The 10 best tablets
From Apple’s iPad to Google’s Android Nexus 7, tablet computers let you browse the web, check emails and download apps, all at the touch of a touchscreen. Matt Warman rounds up the top 10
1) iPad Air 2
When you think of a tablet, you probably think of an iPad. They’re everywhere, Apple has sold an incredible 170 million units since it was launched back in 2010 making it the best selling tablet in the world. With the launch of the iPad Air 2, this appeal is set to increase even further. The iPad Air 2 is lighter, thinner, faster and more powerful than its previous incarnations at only 7.5mm thick and weighing just 469g. It’ll need to be good, because the tablet market is more competitive than ever. But we’ve given it a once over and the best just got better!
Dimensions 240 x 169.5 x 6.1mm Screen 9.7" Weight 437g Storage 16/64/128GB Processor A8X chip with 64-bit architecture and M8 motion coprocessor Wi-Fi Camera Front-facing: 1.2MP photos/720p HD video Rear facing: 8MP photos/1080p HD video
2) Galaxy Tab S 10.5
The Tab S pushes the style and performance profiles Samsung's products are known for, delivering stunning features for its premium price. Both 8.4 and 10.5-inch devices feature Samsung's latest screen technology. This means they're just 6.6mm thick, thinner than Apple's iPad Air and mini 2 devices. They also share the dimpled back of Samsung's Galaxy 5 smartphone - staying true to the design heritage of the galaxy range. The 10.5-inch model particularly shines should you be seeking a larger, stylish and powerful device.
Dimensions 177.3 x 247.3 x 6.6mm Screen 10.5" Weight 465g Storage 16/32 GB flash memory, microSDXC slot (up to 128 GB) Processor Exynos 5 Octa-core (1.9GHz, 1.3GHz) Camera Front-facing: 2.1MP Rear-facing: 8MP pictures, 1080p video
3) iPad mini 3
Only outshone only by the iPad Air, the mini is the smaller of Apple’s superb iPad tablets. It’s also the most portable one yet. First released in 2012, the mini has been overhauled and is now even better in every imaginable way. It’s more powerful, and it comes with a gorgeous Apple Retina display, four times more powerful, and able to deliver stunning visuals. It’s lighter, slimmer, and it offers the stunning iPad experience you’d expect, but in a smaller device. The iPad Air 2 is the best tablet on the market. But the new mini isn’t far behind, and is perfect for those wanting an iPad, but needing something a little more portable.
Dimensions 200 x 134.7 x 7.5mm Screen 7.9" Weight 331g Storage 16/64/128GB Processor M7 motion coprocessor, A7 chip with 64-bit architecture Camera Front-facing: 1.2MP Rear-facing: 5MP
4) Google Nexus 9
At £319 Google’s new Nexus 9 is not about hardware so much as software: it’s the flagship for Android Lollipop, the most significant upgrade to the mobile operating system in several generations. On an 8.9-inch screen that’s perfectly decent but nothing stellar, Lollipop looks stylish and slick, with improved notifications and redesigned Gmail and calendar apps. Camera and speakers, too, are perfectly adequate, but the Nexus 9 is primarily a template to show other manufacturers what an Android tablet should be: that means elegantly, minimally designed and competitively priced.
Dimensions 228.2 x 153.7 x 7.9 mm Screen 8.9" Weight 425g (WiFi only), 436g (WiFi plus 4G) Storage 16/32GB Processor 2.3 GHz Denver dual-core Camera Front-facing: 1.6MP Rear-facing: 8MP
5) Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014)
Samsung is the second largest seller of tablets on the planet, and with good reason. The company’s dedication to style and performance is obvious, and the latest Galaxy Note 10.1 is no exception. The new model is a striking refresh of a former flagship tablet. It’s slimmer and lighter than the previous incarnation, and a great option if you’re looking for an alternative to the iPad Air. Powered by dual quad-core processors, it easily runs Android and apps. Its updated display provides stunning visuals, and it even comes with Samsung’s excellent SPen - giving you greater control and pinpoint precision.
Dimensions 243.1 x 171.4 x 7.9mm Screen 10.1” Weight 540g Storage 16/32/64GB Processor Octo-core Exynos 5 processor (1.9GHz quad-core + 1.3GHz quad-core) Camera Front-facing: 2MP Rear-facing: 8MP
6) Tesco's hudl2
The hudl2 offers a significant upgrade from its predecessor without charging through the nose for it - at only £10 more, and with the option to lower the price further using Tesco Clubcard points. It may not be the most sophisticated tablet on the market, but it's perfectly adequate for light gameplay and casual web browsing, alongside running all the apps the average user could want or need.
Dimensions 220.4 x 120.8 x 9.0mm Screen 8.3” Weight 410g Storage 16GB up to 32GB with microSD card Processor 1.83GHz Intel Atom quad-core Camera Front-facing: 1.2MP Rear-facing: 5MP
7) Nexus 10
Launched in late 2012, the Nexus 10 is the largest tablet from Google. With a 10-inch screen it provides a large, high-quality, display, and its simple curved design mirrored by the original Nexus 7. It has a 1.7GHz processor, 2GB RAM and 16 or 32GB storage, making the tablet well-powered, and more than capable of handling Google’s Android software. A more powerful alternative to the original Nexus 7, the 10 still offers good value.
Dimensions 263.9 x 177.6 x 8.9mm Screen 10" Weight 603g Storage 16/32GB Processor 1.7GHz dual-core Exynos 5 processor Camera Front-facing: 1.9MP Rear-facing 5MP
8) Sony Xperia Z2
If you want the world’s most strikingly designed tablet, Sony’s Z2 might be for you. Released in April 2014, the tablet is one of the newest available. And with Sony not rushing the release, it could add style and design in abundance. The iPad Air is a market leader, but for looks the Z2 is hard to beat. It’s super sleek, and comes with incredible durability you won’t believe! It runs on Android too, so it has access to a huge array of content and apps in a high-quality design.
Dimensions 172 x 266 x 6.4mm Screen 10.1" Weight 439g Storage 16 GB Camera Front-facing: 2.2MP Rear-facing: 8.1MP
9) Nokia Lumia 2520
The Lumia 2520 is Nokia's first 'phablet' smartphone, meaning it works as a tablet and a phone. It is a high-end device with a 10.1-inch screen and five-point multitouch. The case is made from a single piece of plastic which tapers thinner towards the edges and will come in a range of bright colours Gorilla Glass 2 has been used on the screen for robustness, and LTE connectivity makes it usable even when away from a wifi connection. The latest Windows RT 8.1 OS will also ship with the device. Nokia has also launched an optional "power keyboard" which forms a protective cover and also gives you a full keyboard and trackpad, as well as adding an extra five hours battery life to the 2520's existing 11-hours. It is launching in time for Christmas in the last quarter of this year.
Dimensions 267 x 168 x 8.9mm Screen 10.1” 1920x1080 Weight 615g Storage 32GB and microSD card Processor 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Camera Front-facing: 1.2MP Rear-facing: 6.7MP
10) Kindle Fire HDX 7
If you use the internet, you almost certainly use Amazon, and if you read books it’s increasingly certain that you also own a Kindle. The Kindle Fire HDX is Amazon’s attempt to move those who already download books into the burgeoning category of those who also download music, film and TV. And while Amazon does indeed let you browse the web or use email on the Fire HDX, more than anything else it is a device for browsing the company’s own store and watching media. As such, it’s got a lovely screen, offering an exceptional resolution with 323 pixels per inch on the 7-inch version. The tablets have quad-core Snapdragon 800 processors running at 2.2 GHz, providing over three times the processing power of the previous generation of Kindle Fire HD tablets. Amazon claims that the devices have 11 hours of battery life based on mixed usage, and up to 17 hours of reading.
Dimensions 186×128×9.0 mm Screen 7” Weight 303g Storage 16/32/64GB Processor 2.2GHz Quad-core Camera Front-facing HD only
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