How do I choose between Android tablets?

Posted by NW-82@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 33 comments

I’ve tried asking in a specific Android tablet sub, but I’m not getting much response, so I’ll try here. I’m looking to buy a tablet to play videos - mainly from fitness apps, but I’m also likely to use Disney, Netflix and BBC iPlayer, but I’m so confused about what’s good/reliable and what isn’t. My main criteria is that it’s cheap. Second is that it’s fast (i.e. as little buffering as possible). Ideally I’d like it to be fairly small, but I’m flexible on that - it seems 8” tablets are more expensive than 11”. I don’t think I’ll need more than 128GB storage, but an SD slot could be a bonus. I’ve always bought Apple products and am replacing an obsolete c.12YO iPad Mini, but even refurbished iPads are way out of my price range for this. I have some Amazon gift vouchers, so it’d be a bonus if it’s from there, but also flexible on that if it means a big saving. I’ve had some advice to avoid places like AliExpress and Temu. I’m getting confused by all the different brands I’ve never heard of. What brands are ok, and what brands should I avoid? Is there a better place to ask this question? Thanks in advance!

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33 Comments

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morris_man@reddit

Just got one of these which seems to meet your requirements and comes with a flip case and earbuds for £169. I'm more than happy with mine [https://www.oneplus.com/uk/buy-oneplus-pad-lite](https://www.oneplus.com/uk/buy-oneplus-pad-lite)

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forgottenoldusername@reddit

Op the advice in the comments is terrible. Chinese tablets rule the roost at this price point. Lenovo has fair offerings but the comment regarding quality being above Chinese brands is categorically wrong. Xiaomi and honor are pumping out better for less. The latest android build is much improved for tablets. It's still lacking in some areas but all of the native apps are now good for tablet use. You still get third party apps that are crap though. Things like window switching, multitasking and even desktop modes are default now. For circa 180-300 you aren't getting a better deal from big brands or even brands like lenovo. And frankly the support isn't any worse. Brands like Samsung don't use in house support for their budget products and they're far from reputable - and the big Chinese brands are matching them on software updates widely at this point. This price point I would seriously consider honor myself. The Pad10 is ridiculous value if you wanted a large form factor, the tab9 is very capable and significant better than the Lenovo equivalent.. They have a significant presence in Malaysia and you'll find many English language reviews for that brand specifically. The android tsblet subreddit is actually a great resource for sorting shite from the gems when it comes to android tablets.

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NW-82@reddit (OP)

Wow thank you! So much to consider. I did keep coming across Honor and wondered if they were ok. I think Honor and Xiaomi might be what I need to be looking at. I think I’ve realised from everyone’s feedback that I’ve been fooled by the cheaper Chinese brands into thinking I can get an unrealistic amount for my money. I do live by “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is” which is why I’m proceeding with caution. Basically, it looks like if I’m going to get what I want for as little as possible I’ll need to bear all these points in mind and be ready to choose when the Black Friday prices hit. Thanks again!

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CraigL8@reddit

I bought a Fire Max 11 tablet second hand off eBay for £65 and it is absolutely spot on. Netflix. YouTube. Films.

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CraigL8@reddit

I’m not sure how if id pay £250 for one but they were reduced to something like £150-180 a while ago and its Black Friday soon.

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AcreCryPious@reddit

We've got multiple Kindle Fire HD tablets and if you side load the Google Play store onto them they run like a regular Android. I use my 10 inch one pretty much daily for your exact use case and it works perfectly. They're usually pretty cheap on Black Friday as well

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NW-82@reddit (OP)

Thanks. Sorry I’m completely new to Android, what does “side load google play store” mean? I’ve always used Apple, so I just go to the App Store and download the apps I need. Would I need to do something different on any Android device? Or is this just for Kindle Fire devices?

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AcreCryPious@reddit

Amazon tablets limit you to their own app store which isn't the full Android one. Because they work on a version of Android you can add the full Google App store (like the one you would use on any Android device) and access their full suite of apps https://www.androidpolice.com/install-play-store-amazon-fire-tablet/ Have a look here for more info. Regular Android tablets should already have the play store accessible though.

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NW-82@reddit (OP)

Thank you for explaining, I’m learning!

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AcreCryPious@reddit

No worries.

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dbxp@reddit

Just look at the screen resolution and get the cheapest 1080p one. Lenovo used to make the cheapest 1080p tablets but I'm not sure if things have changed in recent years. Typically you pay a premium for Apple and Samsung seems to be convinced their tablets are worth the same premium when they really aren't.

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FatalCakeIncident@reddit

Unfortunately, there's a bit more to it than just the display resolution. It's super common for cheap tablets to have shit supporting hardware, which can mean terrible sound quality, unresponsive controls, flaky WiFi stability, and that various things simply won't work, as well as the usual quality of life stuff, like modern unlock methods and etc. Updates, too - cheap tablets tend not to get feature or security updates, so it's unsafe to tie them to your main accounts. It's not to say you can't get something usable and pay relatively little for it, but just going for the cheapest 1080p device isn't usually the best method.

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dbxp@reddit

I had a Lenovo a while back and it was fine, not the most amazing hardware but it's a tablet so it really doesn't need to be. It looks like there's more lower end no brand tablets offering 1080p now, it used to be all of those claimed to be HD but then you'd look at the specs and it would be something like 1366 x 768.

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Exact_Setting9562@reddit

I've got a kindle fire HD tablet that was £60 or so. Mainly used for reading books and magazines on but it plays video just fine. I'm sure if you just googled best android tablets you'll get a few good lists too.

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NW-82@reddit (OP)

Thanks, this is why I’ve come here for help… Googling has fed me so much info I don’t know what to believe/trust. I’m a good few weeks into researching options and keep coming across conflicting info.

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Exact_Setting9562@reddit

Maybe nip into town and do John Lewis to try a couple out. Um sure the expensive ones will knock the socks off my tablet but I'm happy for the price.

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NW-82@reddit (OP)

Thanks! Unfortunately not an option for me, our closest John Lewis is about two and a half hours away in good traffic… hence needing advice before buying online. We have a very small Currys and an Argos, that’s it.

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Sygga@reddit

Lenovo M10 will run you about £150 (64GB), the M11 about £180 (128GB) and are available from Amazon. My suggestion, if you need to do something like this in the future. Search on Argos and Curry's, to find reliable and legitimate brands and to get a good idea of their prices. Make a list and then (only then) venture onto Amazon to find their prices.

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NW-82@reddit (OP)

!thanks good tip!

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Beneficial-Star-336@reddit

Any new tablet will be a pretty good speed. Samsung and Google Pixels will be more expensive as they're considered more high end. You can get them refurbished as well, and honestly anything less than 3 years old will still be fast. Choose a size, set a price budget, and then Google lists like "best 8inch tablets under £200." There will also be a lot of YouTube reviews of android tablets. For specific brands: I don't really use tablets but I've had quality and affordable phones from OnePlus and Motorola.

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NW-82@reddit (OP)

Thanks, this is contributing to my confusion… when I search something like that I get spammed a tonne of brands I’ve never heard of, then find mixed reviews for each, and end up down a rabbit hole not knowing who to believe. It’s skewed my expectations of what I can get for my money.

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Jazzlike-Mistake2764@reddit

Lenovo is probably your best bet. Samsung and OnePlus are the other options. Just bear in mind that Android as a whole has rather neglected the tablet form factor. They still do the job, but Apple definitely take it more seriously.

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NW-82@reddit (OP)

Thank you, I should’ve just asked here in the first place. Amazon is feeding me a tonne of brands I’ve never heard of like Doogee, Azeyou, Alldocube and Xioami all sub £100… so it’s seriously warped my expectations!! I’m reading international reviews that seem to make these all sound ok, so I’m struggling to choose, then the brands I *have* heard of like Lenovo are massively higher priced. I’m not averse to refurb… I’ve had multiple refurb iPhones over the years. I think I now need to realign my expectations. And save up!! Thanks again.

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Jazzlike-Mistake2764@reddit

Xioami is okay. I’d avoid any of the others you listed. I’d also be massively skeptical over anything new below even £200. I don’t think it will hold up very long performance-wise. iPad will definitely give you peace of mind and to be honest probably represents the best value, but yes it does have a higher entry point. If were you I’d have a look around at some 2-3 year old mid to high-end Samsungs.

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NW-82@reddit (OP)

Thanks, much food for thought!

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Fizl99@reddit

I've not heard of most of those, but xiaomi are a pretty good brand

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dbxp@reddit

Xiaomi are generally ok,they're a commodity Chinese brand so it's not the highest end kit but it works fine.

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runew0lf@reddit

[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F9FKDH7D](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F9FKDH7D) Massive tablet, nice n cheap 240 quid, and works a treat for everything you wanted! Been using mine for a few months now and its awesome!

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Feeling_History8348@reddit

I had the a9 4th ram one and it was awful maybe the ram size or the screen side but id much rather use my phone.

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DrHenryWu@reddit

Can't help with comparisons but I've got a Samsung S6 and daughter has S5e and they do everything we need from them. Might be slightly dated but still works smooth. I mostly use for torrents and watching films at work, she uses on long car journeys and things

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Master-Trick2850@reddit

There's only one actual viable android tablet brand

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CoffeeIgnoramus@reddit

oh, you tease! Will you let us know if we guess right?

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