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M4 iPad Pro vs M2 iPad Air: Comparing 2024 Apple tablets

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The new M4 iPad Pro brings big technological leaps to Apple’s high-end tablet. It packs a cutting-edge OLED display and a fast M4 chip inside the “thinnest Apple product ever.” Upgrades in the M2 iPad Air, unveiled Tuesday alongside the Pro model during Apple’s “Let Loose” event, aren’t as impressive. An in-depth M4 iPad Pro vs. M2 iPad Air comparison, however, shows that the midrange Apple tablet likely makes a better choice for many users.

So, are you confused about buying the M4 iPad Pro versus the M2 iPad Air? This comparison will help you decide.

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M4 iPad Pro vs. M2 iPad Air: A comparison of new 2024 iPads

Apple went all out with the M4 iPad Pro, giving it the biggest upgrade since its inception. The changes are massive. And if you use your iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, you will benefit from them. But that does not mean the new M2 iPad Air is a bad choice. For one thing, it costs $400 less than the Pro, making it a much more attractive choice.

Find out the differences between the M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air in our comparison below to find out which one is better for you.

Table of contents: M4 iPad Pro vs. M2 iPad Air

Design: M4 iPad Pro vs. M2 iPad Air

M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air design
M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air look similar.
Photo: Apple
  • M4 11-inch iPad Pro: 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm, 444 grams (Wi-Fi)/446 grams (cellular), Face ID, four-speaker audio, four studio-quality microphones
  • M2 11-inch iPad Air: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm, 462 grams (Wi-Fi)/462 grams (cellular), Touch ID, landscape stereo speakers, two microphones
  • M4 13-inch iPad Pro: 281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm, 579 grams (Wi-Fi)/582 grams (cellular), Face ID, four-speaker audio, four studio-quality microphones
  • M2 13-inch iPad Air: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm, 617 grams (Wi-Fi)/618 grams (cellular), Touch ID, landscape stereo speakers, two microphones

The new iPad Pro and iPad Air look practically the same as their predecessors, though there are some minor changes. The M4 iPad Pro is thinner and lighter than its predecessor. Plus, it features a redesigned camera hump, with a single rear camera, a True Tone flash and a LiDAR scanner.

You can’t tell the 2024 iPad Pro and the iPad Air apart from the front unless you look closely. The 11-inch iPad Pro is a wee bit taller and narrower than the 11-inch Air, while the 13-inch Pro is both taller and wider than the 13-inch Air. Surprisingly, despite the “Air” branding, the M4 iPad Pros are lighter and slimmer than this year’s midrange tablets.

The M4 iPad Pro has two key design advantages over the 2024 iPad Air. First, it ships with a louder four-speaker audio setup. With the Air, you get stereo landscape speakers. Second, the Pro comes with Face ID for secure authentication, while the iPad Air integrates a Touch ID sensor into its side key.

Apple offers four color options for the iPad Air, including new purple and blue shades. As for the iPad Pro, it is available in space black and silver.

From a design standpoint, there’s no single reason why you should get the Pro over the Air. That is unless you want the slimmest or lightest tablet possible. Otherwise, the 11-inch or 13-inch iPad Air won’t disappoint you.

Display: iPad Pro is the first Apple tablet with OLED

M4 iPad Pro's tandem OLED panel
The M4 iPad Pro stands out with its tandem OLED display.
Photo: Apple
  • M4 11-inch iPad Pro: 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR display, tandem OLED, ProMotion, 2420 x 1668 resolution, 1,000 nits SDR brightness, optional nano-texture glass, Apple Pencil hover support, works with Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C
  • M2 11-inch iPad Air: 11-inch Liquid Retina display, 2360 x 1640 resolution, 500 nits SDR brightness, Apple Pencil hover support, works with Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C
  • M4 13-inch iPad Pro: 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display, Tandem OLED, ProMotion, 2752 x 2064 resolution, 1000 nits SDR brightness, optional Nano-texture glass, Apple Pencil hover support, works with Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C
  • M2 13-inch iPad Air 13-inch Liquid Retina display, 2732 x 2048 resolution, 600 nits SDR brightness, Apple Pencil hover support, works with Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C

The display is an area where the M4 iPad Pro differs greatly from the M2 iPad Air. While there’s no screen size difference, the Pro and Air use vastly different display technologies. With the 2024 iPad Pro, you get Apple’s newest Ultra Retina XDR display. Apple calls this a “tandem OLED” panel. It comes with 120Hz ProMotion support, and can hit a claimed peak brightness of 1,600 nits when viewing HDR content. Being an OLED panel, the colors and contrast are superior to other screens, even when viewed at an 0ff angle.

While you can get the iPad Pro with an optional nano-texture glass treatment, you should avoid it. Firstly, it is only available with the 1TB or 2TB storage variants, and costs an additional $100. But more importantly, the Pro Display XDR’s nano-texture coating is delicate and requires careful maintenance. If the iPad Pro’s matte glass is similar, it is unlikely to retain its antireflective properties for long.

In comparison, the iPad Air uses a traditional LCD panel with an SDR brightness of 500 nits — 50% lower than the iPad Pro. It also lacks ProMotion support, meaning the display refreshes at a constant 60Hz.

Both tablets use a fingerprint-resistant, oleophobic and antireflective coating and support True Tone and Wide Color (P3). The panels are fully laminated to eliminate gaps between the cover glass and the display itself. And irrespective of which iPad you pick, they both support the new Apple Pencil Pro, which offers a new “squeeze” gesture and other advances.

If you are a digital creator or artist, the iPad Pro is the superior choice for your professional work. Its OLED panel is better than the iPad Air’s Liquid Retina display in every aspect. But for regular use, stick to the iPad Air, as the OLED screen won’t significantly benefit you.

Performance: Apple M4 vs. M2

Apple M4 processor
Apple’s M4 chip is fast, really fast.
Image: Apple
  • M4 11-inch iPad Pro: M4 chip, 10-core CPU with three performance cores and six efficiency cores, next-gen 10-core GPU, new 16-core Neural Engine, 8 or 16GB RAM, 256GB to 2TB storage options, 8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRAW video encode/decode engine, AV1 decode
  • M2 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air: M2 chip, eight-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB RAM, 128GB to 1TB storage options, H.264 and HEVC video encode/decode engine

Performance is another area where the iPad Pro packs a big advantage over the iPad Air. The 2024 iPad Pro features Apple’s fastest chip yet, the M4. Based on TSMC’s second-gen 3nm node, Apple says the M4 packs 28 billion transistors. It sports next-generation CPU cores with improved branch prediction and wider decode and execution engines. Apple claims the M4’s CPU is 1.5x faster than the M2.

By comparison, the 2024 iPad Air uses the M2 chip fabricated on the second-gen 5nm node.

The M4’s GPU performance improvements are even more significant. Compared to the M2, the M4’s 10-core GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. Apple says this boosts rendering performance in apps and games by up to 4x. Professionals will benefit from the M4’s more powerful 8K video encode/decode engine, which supports ProRes and ProRAW. For more efficient video streaming, the 2024 iPad Pro adds a dedicated AV1 decoder.

Power efficiency is also better for the 2024 iPad Pro. “M4 can deliver the same performance as M2 using just half the power,” says Apple’s press release. You can get the M4 iPad Pro with up to 2TB storage. The 1TB and 2TB models add another performance boost: They ship with a whopping 16GB RAM.

For heavy video editing or production work, the iPad Pro’s M4 chip can come in handy. Otherwise, the iPad Air and its M2 SoC will serve you just fine.

Camera: Apple downgraded the iPad Pro

M4 iPad Pro rear showing the cameras
The M4 iPad Pro ships with a single rear camera.
Photo: Apple
  • M4 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro: 12MP Wide camera, f/1.8 aperture, Smart HDR 4, 4K60fps recording, ProRes at 4K30fps, Audio Zoom, LiDAR, Adaptive True Tone Flash; Front – 12MP Landscape Ultra Wide TrueDepth camera, f/2.4 aperture, Center Stage, Retina Flash with True Tone
  • M2 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air: Rear – 12MP Wide camera, f/1.8 aperture, Smart HDR 4, 4K60fps recording; Front – 12MP Landscape Ultra Wide camera, f/2.4 aperture, Center Stage, Retina Flash

To be honest, you should not use any iPad for taking pictures or shooting videos. But if you need it for professional work, the M4 iPad Pro should be your pick. The tablet supports ProRes recording, with LiDAR and Adaptive True Tone Flash helping in low-light scenarios. The result won’t be as good as the newest iPhone, but it should work in a pinch.

If you don’t care about the cameras, the M2 iPad Air’s 12MP rear camera should work just fine. It misses out on ProRes recording and Audio Zoom, but you are unlikely to use these features much anyway.

At the front, the M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro both sport a 12MP Ultra Wide camera in landscape orientation. It supports Center Stage, ensuring you are always in focus on video calls.

Connectivity

  • M4 iPad Pro: Wi-Fi 6E, MIMO, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, Gigabit LTE (up to 31 bands), Thunderbolt/USB 4, eSIM, Smart Connector
  • M2 iPad Air: Wi-Fi 6E, MIMO, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, Gigabit LTE (up to 31 bands), USB-C, eSIM, Smart Connector

The new iPads support all the connectivity standards you can ask for: Wi-Fi 6E, 5G and Smart Connector. They do lack an Ultra Wideband chip, so you cannot get Precision Finding in the Find My app. The only difference is that the iPad Pro supports Thunderbolt 4. So, you can transfer data at up to 40Gbps speeds or connect high-bandwidth accessories to the tablet. In comparison, the iPad Air’s USB-C port tops out at 10Gbps speeds.

Battery life

  • M4 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro: Up to 10 hours of video playback or Wi-Fi surfing, nine hours of web surfing on mobile data
  • M2 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air: Up to 10 hours of video playback or Wi-Fi surfing, nine hours of web surfing on mobile data

Despite the size, screen and chip differences, Apple says the M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro lineups offer the same battery life. All tablets will provide up to 10 hours of video playback or Wi-Fi surfing. There could be some real-world differences, but that will only be clear in a few weeks.

Price: M4 iPad Pro vs. M2 iPad Air

M4 iPad Pro
The M4 iPad Pros are expensive!
Photo: Apple
  • M4 11-inch iPad Pro: Starts at $999 (Wi-Fi) or $1,199 (cellular)
  • M2 11-inch iPad Air: Starts at $599 (Wi-Fi) or $749 (cellular)
  • M4 13-inch iPad Pro: Starts at $1,299 (Wi-Fi) or $1,499 (cellular)
  • M2 13-inch iPad Air Starts at $799 (Wi-Fi) or $949 (cellular)

The M4 iPad Pro is definitely a superior tablet, packing a cutting-edge display and SoC into a super-slim package. But this cutting-edge technology comes at a cost, with prices starting at $999. That’s a staggering $400 more than the M2 11-inch iPad Air. And if you want the 13-inch model, be prepared to spend $1,300 — $500 more than the 13-inch iPad Air. The price gap will further increase if you opt for a higher storage tier of the iPad Pro or the nano-texture glass.

The M2 iPad Air offers a better price-to-performance ratio. The 11-inch model starts at a reasonable $599, while the 13-inch model starts at $799. Since the base storage is now 128GB, most users won’t need to upgrade to a higher storage tier.

M4 iPad Pro vs. M2 iPad Air: Which 2024 iPad should you buy?

If you have the money or your workflow can justify the iPad Pro’s superior hardware, the pro tablet is a no-brainer. But remember that the M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro both run the same iPadOS build. So, you won’t get any additional features by buying the Pro model; you only get extra horsepower and a better display. (This could change with iPadOS 18, as Apple might make some AI features exclusive to the M4 iPad Pro.)

For average users, though, the iPad Air is the smarter choice. It will deliver the same experience as the M4 iPad Pro while saving you hundreds of dollars. You can use that money to buy some useful iPad accessories, like the Apple Pencil Pro, AppleCare+ or unique cases.

M4 iPad Pro

Buy from: Amazon

M2 iPad Air

Buy from: Amazon



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Hands on: iPad Pro 13-inch (2024): The impossibly thin king of iPads – and maybe all tablets

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Imagine a 13-inch iPad Pro that’s a quarter pound lighter than the last model, thinner than any gadget Apple‘s made before, and packing a completely new display technology, with Apple Silicon that is newer than brand new. Now open your eyes: That’s the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024).

Apple took a huge swing with the latest Apple iPad Pro, bringing the most significant update in 7 years to both the 13-inch and 11-inch models. Much of what I’ll say about the stunning iPad Pro 13-inch applies to its smaller, 11-inch sibling, though there is one significant difference: the larger iPad Pro is even thinner than the smaller one: 5.1mm versus 5.3mm.



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New iPad preorders – where to buy Apple’s 2024 Pro and Air tablets

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Apple has announced a new iPad Pro and iPad Air at its latest big reveal event – and both devices are available to preorder now. I’ve gathered together where you can buy these new tablets right here, including all of the top preorder deals for the brand-new iPad Pro and iPad Air.

Let’s start with the iPad Pro (2024). This model is available in either 11 inches or 13 inches with up to 2TB of storage and prices start at $999 / £999. That’s $200 more than the base price for both previous-generation models, but you do get the brand-new M4 chip, high-quality tandem OLED display and twice as much storage (256GB) as standard.

Meanwhile, the new iPad Air 6 also has 11-inch and 13-inch models with storage starting at 128GB. Prices start at $599 / £599 for the 11-inch version and $799 / £799 for the 13-inch – that’s the same as the last generation model. In terms of new features, the latest iPad Air is powered by the M2 chip for up to 50% faster performance compared to the M1.

Both devices are available to order right now and will ship from May 15. Currently, I’m only seeing them direct from Apple, but you can check in regularly for all the latest retailer availability below. I’ll be here to share any of the best preorder deals we see – if any – over the coming days.

iPad Pro and iPad Air preorders in the US

iPad Pro and iPad Air preorders in the UK

With the new iPad Pro and iPad Air on the way, we could be about to see some big discounts on the previous models for those after a bargain. We’re always on the lookout for the best iPad deals here at TechRadar so will share any we spot.

And considering Apple also confirmed that the iPad 10.9 is now going to start at the much cheaper price of $349, that could be a bargain pickup when it goes on sale. It’s one we’ll keep an eye on in this month’s Memorial Day sales.

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Best Samsung Galaxy Tablets in May 2024 – Picked by experts

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Nobody makes Android tablets the way Samsung does. The company is an outlier as it still comes out with a flagship Android tablet every year. As part of the company’s vision to offer something for everyone, Samsung’s lineup also includes mid-range and affordable options. Its flagship tablets have really come into their own over the past few years.

This variety can often present a challenge to those who just want to know what the best Samsung Galaxy tablets are. To help them out, we have created this list of best Samsung tablets which breaks down the strength of each option and explains who should buy them, and why. In addition to detailed information about each tablet, you’ll also find links to our in-depth reviews for these tablets.

Quick Buy

Don’t have time to read the entire list? We’ve conveniently listed all of the best tablets in each category here. You’re just one click away from picking them up!

Spec Monster: Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Productivity: Galaxy Tab S8+
Entertainment: Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
S Pen on a budget: Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Our Best Samsung Tablets List For May 2024

Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Tab S9 series in 2023. Much like its predecessor, the new series also features three flagship models. The Galaxy Tab S9 series was unveiled at Samsung’s Unpacked event in South Korea in July 2023. The lineup includes the Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Tab S9+ and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

Best Samsung Tablet – Spec monster: Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

No other tablet can be considered as one of the best Android tablets on the market than the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. It’s the top-of-the-line model in this flagship series and it’s packed to the gills with high-end technology. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra boasts a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Like its predecessor, it also has a notched display.

It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset from Qualcomm with an integrated 5G modem. The tablet can be purchased with 12GB RAM and 256/512GB storage or 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage. Since it has an IP68 rating, it’s also one of the only water and dust resistant tablets on the market. Theres a 11,200mAh battery keeping the lights on with support for wired fast charging.

Samsung has also added many useful software features to make the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra a productivity beast. There’s also the ultra-low latency S Pen that provides a true pen-on-paper writing experience.

Reasons to buy: Great display, IP68 water resistance, best-in-class performance.

Who should buy: Users who need to be productive on the go and require a tablet that can keep up with them.

Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Specs | Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review | Buy Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra from Samsung.com

Best Samsung Tablet – Productivity: Galaxy Tab S8+

If you’re not in the market for an all out bonkers tablet like the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, you can’t go wrong with the Galaxy Tab S8+ as a solid productivity tool. It remains a solid contender for the best Android tablet in this category. It has an impressive 12.4-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz refresh rate display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor with up to 16GB of RAM. There’s also a 10,090mAh battery that’s more than enough to see you through a particularly busy work day.

You can get the Galaxy Tab S8+ in Wi-Fi or 5G models. It supports the S Pen that ships with the tablet so you can scribble, draw, take notes, and write to your heart’s desire while enjoying an almost true to life pen on paper experience. Starting at $899 but normally available for less, it’s a great tablet in thi…

Reasons to buy: Powerful specs, 5G variant available, great display, and S Pen in the box.

Who should buy: Customers who need a powerful productivity tablet at an affordable price point.

Galaxy Tab S8+ Specs | Galaxy Tab S8+ Review | Buy Galaxy Tab S8+ from Samsung

Best Samsung Tablet – Entertainment: Galaxy Tab S9 FE+

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Display

You can’t go wrong with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ if all you need a tablet for is entertainment and casual web browsing. It’s the perfect option for this use case as its 12.4-inch 90Hz refresh rate display is great for consuming your favorite content. It’s also IP68 water resistant so you can even take it in the pool with you on those lazy weekends.

The Exynos 1380 chipset provides plenty of performance combined with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You can even expand the memory up to 1TB. The tablet is also equipped with an 8-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual camera setup at the back in addition to a 12-megapixel ultra-wide selfie camera. It comes with Android 13 out of the box as well as a 10,090mAh battery

Reasons to buy: Large, vibrant display, good audio quality, affordable price point and IP68 water resistance.

Who should buy: Customers who require a tablet primarily for content consumption.

Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Specs | Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Review | Buy Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ from Samsung

Best Samsung Tablet – S Pen on a budget: Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite earlier this year with the sole purpose of bringing the S Pen to the masses. Previously, one needed to purchase Samsung’s flagship tablet just to get the S Pen experience. With the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Samsung has significantly lowered that barrier of entry.

It still feels sufficiently premium thanks to its metal body. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite also has something that none of the tablets mentioned above have: a 3.5mm headphone jack. Don’t expect a gorgeous AMOLED panel, though, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has a 10.4-inch LCD display. The tablet isn’t suited to heavy workloads but if you don’t need that much power, at $429 it’s a great option for those who want the S Pen experience without breaking the bank. It’s often available for purchase online at a decent discount.

Reasons to buy: Affordable, S Pen, 3.5mm headphone jack and good build quality.

Who should buy: Those that don’t require a powerful tablet but would like to have the S Pen experience without spending a fortune.

Galaxy Tab S6 Lite Specs | Galaxy Tab S6 Lite Review | Buy Galaxy Tab S6 Lite from Samsung

Why These Are The Best Samsung Tablets This Month

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is without a doubt one of the best tablets that Samsung has made. From its large and vibrant display to its top-of-the-line specs, IP68 water and dust resistance, this is an exceptional tablet that power users are bound to love.

It’s hard to beat the value for money that the Galaxy Tab S8+ provides as a productivity tool. Since it’s a year old now, you can get it at a very attractive price while also enjoying all of the power and performance that it has to offer. If you only need a tablet for watching content and casual browsing, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ fits the bill perfectly.

Lastly, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a viable option for customers who want to experience the S Pen on a large display but don’t need a flagship tablet. It offers them the opportunity to experience the best of what the S Pen has to offer at a reasonable price point.

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First iPad 3G tablets reach customers: Today in Apple history

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The iPad was the fastest-selling new product line in Apple history.
Photo: iPad

April 30: Today in Apple history: iPad 3G arrives April 30, 2010: Almost a month after the first-gen iPad went on sale, the first Wi-Fi + 3G iPads arrive in the hands of U.S. customers.

The devices ship in boxes identical to the Wi-Fi-only models, but with an additional sticker noting their 3G capabilities. The tablets come preloaded with micro-SIM cards branded AT&T, the only carrier that initially supports iPad.

iPad 3G becomes a smash hit for Apple

Steve Jobs publicly unveiled the first iPad on January 27, 2010, three months before the Wi-Fi + 3G device went on sale.

The device immediately became a massive commercial and critical success, with The Wall Street Journal quipping that, “The last time there was this much excitement over a tablet, it had some commandments written on it.”

By the time the iPad 3G went on sale, the tablet was already well on its way to becoming Apple’s fastest-selling new product ever. Apple sold 1 million units in less than a month. And, in the iPad’s first year, Apple sold around 25 million of them. Those impressive numbers made the tablet the most successful new product category launch in Cupertino history.

In terms of size, the original iPad measured 0.5 inches thick, weighed 1.5 pounds and boasted a 9.7-inch multitouch display. A 1GHz Apple A4 chip powered the tablet. You could get it with storage options ranging from 16GB to 64GB of flash memory. It didn’t come with a camera.

Were you among the customers who bought a Wi-Fi + 3G iPad back in 2010? If so, what were your first reactions to the new device? Let us know your memories of the first-gen iPad in the comments below.



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The best tablets for 2024

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A tablet can make a great addition to your tech toolkit. It can replace an e-reader, serve as a more portable laptop replacement or simply be a shared device for watching movies or checking social media at home. However, with four different families of iPad, a plethora of Android options and Windows-based alternatives like the Surface Pro, it can be difficult to figure out which will serve you best. We at Engadget have tested and reviewed dozens of tablets over the years, and we continue to try out the latest models asa they hit the market. Below, we’ve solidified our current top picks, plus all of the information you should know before picking up the best tablet for you.

Editor’s Note (April 2024): For anyone thinking about buying a new tablet, you may want to hold off for another few months. Interesting Android options like the TCL NXTPAPER 14 Pro which we saw back at CES have yet to go on sale. Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for Apple to release a new generation of iPads after not updating or refreshing any of its tablets in 2023. This is really unusual as this is the first time Apple hasn’t released a new iPad in a calendar year since the original came out back in 2010. There isn’t an exact timetable for when new models may appear, but rumors suggest we should learn more between now and WWDC in June. Finally, while Microsoft did recently update the Surface family with a new Surface Pro 10 model, that device is specially targeted at enterprise buyers and it won’t be available from traditional retailers. So if you’re hoping to avoid buyer’s remorse after purchasing a new tablet that might get replaced real soon, you’ll want to exercise patience until new products get announced later this spring and summer.

Which OS is right for me?

Before you even start looking at specific devices, consider how your new tablet will fit in with the gadgets you already own, and how you plan to use it. For example, if everyone in your house uses Macs and iPhones, it probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to buy an Android tablet, even if you’ve been tempted by the massive 14.6-inch screen on the new Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. This goes double for anyone with an extensive library of purchased videos and music that might be harder to access after switching platforms.

Another consideration is the kind of work you’ll be doing. That’s because while most modern tablets are adept at browsing websites or playing games, some operating systems like iPadOS and Windows 11 are better designed to support multitasking and productivity than Android or even Chrome OS. It’s a similar situation for software, because while most popular apps and games are available on both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, more specialized software may only have proper support on desktop platforms like Windows or macOS.

What size screen should I get?

Figuring out the best screen size for you will also be related to the kind of work (or play) you intend to do. Larger displays make it much easier to view two apps side by side, and big screens also deliver a more immersive movie viewing experience. But at the same time, the larger the tablet, the less likely you’re going to want to move it around. That means you’re not only going to want to take stock of your workspace (i.e., if you have a desk or instead plan to work from a couch or even your bed), you’re also going to want to think about how the device will fit into your everyday routine or commute (if you have one).

Potential accessories

Finally, you’ll want to consider any add-ons or accessories you’re planning to use, which can range from detachable keyboards to things like external mics or a stylus. The good news is that many of the best tablets nowadays offer some kind of keyboard accessory, which allows the device to function more like a 2-in-1 instead of simply being a content consumption device. Some tablets also feature things like microSD card slots that support expandable storage, or optional 4G or 5G connectivity, which can be a real boon to frequent travelers. And if you’re planning to use the tablet mainly for work, you might want to grab a USB hub for connecting all your favorite peripherals.

How we test

When evaluating different tablets, there are a few important things we look for above all else: solid performance, a good screen and long battery life. For performance, we run a handful of synthetic tests like Geekbench 6, while also performing a number of real-world use cases such as editing photos and playing games. And with tablets often serving as hybrid devices, we also consider how easy it is to multitask and switch quickly between various apps. The more responsive a device feels, the better.

Because a tablet’s display is such a critical component, we also view a wide range of content to gauge things like brightness, color gamut and dynamic range. It’s important to take into account the difference between various panel types like OLED, which typically produce richer colors and excellent contrast but may not be as bright as a mini LED display. Recently, refresh rate has become an increasingly important spec as 90Hz and 120Hz screens can make scrolling smoother and graphics appear sharper in games.

We also consider a tablet’s design (including things like size, weight and water resistance), its connectivity (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, 5G, et cetera) and special features like stylus support or the ability to serve as a secondary display. That’s because, while tablets were often viewed as content consumption devices in the past, higher-end devices like the Surface Pro and iPad Pro are more than capable of replacing a laptop for a lot of people.

Finally, we test battery life by running our standard local video rundown test, which involves playing a single video on a loop from 100 percent until it runs out of juice. Ideally, a tablet should be able to last an entire working day, but longer runtimes are always welcome.

Engadget

Display: 11-inch or 12.9-inch mini-LED Liquid Retina panel with ProMotion (120Hz) | Processor: Apple M2 | Storage: 128GB to 2TB | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Camera: 12MP ultra wide front camera, 12MP Wide and 10MP ultra wide rear cameras

Read our full review of the Apple iPad Pro

Powered by the same Apple M2 chips you get in MacBooks, the iPad Pro is the best iPad and one of the most well-built tablets you can buy today. It’s available in two sizes (11 and 12.9 inches) and works with a range of accessories including the Apple Pencil and the extremely useful (but pricey) Magic Keyboard. And thanks to their 120Hz ProMotion mini-LED displays, the iPad Pro’s screen boasts strong brightness and fluid visuals, regardless of whether you’re watching a movie or creating a slideshow presentation. Recent versions of iPadOS have also made Apple’s most premium tablet a much more capable work device, with the addition of new sidebars for quickly switching between apps, a more powerful desktop-like UI for Safari, and various new toolbars throughout.

The main downside is that starting at $800 for a base 11-inch model with 128GB of storage, Apple’s iPad Pros aren’t cheap, and that’s before you tack on any extras like cellular connectivity or a keyboard. But considering there’s a good chance the latest iPad Pro is more powerful than your current laptop, there isn’t really anything you can throw at Apple’s top-of-the-line tablet it can’t handle.

One final note is that if you like the iPad Pro but want something a bit more affordable, there’s also the fifth-gen iPad Air. This one is powered by the M1 chipset, but it has Apple Pencil support and optional 5G connectivity. And with a 10.9-inch screen, it’s basically the same size as the smaller iPad Pro too. The main difference is that the iPad Air’s display isn’t quite as bright and doesn’t support a 120Hz refresh rate. But if you’re ok with that, the 5th-gen iPad Air is essentially an iPad Pro with a less fancy screen that starts at $599 instead of $799.

$795 at Amazon

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Display: 11-inch LCD, 12.4-inch or 14.6-inch Super AMOLED | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Storage: Up to 1TB (depending on model) | Battery life: Up to 9 hours | Camera: S9: 13MP rear, 12MP ultrawide front / S9+: 13MP + 8MP ultrawide rear, 12MP ultrawide front / S9 Ultra: 13MP + 8MP ultrawide rear, 12MP + 12MP ultrawide front

Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

Samsung offers its Galaxy Tab S9 with three screen sizes: 11, 12.4 and 14.6 inches. We only reviewed the 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, but all three tablets have identical specs other than screen size and a few slight differences in the camera array. While the S9 Ultra is a bit too big to be comfortable using in your hands for very long, the 11- and 12.4-inch models are your best choice for an Android tablet out there, with outstanding screens and an included S Pen stylus that’s extremely responsive.

Samsung bumped up both the RAM and processor this year on the Galaxy Tab S9 series. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is more than powerful enough for everything I wanted to do, and the 12GB of RAM is a big bump over the 8GB on last year’s tablets. These tablets are even rated IP68 for water and dust resistance – so if you want to take your S9 in the bath and watch a movie, you don’t have to worry about destroying it if it slips into the tub. Add in a solid accessory ecosystem with multiple different keyboard covers plus the Dex multitasking mode and the S9 can be a powerful productivity tool, too.

Truly great Android tablets are few and far between, and Google stepped back into the ring with its own Pixel Tablet. While it’s not compelling enough as a tablet to knock the Galaxy Tab S9 out of our top spot, it could be an intriguing option for those that want a device that can be used as both a tablet and a smart display. Admittedly, it shines as the latter, which makes it a good thing that Google includes the base in the $500 price. There’s also an $80 case you can get for the Pixel Tablet, which adds a very useful kickstand that you can use whenever you don’t want to dock the device but still want to prop it up.

$766 at Amazon

Engadget

Display: 13-inch or 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen | Processor: Microsoft SQ3 or Intel Evo i5/i7 | Storage: 128GB to 1TB | Battery life: Up to 15.5 hours | Camera: 1080p Windows Hello front camera, 10MP rear camera

Read our full review of the Microsoft Surface Pro 9

While most people think of Microsoft’s Surface Pro devices as a line of 2-in-1s, because they don’t come with a keyboard (you need to purchase it separately), that technically makes them tablets. But don’t be fooled, because thanks to Windows 11 and support for a range of 12h-gen Intel processors, Microsoft’s Surface Pros are designed for productivity.

The latest Surface Pro 9 has a beautiful display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and improved stereo speakers, while the inclusion of an IR facial recognition camera allows you to log in to the system in a snap. Another nice bonus is that unlike a lot of tablets, the Surface Pro 9’s SSD is user accessible, allowing you to upgrade its storage yourself whenever you want. And thanks to improvements in Windows 11, the Surface Pro 9 is better suited to life as a tablet without ever needing to attach a smart keyboard thanks to larger app icons and more touch-friendly controls.

$800 at Amazon

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Display: 10.2-inch Retina display | Processor: A13 Bionic | Storage: 64GB, 256GB | Battery life: 10-14 hours | Camera: 12MP ultra wide front camera, 8MP wide rear camera

Read our full review of the Apple 10.2-inch iPad

If you just want a simple tablet for a reasonable price, it’s hard to go wrong with the standard Apple iPad. Starting at $329, the basic iPad has a 10.2-inch display with good brightness (500 nits) and a relatively speedy A13 Bionic chip. It’s also the last iPad that still features an old-school Touch ID home button.

After being refreshed last year, the ninth-gen iPad got updated features including Apple Pencil support, improved cameras (in front and back) and double the base storage (64GB, up from 32GB). And just like its more expensive siblings, this budget tablet is available in a WiFi-only model or with optional 4G LTE cellular connectivity. The entry-level iPad is also the cheapest device Apple sells that gives you access to the App Store, which makes it a good multimedia device and a handy way of managing your media library across your other Apple devices at an affordable price.

$249 at Amazon

Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Display: 10.1-inch 1080p display | Processor: 2.0 GHz octa-core processor | Storage: 32GB, 64Gb (expandable up to 1TB) | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Camera: 2MP front camera, 5MP rear camera

If you’re in the market for a new tablet for your child, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is the easy pick, especially for first time users. Starting at $200, it’s the cheapest tablet on this list, and unlike more adult-oriented fare, it comes with an included “kid-proof” case and a two-year warranty. Amazon says if your kid breaks the tablet, the company will replace it for free.

Other useful add-ins include a free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which unlocks more than 20,000 games, books and apps designed for children. There’s also a handy dashboard for parents that allows you to set time limits, content filters and educational goals. And even though its 3GB of RAM and 32GB of base storage aren’t much, its 1080p display is plenty sharp and it has a microSD card slot for expandable storage. And if you want a slightly smaller and more affordable option, there’s the $140 Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro too.

$200 at Amazon

Other tablets we tested

Apple iPad Air

While the iPad Air is the best iPad for most people, the iPad Pro is the model that showcases the best of what Apple has to offer in the tablet space. The Air has a similar design to the Pro, but it runs on an M1 chip and the base model comes with only 64GB of storage. Those with tight budgets can consider the Air a good alternative to the Pro, and it’ll be particularly tempting if you see it on sale.

Google Pixel Tablet

The Google Pixel Tablet excels as a smart display rather than a simple tablet. As the latter, it’s unexciting, but when paired with its speaker/charging dock, it becomes much more useful. It could be a good option for those that already live within the Google ecosystem and use the Google Assistant often, or those who like the idea of a tablet that can be docked and used as a smart display as well.

OnePlus Pad

The solid OnePlus Pad is let down by Android because there aren’t many Android apps designed to be used on a large display like this model’s 11.6-inch panel. Otherwise, the hardware is well-designed, its companion stylus is comfortable to use and it has an excellent battery life.

FAQs

What is the best brand for tablets?

The best brand for tablets is really the brand you feel most comfortable with. We recommend taking stock of the gadgets you already have — do you live in the Apple ecosystem already? An iPad might be best for you then. Do you have a Samsung phone? If so, a Galaxy Tab will likely be the most convenient choice. There is no one “best brand” for tablets; you’ll find good options made by companies including Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft and Amazon.

Can a tablet replace a laptop?

It’s possible for a tablet to replace a laptop, but you’ll need a few accessories to truly make the experience as close as possible to that of a traditional notebook. A keyboard is a must, be it a keyboard case or a Bluetooth accessory that you keep with you. Some keyboard cases, like apple’s Magic Keyboard for the iPad, have a built-in trackpad, which will be more ergonomic than tapping on your tablet’s screen for input. Additionally, you could go one step further and use a wireless mouse that connects via Bluetooth to your tablet. If you’re primarily looking for a tablet to replace your laptop, consider buying a 2-in-1 laptop since those systems typically consist of high-powered tablets that are designed to work well with (and without) keyboards.

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The best Android tablets for 2024

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There’s a huge range of Android tablets out there. Some are great for reading comics, while others can double as laptop replacements. However, with devices starting at under $200 and going up to well over $1,000, picking the right one for your needs can be kind of tricky. We’ve tested dozens of tablets over the years from companies like Samsung, Lenovo and Google. So to help you select a device that fits your life, we’ve collected our top picks for the best Android tablets across various prices and use cases.

What we look for in a good Android tablet

Aside from cost, there are several specs and features we check out when evaluating new devices. One of the most important factors is the kind of display a tablet has. Not only its size (from less than seven inches to over 14), but also how bright it gets (ideally upwards of 400 nits) and what type of panel it uses (LCD, Mini LED, OLED, etc.). But it doesn’t stop there: it’s also crucial to consider things like refresh rate (the higher the better in most cases) as well as color saturation and accuracy, as those can help determine if a tablet is suitable for tasks like photo or video editing.

Performance is also a major benchmark. After all, no one likes to deal with hiccups or lag, especially if you’re a gamer as that can make or break your experience. That said, it takes more than a beefy chip to make a device feel truly speedy. If a tablet has sluggish storage or slow wireless connectivity, downloading files or launching apps can become a chore. Generally, we’re looking for at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage with microSD expandability being a major bonus.

Battery life is another major concern because many tablets are designed for use when traveling or working on the go. This means it’s critical to consider not just the size of a device’s battery, but also how fast it can recharge and if it supports bonuses like wireless power sharing or docking options.

Finally, there are more-specialized features such as stylus support, dedicated desktop modes, and expandable storage that can help tailor a tablet for specific use cases like sketching or productivity. And last but not least, there are design-related factors like dust- and water-resistance that go a long way toward making a device more durable.

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Screen size: 11 to 14.6 inches | Memory: 8GB | Storage capacity: 128GB or 256GB + microSD | Front camera resolution: 12MP | Rear camera resolution: 13MP + 8MP ultra-wide on some models | Weight: 1.10 to 1.61 pounds

Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

If you want a tablet that can do it all, Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Tab S9 line is the easy pick. Not only does it come with an included stylus, it also features DeX mode which adds a dedicated productivity environment similar to what you’d get on a traditional PC. The tablets in this series also have gorgeous 120Hz OLED displays, speedy Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors and a wealth of accessories like detachable keyboards and covers. Three models are available, ranging in size from 11 inches up to a massive 14.6-inch variant, so there’s sure to be one version that fits your needs. The only real downside is that they don’t come cheap, with a starting price of $700. But if you want a truly premium Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S9 family can’t be beat.

Pros

  • Gorgeous 120Hz OLED displays
  • Included stylus
  • DeX mode for productivity

$769 at Macy’s

Lenovo

Screen size: 12.7 inches | Memory: 8GB | Storage capacity: up to 256GB + microSD | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear camera resolution: 8MP | Weight: 1.35 pounds

For those who want an all-purpose slate that won’t break the bank, the Lenovo Tab P12 is a great option. It starts at just $300 and comes with a large 12.7-inch 3K display, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, plus microSD card expandability for anyone who needs even more room for apps and media. The Tab P12 comes with a stylus for drawing and note-taking, along with the ability to display up to five floating windows for multitasking. It also features a more stripped-down take on Android that’s closer to stock than what you get on Samsung’s tablets. Plus, its big 10,200 mAh battery should provide plenty of juice for work or play.

Pros

  • Included stylus
  • Big 10,200 mAh battery
  • Punchy speakers
Cons

  • Screen refresh rate is relatively slow at 60Hz
  • Display could be a touch brighter

$300 at Amazon

SAMSUNG

Screen size: 11 inches | Memory: up to 8GB | Storage capacity: up to 128GB + microSD | Front camera resolution: 5MP | Rear camera resolution: 8MP | Weight: 1.06 pounds

While the Galaxy Tab A9+ might not be as fancy or exciting as Samsung’s more-expensive offerings, it covers all the basics well. It’s got a big 11-inch LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, along with an ample 7,400 mAh battery. And while onboard storage caps out at a measly 128GB, it has a microSD card slot so you can add more room if needed. Another bonus is optional 5G connectivity, which isn’t something you find on most devices in this price range.

Sadly, the Tab A9+’s wired charging isn’t super speedy at just 15 watts and it doesn’t have much in the way of substantial water resistance. But that’s sort of expected among budget offerings. I also wish the base model came with more than 4GB of memory. However, if you upgrade to the model with 8GB of memory, you can still get a very affordable and speedy tablet for $220 (or less depending on discounts).

Pros

  • 90Hz display
  • Optional 5G connectivity
  • Slick design for its price

$220 at Walmart

Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Screen size: 10.95 inches | Memory: 8GB | Storage capacity: up to 256GB | | Front camera resolution: 8MP | Rear camera resolution: 8MP | Weight: 1.08 pounds

Read our full review of the Google Pixel Tablet

Google’s Pixel Tablet is one-part slate mixed with one-part smart home control center, which makes it excellent for families looking for a shared device to station in a kitchen or living room. It has an optional speaker dock which gives its audio a major boost while also keeping the tablet charged up between uses.Google also offers a protective case with a ring-shaped kickstand built in, which makes it easy to prop up or hang the Pixel Tablet pretty much anywhere. And with a bright 11-inch display, up to 12 hours of battery life and Google’s Tensor G2 chip, the Pixel Tablet is a great standalone device too.

Pros

  • Nifty smart home integration
  • Clever charging dock and case accessories
Cons

  • No microSD card slot
  • Camera angle can be awkward when making video calls

$399 at Amazon

Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Screen size: 10.1 inches | Memory: 3GB | Storage capacity: 32GB + microSD | Front camera resolution: 5MP | Rear camera resolution: 5MP | Weight: 1.4 pounds

When it comes to children’s tablets, Amazon dominates the space. Its Fire HD 10 Kids Pro offers improved performance and specs over previous models along with up to 13 hours of battery life. You also get a sharp 10.1-inch 1080p screen, expandable storage and an included case to help it survive drops and tumbles. But what really puts the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro over the top is that in addition to a free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ and handy parental controls, the tablet comes with a two-year “worry-free” guarantee so if it gets damaged or broken, you can get a replacement for free. And with pricing starting at $150, this thing has pretty much everything you’d want and need in a kids tablet at an affordable price.

Pros

  • Two-year “worry-free guarantee”
  • Comes with a case and a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+
Cons

  • Only has 3GB of memory and limited onboard storage

$150 at Amazon

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The best tech deals we found in the Amazon Big Spring Sale — save on earbuds, tablets, power banks and more

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The Amazon Big Spring Sale is here, and it’s brought a ton of deals on seasonal favorites. Amongst the clothing, shoes, home goods and outdoor gear on discount right now, there are a decent number of tech deals to be had as well. Amazon made it pretty clear in its announcement of the Big Spring Sale that tech wasn’t going to be the main focus this time around (unlike traditional Prime Day, when we usually see tons of great tech deals). But we at Engadget have been able to comb through the sea of discounts and find some good deals on things like AirPods, Roomba robot vacuums, Anker charging gear and more. Check out the best tech deals you can get in the Amazon Spring Sale below, and don’t miss some of the other best tech deals we found across the web at the end of the list.

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Our favorite pair of budget wireless earbuds has dropped to a new record-low price of $50. The Anker Soundcore Space A40 impressed us with their solid sound quality, comfortable fit and impressive active noise cancellation for the price. We think they’re a great value at their normal $80 price, so this sale makes them even more attractive. In addition, they have good battery life and support for multi-device connectivity and wireless charging. They may not have the best call quality, and they don’t support automatically wear detection, but otherwise you’re getting a nearly-full package for a great price.

$50 at Amazon

Amazon

The new Fire TV Stick 4K Max is back down to its record low of $40 for the Big Spring Sale. It’s a discount we’ve seen a few times before, but nevertheless, it matches the item’s all-time-low price. This is the most powerful streaming dongle Amazon has, with support for 4K content, Dolby Vision with HDR, Wi-Fi 6E and the “Fire TV Ambient Experience,” which puts art and photos on your TV screen when you’re not actively watching anything. Also discounted for the Big Spring Sale is the Fire TV Stick Lite, which you can pick up for only $20.

$40 at Amazon

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

One of our favorite pairs of budget wireless earbuds, Amazon’s latest Echo Buds are on sale for only $35 ahead of the Spring Sale. These buds have an open design, which means they purposely let sound in so you can stay more aware of your surroundings. They support adjustable EQ and, unlike many other earbuds at this price, auto-pausing and multi-device pairing. And, as to be expected, they have Alexa built in so you can call upon the voice assistant when you need to while wearing them.

$35 at Amazon

Amazon

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has brought the most recent Echo Dot down to $35, which is $12 more than the lowest price we’ve tracked but still $15 off the smart speaker’s usual going rate. It also matches the best price we’ve seen for the device in 2024. The Echo Dot is the “under $50” pick in our guide to the best smart speakers. It can still do just about all of the expected Alexa features, and it sounds decently balanced for something this compact. It can also serve as a node to extend an Eero mesh Wi-Fi system, if you own one of those. So long as you’re comfortable having a voice-activated speaker in your home in the first place, this is a good way to see if you’d find an Alexa device useful.

If you can pay a little bit extra, the full-size Amazon Echo is also on sale for $65. Again, that’s not an all-time low, but it’s $35 off Amazon’s list price. This model offers all the same functionality as the Echo Dot but sounds louder and fuller across the board, so it’s better for streaming music.

$35 at Amazon

Best Spring Sale deals on Apple devices

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

Apple’s AirPods Pro are once again available for $189, which is a near record low for the latest iteration with a USB-C charging case. Apple normally sells the noise-canceling earphones for $249, though we often see them go closer to $200 at third-party retailers. Either way, they remain our favorite wireless earbuds for iOS users, as they provide an array of perks when paired with an iPhone, from faster pairing to hands-free Siri. Useful ANC, a superb ambient sound mode and a pleasingly warm sound profile help beyond that. Their battery life and mic quality are just OK these days, but this pair should serve you well if you’re all-in on Apple. We gave the second-gen AirPods Pro a review score of 88 back in 2022. 

$189 at Amazon

Apple

The second-gen Apple Pencil is down to $79, which is one the best prices we’ve seen. It’s important to note that it’s rumored that we’ll see new Apple Pencils when new iPads come out sometime within the next month — but if you already have an iPad and have been looking to snag this accessory on discount, now’s your chance. This is the Pencil that works with most of the latest iPad models and it magnetically snaps to the sides of the tablets for safe keeping. It’s one of our favorite iPad accessories thanks to that, and its generally stellar, little-to-no latency performance.

$79 at Amazon

Best Spring Sale deals on Anker devices

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Anker

A number of Anker charging accessories are discounted for Amazon’s Spring sale, including the recently released MagGo Power Bank 6.6K for $48. That’s $22 off Anker’s list price and a new low. This is a newer iteration of magnetic power banks we’ve previously recommended. It supports the Qi2 standard, so it can deliver a 15W wireless charge to compatible phones such as the iPhone 15. Many older wireless power banks along these lines can only provide a slower 7.5W charge. This model has a 6,600mAh capacity, so it should get close to fully refilling most handsets, and it supports pass-through charging, so it can refill a phone while being charged from its USB-C port. Its fold-out design lets it double as a charging stand, too, though it’s fairly bulky for something you might want to fit in a pocket.

If you’re willing to trade charging speed for something thinner, the variant of the Anker 622 Magnetic Battery with a PopSockets grip is also on sale for a low of $40. That one is slower to charge and has a lower capacity, but it can still provide a bit of extra juice when your phone is about to die, and the built-in grip makes it a little easier to hold.

$48 at Amazon

Soundcore

As part of a larger portable speaker sale, Anker’s Soundcore Motion 300 has dropped to $64, which is a record low. It earned a spot on our favorites list thanks to its solid sound quality featuring crisp highs and generally punchy, bright audio. Its IPX7 design weighs only 1.7 pounds and the built-in loop makes it easy to attach to a bag to take with you on the go. It also works with Anker’s Soundcore app, which lets you customize EQ, button brightness and more.

$64 at Amazon

Best Spring Sale deals on headphones, earbuds and speakers

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones are back on sale for $328. This isn’t an all-time low, and it’s a deal we’ve seen numerous times over the past few months, but it’s still $70 off the noise-canceling cans’ list price. The XM5s are the top pick in our guide to the best wireless headphones thanks to their comfy fit, solid active noise cancellation (ANC), clear mic and handy bonus features. They’re bass-heavy by default, but you can adjust their sound profile with EQ tools in Sony’s companion app.

This XM5’s predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM4, is also worth a note at $248. Again, that’s not an all-time low, but it’s about $50 below the pair’s average street price in recent months. This older model has many of the same benefits as its successor, plus its earcups can fold up, which makes the design a little easier to pack away. Its call quality is worse, however, and it’s not quite as light on the head. We gave the XM5 a review score of 95 in mid-2022, while the XM4 earned a 94 way back in 2020.

$328 at Amazon

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

If you’re not tethered to Apple, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are another set of high-end earphones we recommend. Right now they’re down to $249 at Amazon, Bose.com and other storefronts. That’s a $50 discount. We’ve seen this price a few times before, but it still matches the best deal we’ve tracked. Bose says the offer will run until March 31.

We specifically highlight the QuietComfort Ultras in our buying guide for their noise-canceling prowess, as they do a superlative job of muting outside noise and allow you to lower the intensity of the ANC if it ever becomes uncomfortable. They’re another pair with a somewhat bass-heavy sound out of the box, but they don’t sound sloppy, and unlike the AirPods Pro you can customize their EQ through a companion app. That said, they don’t support wireless charging or multi-device pairing, and their six-to-seven-hour battery life isn’t anything special. The earpieces themselves are also fairly large, though we wouldn’t call them uncomfortable. We gave the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds a score of 88 in our review last year.

$249 at Amazon

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

The Beats Studio Buds + are back on sale for $130 in various colors, which is roughly $20 off the true wireless earbuds’ average street price and $40 off Beats’ list price. The only time we’ve seen them go for less was a brief drop to $120 around Black Friday. This deal is also available at other retailers, including Target, Best Buy and B&H.

We gave the Studio Buds + a review score of 84 last year. As Beats is an Apple subsidiary, this pair provides many of the iOS-friendly perks you’d get from a set of AirPods, such as faster pairing, Find My tracking, hands-free Siri and Control Center integration. Unlike AirPods, they offer similar features on Android as well. A comfy fit, decent ANC and a mostly neutral sound profile also help. However, other AirPods features like audio sharing and automatic device switching (with Apple gear) aren’t supported, nor is wireless charging or wear detection. And the ANC and audio quality are a step down from the AirPods Pro. Still, if you dig the style and want to save some cash, the Studio Buds + are worth considering.

$130 at Amazon

Google

The Google Pixel Buds Pro are down to $139 from $200. The 30 percent discount doesn’t bring the earbuds to their all-time low, but this is the cheapest we’ve seen the Google Pixel Buds Pro so far this year. These are our choice for the best wireless earbuds for Android

Engadget’s Billy Steele gave them an 87 in his review thanks to the addition of solid active noise cancellation, punchy bass and reliable touch controls. They also offer IPX4 water resistance so you can take them on a run without worry. The buds get up to 11 hours on a charge and 31 hours in total with the case. And when it’s time to recharge, wireless charging makes a refill a little easier. One catch is the call quality isn’t as great as it could be, but if you’re primarily using them for music and podcasts, you may not notice. 

$139 at Amazon

Jabra

One of our favorite headphones for running is on sale for a near record-low price. Jabra’s Elite 8 Active earbuds have dropped to $160, which is only about $10 more than the best price we’ve seen. They’re rated IP68, which is one of the best protective ratings we’ve seen on workout earbuds. Jabra even put these buds through military-grade testing, so it’s fair to say they can take a beating. They also have great sound quality (that has spatial sound with Dolby Audio), good ANC and HearThrough transparency mode, multipoint connectivity and an easy to use mobile app. Also included in this sale are our budget top pick, the Jabra Elite 4 Active, for only $90.

$160 at Amazon

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Sonos has kicked off a new round of discounts on its soundbars and portable speakers. The deals include the Sonos Move 2 for $359, which is $70 off its usual going rate and the second-best price we’ve seen outside of a very brief drop to $349 last year. The Sonos Ray soundbar is $56 off and down to an all-time low of $223, while the higher-end Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is available for $399, a $100 discount. The Sonos Sub Mini subwoofer is also down to a low of $343, which is $86 less than usual, while the compact Sonos Roam SL is $32 off at $127. A few speaker bundles are also discounted. These offers are available at several retailers, including Amazon, B&H and Sonos.com. Sonos says they’ll run through March 25.

None of these devices come cheap, but they all deliver relatively clean sound, easy pairing with other Sonos hardware, AirPlay support and an app that (mostly) makes it simple to set up and stream music. The Move 2 is a hefty yet powerful battery-powered speaker for those who are more concerned with sound quality over portability. The Roam SL doesn’t sound as rich, but it’s much more travel-friendly and has a better water-resistance rating. (It lacks built-in mics, though.) The Ray is an entry-level 2.0-channel soundbar meant for smaller rooms and budget buyers. The Beam is a 5.0 model with a more expansive sound, an HDMI eARC port and voice assistant functionality. It also supports Dolby Atmos, though it can’t take advantage of that quite as much as larger models. The Sub Mini, meanwhile, is a handy way to beef up the bass response of an existing Sonos system. You can check out our reviews of the Move 2, Ray, second-gen Beam and Sub Mini for fuller breakdowns of each device.

$359 at Amazon (Move 2)

Best Spring Sale deals on smartphones

Google

Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have been discounted for the Spring Sale, down to $499 and $749, respectively. Both run on the Google Tensor G3 chip, and they have great battery lives and excellent cameras. We consider both of them to be the best Android phones available right now thanks in part to those features. Google also added a number of actually useful AI features like Best Take and Magic Eraser for photos, and more accurate voice typing and article summaries for the Google Assistant.

$499 at Amazon

Google

Our favorite midrange smartphone, the Google Pixel 7a is on sale for $374 right now, which is a record-low price. That almost puts it within our “budget” price range ($350) for Android phones, so while it’s still a splurge pick, it’s arguably the best Android phone you can get in that price range at the moment. It runs on Google’s Tensor G2 chipset, plus it has a lovely 90Hz touchscreen, long battery life and an excellent camera array that takes impressive photos in all kinds of light situations, and good selfies, too. While there are plenty of good budget Android phones available today, you won’t find one that offers a better value than the Pixel 7a when on sale like this.

$374 at Amazon

Best Spring Sale deals on gaming gear

Meta

Our favorite budget-friendly VR headset is down to a new low for the Amazon spring sale. You can grab the Meta Quest 2 for only $199, which is $50 off its usual price. Walmart has it for the same price, and it includes a $50 Meta Quest store gift card with purchase. There’s no better VR headset for those who don’t have a lot of spend, and the Quest 2 holds its own even among the newest models. It’s completely cordless and comfortable to wear for long sessions, it comes bundled with Meta’s solid motion controllers and there’s a huge library of titles that you can try out with it.

$199 at Amazon

Elgato

The Elgato Stream Deck Mk.2 in white is back down to $130. This is another deal we’ve seen pop up periodically in recent months, but it’s $20 off the device’s usual street price all the same. The Stream Deck is a macro keypad we recommend in our guide to the best game streaming gear. It has 15 programmable hotkeys that you can set to perform different commands, from launching an app to activating smart lights to triggering on-screen GIFs and sound effects. It’s really meant for content creators and power users first and foremost, but if you think you could benefit from having a bunch of shortcuts within arm’s reach, this is a decent time to pick one up.

$130 at Amazon

PlayStation

Bundles that pair the PlayStation 5 with a digital copy of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 are still $50 off, bringing the standard model down to $449 and the digital-only version down to $400. These deals aren’t tied to Amazon’s Spring sale, but larger discounts on the PS5 have been uncommon, so this is still a good opportunity if you’ve been looking to take the plunge. The offers are available at several retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy and Sony’s PlayStation Direct store. Sony says they’ll last through March 31. My colleague Nathan Ingraham gave Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 a glowing review last year, calling it a “perfectly balanced game with gorgeous graphics, delightful combat and traversal systems, a compelling storyline and characters, plenty of challenge and a huge map to explore.”

$400 at Amazon

Best Spring Sale deals on smart home tech

Google

The Google Nest Thermostat is on sale for $100 ahead of Amazon’s Spring sale, which is about $10 more than the best price we’ve seen over the past year but $30 below its typical going rate. We’ve highlighted this entry-level smart thermostat in past gift guides. Compared to the higher-end Nest Learning Thermostat, it has a cheaper plastic frame, doesn’t support remote temperature sensors and can’t learn your heating and cooling tendencies to make automatic adjustments throughout the day. That said, it’s a more affordable way to remotely control your home’s climate, and it still supports features like HVAC monitoring and voice assistant control. It’s also compatible with the Matter standard, unlike the pricier model, so it can work with third-party platforms like Apple Home.

$100 at Amazon

TP-Link

TP-Link’s Deco XE75 mesh Wi-Fi system with three nodes is on sale for a record low of $310 in this spring sale. It tops our list of the best mesh WiFi routers you can get right now thanks to its simple setup, solid performance and overall great value for the money. There aren’t a lot of frills here, either with the nodes themselves or with TP-Link’s companion mobile app, but that makes for a straightforward experience that complements the system’s excellent performance nicely. 

$310 at Amazon

iRobot

The is the runner up in our and thanks to the Amazon Big Spring Sale it’s now half price, making it just $300. That’s not quite an all-time low — it was $2 cheaper for much of February — but still a significant discount on one of our recommendations.

Engadget’s Valentina Palladino found this one to have powerful suction and an easy-to-use app. She also appreciated the upgraded obstacle detection that particularly avoids pet poop. The bot does take a couple runs before it can create a full map — and it doesn’t clean while it does that, so be prepared to wait a little after unboxing before your floors are truly on auto-pilot. 

$300 at Amazon

Photo by Valentina Palladino / Engadget

The Tineco Pure One S15 is the runner up pick in our cordless vacuum guide and right now it’s on sale for $349, but an addition clippable $25 coupon brings the final price down to $324.

This model is slightly less powerful than our top pick from Dyson but it handles dry messes well — including pet hair. It also automatically adjusts suction power depending on the amount of dirt it detects through the sensor. It’s app-connected, though that feature is admittedly not super necessary in a cordless vac. Still, it can help keep you apprised of your filter and battery levels.

$324 at Amazon

Best Spring Sale deals on Amazon devices

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

As part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, the Paperwhite Signature is getting a $30 discount — it’s first sale since Black Friday last year. The catch is that this deal is exclusively for Prime members. The Signature Edition is an upgrade over the standard Kindle: It has a larger, 6.8-inch screen, 32GB of storage, auto-adjusting warm front lights and wireless charging capabilities. It also comes standard without lockscreen ads, a great perk since you usually have to pay upwards of $20 to remove those on other Kindle models. 

$160 at Amazon

Amazon

A number of Amazon’s Fire tablets are on sale right now, including the new Fire HD 10 for $95. That’s about $15 more than its record-low price, but it’s still a decent deal for this time of year. Updated in 2023, the Fire HD 10 has a 10-inch 1080p touchscreen, an octa-core processor, up to 13 hours of battery life and it charges via a USB-C port. We still think Fire tablets are best as secondary devices rather than daily drivers — that slab you keep next to the couch to check email or shop online on the fly, or by your bedside to read books and comics. And when they’re discounted like this, it’s much easier to justify getting a secondary device like that in the first place. A bunch of kid-friendly Fire tabs are on sale, too, most of which come with a childproof protective case, a two-year warranty and a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+.

$95 at Amazon

Blink

A variety of Amazon Blink devices are now discounted as part of the site’s Big Spring Sale. A three pack of the new Blink Outdoor 4 is down to $150 instead of $260. That’s a 42 percent discount and the lowest price we’ve seen this year (the set hit an all-time low of $135 for Black Friday). 

If you just need one camera, take advantage of the sale on a single Blink Outdoor 4. It’s currently down to $65 from $100 — a 35 percent discount.

The Blink Outdoor 4 came out last August with a lot of upgrades including a larger field of vision, up to143 degrees and better low-light sensitivity and image quality. Blink claims the devices will go for two years before needing their AA batteries replaced.

$150 at Amazon

Best Spring Sale deals on other tech

Kobo

The Kobo Libra 2 is $20 off right now and down to $170, which is the best price we’ve seen all year. You can get that discount at Amazon or from Kobo direct. The Libra 2 is one of our favorite ereaders thanks to its handy page-turn buttons and ergonomic design. The page will automatically switch orientation when you rotate the ereader, which makes it much easier to hold, and you can lock the orientation when you want it to stay put. The design feels premium, the 7-inch display is comfortable to look at for long periods of time and the convenient Overdrive integration makes it easy to borrow, download and read books from your local library.

$170 at Amazon

Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

The Google Pixel Tablet makes a good smart display and tablet hybrid. Right now the 11-inch slate-plus-dock is back down to $399 at multiple retailers for the 128GB model. In addition to Amazon you can save at Target and the Google Store. This matches the lowest price we’ve seen and works out to $100 below the variation’s usual going rate. If you need more storage, the 256GB version is $150 off and available for $449, also an all-time low. 

Engadget’s Cherlynn Low gave the Pixel Tablet a score of 85 in her review last June, and we mention the device in our tablet buying guide, though it’s not one of our top picks. But if you’re looking for a tablet that can also be your smart home command center, this is a good pick for controlling smart home devices, showcasing photos, streaming music with the improved speakers, and even cast video from your phone.

$399 at Amazon

Plugable

Plugable TBT4-UDZ gets a mention in our guide to the best laptop docking stations and right now it’s 20 percent off and down to $239. It’s a rare discount for the brand and the lowest price we’ve tracked. We were a little disappointed that the dock only has one downstream USB-C port, but it has plenty of USB-A and display connections and worked well with the MacBook and Dell laptops in our test, but didn’t work with a Chromebook.

$239 at Amazon

Best tech deals available elsewhere on the web

Max

New subscribers can get 40 percent off a Max subscription when you pay for one year upfront. If you want to go all-in on the highest tier, which gives you ad-free viewing and 4K streaming, it’ll cost you $140 for the year (roughly $12 per month). The most affordable tier will set you back a total of $70 for the year, which works out to about $6 per month. Considering how often streaming prices have increased recently, a sale like this is a great time to invest in a year of access to shows like The Last of Us and movies from outlets like Studio Ghibli and A24.

$70 at Max

Photo by Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Our top pick for the best cordless vacuum cleaner, the Dyson V15 Detect, is on sale for $600 right now directly at Dyson. We’ve seen this model drop to $550 in the past, but this remains a great sale on a cordless vacuum that’s typically priced at $750. The “Absolute” models are much the same as the standard models, but you can typically only get Absolute versions at Dyson.com. Also, this model has HEPA filtration, a built-in tool and an exclusive gold color. Otherwise, it’s the same as our top pick, which impressed us with its excellent suction power, lightweight design and good battery life. In general, we found Dyson stick vacuums to provide the strongest suction power of any brand we tried, and the V15 is noticeably stronger than older models like the V8. It comes with a number of attachments as well, including the Fluffy Optic cleaner head that illuminates your floors with a laser of light so you can see exactly where the most debris is as you clean.

As part of the Big Spring Sale, Amazon has a similar version, the V15 Detect Complete, for $690 as a Prime exclusive. The main difference here, aside from the lack of HEPA filtration, is that you get a standing dock with Amazon’s model, which will be handy if you aren’t keen on mounting your new cordless vacuum to a wall.

$600 at Dyson

Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget

We’ll move beyond Amazon for our last few deals this week. First, a configuration of Apple’s 14.2-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip, 18GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is down to $1,799 at B&H. That’s close to an all-time low and comes in $200 below Apple’s MSRP. We gave the latest MacBook Pro a review score of 90 last year. It’s more Mac than most people need, especially after the recent refresh of the MacBook Air. But for video editors, 3D designers and other professional types who need more power, a wider port selection and a brighter display, it should still fit the bill.

$1,799 at B&H Photo

Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is back on sale for $80 at Amazon subsidiary Woot, a $20 discount that matches the lowest price we’ve seen. This is a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard we recommended in our retro gaming gift guide late last year. You’d mainly buy it for the aesthetic, as it looks like a companion piece for an old NES. Beyond that, it’s sturdily built, it works wirelessly and it comes with a pair of giant “Super Buttons” that you can customize to perform different macros. It’s comfortable for typing as well, though its clicky Kailh Box White V2 switches are fairly noisy. It also lacks any kind of backlighting. The stock switches are hot-swappable, however, so you can easily replace them if needed.

$80 at Woot

Larian Studios

The latest Steam Spring Sale is underway, bringing an enormous range of PC game discounts along with it. There are simply too many deals for us to list everything, but some highlights include the acclaimed CRPG Baldur’s Gate 3 for $54 (a small but rare discount), the frantic platformer Pizza Tower for $13.39, the recently released Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for $56, the FPS compilation Halo: The Master Chief Collection for $10 and the VR adventure Half-Life: Alyx for $20.39. These big Steam sales are always a good time to grab some older classics for dirt cheap, too: The two Portal puzzlers are available for $1.48, for instance, while the co-op shooter Left 4 Dead 2 is just a buck. Valve says the sale will run until March 21.

Outside of Steam, the Epic Games Store has commenced its Spring Sale as well. The selection there isn’t as large, as usual, but it does include some well-reviewed exclusives like Alan Wake 2 for $40 and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown for $30. Before you go padding your backlog on either store, though, we’d recommend using a price tracking site like IsThereAnyDeal to ensure you’re getting a genuine discount.

$54 at Steam

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

However technologically impressive a foldable smartphone may be, they’re seriously expensive. A $500 discount can help if you’re ready to grab one. The Google Pixel Fold is one of our favorites, and it’s now down to $1,299 at the Goole Store. It beats the largest discount we’ve seen for the unlocked 256GB model, by $100. If you need more storage space, Google has the 512GB model for $1,419, another $500 discount and record low.

The Pixel Fold is the runner-up pick in our guide to the best foldable phones, and Engadget’s Sam Rutherford gave it a score of 85 in his review last June. 

The discount is part of a larger sale Google is hosting on its storefront right now, perhaps in response to Amazon’s event. 

$1,299 at Google

Your Spring Sales Shopping Guide: Spring sales are in the air, headlined by Amazon’s Big Spring sale event. Our expert editors are curating all the best spring sales right here. Follow Engadget to shop the best tech deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, hear from Autoblog’s car experts on the best spring auto deals on Amazon, and find spring sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

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Enterprise editions of new Samsung tablets get 8 years of updates!

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If you were impressed by Samsung’s commitment to providing OS and security updates to the Galaxy S24 lineup for seven years, wait till you hear about what the company has in store for enterprise editions of Galaxy tablets.

Eight years of OS and security updates for enterprise edition tablets

A Samsung executive from the Netherlands has revealed on LinkedIn that the enterprise edition of the Galaxy Tab Active 5 will get OS and security updates for eight years! The Galaxy Tab Active 5 went official in early January this year, and the standard non-enterprise model is only guaranteed four major OS updates and five years of security updates.

8 years of updates enterprise Galaxy devices

Samsung is no stranger to supporting enterprise devices for longer. A few years back, when it extended support for security updates to four years for flagship and select mid-range phones and tablets, Samsung promised five years of security updates to enterprise editions of those devices.

But this is the first time the company is committing to both extended OS and security updates for enterprise edition devices. The commitment is also limited to tablets – phones, like the recently launched Galaxy Xcover 7, get the same seven-year policy as the Galaxy S24.

Devices launched before 2024 are excluded as well, so the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Enterprise Edition is the only device on the eligibility list for now. Since Samsung doesn’t launch many enterprise variants of its devices anymore, that list will likely remain small even a few years from now. We’ll let you know if anything changes, though, so stay tuned!

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One UI 6.0 update brought an annoying issue on Galaxy tablets

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Samsung started rolling out Android 14-based One UI 6.0 to the company’s tablets towards the end of 2023. While the new version of the operating system and customization brought many new features, they also introduced a very annoying issue.

According to multiple people on Samsung’s community forum for the United States, once they updated their Galaxy Tab to One UI 6.0, they noticed that the icons and widgets on the home screen shrunk in size, leaving a significant amount of space vertically on both sides of the display. At first, it seemed like the OS had defaulted to a different grid size and that changing the grid option would fix the issue. Unfortunately, doing so didn’t help. A user with the account name MLAUER2487 posted images demonstrating the issue. You check out those pictures below.

Home Screen Before One UI 6.0

Upon exploring further, people realized that the space was unusable and they couldn’t place icons and widgets in the area, which was even worse. Since the icons and widgets shrink in size, the home screen looks cluttered, and since the space on either side of the display is unusable, that much screen real estate is wasted. People tried updating One UI Home to the latest version but that didn’t help either. They also used Good Lock’s Home Up module, which allows you to tinker with many aspects of the home screen. Sadly, that method also did not work.

Home Screen After One UI 6.0

From what we could gather, this is a widespread issue. Almost everyone who updated their Galaxy Tab to One UI 6.0 is facing this problem, irrespective of the device. Samsung is yet to acknowledge the issue, which is quite surprising (and disappointing) as this is a very serious problem and it has been more than three months since the annoying issue popped up. We hope that Samsung quickly acknowledges the problem and immediately rolls out a software update to fix the issue.

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