The iPad offers a powerful experience for gamers who want a clear picture and fast performance. It also comes with the benefit of an integrated ecosystem that includes a wide variety of games and media apps.
The iPad generally surpasses the competition in ecosystem integration, software optimization, and note-taking. However, the Android ecosystem allows for more customization and sideloading of specialized creative applications.
Power
If you’re looking for a premium tablet for gaming and other productivity tasks, an iPad is the obvious choice. Its high-performance custom M-series chips, long-term software support (5-6 years), and superior app optimization make the iPad a great choice for those who want a tablet that can handle demanding tasks without slowing down. The iPad also offers an excellent experience for tablet gaming with its vibrant, responsive display and impressively loud stereo speakers. And the Apple Pencil adds extra digital inking precision and advanced features for note-taking, annotation, and other productivity apps.
Android tablets offer lower prices and a wide selection of apps, games, and features, which appeals to budget-conscious buyers. They’re also more likely to feature expandable storage via microSD cards, which can help increase local storage for movies and music. In addition, Android tablet manufacturers like Samsung often release updates for their devices more frequently than Apple, ensuring that you always have access to the latest apps and features.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is a top-performing Android tablet that rivals the iPad Pro in terms of power, but it’s much cheaper. It has an excellent AMOLED display, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and a large battery that allows it to last all day with heavy use. It also supports DeX mode, which transforms the tablet into a desktop computer with a monitor and keyboard.
Apple’s iPad Pro is a great choice for professional users and students who require a robust, productive tablet experience. Its high-performance M3 chips and advanced features for work and education are perfect for business and school applications. And it has great integration with Apple’s productivity suites and an extensive library of top business apps in the App Store. The latest iPad Pro is the most powerful tablet available, with an ultra-thin design and a high-resolution OLED display. It also has the best performance and battery life of any tablet on the market.
A good entry-level Android tablet is the Lenovo Tab E10, which offers a budget-friendly yet powerful experience for web browsing, media consumption, and basic productivity apps. Its quad-core ARM Cortex A53 CPU is comparable to an iPhone 6S and has enough power for everyday use, including video chat with friends or family.
Memory
Unlike storage (which saves files for the long-term), RAM holds active apps and processes. A tablet with more RAM can run more tasks at once without slowing down. Having more RAM is essential for heavy multitaskers, power gamers, and anyone who frequently uses split-screen mode. It also helps ensure that apps don’t get stuck reloading or crashing when you switch between them.
The best Android tablets typically offer at least 4GB of RAM. However, 8GB is a smart choice for heavier multitaskers or anyone who wants to future-proof their tablet. New apps and updates might demand more RAM in the future, so getting more upfront prevents your tablet from feeling sluggish down the road.
In terms of pure processing power, the iPad Pro takes the cake for mobile gaming. Its M4 chip is faster than most PCs, and the iPad Pro’s super-bright display is great for immersive gameplay. However, if you don’t need the extra speed, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is a more affordable alternative. This powerful Android tablet offers the same display size and S Pen compatibility as the iPad Pro, while delivering a faster processor and a bigger battery to keep you going.
If you’re a light multitasker who mostly reads books and browses Facebook, a tablet with 4GB of RAM should be sufficient. You can also find plenty of budget-friendly Android tablets with 64GB of storage to store your music, movies, and games.
Apple’s ecosystem integration and software optimization offer a better experience for some tablet users, but Android brands like Samsung and Lenovo offer a similar productivity experience at a lower cost. Both platforms feature strong hardware encryption and regular software updates to help keep your data safe, and most tablet owners choose their platform based on their specific needs and preferences.
Storage
While the iPad has a lead when it comes to software integration and a seamless experience, Android tablets are cheaper and offer a wider range of apps. Many Android models even support microSD cards for more storage capacity. This makes an Android tablet a good choice if you need to do light work or play video games, but don’t want to pay for the iPad’s superior performance and higher ecosystem integration.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is a top-rated premium tablet with an amazing AMOLED display and a powerful chipset. It can also hold its own against the more expensive iPad Pro 13 with an impressive battery life and a fast charging capability. Its only drawbacks are the lack of an external storage slot and a less flexible operating system compared to the iPad’s iOS.
The OnePlus Pad 3 is an excellent midrange option that uses the same fast Snapdragon processors found in recent flagship phones. It has a stunning HDR display and high-quality stereo speakers to create an immersive audio environment. The OnePlus Pad 3 can handle demanding games and apps, but it may experience some performance lag under heavy use.
Cheaper models like the Asus ZenPad S10 are great for casual entertainment and productivity, with solid screen quality and reliable performance for their price. They also feature a wide variety of apps for note-taking, annotation, and document management. These features can be a major draw for some users, especially those on a tight budget.
When it comes to the best value tablets, the Nexus 9 has a great price point and impressive performance. It has a beautiful OLED display and high-quality cameras, as well as the latest Google Android operating system. The Nexus 9 is a good choice for people who want to have a versatile tablet that’s great for both work and play.
The iPad is the better choice for power users who want a seamless experience with Apple apps and services. It’s also the ideal option for those who do professional work or have a passion for digital drawing and creation.
Portability
If you’re primarily interested in media consumption and games, an Android tablet may be the right fit. The Google Play Store has a massive selection of games, including many free-to-play titles for casual gamers. Android tablets also offer more flexible storage options, with microSD card slots to expand local storage capacity.
For business professionals, the iPad offers an outstanding productivity experience. Apple’s ecosystem integration, software optimization, and seamless device handoff help ensure a consistent and stable platform for workflows that demand frequent collaboration and travel. Moreover, the iPad’s hardware encryption, secure boot, and routine updates provide peace of mind when working with sensitive files and data.
The latest iPad models feature stunning tandem OLED and Liquid Retina displays that deliver industry-leading color accuracy, peak brightness, and stylus responsiveness. The Apple Pencil offers reliable digital inking with minimal latency and advanced features like sound recording syncing, handwriting recognition, and more. Lastly, the iPad’s powerful processors and advanced ML capabilities make it the best tablet for demanding creative workflows.
However, the cheapest iPads are a bit more expensive than comparable Android tablets. For budget-conscious users, an affordable Android tablet from a top manufacturer like Samsung can offer a more competitive total cost of ownership and still pack in strong hardware features.
Aside from the affordability factor, an Android tablet offers a more varied app selection than the iOS App Store. For instance, specialized creative applications with desktop-class functionality are available for Android tablets from makers such as Infinite Painter, Sketchbook Pro, Autodesk Draw, and Clip Studio Paint. The openness of Android’s ecosystem also means new hardware innovations and software features often launch first on Android devices before making their way to the iPad.
Despite the wide array of choices, an iPad remains the best option for most consumers in 2025. Its superior productivity experience, tight integration with the Mac and iPhone, excellent note-taking tools, and robust Apple Pencil support make it a great choice for students in particular.
