5 Best Tablets for Media Consumption in 2022 – All you need to know
With the global pandemic hitting us in 2020, research states that media consumption has more than doubled via mobile devices. This does not strike me as surprising, as more and more people realize how practical certain mobile devices can be for watching videos, listening to podcasts, or reading newspapers online. In this article, we will look at the best tablet for media consumption.
Most of the media these days is free since revenue is generated through ads. This makes high-quality content available to the whole world, narrowing the information access gap between the rich and poor countries. The upside of this is that everybody can develop a professional skill with enough will or have access to all kinds of entertainment like movies, games, music, news… The downside is that we are overwhelmed by information. These days it is difficult to keep updated with the fast pace of the world.
Bigger tablets are usually preferred when it comes to consuming media like Netflix, Youtube, and other video-like media. Screen size, screen resolution, and color tone matter when it comes to watching movies on the tablet. In the following paragraphs, we will describe 5 tablets that have favorable features for media consumption. The following specifications have been given more weight while making the decision: processing power, battery life, screen size, screen resolution, and color saturation.
TOP RECOMMENDED TABLETS FOR MEDIA CONSUMPTION
| BEST AFFORDABLE | RECOMMENDED | ||||
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 | Microsoft Surface Pro 8 | Apple iPad Pro 11 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE | |
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| Perfect For | Affordable entertainment device | Work and free time | Professional and home use | Extra large screen | All day battery |
| Display | Thin-film-transistor LCD | PixelSense Display | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Thin-film-transistor LCD | Thin-film-transistor LCD |
| Operating System | Android 11, One UI 3 | Windows 11 | iPadOS 14.5.1 | Android 12 | Android 11 |
| Memory | Up to 128GB (4GB RAM) | Up to 1TB (8GB, 16GB or 32GB RAM) | up to 2TB (8GB or 16GB RAM) | 256GB (12GB RAM) | 256GB (8GB RAM) |
| Camera | 8 MP | 10 MP | 12 MP | 13 MP | 8 MP |
| Battery | Li-Po 7040 mAh | 51.5Wh battery | Li-Po 7538 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Sound | 4 stereo speakers | Stereo speakers | 4 stereo speakers | 4 stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Sensor | Fingerprint (side-mounted) | Face ID | Face ID | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| 3,573 Reviews | 118 Reviews | 5,206 Reviews | 535 Reviews | 71 Reviews | |
| $159.99 | $796.00 | $764.55 | $585.00 | $359.00 | |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Which are the best tablets for MEDIA CONSUMPTION?
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 – Best affordable tablet for media consumption
| HARDWARE | 8/10 | |||
| BATTERY LIFE | 9/10 | |||
| DISPLAY | 9/10 | |||
| MEMORY | 7/10 | |||
| VALUE/PRICE | 9/10 |
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Detailed Review
At 10.5 inches, the Galaxy Tab A8 is slightly larger than the Tab A7. It has a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels so everything looks sharp enough. Viewing angles are okay, and so are contrast and colors. Nothing special, just what you would expect from a cheap device.
Compared to the Galaxy Tab A7 display, the Galaxy Tab A8 is a bit darker. Not a huge difference, but it’s visible in a direct comparison. On the other hand, it is positive that the A8 has better white.
So, when it comes to the display, the A8 hasn’t improved much compared to the A7. But inside it has become faster. Samsung delivers the tablet with a Unisoc Tiger T618 processor, which is supported by 3GB or 4GB of RAM. There is also 32GB to 128GB of internal storage and a 4G LTE option.
It is worth noting that the Galaxy Tab A8 is not suitable for every game with the highest graphics settings, but almost every game can be played.
The Galaxy Tab A8 has a total of four speakers on the sides and you can clearly hear a stereo separation. For the price, the sound quality is pretty good, better than many of its competitors in this price range.
In the end, this still is a very good choice when it comes to tablets. You really get a lot out of this product, especially when you look at the price. I’m am sure you will find a great use for it. Therefore, I believe this is one of the best tablet for media consumption.
- Wide display great for streaming
- The metal body feels premium for the price
- Long-term security support
- Slow 15W charging
- Limited base model RAM and storage
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Microsoft Surface Pro 8
| HARDWARE | 9/10 | |||
| BATTERY LIFE | 9/10 | |||
| DISPLAY | 9/10 | |||
| MEMORY | 9/10 | |||
| VALUE/PRICE | 8/10 |
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Detailed Review
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is by far the best Microsoft tablet. It features a nice, clean design with a very fast processor. This is of course reflected in the price as well, which is set a bit higher. However, I am convinced that this tablet is worth a few extra bucks. Surface Pro 8 combines the power of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet, so it is for sure the best tablet for media consumption.
Build
Surface Pro 8 features a nice looking, premium design. This tablet is slightly larger than usual, but it feels nice in the hand and is still very easy to handle. The tablet comes with a built-in stand in the back, which nicely blends with the design. The tablet also features Thunderbolt 4, which is basically all in one port that allows you to transfer data, connect external monitors and other devices, and of course, recharge your device. Additionally, you can pair your tablet with Surface Pro Signature Keyboard, which pretty much feels like any other laptop keyboard. However, I think the best addition you can get is Surface Slim Pen 2, which allows you to be creative on the go.
Display
Surface Pro 8 has a 13-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,920. The resolution on this screen is absolutely gorgeous. There is also a 120Hz refresh rate, which will give you that super smooth effect. However, the refresh rate can drop to 60Hz to save the battery. In general, the content looks great and you will quickly get used to the bigger screen. Personally, I prefer to have a larger display since it makes it more enjoyable working with the tablet. It is also much better for watching movies.
Hardware & Memory
The tablet comes with preinstalled Windows 11 that features new tools that make it easier to be efficient. Mainly there are two versions you can buy. One has a Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor and the other has a Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7 Processor. Both are very capable processors and can handle pretty much every task. This is some next-level, super-fast performance. Surface Pro 8 is using integrated Xe graphics. The tablet can deliver a decent gaming experience, even though it is not really a gaming tablet. However, it can be paired with gaming consoles to enhance this experience. Otherwise, this is a perfectly good tablet that will blow your mind.
In terms of memory, there are quite a few options regarding RAM. You can get a version with 8GB of RAM as well as a version with 16GB and 32GB of RAM. These are all great options, which will make sure your tablet works fast. It doesn’t really matter which one you get. They will all perform great. However, if you plan on executing more demanding tasks you will probably need more RAM. There are also many options when it comes to internal storage, even up to 1TB. That is more than enough for most people.
Camera
When it comes to the camera, Surface Pro can offer decent performance with its 10MP main camera and 5MP front-facing camera. The output looks good in general with nice colors and good contrast. You can make 4K videos with the main camera, and HD videos using a front camera. If you plan on using the tablet for online meetings, then this tablet will live up to your expectations.
Battery
Surface Pro 8 comes with a very good battery that can easily last the entire day. At normal use, the battery can last as much as 16 hours. However, heavy use will reduce this time. But no need to worry as you can have it back to 100% in no time, thanks to fast charging.
In general, this is a really good tablet that is appropriate for most users. It is fast, powerful, and can last through the entire day. It comes with Windows 11 and can be further paired with all sorts of cool devices. Therefore, I am convinced that this is a great tablet and is certainly one of the best tablet for media consumption.
- Fast processor.
- Large 13 inch display.
- Sophisticated design.
- Windows 11.
- Rather expensive.
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Apple iPad Pro 11
| HARDWARE | 10/10 | |||
| BATTERY LIFE | 8/10 | |||
| DISPLAY | 9/10 | |||
| MEMORY | 10/10 | |||
| VALUE/PRICE | 9/10 |
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Detailed Review
Apple iPad Pro is another great high-end and high-performance tablet that is more than capable of running difficult tasks. You can buy one with 8 or 16 GB of RAM, depending on how much internal storage you need. You will likely not notice the difference in performance though unless you run some performance benchmark tests.
You can get one with an 11 or 12.9-inch display, depending on your preferences. It is the lightest and the fastest iPad Pro yet. The battery life is also excellent and comes with a 20 W fast charger. Overall, I would say that this is definitely one of the best tablet for media consumption. It can be used for entertainment and work in general.
- Lots of internal memory.
- Great and fast performance.
- Good battery life.
- Great chipset.
- Doesn’t feature an XDR display.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 – Best tablet for media consumption
| HARDWARE | 9/10 | |||
| BATTERY LIFE | 9/10 | |||
| DISPLAY | 9/10 | |||
| MEMORY | 8/10 | |||
| VALUE/PRICE | 9/10 |
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Detailed Review
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is one of the largest tablets out there, yet it still feels very light and you can easily handle it with only one hand. One really cool feature is that the tablet comes with the S pen. So if the pen is something you will be using often then consider buying Tab S8. In general, this is a next-level tablet and is among the top tablets in the field. Therefore we can proudly say that this is the best tablet for media consumption.
Build
As we already mentioned, this is a really big tablet. In fact, it makes you wonder if you really need a tablet this big. However, it is definitely worth having, as a bigger screen means that it is much easier to work with. Especially if you are going to be using it for hours. The tablet measures 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in) and weighs just a bit over 500g.
Display
The tablet features Thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which gives it that supersmooth effect while scrolling. In general, the content looks very good on this tablet. The display is simply incredible with nice brightness and is just perfect for your next movie night.
Hardware & Memory
If we move on to tablet hadrware, you will find that Tab S8 has a pretty decent Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. This comes with an Octa-core CPU and Adreno 730 GPU. So on paper, this is a very decent tablet that is able to outperform its competition. Basically, all tasks are performed smoothly. That includes gaming and I think we can all agree that this is a big deal. Games simply have to be running smoothly and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 meets our expectations and brings us the gaming experience we deserve.
The tablet can have either 128GB or 256GB of internal memory, with 256GB being a more popular choice among buyers. Additionally, there is also an option of getting a version with 8GB of RAM and a version with 12GB of RAM. What you want to choose it’s entirely in your hands. However, we do recommend getting a version with 12GB of RAM, since it’s better and makes the tablet work faster.
Camera
As far as camera capabilities go, you get a 13 MP main camera with a 6 MP ultrawide camera. You also get two front cameras (12MP ultrawide). You would be surprised just how nice the camera output is. And we are talking about main and frontal cameras. There are nice and accurate colors with pretty good sharpness. Additionally, you can also make very good-looking 4K videos. If you intend on using the tablet for online meetings, then Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is the way to go.
Battery
You will find that Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 comes with a Li-Po 8000 mAh battery. As one should expect, it’s non-removable, so you won’t be able to replace it. The tablet also comes with a very fast 45W charger that can have your tablet back to 100% of power in just 80 minutes. Now that is fast.
In conclusion, this is definitely a tablet worth buying or at least considering. It is very good and it never fails to deliver. Aditionally it is also cheaper than its iPad competitors. A large screen really makes it something else and it gives you a viewing experience you always wanted. So give it a go and see for yourself.
- Large display.
- Very good chipset.
- Smooth performance.
- S pen.
- Limited upgrade.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
| HARDWARE | 8/10 | |||
| BATTERY LIFE | 10/10 | |||
| DISPLAY | 10/10 | |||
| MEMORY | 8/10 | |||
| VALUE/PRICE | 9/10 |
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Detailed Review
Samsung Galaxy FE products are known to put emphasis on the features that fans loved the most at regular Galaxy models and bring them in a new improved package.
The Galaxy Tab S7 FE combines the strong points of both Galaxy S7 and S7 Plus from the previous year.
It feels just as premium when you hold it as the previous models. It has a unibody made out of brushed aluminum and a 12.4 inch TFT LCD display.
This could actually be considered as a downgrade as the previous flagships featured an AMOLED display. However the colors are very accurate, the blacks are quite deep for an LDC and the brightness is pretty high too. So in fact this is still a great display even for drawing where the colors should be as accurate as possible.
The two front speakers have Dolby Atmos support and are tuned by AKG so listening to music and or watching videos is an absolute pleasure. The quality of the sound is rich and clear, even at higher volumes.
While the Galaxy S7 and S7 Plus are both powered by Snapdragon 865 Plus the FE version features a less powerful mid-range Snapdragon 750G. Overall experience is still smooth but honestly, if you want the best performance the previous models are notably faster.
The tablet comes with Stylus support but the bundled S-pen is passive, not active. However, you still get all the features you will ever need. Let it be taking notes or drawing. The low latency of the pen makes it feel like you are drawing or writing on a real piece of paper. Impressive!
While the FE version cuts some corners it is much more affordable than the last year’s models. The Samsung Galaxy S7 FE is definitely one of the best tablets in terms of “bang for the buck” and rightfully on the list of the best tablet for media consumption.
- 12.4 inch display.
- Eccellent battery.
- 5G.
- S pen included.
- Long time to charge.
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BEST TABLET FOR MEDIA CONSUMPTION – CONCLUSION
Choosing a tablet that will give you a great experience is a lot like choosing a phone. You first need to know for what purpose you will use the tablet, then you can look at specifications that are best suited for the task. In the case of tablets for consumption media, the following specifications should be considered: processing power, battery life, screen size, and color saturation.
Any tablet from our list will do the job, but it is well known that tablets tend to get a little “slower” over time, so picking a tablet that offers above the average performance can add years to your tablet before you need to go out and buy a new one.
