Sadly for Android fans, there’s little going on in the Android tablet world these days. New devices steadily roll out with little in the way of new features or advances and the designs are all very similar. Thankfully though, both Sony and Dell have introduced options that make the 10-inch Android tablet viable again, while a myriad of other manufacturers are keeping small Android tablets alive and kicking.
10. Amazon Fire HDX
For those that want a tablet to simply browse the web, play a few games and catch up on TV and watch movies on the move, Amazon make some of the best tablets for just that. With the Fire HDX, they’ve created an 8.9-inch tablet that’s still portable yet offers a beyond HD 2560 x 1600 display resolution that makes watching Netflix and playing games a real pleasure. Plus, if you already have an Amazon account then all your content is ready to go.
Buy the Fire HDX 8.9 WiFi with 16GB Storage
09. Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is essentially a larger Xperia Z3, which sadly makes the item a little redundant for Sony smartphone owners. Of course those that have always wanted a Sony device but couldn’t afford a smartphone of theirs have another option here. With the same internals as the Xperia Z3, including the same 1920 x 1080 display resolution, this small tablet is waterproof and good-looking, it’s just a shame that Sony didn’t go further with what could have been a great contender to some of Samsung’s products.
08. Lenovo YOGA Tablet 2 Pro
Not too long ago, Lenovo introduced follow-ups to their original Yoga tablets and out of those was the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro, which features a 13-inch Quad HD display and a subwoofer thanks to a JBL sound system. We recently reviewed the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro and we really liked what we saw. The Pico Projector isn’t exactly great, but it does the job and it’s a feature many of its competitors simply don’t offer. The same can be said of the subwoofer and excellent sound quality all round. While a 13-inch tablet might not be the best option for many users, those looking to replace their laptop should take a look at this. It offers a great-looking display and the stand here offers much more versatility than you’d get with other tablets on the market.
07. Dell Venue 8 7000
Dell’s Venue 8 7000 is a pretty formidable tablet, not only that but it’s a real looker, too. With a fresh design that we haven’t seen in an Android tablet before, Dell is finally making good Android tablets. This is powered by an Intel Atom, a 64-bit, quad-core affair with some serious horsepower. We reviewed a similar model, the Venue 8 7480 a little while ago and were fairly impressed. Even more impressive is that now, the Venue 8 7000 series runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop which is a most welcome update. The Intel RealSense camera tricks are nice and all, but the tablet is a pretty great all-rounder.
Dell Venue 8 7000 Android Tablet (16GB)
06. NVIDIA SHIELD
Versatility is the aim of the game with the SHIELD Tablet from NVIDIA, and with its recent update to Android 5.0 Lollipop, it joins an elusive club of tablets running the latest version of Google’s OS. Not only does this guy feature stock, clean Android software, a great piece of silicon in the Tegra K1 and a controller for gaming, but it also has NVIDIA Grid which changes things quite a bit. If you’re a casual gamer, looking for a decent tablet all-round, then this is a decent bet, and it won’t break the bank, either. Sony might have PS4 Remote Play to rely on, but the SHIELD Tablet does it all.
NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet (WiFi)NVIDIA SHIELD Controller
05. Dell Venue 10 7000
It seems like Android tablet manufacturers have discovered that a keyboard and trackpad makes Android tablets much more appealing. ASUS knew this long, long ago of course, but Dell and Sony are bringing this dream back. The latest 10-inch tablet from Dell is powered by an Intel processor, runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop and features a pretty great keyboard dock. All the right boxes are ticked here, that is if you can afford it; the Dell Venue 10 7000 Series of tablets are really, really expensive. Of course, if you want the best, the best don’t come cheap.
Dell Venue 10 7000 / 7040 screen protector
04. Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4
Perhaps the best compromise between small and large in a tablet, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 has the right boxes ticked, with big, golden ticks. The display is an excellent 2560 x 1600, but the 8.4-inch panel really comes to life thanks to the Super AMOLED technology Samsung uses in their high-end smartphones. Great for reading magazines, watching movies and generally anything that involves a lot of color and images, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is the take-everywhere tablet that has the specs and display of something a little larger. For more on the Galaxy Tab S 8.4, check out our review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4-Inch Tablet (16 GB, Titanium Bronze)Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4-Inch Tablet (16 GB, Dazzling White)
03. Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet
The Xperia Z4 Tablet was something of a surprise reveal back in March from Sony, and on the face of things it’s just another 10-inch Android tablet. However, with a stunning Quad HD IPS display and a modern Snapdragon 810 and 3GB of RAM this is one of the most powerful Android tablets on the market. We recently got our hands on one and shared our first impressions, with a review to come shortly. With a pretty accomplished keyboard dock and a thin frame that it’s ridiculous to look at, there’s a lot to like about the Xperia Z4 Tablet and we’re sure many will enjoy it, if they can swallow the high price tag.
02. Google Nexus 9
With new tablets from Sony and Dell hitting the market, the Nexus 9 has lost some of its sheen, however the overall experience here is great, especially if you want a hassle free Android experience. The display is really bright, and while not vivid it’s accurate and more than good enough, plus at 8.9-inches with a resolution of 2048 x 1536, text looks good and browsing the web is great, too. That 64-bit Tegra K1 ensures excellent performance in games and should ensure smooth performance on all future Android updates like Android 5.1. With stereo BoomSound speakers firing sound out from the front of the tablet, this also has some of the best sound reproduction available for a tablet. Our review can be found here as well as realistic evaluation here.
Google Nexus 9 Tablet (8.9-Inch, 16 GB, White)Google Nexus 9 Tablet (8.9-Inch, 32 GB, Black)
01. Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5
Samsung’s Super AMOLED display tech is even more impressive on a display at this sort of size, the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is the tablet to take with you on long trips to watch your favorite TV or movies on and it’s also a great all-rounder as well. It offers the same sort of size as an iPad, has an arguably superior display and the widescreen format is great for movies, YouTube and playing games. It’s got it where it counts on the inside, too and this is easily one of the best tablets Samsung has ever rolled off its production line, for now, at least. While it doesn’t feature Lollipop or a blazing-fast graphics chip, what it does have is an impressive laundry list of features great for tablet users and one of the best displays available anywhere.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5-Inch Tablet (16 GB, Titanium Bronze)Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5-Inch Tablet (16 GB, Dazzling White)