Need to access the internet on the go? Smartphones have larger screens than ever before, but if you want to get a significantly better viewing experience, it’s worth trying a tablet. In essence, a tablet is a larger version of a handset, and it’ll also sometimes be more powerful, too.
While not all tablets come with cellular data – and others do, but at an increased cost – they make up for it with extra processing grunt, generally more memory and some other key features, such as stylus compatibility.
From streaming your favourite shows to drawing digital sketches, tablets support a wide range of functions – and here are some of the best tablet deals of the year.
The Best Tablets
Best of the best
Amazon UKIf you're looking for the best tablet overall, then the Apple iPad Pro 11 is the obvious choice. Boasting an impressive resolution, an excellent camera system and a long-lasting battery, it's easy to see why this is our number-one choice for best iPad. We also love how powerful it is, all due to its A12 bionic chip. It also comes with the new Apple Pencil and it clips on (at last).
Best of the rest
Amazon UKA very close tablet contender is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, although it is slightly pricier than other models - its extensive features more than make up for that. With a powerful battery of 10,090 mAh, fast performance, a sleek design and a crisp and sharp AMOLED display, this tablet easily stands out from the rest.
Amazon UKThe Galaxy Tab S4 is one of the best tablets you can get from Samsung, and if you pay for the privilege you get a slate of impressive tech. At the front, there's a 10.5-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen with an iPad Pro beating 287ppi resolution. Combine that with 4GB of RAM and a Qualcomm MSM8998 and you'll get lightning-quick speed in most tasks too. If you do want to take pictures, there's a decent camera system too.
Best Value
Amazon UKIf you're after a cheap, inexpensive tablet, you can do much worse than Amazon's Fire HD 10. It may not feature the same power or premium fit and finish as rivals by Apple or Samsung, but it's significantly easier on the wallet. Featuring a 10.1" Full HD screen, 1.8Ghz processor and either 32GB or 64GB of storage, it's more than enough for watching movies, listening to music – or buying things on Amazon's own online store. For the money it's a great way to dip into tablet tech. It's even got Amazon's Alexa assistant pre-baked into the software.
Amazon UKWhile the iPad Pro might be the current flagship in Apple's tablet lineup, the 'standard' iPad still represents a great purchase. Its 9.7-inch, 264 ppi screen has been usurped by its more expensive siblings now, but it's still impressive for browsing, movie-watching and other display-reliant activities. What's more, its A10 Fusion chip may not be the class leader it once was, but it's still snappy enough for most tasks. But the best bit? It's affordable and an easy, cheaper gateway into the Apple family.
Amazon UKMost tablets are made primarily for content consumption – think browsing, reading and streaming – but tablets like the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 are designed with productivity in mind. Simply put, the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is almost a laptop in the shape of a tablet. With at least 128GB of storage, an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB it's powerful enough to do pretty much anything you'll throw at it – though it should be for its entry-level asking price. If money isn't a factor, or you're looking at a smaller, versatile alternative to a laptop, try the Surface Pro 6.
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