features will be tied to a cloud service which is, as yet, unannounced.

If that ends up being reasonably priced and easy to access, we can definitely see the potential here.

Samsung S95H OLED

Samsung was at CES to show off its new range of screens that run from 55-inch to 95-inch models. The lineup included the Samsung S95H, the brand's newest flagship OLED and the successor to the Samsung S95F, one of the best OLED TVs we reviewed in 2025.

Meanwhile, the all-new Samsung S90H replaces the Samsung S90D at the mid-range level. Unlike last year's S90D, the S90H features Samsung's glare-free display, so you don't need to spring for Samsung's flagship for glare-free display on a mid-range OLED TV.

Elsewhere, Samsung’s QLED models will now go to a 115-inch screen size, which at some point must be close to being cinema-sized.

Finally, the company's latest Micro RGB TV will arrive in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85- and 100-inch screen sizes. They won't be cheap, but anyone looking to upgrade to this cutting-edge TV tech will have several size options to choose from in 2026.

Xreal 1S smart glasses

Our Computing Editor Jason England found a lot to like with these nifty AR glasses, saying they’re ideal for gamers on the go.

They’re $50 cheaper than the previous model, with improved build quality and a new Real 3D feature that makes 2D content feel three-dimensional via a sort of upscaling technique that truly does work better than you’d expect.

Hook ‘em up to your Nintendo Switch 2, and you can be playing on a massive virtual screen wherever you go.

LG CLOiD robot

Fancy a robot to help out at home? LG’s CLOiD could be your new best friend. It’s a head unit and torso with two arms and a wheeled base that you can ask to tackle chores around the house.

The base is devised from LG’s robot vacuums, so it’s ideal for avoiding collisions, and each arm has independently actuated fingers. That allows the CLOiD to fold laundry, operate in a kitchen, and more.

Will it get around the inherent sci-fi spookiness of having a robot in the home? We’ll see, but it’s impressive nonetheless.

Glyde Smart Hair Clippers

A new set of clippers from Glyde will let you trim your hair and even give you a skin fade if you want it to.

It works through a bizarre-looking headband, and will definitely require some trust on the part of the user — would you want AI to wield a blade close to your head? It’s hard to see it taking off, but if you’re super against visiting the barber for some reason, we’d imagine this is the next best thing.

Fraimic Smart E Ink Canvas

This innovative piece of tech from Fraimic lets you instantly change up the art on your wall just by speaking to it. The on-board AI will listen to your description of what you want to see and render the image on its state-of-the-art E Ink Spectra display.

Because it's E Ink, you get accurate color and natural tones without any glare or backlighting — as if you were looking at an actual picture. It boasts a multi-year battery life and comes with a black wood frame. The large canvas (24x36”x1" frame) comes in at $999 while the standard (14x18x1” frame) canvas is priced at $399. Both are due to ship in the spring.

More from Tom's Guide

• Govee announces 3 new smart lights at CES, including a ceiling light for windowless spaces
• LG Wallpaper OLED TV is back, and now it’s completely wireless (and actually affordable)
• Samsung TV lineup 2026: new OLEDs, Micro RGB TVs and Neo QLEDs announced at CES

Have you ever held a piece of tech so thin and light you were almost giddy? That's the experience I just had with a tablet called (appropriately enough) Paper here at CES 2026

Made by the Chinese company Haining Toall Technology, this Android device measures just 3.1mm thick. For those scoring at home, the iPad Pro M5 is 5.1mm thin.

The Paper tablet features a 13-inch AMOLED display, and it's so thin that the ports are stored in a raised area that's slightly thicker. You get two USB-C ports and a mini HDMI port. This bump also makes the slate a bit easier to hold.

We don't know much about the specs, but the company told us it will be available in 256GB and 512GB versions, and the starting price is $1,500.

When I asked about the CPU, I was just told by a company rep that Paper will be powered by a Chinese processor. So maybe that's MediaTek?

The other major trade-off, other than price? Battery life. The Paper is rated for just 3 hours of runtime, but you'll be able to get several more hours with the case.

There's no firm release date for Paper in the U.S., but if it does come stateside, we will definitely test it out and see if it can truly compete against the best tablets. Let us know what you think in the comments.

For more coverage, see our CES 2026 live blog right now.

More from Tom's Guide

• LG's crazy thin Wallpaper OLED TV is back and now completely wireless (and affordable)
• The coolest gadget of 2025 doesn’t just give me night vision, it makes me feel like I’m looking through a telescope
• Apple's biggest 5 new products for 2026

Apple TV’s arrival on Android devices earlier this year was a long time coming, but the app still had some limitations. Thankfully, a new update to the Apple TV app has fixed one of the biggest issues preventing the best viewing experience.

Originally, it wasn’t possible to use the Google Cast feature on Android phones and tablets while watching programs in the Apple TV app. However, the newly released version 2.2 of Apple's app finally gives Android users the option to cast their shows, thanks to a new button in the top right corner of the screen.

When you’re casting to your Android TV or Google Chromecast, the Apple TV app will show a miniplayer that offers users playback information, the device the content is being streamed to and a timeline.

However, this version doesn’t offer many controls, as you can only play, pause, or rewind the program by 10-second increments.

If you’re looking for a bit more control, then you can tap the miniplayer to enter a full-screen mode. In this version, you'll see the specific movie or TV show's cover art, a timeline scrubber, and two buttons for Audio and subtitles. You’ll also be able to pause/play the video from this screen and fast-forward or rewind by 10 seconds.

What to watch on Apple TV

With this new addition, it is easier to catch up with all the great programs currently available on Apple TV. While it might not have the quantity of streaming sites like Netflix or Disney Plus, it certainly doesn’t struggle when it comes to quality.

If you’re not sure about where to start, then we have a breakdown of the 31 best shows to watch on Apple TV Plus. These include hit programs like Murderbot, Presumed Innocent and Disclaimer. We also have a breakdown for some of the best VPNs to help you get the most out of your streaming experience, while also keeping you safe from any malicious actors.

Let us know what you’ve been dying to watch on the big screen with Apple TV, or do you have another preferred streaming site that you've been watching?

Thanksgiving has come and gone here in the States, but as everyone turns to focus on the winter holidays I've got good news for late shoppers: there are loads of Cyber Monday deals still available if you know where to look!

I know because I review tablets for a living here at Tom's Guide, so I've had my face glued to the prices at all the major retailers for weeks. As a resut, I can tell you from experience that Apple's iPads are still available at good discounts, most notably the 11" iPad Air M3 or the bigger, beefier 13" iPad Air M4 for $100 off apiece.

There are fewer great Android tablet deals still available, but you can still score some killer savings like this Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE for 35% off or the new OnePlus Pad 3 for nearly $100 off.

However, if you're hoping to find an Amazon Fire tablet at a discount I'm afraid you'll have a hard time of it—the retail giant's tablets are either out of stock or back up to full price.

But honestly, Android and iPad tablets tend to outperform Amazon's best in most areas anyway. So if you're looking to score a last-minute deal on a new slate, have a scroll and see if any of these Cyber Week tablet deals strike your fancy!

Quick links

• Apple iPad (Wi-Fi/128GB): was $349 now $324 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad Air 11"(Wi-Fi/128GB): was $599 now $559 @ Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (Wi-Fi/128GB): was $649 now $579 @ Amazon
• OnePlus Pad 3 (Wi-Fi/128GB): was $699 now $629 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad Air 13" (Wi-Fi/128GB): was $799 now $719 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad Pro 11" (Wi-Fi/256GB): was $999 now $899 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad Pro 13" (Wi-Fi/256GB): was $1,299 now $1,099 @ Amazon

Best iPad deals

Best Android tablet deals

For more discounts, check out our Cyber Week deals guide.

Shop last-minute Cyber Week deals

• Amazon: 50% off Ring, Ninja, AirPods, more
• Walmart: save on Crocs, Keurig, PS5
• REI: half-off Arc'teryx, Patagonia, more
• Dell: monitors from $79/laptops from $249
• Nectar: 50% off mattresses + bundles
• Best Buy: laptops from $149
• Lenovo: doorbuster deals from $319
• Wayfair: up to 80% off home decor
• Lululemon: top picks from $9
• Birkenstock: deals from $20 @ Nordstrom
• Saatva: luxury mattresses from $1,099

Samsung makes many of the best tablets on the market, offering gorgeous displays with lightweight, easy-to-use designs, sometimes at a fraction of the cost of its iPad rivals. If you're considering a Samsung tablet, we've done the hands-on testing to help you decide which one suits you best in this guide.

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus is our top choice for most people, combining a large display, strong battery life and an included stylus at a more accessible price. It may be older, but it still delivers the full Samsung experience. If you want a lighter premium option, the Galaxy Tab S11 delivers a sleek design, a compact 11-inch AMOLED screen and amazing battery life at over 15 hours.

Prefer a larger display? Samsung makes the biggest around, and the recent Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is our top choice thanks to its massive 14.6-inch OLED panel and strong performance. In this guide, I'll bring our expert advice and in-depth reviews on the best Samsung tablets worth buying today.

The best Samsung tablets you can buy right now

Best Samsung tablet overall

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus really impressed us with what you get for your money. The large 13.1-inch display makes it ideal for streaming and watching videos, since it's bright at 782 nits peak brightness and super vivid, making the colors pop even more.

Most surprisingly, it has stereo speakers, too. Normally, the small space for audio means you get tinny speakers, but in our testing, there's a nice warm, bassy punch alongside all the details being represented nicely across the sound space.

Then throw in that big battery for all-day use (lasting 15 hours and 43 minutes in our test), and you've got something with real staying power across all your films, web browsing and casual gaming.

Notice how I said casual gaming? The chip inside is certainly not the most powerful for intense tasks. Under significant pressure, you can see slowdown, but if your use cases are casual (ie, not editing videos or playing AAA games), you won't see it break a sweat.

Throw in that included stylus for whenever you're feeling creative, a decent camera system for video calls and snapping quick pics, and One UI 8 (launched in October 2025) for a great tablet experience, and a price less than $500, and you're onto a winner.

• Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus review

Best iPad alternative Samsung tablet

This is the closest Android kin to the best iPads you can buy — providing a top shot at getting the Apple experience while avoiding iOS. And it does so by pairing zippy performance and a gorgeous display with a sleek, lightweight design and a top-notch OS.

On the face of it, this feels very iPad Air with super slim dimensions and a weight that just breaks one pound. It feels great in the hand, and that aluminum frame gives a nice durable confidence too.

Then you turn it on and are greeted by that mesmerizing 11-inch AMOLED display with 1,600 nits of peak brightness. Whether you're getting stuff done or binge-watching in bed, that sharpness, smoothness and vivid color make everything pop off the screen. The processor is more than capable of handling everyday tasks like web browsing, emails and streaming, but also means you can properly game and video edit without too much trouble. Plus, the built-in speakers are rather good.

Then there's the redesigned S Pen — feeling much more comfortable to hold with a hexagonal barrel to get a solid grip on for all your doodling. And in that vein of getting stuff done, Samsung's made some impressive upgrades to DeX mode too, which can extend this into an almost desktop-like experience. So if you need to lock in with a keyboard and mouse to work hard, the S11 nails it.

Throw in the ocean of Android tablet apps, Google Gemini integration and impressive speed even under multitasking pressure (plus that massive 8,400 mAh battery) and you've got a banger.

• Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 review

The best Samsung tablet for power users

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra takes what worked for last year’s Ultra model and makes it even more compelling for anyone eyeing up an enormous display: you get a huge 14.6-inch OLED display and an upgraded MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor, giving you not just more workspace but more muscle for demanding tasks. As our reviewer, Tony, puts it, it's the best Android tablet yet — but you'll be paying a lot for it.

Yes, this is one massive display, but that's not all it has going for it. In our hands-on experience, it’s among the best OLEDs you’ll find on any tablet, with rich contrast and detail that make both deep work and downtime a pleasure. For instance, when watching a nature documentary, we found animals and landscapes pop with lifelike vibrancy. That's a real premium movie-watching slate.

Performance-wise, it’s robust enough to handle multitasking and intensive apps without slowing down, whether you’re juggling slides, spreadsheets or a dozen Chrome tabs. It's not quite enough to fully replace one of the best laptops, especially since Samsung's DeX Mode only works with an external monitor, but it's enough to use more demanding apps.

Battery life lands at 11 hours and 31 minutes in our testing, which is respectable for a screen this size, though it trails the S10 FE Plus’s impressive 15:43 and is just behind the S11. The trade-off for that extra screen real estate is a bit less stamina and a form factor that can feel cumbersome on the go, especially if you’re comparing to more compact options

Now, if your expectation is a seamless, laptop-replacement type switch, keep in mind that while the S12 Ultra makes work on the go possible and even enjoyable, it’s not a flawless laptop replacement. That said, for multitaskers who want a mighty and big tablet that can be used as a work machine, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is our top Samsung pick.

• Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review

Battery life test results

Despite having OLED displays and thin, lightweight designs, Samsung tablets have some of the best battery life we've tested. Each of our recommendations last over 9 hours, which is more than enough for long-haul trips or days out running between classes or the office.

Even the likes of the iPad Air M4, one of the best iPads to get, can't keep up with Samsung's offerings. Check out how long each of our Samsung picks last. Just keep in mind that battery life depends on what you're using a tablet for: if you're playing demanding games on it all day, battery won't last as long!

Best Samsung Tablets Battery life Test Results

In our battery test, we set the tablet's display to 150 nits of brightness and have it endlessly browse the web via Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

Battery life (hh:mm:ss)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus

15:43:00

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11

09:45:00

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra

11:31:00

05101520

hours

Battery life (hh:mm:ss) Data

Product	Value
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus	15.716666666666667
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11	9.75
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra	11.516666666666667

Also tested

Best Samsung Tablet: Frequently Asked Questions

How we test the best Samsung tablets

We put every tablet through real-world and lab testing to see how it holds up — not just to the hype, but to the competition. That means using each device like an actual owner would, while also digging into the data that matters.

• Battery life: We run a web-surfing test over Wi-Fi with the screen set to a standard brightness to see how long it lasts on a full charge.
• Display quality: We measure screen brightness (in nits) and color accuracy (via sRGB) to gauge how good it’ll look for work and play.
• Performance: We run benchmarks like Geekbench to see how fast and powerful the tablet really is.
• Software experience: On Android tablets, we check app availability and whether you’re getting full access to the Google Play Store.
• Parental controls: If a tablet offers kid-safe features, we try to break them — so your kids don’t.
• Everyday use: We spend days weeks using each tablet like any buyer would; opening apps, watching videos, multitasking, and seeing how it all feels in the hand.

We're still weeks away from Thanksgiving, but that hasn't kept major retailers from rolling out the Black Friday deals early. I know that well because I cover tablets for a living here at Tom's Guide, and I've started seeing prices drop at Amazon, Apple, Samsung and more.

The most exciting discounts are on new high-end slates like the 13" iPad Pro M4 for $200 off. You can also get over $60 off the 11" iPad Pro M5 given that's the best iPad ever released and it just launched last month!

But if you prefer Amazon or Android tablets you're in luck, because they're even cheaper than the iPads and feature bigger savings. For example, the recently-released Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is nearly $100 off @ Amazon while the Amazon Fire HD 10 is 50% off, dropping it to under $100.

There are more slates on sale below, so scroll down to have a gander at the best tablet deals I've found all month. I expect to see even deeper discounts and more sales as we get closer to Black Friday, so make sure to bookmark this page and check back if you don't find what you're looking for today!

Quick links

• Amazon Fire HD 10 (Wi-Fi/32GB): was $139 now $69 @ Amazon
• Amazon Fire Max 11 (Wi-Fi/128GB): was $279 now $189 @ Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: was $329 now $209 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad (Wi-Fi/128GB): was $349 now $324 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad Air 11"(Wi-Fi/128GB): was $599 now $559 @ Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (Wi-Fi/128GB): was $649 now $579 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad Air 13" (Wi-Fi/128GB): was $799 now $719 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad Pro 11" (Wi-Fi/256GB): was $999 now $899 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad Pro 13" (Wi-Fi/256GB): was $1,299 now $1,099 @ Amazon

Best iPad deals

Best Android tablet deals

Best Amazon Fire tablet deals

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra ($1,199 to start) is just as imposing as its super-sized predecessors. If you’re looking for the biggest tablet possible, this enormous slate will certainly meet that demand. While it has the same slim design and gorgeous OLED we’ve come to love, this tablet isn’t quite the laptop replacement it’s billed as.

The 14.6-inch OLED panel is still the star of the show. While I find the iPad Pro M5’s 13-inch tandem OLED panel more impressive, Samsung’s slate has the edge in terms of sheer size. Watching videos and playing games on such a large canvas is incredible.

Despite the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra’s large footprint, it’s surprisingly thin and light. You might forget you’re carrying it in your backpack. However, the tablet’s size can also make it uncomfortable to hold for long periods.

The new MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor gives the Tab S11 Ultra plenty of power to run all your favorite apps. Whether it’s writing on Google Docs or playing an Android game, you’ll have an overall smooth experience. Android 16 is also the most responsive version of the OS I’ve tested on a tablet.

Though there’s a lot to like about the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, it has some trade-offs. The biggest issue is that DeX Mode isn’t as functional as before. I also dislike how the Book Cover Keyboard doesn't have a touchpad, which forces you to use touch controls or a wireless mouse.

Even if it makes for a lackluster laptop replacement, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra still impresses thanks to its nearly 15-inch OLED panel and slim design. It's certainly one of the best Android tablets. But unless you’re a hardcore Android or Samsung fan, it’s difficult to recommend this slate over the iPad Pro M5 or one of the best laptops. Find out why in my full review.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the latest iteration of Samsung’s super-sized Android tablet, featuring a new MediaTek Dimensity processor.
• Who is it for? For anyone looking for a nearly 15-inch OLED tablet that can (somewhat) double as a laptop replacement.
• How much does it cost? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra starts at $1,199 on Samsung’s website for a model with 256GB of storage. Expect to pay $1,619 for a 1TB model.
• What do we like? We like the vivid 14.6-inch OLED panel, lightweight design, strong performance and long battery life.
• What don’t we like? The tablet is uncomfortable to hold for long periods and DeX Mode isn’t as useful as before.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra review: Specs

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra review: The ups

There’s a lot to like about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra besides its gorgeous OLED panel, such as the lightweight design, strong performance and long battery life.

Lightweight design

Samsung didn’t redesign the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. As before, it’s a Moses-worthy tablet thanks to its enormous 12.8 x 8.2 x 0.2 size. Despite being huge, it weighs only 1.6 pounds. The fact that such a big tablet can be so thin and light is still impressive. There’s a drawback to this, but we’ll cover that soon.

You’ll find the power and volume buttons on the tablet’s top left-hand side (when held horizontally). There’s also a microSD card slot on the top right side. Over on the back, you’ll find two rear-facing cameras. The quad speakers inside pump out sound through the grilles flanking the tablet’s sides. There’s a lone USB-C port on the right-hand side and no headphone jack.

While the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra looks the same as ever, that’s not a bad thing since it’s still an elegant and sturdy piece of aluminum that’s easy to travel with.

Vivid OLED panel

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra’s 14.6-inch panel is a marvel to behold. Thanks to its size and sharp 2960 x 1848 resolution, it’s easy to see even the smallest details in videos and games. The OLED panel also does a superb job of delivering inky blacks and eye-scorching whites. Your eyes won’t be disappointed when viewing anything on this tablet.

Our lab tests confirm my experience. As you can see in the table below, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra can get very bright, especially when displaying HDR content. It also has oversaturated color representation (sRGB and DCI-P3) and good color accuracy (Delta-E).

How does that compare to the competition? The displays on the iPad Pro M5 and OnePlus Pad 3 can get brighter SDR, but the latter lacks HDR. While Samsung’s tablet can deliver HDR, Apple’s slate can get brighter in this area. Colors can look richer on the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, though the displays on its competitors have more naturalistic hues.

Fast performance

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor and packs 12GB of RAM. Thanks to these components, you get a tablet offering great performance for multitasking and gaming.

I used the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra as a laptop replacement (more on that in a bit), and it handled my usual workflow without slowing down. Watching videos and multitasking between apps is a breeze thanks to updated components and the responsive Android 16 operating system. However, Samsung’s premium tablet isn’t as powerful as the new iPad Pro M5.

On the Geekbench 6 CPU test, the Tab S11 Ultra performed slightly better than the Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered OnePlus Pad 3. It also just slightly edged out OnePlus’ slate in the 3DMark graphics test. But as you can see below, the iPad Pro M5 demolished both Android tablets in these performance tests.