1
Product Selection
4.6
Apple offers a diverse range of tablets, including the iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad Pro. Each model caters to different user needs and preferences, with variations in screen sizes, processing power, and additional features. The iPad Pro series, for instance, targets professionals with its powerful performance, while the iPad mini is more compact and portable.
Affordability
2.8
Apple is no stranger to setting the prices of its products at a premium across the board, and that especially holds true for its iPad lineup. Even Apple's "budget" models, like the iPad 10th Gen with its starting price of $449, are pretty high compared to most manufacturers. For instance, the larger, more increased Pro iPad 12.9-inch variant starts well over $1,099, making Apple a more premium option overall.
Battery Life
4.7
You can usually count on Apple for good battery performance from its slates; most offer around 10 hours of battery life. The iPad Pro lasted up to 9 hours in intense use, and it's the same for the other models; one could feel confident when purchasing an Apple product: its battery life has always been above average.
Display
5
Industry-leading in color accuracy and brightness, Apple's Retina and XDR displays set the mark. The Liquid Retina XDR display on the iPad Pro, with its resolution of as high as 2732 x 2048, combines exceptional clarity with brightness to create a technically ideal screen for creatives. Even the more basic models boast True Tone technology, ensuring that sharp, vivid visuals cascade throughout the lineup.
2
Product Selection
4.4
Amazon offers a range of tablets, prominently known for its Fire tablet series. The Fire tablets are available in different sizes and configurations to cater to diverse user needs. These tablets are especially popular for media consumption, e-books, and basic computing tasks. Amazon also provides variations with added features, such as Kids Edition tablets with parental controls.
Affordability
5
They are leading in affordability, availing to the market some of the most affordable tablets: the Fire HD 8 goes for about $99, while the Fire HD 10 is available at about $149. Because of their affordability, Amazon tablets are always people's first choice whenever they seek budget-friendly gadgets.
Battery Life
4.3
Amazon's tablets have generally very good battery life, considering their respective prices. The Fire Max 11, for example, will go up to 14 hours on one charge, making it a pretty good choice for those who need extensive battery life to consume media with.
Display
3.7
The displays on the Amazon Fire series are functional but not outstanding. For instance, the Fire HD 10 comes with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, which is good enough to view videos but lacks sharpness and vibrancy in comparison to the far-higher-end devices by Apple or Samsung.
3
Product Selection
4.2
Microsoft's tablet lineup primarily consists of the Surface series, offering a diverse range of models to cater to various user needs. The Surface Pro line is designed for professionals and creatives, providing a powerful computing experience, while the Surface Go is a more compact and budget-friendly option. Additionally, the Surface Book combines tablet and laptop functionality, expanding the product selection for different user preferences.
Affordability
3
Microsoft pitches its Surface tablets as premium devices, with a starting price for the Surface Pro 9 at $999. However, other more budget-friendly options exist from the company, such as the Surface Go 3, which starts at $399, thus making Microsoft versatile but generally more expensive overall.
Battery Life
4.3
Microsoft boasts up to 15.5 hours of battery life for the Surface Pro 9, which is great, but reality is usually more like 10 to 12 hours of use. Meanwhile, the Surface Go 3 lasts about 8-10 hours depending on use. Thus, placing Microsoft's ranking in the middle to high with regard to battery life.
Display
4.6
With the included PixelSense display on the Surface Pro 9, Microsoft's got excellent touch responsiveness and clarity at 2880 x 1920 resolution. It's not quite at the level of brightness or vibrancy as Apple's Retina or Samsung's AMOLED, though it is a strong performer.
4
Affordability
3.7
The Google Pixel Tablet belongs to a middle-tier price bracket, with the price starting at $499. While it is higher in price compared with the budget-friendly options offered by Lenovo or Amazon, it offers a premium build and performance for mid-range Apple or Samsung tablets. The Pixel Tablet is a very strong value for anyone whose priorities include Google's ecosystem and features, without venturing into the premium pricing tier.
Battery Life
4.3
The Pixel Tablet gives great battery life, with up to 12 hours of video playback, and is a pretty reliable device to have up and running all day. That is because its battery is just efficient enough to enable prolonged use without running out of charge.
Display
4.4
Pixel Tablet comes with a 2560 x 1600 LCD display. It feels clear and bright, though not on an OLED panel; that would be good enough to provide resolution and viewing angles for the greater majority of users. It lacks the deep blacks and punchy colors of the more premium OLED panels from manufacturers like Samsung, but it remains a decent panel for everyday media consumption.
Performance
4.6
The Pixel Tablet from Google runs on a Tensor G2 processor. It's faster and more efficient, too. With this tablet, great for multitasking, gaming, and using AI-enhanced features, it should be an ideal mid-range market segment. It's roughly on par with Apple's mid-tier iPads but doesn't reach the performance heights of Apple's M2 chip in higher-end models. The Pixel Tablet is strong enough, though, for most users' needs.