This is the Tablet Buying Guide!

One of the reasons was less demand for tablets & brands weren’t launching many tablets as well.

But the pandemic changed everything! Everyone wants a big-screen tablet & due to demand, many brands are launching them.

In fact, every brand’s going to come up with theirs if they haven’t already!

Many brands like Vivo, OPPO, OnePlus, etc are also going to launch their tabs.

And even Xiaomi is going to bring their tab. While realm & Samsung have already come up with theirs.

So every brand is getting in the tablet space now. So I thought I'd make a tablet buying guide for you.

Make a list - Firstly, list down points on why you need a tablet!

There must be some reason, like gaming/video conferencing/online classes/multimedia consumption.

So do note it down because, for gamers, audio, display & refresh rate is important.

But if you just want to consume multimedia, then the battery is important because it’s required for long binge-watch sessions.

So list down the top 3 points down & then decide to buy the type of tablet you’re going to buy.

Remember, you’ll get tablets ranging from Rs 10K to Rs 100K, but it’s important for you to buy a perfect tablet. 

Display 

Firstly, the screen of the tablet is big & what size tablet should you buy?

If you always want to carry a tablet that has a normal size display, then 8.5”-10” is the perfect size according to me!

(EG) iPad Mini(8.3”), the realm Pad(10”/10.4”) so such tabs can be held in 1 hand & they’re more portable.

So you decide that according to your usage. But many people use tablets because they want to watch videos on a bigger screen.

Or they want to play games on the bigger screen, so you can go for big screens like 12”/14”(upcoming Samsung Tab S8 Ultra).

So there’s nothing right/wrong about the display, you choose the display size according to your demand.

But there’s 1 thing I won’t recommend at all!

An HD+ screen! I understand that your budget isn’t much, but at least get an FHD display.

Because if you’re buying a big-screen tab with an HD+ screen, then it’ll be very pixelated & it won’t be fun!

You’ll use it for 2-3 days & you’ll throw it away saying WTH!? So do not go for an HD+ screen, instead, try out FHD+!

Panel Type - You want to have a normal video conference/want to attend online classes, then the IPS screen is ok.

But if you consume a lot of multimedia/gaming then you should go for an AMOLED screen because IPS is no match for AMOLED, especially for multimedia consumption. But if you’re going for AMOLED, keep in mind that the price increases! 

Build Quality

-Friends, we don’t pay much attention to it but according to me, build quality is very important in a tablet. As it has a bigger form factor, so it might bend/break.

Because you put it in the bag & travel around & if there’s even slight pressure, it can literally break!

So build quality is very important & the tabs that come with plastic/polycarbonate back should be avoided.

Instead, buy a metal build tablet!

After buying a tablet, check its build quality whether it’s flimsy because big tablets might break soon!

If portability is very important to you, then look for a lightweight tablet.

But can I say something? 

Battery 

It’s equally important & the more battery, the heavier the tablet will be, but at a sweet spot, it should have an 8000mAh battery.

If it has a small screen, then a 7500-8000mAh battery is ok. But if it’s a bigger 13”/14” then it should definitely have a 10000mAh, battery.

Because this battery will last for the whole day on a single charge & remember that it takes time to charge a tab!

Because the charging that comes with it is 10W/18W & there isn’t any fast charging.

So there’s a big battery & slower charging, so it’s important to keep the battery size in mind.

If it’s 4000/5000/6000mAh, then don’t buy it! It’ll not be enough & it’ll end by half a day & it’ll take 4 hours to charge. 

Performance 

One thing where brands aren’t focusing on a tablet is their performance!

There are many budget range tablets but their chipset is so old, I don’t know why?

They come with an old Helios P20/P22. I know it’s a Rs 10-15K tablet, but they’re old chipsets!

According to my, if you’re buying a tablet even in the budget segment of Rs 15-20K,

it should have a Helios G70/G80 or any equivalent SoC! Please avoid old chipset using tablets! It’s very important!

If you aren’t gaming much, then you don’t need a high-end SoC, but still don’t take an old/underpowered CPU!

OS UI - TBH, it’s very simple to choose an ecosystem - iOS or Android?

If it’s in your budget, then you can definitely go for an iPad but in an Android ecosystem,

you get a range from Rs 10K-50K but for iOS, you start from Rs 50K!

So keep in mind & decide which ecosystem you want to stick to. If you have an iPhone, then I’d suggest the iPad, as it’ll be beneficial.

Because you’ll be in that Apple ecosystem. Otherwise, you can just look at Android tablets. 

Camera 

I don’t think cameras are that, important in a tablet. I don't think you'd carry it around to click pictures.

Rear cameras aren’t that important, so there won’t be a problem even if it’s 5/8MP.

If you’re video conferencing, the front cameras are 5MP or even a 3MP sensor would be more than enough.

And if you want a very good quality front camera, then you can check it out but, cameras are ok, there’s no need to stress on it. 

Bezels 

They’re important in a tablet! So when you buy 1, you’ll have to hold it & with thin bezels, there’ll be unintended touches.

So there must be some bezels & it doesn’t mean that more bezels make the tablet ugly. There should be bezels! 

Stylus 

If you’re professional/creative & make a lot of drawings, & you’re buying a tablet for that part,

then remember, stylus support is important, or else it won’t be of any use!

If you draw/write notes, & you want to save them, then look for a style-supported tab! Else it’ll be of very little use.

Things to keep in Mind

There are 2-3 things to keep in mind,

1) SD card support, when you want to save your heavy work.

2) Connectivity, if you’re going to use it at home on Wi-Fi, then go for the Wi-Fi version.

But if you're going out in nature to draw, then you’ll have to buy the LTE version.

Generally, Wi-Fi versions are cheaper & LTE versions are costly. So you’ll have to decide the one you want. 

Speakers 

Generally, tabs have quad speakers, & your tab should have stereo speakers at least!

If a tab has mono speakers, then you won’t have fun! You’ll get a big screen, but the sound is bad.

So stereo speakers should be there & many high-end tabs have quad speakers. So minimum stereo/quad speakers.