Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Opinion publish by
C. Scott Brown
Here at Android Authority, we are likely to put a lot of deal with the high-profile releases of the yr. Invariably, most of those are typically premium gadgets — the most effective on provide at any second. However, simply because one thing is objectively “the most effective,” it doesn’t all the time imply it’s essentially the most utilitarian. A Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is perhaps probably the greatest telephones you should buy, however that doesn’t imply it’s the most effective cellphone on your pre-teen little one.
With that in thoughts, I need to deliver some consideration to an oft-overlooked phase of the tech world: cheap Android tablets.
The tablet market, generally, has fallen out of favor over the previous 5 years or so, not less than within the Android world. While Apple’s numerous iPad traces are nonetheless doing fairly effectively, solely a handful of OEMs make Android tablets in any respect. Even then, many of the advertising focus is on the high-end iPad Pro rivals.
However, as with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, a Galaxy Tab S7 Plus isn’t all the time the most effective software for the job. In truth, I’d argue that almost all of us should skip the high-end tablets and go straight for the price range fashions. Here’s why.
Cheap Android tablets: The workhorses
Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
In my home, one of many screens I contact essentially the most is what I name my kitchen tablet. It’s a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 that sits on a stand on my kitchen counter. I exploit it for accessing recipes in my OneDrive storage, watching how-to movies on YouTube, shopping the online in search of new recipes, and easy actions resembling measurement conversions.
Because it’s a lower-end system — its MSRP is barely $230 and I paid a lot lower than that in a Black Friday sale — I don’t have to care a lot about it. If it will get splattered with melted butter, it’s not a huge deal. If I seize it with my arms lined in flour, I don’t want to fret about instantly cleansing it off. And, if I by chance drop it on the ground, some beauty harm received’t devastate me.
See additionally: The greatest tablets you may get proper now
Despite its price ticket and the way poorly I deal with it, the tablet does every part it must do. Web searches are quick and the LCD show is okay for my wants. Even the battery lasts for over a week (relying on how busy I’m within the kitchen, after all). If it does run low on juice, it doesn’t take too lengthy to prime it up with the 15W USB-C charger both.
My ‘kitchen tablet’ is integral to my life and will get used day by day.
The cameras are dangerous, sure, however who cares? I’m not utilizing it to take any photos. The Snapdragon 662 chipset isn’t highly effective sufficient for high-end gaming, however I don’t want that, both. Its lack of an NFC chip and low RAM and inside storage additionally don’t matter. It does what it does and that’s it.
As I mentioned, I exploit this cheap Android tablet almost day by day. I own loads of gadgets that price a lot, far more than $230 that I barely ever use. It is fairly exceptional when you consider it.
The kitchen isn’t the one helpful spot
Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
I exploit my tablet for kitchen duties as a result of that’s the place it makes essentially the most sense for me. However, you is perhaps the form of one who orders take out each night and doesn’t know a spatula from a ramekin. That’s fantastic, however there’s in all probability an space the place a cheap Android tablet can be helpful for you.
If you’re typically within the storage, a “storage tablet” is perhaps a good funding. You might use it for YouTube how-to movies simply as I do within the kitchen. You might additionally use it for locating manuals and schematics and even rapidly ordering substitute components for no matter you’re engaged on.
Related: The greatest cheap Android tablets obtainable
Maybe you may have a studio the place you get inventive with arts and crafts. A tablet in there can be nice for locating some inspiration on-line with Pinterest. You wouldn’t want to fret about getting glue or paint on it both. Do you may have a room the place you’re employed out? You might have a tablet in there for health directions or just use it as a large stopwatch. Musicians, designers, mannequin builders, tinkerers, PC builders — any exercise the place your arms get soiled or issues get chaotic may gain advantage from a devoted cheap Android tablet on the prepared.
The level is that spending $300 or extra on a tablet typically is totally pointless. In truth, typically getting the “greatest” is definitely worse than going as cheap as attainable. And with issues being as they’re, there are a complete lot of reductions on the market.
Yesterday’s flagship is at present’s price range mannequin
Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The Galaxy Tab A7 has been terrific for my wants. However, it’s far out of your solely selection. Not solely are there many various price range tablets from Samsung, LG, Amazon, and others, however there’s additionally a large used marketplace for tablets.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, for instance, is just below two years previous. You can simply discover that in terrific used situation for round $200, and that was a flagship tablet when it launched.
Related: The greatest tablet offers from throughout the online
Additionally, you could find some nice reductions on newer flagships with beauty points. A 2019 Galaxy Tab S6 with a cracked again panel would go for cheap. If you’re simply going to make use of it in your storage anyway, who cares if it’s not in tip-top form? Likewise for cosmetically broken iPads.
Don’t neglect about Amazon tablets, both. With these, you don’t need to go too low-end otherwise you’re going to face efficiency points. However, a model new Fire HD 10 will seemingly meet your wants and solely set you again about $150. Of course, eradicating the advertisements and getting the quick charger will increase that worth by fairly a bit, however what you do there depends upon your price range.
The key takeaway is that a cheap Android tablet may not be the sexiest piece of tech you own, but it surely might find yourself being probably the most helpful. Sometimes worth trumps specs.
