Tablets exist in a space between phones and laptops that is becoming increasingly muddled. As phones become more powerful and gain larger displays, laptops continue to get lighter. Tablet manufacturers haven’t been resting on their laurels, though. Many of the more recent tablets we’ve seen are looking to bridge the gap in terms of performance and, in select cases, handle some tasks more efficiently than both phones and laptops.
The tablet spectrum is varied, too. Inexpensive models like the Amazon Fire HD 10 make for excellent media streaming devices, while those in Microsoft’s versatile Surface lineup can easily serve as ad-hoc laptops when paired with an optional folio-style keyboard. Then there’s the ubiquitous iPad, a slate that has become the go-to tablet for anyone searching for something in the Apple ecosystem (and for many outside of it).
Below, we’ve rounded up deals for a number of Android, iPadOS, and Windows tablets. We’ve also broken down the deals by manufacturer to make things easier, and we will continue to update this post regularly as new discounts and sales become available. Additionally, keep in mind that, while deals are a bit slim at the moment, we will likely see discounts as we head into Amazon Prime Day, which is officially set to begin on July 12th.
Apple tablet deals
2020 iPad Air
This year’s announcement of a new iPad Air has led Apple to significantly discount its last-gen predecessor, the 2020 iPad Air. The older model may lack Apple’s blazing-fast M1 chip, but its A14 Bionic processor is still capable of delivering plenty of power and should be fast enough for the vast majority of apps. The tablet is also compatible with various iPad Air accessories, which allow you to transform it into an ad-hoc laptop using add-ons like Apple’s Magic Keyboard. The 10.9-inch tablet offers a terrific Retina display with 2360 x 1640 resolution and a wide color gamut as well, not to mention a USB-C port for charging.
Originally $749, the 256GB, Wi-Fi-equipped iPad Air is currently available at Walmart for $599.99. The 64GB variant is also on sale for $469.99 ($130 off). Read our review.
2021 iPad Mini
The latest, 64GB iPad Mini with Wi-Fi usually sells for $499.99 but is on sale right now at Walmart and Amazon for around $409 — the miniature Apple tablet’s best price yet. This model brings a number of welcome changes to the hardware, including a larger display that lacks the home button and USB-C port instead of Apple’s Lightning connector.
The tablet’s 8.3-inch display features a resolution of 2266 x 1488 and 500 nits of brightness, along with True Tone technology that allows you to fine-tune the display based on the lighting in your environment. The Mini also features back- and front-facing 12MP cameras and can capture 4K video at 60 frames per second. All this is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic CPU. Until Apple releases an iPad Mini with an M1 chip — or some variation thereof — the latest Mini is the one to beat.
Keep in mind that this version of the iPad Mini won’t work with Apple’s Smart Keyboard or Magic Keyboard Folio, even if it is compatible with the second-gen Apple Pencil. It does, however, work with a number of third-party Bluetooth keyboards if you need a larger typing surface. Read our review.
2021 iPad
Apple’s iPad remains a solid, popular tablet that’s suitable for just about anyone. Normally $479, the 256GB model with Wi-Fi is on sale right now at Walmart and Amazon for just $429, one of its best prices to date. The smaller, 64GB model is also available at both retailers for $309 (Amazon, Walmart) instead of $329, a modest $20 discount.
Apple’s latest, entry-level iPad features a 10.2-inch, True Tone Retina display, one with a resolution of 2160 x 1620. It’s worth noting, however, that with the release of the most recent iPad Pro and Air models, the base model has become something of an odd duck with an outdated design. At this point, the standard model is the only Apple tablet that still uses a Lightning connection, as opposed to USB-C, and is only compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil. Perhaps more importantly though, it’s also one of the only tablets in Apple’s current lineup that doesn’t use an M1 series CPU, opting instead for an A13 processor that will be fast enough for most users.
12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021)
In many ways, the iPad Pro is the scaled-up version of the most recent iPad Air. The 12.9-inch Pro features Apple’s M1 chip, the same all-aluminum form factor, and the option for 5G connectivity. The 12-inch iPad Pro includes a larger Mini LED display, though, along with a superior camera array, support for Face ID, and a variable refresh rate.
The 12.9-inch, 256GB iPad Pro is currently discounted to $1,099.99 at Walmart in the Wi-Fi-only configuration, down from its typical price of $1,199.99. You can also get the 128GB model with Wi-Fi on Amazon for around $999 instead of its usual price of $1,099.99. Both of these discounts are appealing but bear in mind that both of these models have maintained this price for several months, so we wouldn’t recommend paying more than $1,000 for the 128GB version or $1,100 for the 256GB version if you’re planning to pick one up. Read our review.
Lenovo tablet deals
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
The 11-inch Lenovo Tab P11 Plus normally starts at $249.99 but is currently discounted at Lenovo and Newegg to $214.99. This model comes equipped with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage out of the box, however, thanks to its microSD card slot, you can upgrade it post-purchase. The low-end Android tablet also has a display resolution of 2000 x 1200 and features an 8MP front-facing camera for video chatting, as well as a 13MP rear camera for taking photos. While the P11 Plus is compatible with an optional keyboard dock, the tablet’s MediaTek Helio G90T processor and limited RAM prevent it from performing much heavy lifting, rendering it more suitable for light browsing and media consumption.
Microsoft tablet deals
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
If you don’t mind a limited port selection and are in need of a tablet that offers plenty of performance in a lightweight chassis, Microsoft’s high-powered Surface Pro 8 might fit the bill. The attractive, modern slate feature a 13-inch touchscreen, along with 2880 x 1920 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate — a rarity outside of the gaming sphere. It’s also a great teleconferencing device thanks to its far-field studio microphones and 5MP front-facing camera. Best of all, it serves as a competent stand-in laptop when using the integrated kickstand and the optional keyboard cover.
Right now, the Surface Pro 8 is on sale at Microsoft for $849.99, saving you a cool $240 on the regular $1,099.99 price. This particular model comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. If you need extra room, you can always expand the storage of this tablet down the line with microSD cards. The same configuration is also on sale as part of a bundle at Best Buy, one that includes a keyboard cover for a grand total of $899.99 as opposed to the standard combined price of $1,249.99. Read our review.
Samsung tablet deals
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, S8 Plus, and S8 Ultra
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 series just launched earlier this year, but you can already find notable deals on the standard Tab S8 in the 128GB, Wi-Fi configuration, which is currently on sale at Amazon for $579.99 ($120 off).
While there are some clear upgrades across the S8 line, there are a number of similarities as well. They all use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, feature quad-speaker arrays, run on Android 12, and come packaged with a Samsung S Pen stylus. Each model also supports Wi-Fi 6E and comes equipped with a minimum of 8GB of RAM, but the S8 Ultra is available in 12GB and 16GB configurations as well. The S8 and S8 Plus essentially serve as direct replacements for their Tab S7 predecessors, while the S8 Ultra is a more feature-packed model with support for 5G connectivity and a 14.6-inch OLED display that touts a 120Hz refresh rate and 2960 x 1848 resolution.
In our Galaxy Tab S8 and S8 Plus review, we noted how much we enjoyed both displays and the performance provided by the upgraded CPU. Both models are also slim and lightweight, lending them exceptional portability. However, while both play well with other devices in the Samsung ecosystem, many Android apps still struggle due to poor optimization.
The S8 Ultra, on the other hand, impressed us with its mammoth OLED display and snappy performance. Despite its attempts to bring iPad-level productivity to an Android tablet, however, neither the OS nor the optional keyboard case is really up to the task.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
The Galaxy Tab A7 is a solid, budget-conscious Android tablet that's currently available for its lowest price ever at Best Buy. Normally $229.99, the Tab A7 is on clearance for $195.99, its best price to date. The 10.4-inch tablet features a 1080p display and a battery that's capable of supporting up to 10 hours of video streaming, which pairs perfectly with the robust sound quality provided by its speakers. The build quality of the 32GB tablet is also excellent, and it’s compatible with microSD storage if you need a little extra space for apps.
Unless the tablet you’re shopping for needs to double as a workstation or have an excellent camera, the Tab A7 handles the basics at a very approachable price. The A7 is powered by a low-end Snapdragon 662 processor, which isn't particularly well suited for heavy lifting, but it works well for consuming media and entertainment, rendering the tablet more suitable for play than work. Read our review.
Source: The Verge