My first thought as soon as I took the InkPad Eo out of its packaging was, “Ooh, that’s different.” It’s physically unlike any PocketBook device I’ve tried before, with a premium and hefty build that it’s borrowed from Bigme – made possible after the Chinese brand became a co-owner.
This was a good move as the metal-bound chassis feels nice to hold and, despite an 8MP rear camera, there’s no bump, so it lies completely flat on a table. However, the use of metal edges and the camera could be what’s made the InkPad Eo heavier (at 470g) than some of its competition, like the Onyx Boox Go 10.3 (375g), and uncomfortable to hold for long sessions. I've tested other 10-inch E Ink writing tablets and most of them are more comfortable to hold than the InkPad Eo.
Other than its design, there’s just a couple of other positives I appreciate about the PocketBook InkPad Eo. One is the adoption of the global handwriting feature – aka the ability to write on third-party apps – which is not always supported in other epaper note-taking tablets and could well sway some potential buyers. The other is the color palette – while not as well optimized as the Kobo Colour Libra's screen, book covers on the InkPad Eo look lovely in color. However, this has not quite translated to the ink colors when writing or drawing and those look far more washed out.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
And that's where my positives for this device stop. While I commend the attempt at giving the Onyx Boox devices competition, the Eo is unable to hold its own in other areas.
For starters, it’s very easy to lose the stylus as it doesn’t secure magnetically to the side of the tablet itself. Moreover, the eraser on the top of the pen doesn’t quite behave as expected – it’s more a selector, and the erasing happens after you’ve selected something in the notes app. It’s not a massive lag, but I much prefer the way the Kindle Scribe’s Premium Pen or the Kobo Stylus 2 behaves – erasing as you move along the writing (or drawing), much like an actual pencil eraser would do. Even the reMarkable’s Marker and the Boox pens erase in real time.
The camera, despite being a nice touch, isn’t worth having at all. It doesn’t actually ‘scan’ a document as your phone might do – instead it takes a photo. And the quality of the image isn’t great either, much like the Onyx Boox Palma 2.
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The one thing you expect to do easily with any ereader is transfer files, but even that basic task was frustrating with the InkPad Eo. While there’s Dropbox support (and I’m not a user of this cloud service), there’s no cable transfer possible from a MacBook (I’m not a Windows user either). All possible solutions recommended by PocketBook that I found online to move ebooks to the library application didn’t work and I had to resort to using a microSD card instead. That worked well, along with allowing me to add custom fonts, and a restart enabled the latter easily enough. Even Boox devices don’t have Apple support, but it’s still a lot easier to transfer files without resorting to using a microSD card, and that's thanks to BooxDrop and Google Drive support.
It’s also not easy to check if a file import (in my case via the microSD card) has been successfully completed on the InkPad Eo. There’s no progress bar and the files don’t uncheck when the import is done. Strangely, there is a greyed-out Import button with a check mark, but it’s barely visible.
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Even ghosting is a massive issue. Nearly every app and every page turn results in a light overlay of the previous screen, which can get distracting after a while because you keep expecting it to happen. And that’s despite PocketBook adopting the multiple refresh rate options that Boox devices also have, and yet the latter does it better. I found that the best refresh rate setting to successfully minimize ghosting on the Inkpad Eo is the Regal option, but the only way to select that is to choose Custom Mode, otherwise it’s greyed out. It’s a simple thing and should be available as one of the default options.
The InkPad Eo is the first epaper writing tablet from PocketBook that I’ve tested, but the user interface was instantly familiar. It’s like a love child of reMarkable and Boox, inheriting more from the latter. And, of course, that means the Eo struggles with similar issues that I’ve previously complained about with Boox. The interface is clunky and not very streamlined, with important submenus tucked away when they should be easier to access.
I’m also not too chuffed about a tablet released in April 2025 running Android 11. That’s outdated now and, even though I don’t expect security to be an issue on a device like an E Ink note-taking tablet, surely it’s time to move on – even Boox has adopted Android 13.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
There are a whole lot of other little bugs which can be fixed via a firmware update, but are, at present, rather annoying. For example, tapping on the Home icon doesn’t take you to a home screen at all – it just refreshes the screen you’re already on or takes you to the home page of the app you were using.
Another example is that even though PocketBook has thought about adding a Night and Bedtime frontlight setting, they’re both very bright by default and require manual adjusting anyway. So having those presets was of no use, at least to me who prefers dim screen light when reading at night.
Long story short, PocketBook needs to do better. The InkPad Eo has the makings of a good epaper writing tablet but, as it is now, it’s hard to recommend when there are other brands that do a far superior job at the same or lower price.
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PocketBook InkPad Eo review: specs
Display type:
E Ink Kaleido 3
Screen size:
10.3 inches
Screen resolution:
300ppi grayscale; 150ppi color
Processor:
Mediatek MT8768 (octa core 2.3GHz)
Frontlight:
Yes (SMARTlight)
Storage:
64GB (expandable via microSD)
Battery:
4,000mAh
Speaker:
Yes (stereo)
Water protection:
None
Software:
Android 11
Connectivity:
USB-C, Wi-Fi (dual band), Bluetooth 5.0
File support:
14 document, 3 image, 2 audio
Dimensions:
226 х 191 х 7 mm
Weight:
470g
PocketBook InkPad Eo review: price & availability
Announced March 2025
Available now in North America and Europe from authorized sellers
List price: $550 / £449 (about AU$850)
The PocketBook InkPad Eo was announced at the end of March 2025 and has been available to buy in select markets from third-party sellers since April. With a price tag of $550 / £449 (about AU$850), it’s an expensive E Ink note-taking tablet, but then so is the Bigme InkNoteX from which it takes its cues, as are other color 10-inch E Ink writing tablets.
For example, the reMarkable Paper Pro will set you back $579 / £559 / AU$929 at the very least. For that kind of money, you’re getting a much better device too – an e-paper screen that displays color better and a very streamlined, minimal user interface. That said, it’s not the best for using as an ereader as well – its sole purpose is to be a writing tablet.
While we haven’t tested the Boox Note Air4 C, we’ve liked the previous generations and, for a color e-note taker of the same size as the InkPad Eo, with the same screen tech and very similar UX, it could be the better buy at $529.99 / AU$874 (ships to the UK via the EU warehouse for about £465).
PocketBook devices aren’t officially available in Australia, but imports are listed on Amazon AU and eBay, but at high markups.
Should I buy the PocketBook InkPad Eo?
Buy it if...
Global handwriting is an important feature you need
Not all epaper writing tablets support handwriting in third-party apps. In fact, it's pretty rare. But PocketBook has enabled it on the InkPad Eo, which gives it a major edge over the competition.
You're a PocketBook or Bigme loyalist
There's no denying that PocketBook or Bigme fans will appreciate this tablet – it's well made and inherts Bigme's global handwriting feature. For everyone else, it might be worth looking elsewhere for an alternative.
Don't buy it if...
You don't have the patience to deal with bugs
There's a heck of a lot that's not executed well with the PocketBook InkPad Eo, and it's more than just bugs. If things like ghosting and a clunky interface are going to annoy you, you're better off spending your money elsewhere.
You want value for money
For what it offers, the InkPad Eo is expensive. You'll find far more value for money by opting for a similar tablet from another brand. And if it's an Android one you're after, the Boox devices should be top of your list.
Also consider
Onyx Boox Go 10.3
It looks lovely and it's arguably the thinnest and lightest 10-inch E Ink writing tablet I've used. It doesn't have a color display, but its feature packed and runs Android 12. It's my pick for being the best E Ink writing tablet as its more versatile than the reMarkable 2. Read my in-depth Onyx Boox Go 10.3 review for more information.
reMarkable Paper Pro
If money is no object and you want a color epaper writing tablet, there's none better than the reMarkable Paper Pro. Instead of using the standard E Ink Kaleido 3 screen tech, it uses a customized version of the Gallery 3 display, so colors are more saturated in comparison. And as a reMarkable, it's a creator's tablet through and through. Read our full reMarkable Paper Pro reviewto learn more.
How I tested the PocketBook InkPad Eo
Used every day for three weeks as ereader and note taker
Downloaded a few Android apps, including Kindle and Kobo for reading
Listened to some audiobooks and music files to test speaker quality
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I've tested about 30 ereaders in the last eight years, so I've developed a routine when I begin a new review. First, I connect to Wi-Fi to set up the device, then immediately see if I can transfer some ebooks and comic files for testing. And if it's a note-taking tablet like the PocketBook InkPad Eo, I start a new notebook called Scribbles where I test writing, drawing and handwriting recognition.
I did all this for the InkPad Eo, then also signed into the Google Play Store to download some other apps, including some benchmarking ones as I'm always curious to see how the processor performs.
I spent about 30 hours over a period of three weeks reading ebooks, and took all my work-related notes on the InkPad Eo. This gave me plenty of experience with the workings of the tablet. I also tried out the rear camera a few times, plus tested all the refresh rate options and various settings.
Given my experience with different brands of ereaders and E Ink writing tablets, I was able to compare the InkPad Eo as objectively as possible with the competition from Onyx Boox, Kindle, Kobo and reMarkable.
As someone who has sworn by iPads and iPadOS for over a decade now, consider me pleasantly surprised to discover just how much fun it is to use the OnePlus Pad 3. For my particular use case, as someone who likes to use tablet computers for a mix of productivity during the day and catching up on YouTube and Netflix in my spare time, the Pad 3 provided me with quality of life features I didn’t even know I needed.
Smart suggestions from Open Canvas that let you split-screen apps in seconds, not to mention having up to three apps open at once with extra capacity for apps sitting in a floating window, all add up to a great experience that’s further emboldened by a bright screen and fantastic battery life.
When you factor in the additional cost of accessories, the complete OnePlus Pad 3 package can set you back a fair bit, and I still think that the entry-level iPad 10.9 is the best value option for more people where tablets are concerned. It’s also a shame that a lack of Android optimisation gets in the way of the grand ambitions of OxygenOS. If something can be done to make key Android apps function more appropriately in tablet form, then the OnePlus Pad 3 could make a fine case for arguably being the best Android tablet out there.
OnePlus Pad 3 review: price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Starts at $699 / £529 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage
A 16GB RAM/512GB storage model is available in the UK, but not the US
You’d be justified for thinking that, with all the upgrades included and the current state of the world economy, that the OnePlus Pad 3 would bring about a hefty price increase over the OnePlus Pad 2, but thankfully that’s not the case.
The OnePlus Pad 3 boasts an entry level price of $699 / £529 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage model, but that can leap up to £599 for the more robust 16GB RAM/512GB storage option.
Given that the OnePlus Pad 2 had a launch price of $549 / £499 at the checkout, seeing just a £30 uptick this time around (in the UK at least) isn’t too shabby, and I think it’s reasonable request when compared against the larger screen, faster processor, increased storage and improved speakers that you get with this newer model. Sorry, US users, but you know what you did.
What you do need to bear in mind however is that the OnePlus Pad 3 does not come bundled with any of its key accessories. In the US you get the 80W SuperVOOC charger, but in the UK you’ll only find OnePlus’ signature red USB-C cable included. This is where the cost can soar.
The OnePlus Pad 3 Stylo 2 will set you back $99 / £99, so you'll have to factor that in for digital drawing or note-taking, while the OnePlus Pad 3 Smart Keyboard and Folio Case cost $199 / £169 and $49 / £59 respectively. Of course, you can always opt for cheaper alternatives to help mitigate that cost, such as eschewing the Smart Keyboard in favor of one of the best wireless keyboards, but for the most seamless experience where everything complements one another in design language, it can add up.
Value score: 4 / 5
OnePlus Pad review: specs
Starting price
£529
Operating system
OxygenOS 15
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
Memory (RAM)
12GB/16GB
Storage
256GB/512GB
Display
13.2-inch 3.4k LCD, 144Hz
Weight
675g
Battery
12,140mAh
Charging
80W SUPERVOOC
Cameras
13MP main, 8MP front
Pretty much all of the key areas have seen an upgrade over the OnePlus Pad 2. There’s now the much faster Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset under the hood which OnePlus claims to provide a 45% and 40% boost in CPU and GPU performance respectively.
Helping to power that chipset is an increase in the default amount of RAM, with the entry-level option now boasting 12GB instead of 8GB, and that’s also paired with a higher starting storage of 256GB as opposed to 128GB. In the UK there is an upgrade option with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but that model isn't being sold in the US.
What’s sure to turn heads for those who use their tablets as all-day devices is the leap to a massive 12,140mAh battery which absolutely towers above the 9,510mAh cell found within the OnePlus Pad 2. There’s even an increase in charging speeds, now up to 80W, to help you fill up that larger battery even faster. In the US that faster charger comes in the box, but UK users will need to splurge on the faster plug.
OnePlus Pad 3 review: display
(Image credit: Future)
Gorgeous 13.2-inch 3.2K LCD panel
7:5 ratio is helpful for multitasking
Great depiction of colour
Because I’d become so used to using the much smaller iPad 10.9, which has been my go-to tablet for everything over the last few years, I was somewhat gobsmacked by the display that the OnePlus Pad 3 brings to the table. Sure, it’s not quite the 14.6-inch beast that you’ll find on the far pricier Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, but the Pad 3’s 13.2-inch 3.2K LCD display is an eye-catcher for a handful of reasons.
At the surface level, it just looks great. Whether you’re simply admiring the collection of landscape photography that OnePlus offers up for potential wallpapers, or streaming one of the best Disney Plus shows, it all leaps out of the screen with a level of vibrancy that really makes the OnePlus Pad 3 a joy to use. Whenever I had to go back to using my Windows laptop, I always found myself irritated at the immediate downgrade in screen quality.
When I was diving into a bit of Call of Duty Mobile to test out the performance of the device, I ended up playing for quite a bit longer than I usually do just because of how great the game looks on the OnePlus Pad 3. Particle effects really pop thanks to the larger than average sizing, and your eyes are drawn to character models which are given their due thanks to the detailed 3.2K resolution.
The high density of pixels also means that fans of animation will love using this thing for entertainment. Diving into Disney Pixar’s Elemental, the opening scenes in Element City are an absolute feast for the eyes, with your attention drawn equally to what’s happening in the foreground and all the smaller moments of background action.
Because of the unique 7:5 aspect ratio, the OnePlus Pad 3 has just the right amount of height in its display to have multiple windows open at one time, all without any of them feeling too cramped to the point where you’re forced to zoom in. In the time that I’ve been using the tablet, I’ve probably come to value this feature the most as it means I can really maximise its capabilities as a productivity device. I never like to bring a laptop with me on holiday, but for something like this that works so well for both watching content and responding to emails, the OnePlus Pad 3 is exactly the type of device I’d pack in my suitcase.
Display score: 5 / 5
OnePlus Pad 3 review: design
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Barely thicker than the USB-C port at the bottom
Fairly mundane colour options
When you lay your hands on the OnePlus Pad 3, you’ll no doubt notice, before anything else, just how slim this thing is. As soon as I took it out of the box, I became far more cautious in my handling of the Pad 3 until I was able to encase it in the Smart Keyboard accessory that OnePlus sent along with it.
The OnePlus Pad 3 is just 5.97mm thick, which isn’t too far off the 5.1mm thickness of the iPad Pro 2024. Despite its larger than average display, the Pad 3 doesn’t weigh all that much in the hand either, coming in at only 675g. Thankfully, all of this means that, even with the Smart Keyboard in tow, the OnePlus Pad 3 feels wonderfully lightweight in your bag, and it’s very easy to carry around one-handed.
Unfortunately, there isn’t really anything here in the way of visual flare to elevate the OnePlus 3 from competing tablets. There are two colors available in the UK, Storm Blue (the same as the review unit) and Frosted Silver. The silver model won't be sold in the US.
While I can’t speak for the latter, the Storm Blue looks anything but blue to my eyes, striking more as a darker grey. I know that this isn’t uncommon with tablets around this price range, but I would love to see more vibrant options like what you’ll find with the entry-level iPad 10.9.
(Image credit: Future)
It also doesn’t help that the ‘all metal unibody’ of the tablet loves to pick up the occasional smudge, which is never a good look. I also think that the design of the Smart Keyboard accessory could use a bit of an overhaul.
The keyboard itself is fine once you get used to it, but it would be nice if the keys were less mushy and a bit more clicky, similar to what you’ll find on Apple’s Magic Keyboard. The material underneath the keyboard also doesn’t have much grip to it either, and when working at a standard office desk, I found it would slip and slide all over the place with just a slight nudge, which forced me to be a bit more considerate in my typing. This wasn’t the case everywhere that I took the Pad 3, but it’s something that I would like to see fixed in a successor.
Design score: 4/5
OnePlus Pad 3 review: software
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Open Canvas is now better than ever
Android still needs better optimisation on tablets
Software has long been the Achilles heel for almost all Android tablets when weighed up against the seamlessness of Apple’s iPadOS, but to give OnePlus its due, the company has done its best to close the gap with OxygenOS 15.
Compared to some of the more cumbersome Android interface options out there, OxygenOS is clean in its aesthetic and easy to understand in its UI so that, even if you’re someone who’s knee-deep in Apple’s ecosystem and considering picking up an Android tablet for the first time, you’ll get on just fine here.
OnePlus made the excellent decision last year to bring the impressive Open Canvas software (originally found on the OnePlus Open) over to the OnePlus Pad 2. This ingenious bit of tech means that you can easily have up to three apps open at the same time, which has been incredibly helpful whilst writing this review as it means I’ve been able to cross reference my own notes with OnePlus’ official press release without having to constantly minimize and reopen windows.
Open Canvas was already great, but it’s just been given a handy upgrade that now makes launching it even easier than before. If the Pad 3 notices that you’ve quickly jumped from one app to another, it will ask if you want to split-screen these apps so that they sit side by side. The moment you tap this notification, both apps appear instantly – it’s that simple.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s such a small addition to the software but one that ended up saving me a decent chunk of time, and anything that helps to keep your flowstate going when you're in the middle of a tough deadline is fine by me. Apple should take note and bring this to iPadOS in the future.
As great as Open Canvas is, the OnePlus Pad 3 doesn’t completely avoid the optimization problems that plague Android on tablets. Regardless of which device I’m using, I frequently rely on Google Docs and Notion, both of which had issues when trying to run on the Pad 3.
Initially, Notion wouldn’t let me type anything until I was forced to delete the app and then reinstall it, while Google Docs would just flat out refuse to recognize the scrolling gesture on the Smart Keyboard trackpad, so I’ve been forced to use the touchscreen whenever I’ve needed to move through a document.
What I will say is that for a lot of these web-based apps, they do work rather well when you run them in the Chrome browser, similar to how you would with one of the best Chromebooks, but it’s hardly ideal given that it’s never an issue I’ve had to deal with when using iPadOS.
(Image credit: Future)
Unlike a lot of companies right now, OnePlus hasn’t gone so far into AI that it’s taken up the bulk of the upgrades, but there are some helpful AI features now baked into the ‘AI toolkit’ which appears when you’re browsing the web. This allows you to quickly summarise an article if you’re in a rush, or have an AI voice read out its contents for you, even as you dive into other apps. It’s unobtrusive yet well executed, so well done to OnePlus on this front.
Software score: 4 / 5
OnePlus Pad 3 review: performance
(Image credit: Future)
Flagship performance thanks to the latest Snapdragon chip
This is a tablet designed for multitasking
If you’ve already read the specs for the OnePlus Pad 3 then you may have raised an eye-brow at the inclusion of the super-powered Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset under the hood. Not only is this the same processor you’ll find in the best smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Honor Magic 7 Pro, but it also represents a major leap in speed from what we've seen before.
As previously mentioned, the claim is that the 8 Elite can provide a 45% boost in performance to the CPU, and 40% for the GPU. That all sounds great on paper, but what difference does it make to the day to day experience? Plenty, as it turns out.
Just for context, this entire review has been written with the OnePlus Pad 3, and I’ve had Google Docs open alongside a PDF press release, and a Chrome window with several tabs. Occasionally I’ve had a WhatsApp overlay in the corner to quickly respond to messages, and at one point I had Disney Plus playing Avengers: Endgame on top of all these apps, and it didn’t break a sweat. Sure, it did look like some kind of pop-up-filled nightmare, but I was impressed to see no signs of slowdown. Simply put, if you're after a productivity tablet that you can really push to the limits, you’ll get on well here.
The same can be said for gaming. Taking a quick break to enjoy a few rounds of Call of Duty Mobile with an Xbox controller connected via Bluetooth, the OnePlus Pad 3 kept up with every fast-paced moment and all the chaos that a typical match brings with it.
As a final point, I want to draw particular attention to the improved speakers on the OnePlus Pad 3. There are now eight speakers instead of four, and they collectively offer up the best sound I’ve ever come across on a tablet. Layers feel separated so that they each have noticeable depth, and vocals are elevated to make watching shows and films a really enjoyable experience.
Performance score: 5 / 5
OnePlus Pad 3 review: battery
(Image credit: Future)
Charging speeds and battery capacity have been upgraded
No charging brick included
While there have been plenty of upgrades elsewhere, OnePlus has still made sure not to forget about the battery and charging experience. The headline upgrade here is the change to a much larger 12,140mAh battery which OnePlus claims can play triple-A games for six hours, or endure video playback for more than 17-hours. That’s definitely impressive, but I think that the proof is in how it can handle a bit of everything over the course of a day.
Beginning my test at 9:30am, I used the OnePlus Pad 3 as my main work device for typing documents and responding to emails, but over the course of six hours of screen-on time, downloading apps, watching 30-mins of Disney Plus and similarly playing games for 30-minutes, I was able to make it to 5:30pm with about 35% battery left in the tank. Of course, the average work day (for myself at least) doesn't tend to have quite so much time set aside for entertainment, but to still have 35% remaining leaves me with plenty of confidence for the days when I want to hunker down with work.
Charging is a bit of a different story. The OnePlus Pad 3 now support fast charging up to 80W, up from 67W on the OnePlus Pad 2, but you’ll need to buy a compatible charger separately in order to hit those speeds.
For my charging test, I had a 65W charger to hand (which is still faster than most), and managed to get the Pad 3 from 5% battery to 100% in 121 minutes. It took about an hour to reach 56% so if you are strapped for time, that should give you enough power to get through a day with the power saver mode switched on.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should you buy the OnePlus Pad 3?
OnePlus Pad 3 report card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
For all the upgrades the OnePlus Pad 3 packs, its small price increase is easily justified.
4 / 5
Display
The increased size and unique aspect ratio make the display ideal for work and entertainment
5 / 5
Design
The Pad 3 is incredibly thin and light to the touch, but its overall design isn't too inspiring
4 / 5
Software
OxygenOS is brilliantly intuitive, but Android still needs some work for tablets
4 / 5
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset makes short work of multitasking and gaming
5 / 5
Battery
Plenty of longevity but charging can be slow if you don’t buy an appropriate fast charger
4 / 5
Buy it if…
You need a multitasking tablet for work
If you’re constantly juggling emails, documents and notes then the OnePlus Pad is perfect for jumping between them quickly.
You want one of the best Android tablets out there
Between OxygenOS and the improved battery life, the Pad 3 will leave you wanting for very little within the Android space.
You’re tempted to make the jump from iPad
As a long-time iPad user, I can safely say that I’ll be using the Pad 3 predominantly as my main productivity tablet going forward.
Don’t buy it if…
You aren’t prepared to pay for the accessories
The OnePlus Pad 3 is a great tablet, but it’s made infinitely better by buying at least one of its available accessories which should be factored into the overall cost.
You want the best value tablet
Compared to the iPad Air 2024, the Pad 3 is a bargain, but it’s still more expensive than great value offerings like the Galaxy Tab S10 FE which bundles in the S Pen for free.
You’re knee deep in the Apple ecosystem
Because of the seamless communication between Apple devices, those toting an iPhone or Apple Watch will still find a better overall experience with one of the best iPads.
Also consider
Not convinced by all the OnePlus Pad 3 has to offer? Here are some alternatives worth checking out:
OnePlus Pad 3
Apple iPad 10.9 (2022)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Price
£529
$349 / £329
$1,199.99 / £1,199 (now regularly discounted)
Base storage
256GB
64GB
256GB
Screen size
13.2-inch 3.4k LCD, 144Hz
10.9-inch LCD, 60Hz
14.6-inch AMOLED, 120Hz
Chipset
Snapdragon 8 Elite
Apple A14 Bionic
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Battery
12,140mAh
7,606mAh
11,200mAh
Charging
80W
28.6W
45W
Cameras
13MP main, 8MP front
12MP main, 12MP front
13MP main, 8MP ultra wide, plus 12MP wide and 12MP ultra wide front sensors
OS
OxygenOS w/ Android 15
iPadOS 18
One UI with Android 15
Apple iPad 10.9 (2022)
Apple’s entry-level iPad still manages to defy expectations by offering plenty in the way of productivity and entertainment prowess, and since its successor hit the scene, it can now be found cheaper than ever.
If you know where to look, Samsung’s ultra-premium tablet of yesteryear can be picked up for a significantly reduced price, and it comes with the S Pen stylus included.
I used the OnePlus Pad 3 over a nine-day testing period, using it in my home office, connected to my home Wi-Fi, and also at a local cafe whilst using my OnePlus Open as a hotspot.
Testing the full speed of its 80W fast charging wasn’t possible due to only having a 65W adapter available over the course of this review, which should be taken into consideration when analysing the battery results.
When testing out the gaming performance of the OnePlus Pad 3, I played Call of Duty Mobile, GTA: San Andreas The Definitive Edition, and Dead Cells: Netflix Edition, all with a wirelessly connected Xbox controller.
The new Lenovo Idea Tab Pro could be the best Android alternative to Apple's iPad 10.9 (2022) on the market right now, given its comparable price point
It’s a formidable general use tablet that boasts a number of key upgrades compared to Apple’s slab, namely a larger 12.7” 3K (2944 x 1840) display with a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which makes everything feel breezy, from scrolling social media feeds to watching videos and movies on the go.
The seriously impressive JBL-tuned speakers can easily go toe to toe with the sound systems of some of the best tablets around. With the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, you have a formidable media consumption machine that’s a fantastic fit for those times when you just want to kick back with some Netflix or Amazon Prime Video on a convenient tablet screen.
(Image credit: Dash Wood / Future)
Equipped with a mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor and 8GB of RAM, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is no slouch when it comes to gaming. Graphically intensive titles like Zenless Zone Zero and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile look great and run smoothly, though the tablet’s heavy weight and large size definitely make it quite an unwieldy choice for those who rely on touch screen controls.
Even considering its larger size, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is a great pick if you’re looking for a capable tablet to keep yourself or the rest of the family entertained on all fronts.
The Lenovo Tab Pen Plus stylus is included in the box, too, and while it's not quite as accurate as the latest Apple Pencil, it comes pretty close with impressive pressure sensitivity. As a result, this would be a very good tablet for students or beginner artists, though users in the latter category should note that leading drawing apps like Procreate are still exclusive to Apple’s ecosystem.
I had some problems with Android on tablet, including the odd stutter and unoptimized app - though I can't fault Lenovo for a poor Android tablet ecosystem.
That said, Lenovo does have control over its custom Android skin and some decisions may prove divisive. I personally appreciate neat features like the desktop-style PC mode and useful Entertainment Space home screen tab, but an awkward set up process that forced me to fight tooth and nail to avoid installing mountains of pointless bloat makes a poor first impression and is a let down, even at this price.
(Image credit: Dash Wood / Future)
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: Price and availability
Starts at $349.99 / £379.99
Available in the UK, coming soon to the US
Lenovo Tab Pen Plus stylus included
The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is currently available from Lenovo in the UK and starts at £379.99. This price gets you the tablet in its 128GB configuration and the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus, which is included in the box and costs $39.99 / £29.99 as a standalone.
A 256GB model is also available and costs around £400. Outside of Lenovo's direct sales website, the tablet is easy to find at retailers like Amazon, Argos, and Very.
As for the US, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro isn’t available quite yet. It’s expected to launch in April 2025, with a starting price of $349.99.
Value score: 4/5
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: Specs
Here's everything you need to know about what the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is packing under the hood:
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: design and materials
Sleek and understated
Premium look and feel
One color option
The design of the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro isn't the most thrilling, borrowing much of its overall look from its 2023 predecessor the Lenovo Tab P12, but it’s still good on the whole.
Its casing is a smooth metal that is both pleasant to the touch and gives the impression of durability. There are some hefty bezels around the large 12.7in display (about 8mm) but, rather than detracting from the user experience, they serve as a handy place to rest your palms without the risk of accidental inputs.
The back of the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro features an embossed, shiny Lenovo logo in its centre, plus the camera module in the top right hand corner. Next to the camera is a subtle striped pattern that seems purely decorative, and a magnetic area marked with a small stylus symbol. This is where the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus can attach to the tablet thanks to some strong magnets.
(Image credit: Dash Wood / Future)
Unfortunately, the stylus is not able to draw power when it’s attached and needs to be charged separately via a USB Type-C cable. Luckily, it has great battery life with more than 150 hours of standby time, so this isn’t something that you’re going to be doing often. I’m not the biggest stylus user, but I still put it through its paces and only needed to charge it once during my testing.
The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro also has a MicroSD card slot (ideal if you want to quickly expand your storage or easily transfer files from a laptop) plus a fingerprint reader on its power key. It’s a very snappy fingerprint reader too, quickly and reliably unlocking the tablet in a single press.
On the bottom of the tablet are three accessory connector pins which allow you to slot it into the aptly named Lenovo keyboard pack for the Idea Tab Pro. This equips it with a tactile IdeaPad style keyboard and touchpad and, thanks to the Luna Grey colorway, wouldn't look at all out of place in an educational or office setting.
At 1.36lbs / 620g this is not the lightest tablet out there, but it definitely feels well built. It’s 6.9mm thick, so still a tiny bit slimmer than the latest iPad, but a little chunkier than the iPad Air.
This is the first base model iPad to do away with the Lightning port in favor of USB-C (Image credit: Dash Wood / Future)
Design score: 4/5
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: Display
Colorful and smooth display
Fantastic for media consumption
Not the brightest around
Apple iPad 10.9 (2022) Liquid Retina Display in the Magic Keyboard Folio (Image credit: Dash Wood / Future)
The Lenovo Idea Pad Pro features a 12.7in IPS LCD screen at 2944 x 1840 (3K) resolution. It’s not quite as vibrant as OLED options, but it's still got punchy colors and benefits from a smooth 144Hz refresh rate. This is a huge upgrade compared to the 60Hz panel used on the Lenovo Pad P12 and is instantly noticeable when scrolling websites or social media feeds. The viewing angles are also surprisingly good, making it easy to use the tablet propped up against a stand and even when it’s flat on a table.
I tested the display with a wide range of videos in both 1080p and 2160p and was very happy with the results. The only area where I can fault it is in its brightness. Maxing out at 400 nits, it’s completely fine for indoor use but can start to struggle in bright sunlight. This won’t matter for the vast majority of users, but if you want to read magazines or comic books on a sun lounger then you will probably appreciate something brighter. Given the price and strong performance of the display elsewhere, however, it’s difficult to really complain about this.
The 12.7in size is more than enough for most day-to-day functions and perfect multi-tasking. Lenovo’s OS has some extra buttons specifically for this purpose too, making it easy to split the screen between two separate apps or view an app as a floating window - fantastic if you want to view multiple documents or take notes from a website.
Display score: 4/5
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: Software
Some handy features
Brilliant PC mode
Annoying bloat
The software here is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, I really enjoy Lenovo’s Android skin. This is, of course, subjective, but I find its user interface approachable and packed with useful features.
The Entertainment Space on the home screen for example, which connects to most of your streaming services to provide an all-encompassing page of recommendations, is something that I actually regularly use and a great way to work out what to watch next.
The PC mode is also brilliant, enhancing multi-tasking with the ability to create multiple distinct windows with your apps on a virtual desktop. The tablet’s USB Type-C port supports DisplayPort too, so you could feasibly hook this up to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor with a compatible dock for an effective workstation in a pinch.
Menus are all snappy and the in-built smart connect app lets you connect the tablet to your PC to quickly share files and even directly control it from your desktop - though your mileage here is going to depend heavily on the strength of your internet connection.
On the other hand, the setup process is, in a word, dire. You have to flip through an entire menu of annoying ‘additional apps’ (that’s a polite way of saying ‘pointless bloat’) and even after thinking that I had managed to dodge every single one, I still somehow ended up with the likes of MyScript Calculator 2, Tide, and Nebo clogging up my home screen.
I don’t even know what ‘Nebo’ is and was in no mood to find out, so I had to spend my first five minutes with the tablet uninstalling everything that I could. It makes for a very poor first impression and feels a little like Lenovo is trying to take advantage of users that don’t know any better.
(Image credit: Dash Wood / Future)
Software score: 3/5
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: Performance,
Really superb speakers
Great for media consumption
Also a decent choice for gaming
Rather unexpectedly, the absolute highlight of using the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is its unbelievably good speakers.
Seriously, the quad JBL-tuned setup here is genuinely among the best that I have ever heard on a tablet at this price, absolutely obliterating the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and iPad 10.9 (2022). They can go impressively loud without losing detail and offer a great sound profile that’s punchy without being too heavy on the bass.
Throw in the Dolby Atmos support and you have a sound system that can handle intense action movie moments, catchy TV show theme tunes, or long video podcasts without breaking a sweat. One of my absolute favorite things to do on any tablet is watching music videos and that was a real pleasure here, even without any headphones.
It definitely helps that all types of media look great on the big, bright 3K screen though. The 16:10 aspect ratio also leads to minimal black bars in most scenarios. This is a real streaming powerhouse and, if you’re after a tablet to catch up with your favorite series, it comes highly recommended.
(Image credit: Dash Wood / Future)
I put the tablet through its paces with a range of apps, plus plenty of internet browsing, and there was no noticeable slowdown to report. I encountered a few small stutters in the YouTube app when swiping to minimize a video and a handful crashes in the Firefox app, though these seem to be problems with Android itself that I have been able to replicate on other devices, so I won't blame the tablet.
If you’re in the mood for some gaming, then the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is a good choice. Call of Duty: Mobile ran perfectly smoothly, solidly maintaining above 60 fps even after I cranked the settings up to Very High. Paired with a Bluetooth controller, it was a fantastic experience.
The significantly more demanding Zenless Zone Zero ran at a smooth 30 fps on Low. Cranking the frame rate up to 60, the Idea Tab Pro was mostly stable, but the game did cause the tablet to heat up quickly. In more casual games like SimCity BuildIt, performance was flawless throughout.
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: Battery
Lasts a day and then some
Holds charge well between uses
Average charging speed
Equipped with a large 10,200 mAh battery, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro delivers good battery life.
It can easily get through an entire day of use and then some, provided that you’re not running lots of downloads or gaming frequently.
To give you a practical example, I used the tablet to watch an episode of a TV series every evening and I didn't need to charge the tablet the entire week. The Idea Tab Pro also seems to hold its charge well when idle. This is a tablet that you can leave in a bag for a few days and come back to without needing to run for a charger.
On the subject of charging, the tablet supports up to 45W power delivery and took about two hours to get up to full juice from zero. Nothing exceptional in this regard, but fine for the price.
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: Score card
Should I buy the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro?
Buy it if...
You’re after great sound I still can’t get over how great the sound is with the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. The quad JBL-tuned speakers are a delight and a top reason to buy.
You love watching movies With its lovely 12.7in 3K display, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is a great fit for movie lovers. Plus the MicroSD card support means you don’t have to worry about running out of space for all your favorite series.
You want a good all-round tablet This tablet is a great all-rounder. It’s ideal for media consumption thanks to its sound and screen, but also has the specs for productivity and gaming.
Don't buy it if...
You can’t stand the software Lenovo’s Android skin won’t be for everyone, especially the frustrating set-up process. Consider options from other brands if you don’t think you’ll be a fan.
Also consider
Not sold on the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro? Here are two compelling alternatives to consider.
iPad 10.9 (2022) Not quite the latest iPad anymore, but widely available for around the same cost as the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. You get comparable battery life and decent performance, but a smaller, lower resolution screen and worse speakers. The big draw here, however, is the software which is a seamless delight and offers leading apps like Procreate. The camera is much better, too.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus If you have a bit of a higher budget, then the superior battery life, not to mention thinner design and wider range of colors, might make the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus a compelling option. The processor here is slightly less powerful than the Mediatek Dimensity 8300, though, so don’t expect better performance.
I used the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro tablet as my primary tablet for more than two weeks.
During that time I tried it out with a range of productivity tasks (including the writing of this review!) with apps like Google Docs, Gmail, Slack, and Firefox. I made sure to evaluate the quality of the included stylus using the in-built notes application.
I also relied on it for my entertainment needs, by watching series on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+. On top of this, I watched lots of videos on YouTube and listened to plenty of music in order to really make the most of its excellent speakers.
On top of this, I managed to squeeze in a fair few hours in Call of Duty Mobile, which I played with both touch controls and an Xbox Wireless Controller, plus plenty of time in Zenless Zone Zero.
For battery testing, I ran the tablet from full charge until it ran out of battery over a few sessions - making a note of the length of each session plus the overall start and end time. I also measured the time it took to charge back up to 100% using a 45W charger.
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I might wish for more ereaders like the Onxy Boox Palma 2, but I also recognize that its form factor is exactly what makes it so unique – just like its predecessor. And if it had competition, I suppose I'd be hard pressed to appreciate it as much I do.
The 2:1 aspect ratio on this 6-inch ereader makes it resemble a smartphone, complete with speakers, a mic, side buttons and rear camera, and that's also what makes it so pocket friendly. It replaces the older Boox Palma as my favorite compact ereader as I have a sneaking suspicion the previous model could be discontinued in the near future.
Physically, the two generations are near identical and, while I don’t mind that, I’d have loved to see a slightly more premium-looking chassis to match the price tag.
There’s only one physical difference between the original Boox Palma and the Palma 2 – the power button. It’s oh-so-marginally longer and flatter to accommodate a built-in fingerprint scanner. While I appreciate the addition, I don’t see the need for it on an ereader that can be set up with a passcode if security is top of mind, but it also doesn’t function as expected. It’s more miss than hit as you have to place your finger just so for it to be effective.
I might find the fingerprint scanner superfluous, but learning that the Palma 2 got a new chipset to boost performance had me chomping at the bit to try it out. Strangely, the upgraded processor hasn’t made much of a difference in real-world use. That’s not to say the performance is bad, it's just not any better (or worse) than what I experienced with the previous generation.
The Onyx Boox Palma 2 comes with a refreshed user interface, including redesigned app icons (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
What’s really a standout for me with the Palma 2 is its new user interface. Onyx has redesigned the app icons and NeoReader (native library app) settings, giving it a cleaner, more modern appeal. Even the settings list looks fresh thanks to less weight (thickness) to the text and the boxes. The whole setup is still more complicated than it needs to be – which is an issue I have with all Boox tablets – but it looks much nicer which, in turn, makes it easier to find the adjustments you need while reading.
Onyx has also upgraded the OS to Android 13, which is good news for getting security updates for a little while yet.
My biggest disappointment with the Palma 2 is that Onyx has stuck with using the same E Ink Carta 1200 display it did for previous model, and that stings when you consider how expensive the Palma 2 is over other 6-inch ereaders that sport the latest in E Ink screen technology.
I still think there’s a missed opportunity here to add more functionality to the Palma 2 – writing capabilities would have made it a lot more appealing, something I noted about the older Palma too. Being able to slip it into my pocket to jot notes at media events and meetings would have made the Palma 2 an integral part of my daily life, not just being a portable ereader.
Despite my complaints, I still can’t help but like the Palma 2, just for being the most compact and unique ereader I’ve tested.
A palm-friendly size makes the Boox Palma 2 an enticing ereader option (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Price & availability
Announced Q3 of 2024
List price: $299.99 / €299.99 (about £250) / AU$499
Available now directly from the Boox Shop and select authorized retailers
The Palma 2 shares the same launch price as its predecessor and will set you back $299.99 / €299.99 (about £250) / AU$499 at full price. It’s possible to see discounts on the US and European Boox Shop online storefronts during major sales, but Australian retailers stocking Boox tablets don’t usually have offers to make these expensive ereaders more accessible.
Given its plastic build and features, it would be difficult for me to recommend the Palma 2 at its full price, but I can also see its form factor alone being a good justification to spend the extra cash. Also the versatility of running Android – getting you access to the Play Store to download third-party apps and games – might just convince some users to make the switch.
That said, the older Palma is now cheaper – listed for as low as $199.99/ €229.99 (around £190) / AU$399 on the Boox Shop and third-party resellers at the time of writing – and might be the better buy as there’s really no difference in performance between the two. The drop in price might also indicate that the original Palma might be discontinued once current stock has gone.
If the choice of ereader isn’t really about the form factor – which is the Palma 2’s biggest selling point – you can save cash by opting for a simpler 6-inch ereader like the 2024 Amazon Kindle or the Kobo Clara BW. The former will cost you $129.99 / £104.99 / AU$199 without ads, while the latter has a list price of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$239.95 – both considerably cheaper than either of the Palmas.
However, you have very limited storage on the Kindle and Kobo alternatives, while there’s 128GB of internal storage on the Palma 2, which is expandable via microSD.
• Value score: 3 / 5
The new page-styling setup in the native library app is cleaner and more modern (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Specs
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Design & display
Available in black and white colorways
Looks like a smartphone, but not designed to be one
Rear 16MP camera is fun to have but not great to scan documents
As I’ve already mentioned, the Palma 2 is physically identical to the older model with one very minor difference that’s easy to miss even if you’re familiar with the previous generation. That’s the slightly longer power button to accommodate a fingerprint scanner. And to make sure you can place your finger properly on it, it's also the only flat button on the device.
Strangely, though, Onyx thinks its Palma 2 really is a phone because when you go to Settings to save a fingerprint for the first time, it tells you that the sensor is at the back of the device (go figure!). This might confuse some first-time users, but if you know where the sensor is, you’ll know where to place your finger.
The power button on the Boox Palma 2 is the only physical control that's got a flat surface (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Everything else from a design perspective is the same – dimensions, weight, physical buttons, speaker, microphone, microSD card tray and rear camera. I won’t go into too much detail for these – you can take a look at my Onyx Boox Palma review for an in-depth look – but I am disappointed that the Palma 2 still sports the same cheap-looking plastic body, and the device is anything but cheap. At least the white model has silver buttons for a touch of pizzazz, but the black model has no such feature to break the plasticky monotony.
What makes it look cheaper still is the white model – the one reviewed here – can quickly pick up stains and scratches, or get discolored with use. So it’s a good thing that it ships with a case in the box, which I would recommend you use. After being in my work backpack for just one commute to the office, my white Palma 2 ended up with a small pink stain near its USB-C port and a scratch on the rear, neither of which I can clean or fix.
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A customizable button and a microSD card tray are extras many other ereaders don't offer (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The USB-C port has OTG support but hasn't worked for me (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The display, as I’ve previously said, is the E Ink Carta 1200 display, which is now previous-generation technology. While it’s fantastic to read on, with plenty of contrast to render text in sharp relief, the responsiveness of the display isn’t as good as what I’ve experienced with ereaders featuring the Carta 1300 screen.
The 2:1 aspect ratio is still a novelty when it comes to e-paper devices which, when combined with the 6.13-inch display, is such a wonderful size for a compact and portable ereader. If you’re someone who typically reads on your phone when you’re commuting, you might want to consider the Palma 2 just for the reduced eye strain thanks to the e-paper screen.
I would, however, advise against being too close to water with the Palma 2 in hand as the plastic body is only splashproof – there's no waterproofing certification that Onyx has revealed, which was the same with the previous model too.
• Design & display score: 3.5 / 5
The Boox Palma (left) and the Boox Palma 2 (right) offer the same reading experience (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: User experience
OS updated to Android 13 from Android 11
More modern interface makes for a cleaner user experience
Native apps are great, so you don’t necessarily need third-party options
Just because it looks like a phone, doesn’t mean it should work like one – the Palma 2’s functionality is limited by its screen tech and yet it can do a fair few things most other mainstream ereaders can’t.
For example, it can run a plethora of third-party apps thanks to running on a trimmed-down version of Android 13 (an upgrade from the older Palma’s Android 11), including music streaming platforms and mobile games. That said, you will have to contend with a rather slow refresh rate compared to the standard smartphone, but I will admit that even some graphics-heavy mobile games aren’t too bad on the Palma 2.
If you want to stick to reading applications, both the Kindle and Kobo apps work quite well on the Palma 2. That said, the native library application – NeoReader – is very good and the refreshed interface makes it a lot nicer to adjust fonts and page styling now.
Even the little niggle I’ve had with the Fonts folder not set up correctly within Storage in previous Boox devices has been sorted, which makes me happy.
Even the ebook titles have less text weight than before, making the library app look clean and nice (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I'm still disappointed with the inability to plug the Palma 2 (or any other Boox device for that matter) into an iMac or MacBook to transfer ebooks and other files via a wired connection. This method of sideloading files works fine if you have a Windows machine, so I really don’t see why connectivity with an Apple computer should be exempt.
I’m also unable to take advantage of the OTG support on the USB-C port to transfer files directly from an external hard drive. While the Palma 2 can read my 2TB Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD, it refuses to let me move ebooks back and forth. It’s the same with my older 1TB Samsung T5 Portable SSD as well.
Thankfully, BooxDrop is an easy enough tool to use – if you have your files saved on any PC – Windows or Mac – you can use the web platform to transfer files via the cloud.
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The older page-styling setup (left) was cluttered, but the Palma 2 (right) is easier to use (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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New icons and less weight to the design gives the user interface of the Palma 2 (right) an airier look compared to the older model (left) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The default sleep screen is different between the two generations, but these can be changed in Settings (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The rear camera is identical – the Palma 2 is the one on top (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The one other issue I faced with using the Palma 2 is the responsiveness of the screen. While page turns are fine, using the on-screen keyboard isn’t as smooth as I expected it to be. I had to occasionally tap on a letter or number a couple of times before it registered. It wasn’t a consistent issue, and another colleague said he had no such problems when he tried it out for a short period of time, so I’ll put this down to being an isolated problem (or blame it on my sausage fingers).
Using the fingerprint scanner is a lot more frustrating though. While easy to set up, I found you have to place your finger just right for it to work every time, something I don’t think any of us can do unless we’re concentrating. Using the fingerprint scanner to wake the device up or make purchases would have been a lot faster than a passcode, but if it doesn't work each time, what's the point?
The rest of the user experience is quite good, particularly if you're judging it as an ereader. While the built-in speaker is perfectly fine for listening to audiobooks, I’d advise against using it for music – the sound quality isn’t good and you’ll be better served pairing a set of Bluetooth headphones or a speaker with the Palma 2.
• User experience score: 4 / 5
Taking pics with the Boox Palma 2's camera can be fun, but don't expect much (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Performance
Updated processor, but no difference in performance in real-world use
Handles graphics quite well for an e-paper device
Scanning and OCR performance could be better
The older Palma already had a decent processor in the form of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, but Onyx has stepped it up by using a Snapdragon 690 chip in the Palma 2. On paper, the latter is the more powerful chipset and running Geekbench 6 benchmarking proves it to be so.
In real-world use, though, that doesn't translate as well as I had expected. There's no improvement in page turns, for example, and neither is there any discernible difference in app performance and multitasking, although individual apps open a smidge quicker. As I've already said, that's not a deal breaker as the performance of the older model was just fine and the Palma 2 barely beats it by the skin of its teeth (figuratively speaking).
With integrated graphics and 6GB of RAM, the Palma 2 handles mobile games – albeit in black and white – just as well as its predecessor. Games like Alphabear 2 and Two Dots work smoothly, but more graphics-heavy games like Monument Valley 2 and Sky: Children of the Light aren’t too bad either. I can only imagine how much the experience would improve if the next Palma came with a color screen!
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It's an Android device, so running a benchmark app is easy enough (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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Readability is fantastic, but overall performance hasn't seemed to improve much (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
One of the biggest issues I’ve had with other Boox tablets while reading is ghosting, wherein a light overlay of the previous page can be seen. Thankfully this isn’t a problem on the Palma 2, and I didn’t even have to adjust refresh rates.
The performance of the rear camera hasn’t improved at all. It’s the same 16MP lens from the original Palma and it’s not intended for taking photos, although I will admit it was fun doing so for a short while. While you see the frame in grayscale, you can export the images in color, just not in very good quality.
The camera is meant for scanning documents but, again, the quality isn’t great and I think your smartphone will do a better job if it has scan functionality.
If you do use the rear camera to scan a document, the native DocScan app has an OCR (optical character recognition) feature to convert the words on the scan into text. There's a marked difference in performance here with the text converting well, compared to the "gibberish" I experienced with the previous Palma.
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Scan quality is quite dismal with the Boox Palma 2... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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..but the photos aren't half bad – just don't expect phone-quality pics (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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OCR text conversion on the DocScan app is now much better than before (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I can’t fault its battery life, though. It’s still the same 3,950mAh pack from the previous Palma and, if you read for an hour a day, you’ll easily get around 6-7 weeks out of a single charge. Battery life, however, is dependent on a lot of other factors, including the apps you use, the screen brightness and the refresh rate. Even with more extensive use, you can eke out four weeks before plugging it into the mains.
Charging speed will also depend on whether you use a wall adaptor or your PC/laptop to charge the Palma 2. The former will be the faster top up, and it took about 2.5 hours to go from about 20% to full the two times I had to give it a charge during my testing period using an USB-A to C cable plugged into a port of a 65W adaptor. The only time I had it plugged into a dock for my laptop, it took an hour for the battery level to go from 25% to 38%.
• Performance score: 4 / 5
The only difference between the two Palmas is the power button, which is slightly longer and flat on the new model (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Should I buy the Onyx Boox Palma 2?
Buy it if...
You want a unique device
There’s no other ereader quite like the Palma devices, which makes them quite the novelty. And I can tell you that the novelty doesn’t wear off quickly either. It’s not the 6.13-inch display that makes it so, but the 2:1 aspect ratio that no other ereader brand has on offer at the time of writing.
You want a very compact ereader
Like its predecessor, the Palma 2 is the most compact ereader on the market. It’s phone-like size means it can be carried around in your pocket or slipped into any bag. It’s also very lightweight, making it perfect for travel.
You want to ease eye strain because you mostly read on your phone
The LCD and OLED displays on smartphones emit more blue light than e-paper displays, making the latter easy on the eyes. So if you find yourself tiring after reading a page or two on your phone, consider getting a similarly sized ereader.
Don't buy it if...
You want a cheaper 6-inch ereader
The Palma 2 can be versatile, thanks to access to the Google Play Store. But if you only want to use it for reading, you’ll save a lot of cash by opting for a 6-inch Kindle or Kobo alternative.
You want more bang for buck
A device like the Palma 2 needs to justify its price tag better, and one way to do that is to offer more functionality – aka adding writing capabilities. That would make it really easy to recommend the Palma 2 at its price point.
You need a bigger screen
If you typically use larger font sizes, you might get frustrated by the small screen of the Palma 2. A larger e-paper screen – perhaps 7 or 8 inches – would be ideal in those cases.
Also consider
As with the original Palma, there's not a lot that can be directly compared to the Palma 2 and I'm hesitant to offer up the older model as an alternative in case it gets discontinued.
That said, there are other 6-inch ereaders that are lightweight and portable, but not necessarily pocketable. I've picked three that I think would cover a few bases, including budget and usability. I've also listed some of their basic specs as a comparison with the Palma 2.
Amazon Kindle (2024)
Also using the older E Ink Carta 1200 screen, but getting software upgrades that make it a slightly more responsive/faster ereader than the 2022 edition, the latest Amazon Kindle is also an affordable option. It misses out on any kind of waterproofing, but it's great for a basic ereader. Find out more in my in-depth Amazon Kindle (2024) review
Kobo Clara BW
It's my pick for the best budget ereader on account of getting a waterproof body, adjustable light temperature and baked-in OverDrive support to borrow library books in select countries. It also features the latest E Ink Carta 1300 screen and is repairable. Read more in my full Kobo Clara BW review
Onyx Boox Poke 5
If you want an ereader that runs Android, the Boox Poke 5 is the better option than the newer Onyx Boox Go 6 as it's got a few less bugs than the latter. Giving you a similar reading experience to the Palma 2, just in a different form factor, it's also a lot cheaper. Learn more in my Onyx Boox Poke 5 review
How I tested the Onyx Boox Palma 2
Used as daily reading device for nearly 6 weeks
Sideloaded all content via BooxDrop, including ebooks and music
Downloaded Android apps for benchmarking, reading and streaming music
The Boox Palma 2 is a unique device, thanks to its form factor (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
As with every Boox device I test, I began by following the on-screen setup instructions to connect to Wi-Fi, then customized some of the settings for refresh rate, power-saving and system navigation. There's a lot of customization options on a Boox tablet, far more than on a Kindle or Kobo, so it's always best to get familiar with them before you start using a Boox ereader.
Next, I used BooxDrop to access files (ebooks and music) from my Onyx cloud storage account that I've had from previous Boox reviews. I also connected to Google Drive to test other means of cloud transfer.
I downloaded a few apps from the Play Store, including benchmarking, Kindle and Kobo (the last two were deleted after a short testing period of a couple off days).
For the majority of the six-week testing period, I used the Palma 2 mainly as an ereader for an average of three hours a day. I occasionally used the native browser to surf the internet, and even used the native music player to play some sideloaded MP3 files. All other music listening was down via Spotify.
To compare the two generations of Palmas side by side, I scanned a document to test the rear camera, took some sample photos with both models and ran Geekbench 6 on them to determine chipset performance. I also used CPU X, an Android app, to find out what exact chipset is being used as Onxy doesn't reveal this spec.
Having tested nearly 30 ereaders in the past few years, I've got the experience to determine whether a digital reader is a worthwhile investment.
I might wish for more ereaders like the Onxy Boox Palma 2, but I also recognize that its form factor is exactly what makes it so unique – just like its predecessor. And if it had competition, I suppose I'd be hard pressed to appreciate it as much I do.
The 2:1 aspect ratio on this 6-inch ereader makes it resemble a smartphone, complete with speakers, a mic, side buttons and rear camera, and that's also what makes it so pocket friendly. It replaces the older Boox Palma as my favorite compact ereader as I have a sneaking suspicion the previous model could be discontinued in the near future.
Physically, the two generations are near identical and, while I don’t mind that, I’d have loved to see a slightly more premium-looking chassis to match the price tag.
There’s only one physical difference between the original Boox Palma and the Palma 2 – the power button. It’s oh-so-marginally longer and flatter to accommodate a built-in fingerprint scanner. While I appreciate the addition, I don’t see the need for it on an ereader that can be set up with a passcode if security is top of mind, but it also doesn’t function as expected. It’s more miss than hit as you have to place your finger just so for it to be effective.
I might find the fingerprint scanner superfluous, but learning that the Palma 2 got a new chipset to boost performance had me chomping at the bit to try it out. Strangely, the upgraded processor hasn’t made much of a difference in real-world use. That’s not to say the performance is bad, it's just not any better (or worse) than what I experienced with the previous generation.
The Onyx Boox Palma 2 comes with a refreshed user interface, including redesigned app icons (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
What’s really a standout for me with the Palma 2 is its new user interface. Onyx has redesigned the app icons and NeoReader (native library app) settings, giving it a cleaner, more modern appeal. Even the settings list looks fresh thanks to less weight (thickness) to the text and the boxes. The whole setup is still more complicated than it needs to be – which is an issue I have with all Boox tablets – but it looks much nicer which, in turn, makes it easier to find the adjustments you need while reading.
Onyx has also upgraded the OS to Android 13, which is good news for getting security updates for a little while yet.
My biggest disappointment with the Palma 2 is that Onyx has stuck with using the same E Ink Carta 1200 display it did for previous model, and that stings when you consider how expensive the Palma 2 is over other 6-inch ereaders that sport the latest in E Ink screen technology.
I still think there’s a missed opportunity here to add more functionality to the Palma 2 – writing capabilities would have made it a lot more appealing, something I noted about the older Palma too. Being able to slip it into my pocket to jot notes at media events and meetings would have made the Palma 2 an integral part of my daily life, not just being a portable ereader.
Despite my complaints, I still can’t help but like the Palma 2, just for being the most compact and unique ereader I’ve tested.
A palm-friendly size makes the Boox Palma 2 an enticing ereader option (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Price & availability
Announced Q3 of 2024
List price: $299.99 / €299.99 (about £250) / AU$499
Available now directly from the Boox Shop and select authorized retailers
The Palma 2 shares the same launch price as its predecessor and will set you back $299.99 / €299.99 (about £250) / AU$499 at full price. It’s possible to see discounts on the US and European Boox Shop online storefronts during major sales, but Australian retailers stocking Boox tablets don’t usually have offers to make these expensive ereaders more accessible.
Given its plastic build and features, it would be difficult for me to recommend the Palma 2 at its full price, but I can also see its form factor alone being a good justification to spend the extra cash. Also the versatility of running Android – getting you access to the Play Store to download third-party apps and games – might just convince some users to make the switch.
That said, the older Palma is now cheaper – listed for as low as $199.99/ €229.99 (around £190) / AU$399 on the Boox Shop and third-party resellers at the time of writing – and might be the better buy as there’s really no difference in performance between the two. The drop in price might also indicate that the original Palma might be discontinued once current stock has gone.
If the choice of ereader isn’t really about the form factor – which is the Palma 2’s biggest selling point – you can save cash by opting for a simpler 6-inch ereader like the 2024 Amazon Kindle or the Kobo Clara BW. The former will cost you $129.99 / £104.99 / AU$199 without ads, while the latter has a list price of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$239.95 – both considerably cheaper than either of the Palmas.
However, you have very limited storage on the Kindle and Kobo alternatives, while there’s 128GB of internal storage on the Palma 2, which is expandable via microSD.
• Value score: 3 / 5
The new page-styling setup in the native library app is cleaner and more modern (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Specs
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Design & display
Available in black and white colorways
Looks like a smartphone, but not designed to be one
Rear 16MP camera is fun to have but not great to scan documents
As I’ve already mentioned, the Palma 2 is physically identical to the older model with one very minor difference that’s easy to miss even if you’re familiar with the previous generation. That’s the slightly longer power button to accommodate a fingerprint scanner. And to make sure you can place your finger properly on it, it's also the only flat button on the device.
Strangely, though, Onyx thinks its Palma 2 really is a phone because when you go to Settings to save a fingerprint for the first time, it tells you that the sensor is at the back of the device (go figure!). This might confuse some first-time users, but if you know where the sensor is, you’ll know where to place your finger.
The power button on the Boox Palma 2 is the only physical control that's got a flat surface (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Everything else from a design perspective is the same – dimensions, weight, physical buttons, speaker, microphone, microSD card tray and rear camera. I won’t go into too much detail for these – you can take a look at my Onyx Boox Palma review for an in-depth look – but I am disappointed that the Palma 2 still sports the same cheap-looking plastic body, and the device is anything but cheap. At least the white model has silver buttons for a touch of pizzazz, but the black model has no such feature to break the plasticky monotony.
What makes it look cheaper still is the white model – the one reviewed here – can quickly pick up stains and scratches, or get discolored with use. So it’s a good thing that it ships with a case in the box, which I would recommend you use. After being in my work backpack for just one commute to the office, my white Palma 2 ended up with a small pink stain near its USB-C port and a scratch on the rear, neither of which I can clean or fix.
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A customizable button and a microSD card tray are extras many other ereaders don't offer (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The USB-C port has OTG support but hasn't worked for me (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The display, as I’ve previously said, is the E Ink Carta 1200 display, which is now previous-generation technology. While it’s fantastic to read on, with plenty of contrast to render text in sharp relief, the responsiveness of the display isn’t as good as what I’ve experienced with ereaders featuring the Carta 1300 screen.
The 2:1 aspect ratio is still a novelty when it comes to e-paper devices which, when combined with the 6.13-inch display, is such a wonderful size for a compact and portable ereader. If you’re someone who typically reads on your phone when you’re commuting, you might want to consider the Palma 2 just for the reduced eye strain thanks to the e-paper screen.
I would, however, advise against being too close to water with the Palma 2 in hand as the plastic body is only splashproof – there's no waterproofing certification that Onyx has revealed, which was the same with the previous model too.
• Design & display score: 3.5 / 5
The Boox Palma (left) and the Boox Palma 2 (right) offer the same reading experience (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: User experience
OS updated to Android 13 from Android 11
More modern interface makes for a cleaner user experience
Native apps are great, so you don’t necessarily need third-party options
Just because it looks like a phone, doesn’t mean it should work like one – the Palma 2’s functionality is limited by its screen tech and yet it can do a fair few things most other mainstream ereaders can’t.
For example, it can run a plethora of third-party apps thanks to running on a trimmed-down version of Android 13 (an upgrade from the older Palma’s Android 11), including music streaming platforms and mobile games. That said, you will have to contend with a rather slow refresh rate compared to the standard smartphone, but I will admit that even some graphics-heavy mobile games aren’t too bad on the Palma 2.
If you want to stick to reading applications, both the Kindle and Kobo apps work quite well on the Palma 2. That said, the native library application – NeoReader – is very good and the refreshed interface makes it a lot nicer to adjust fonts and page styling now.
Even the little niggle I’ve had with the Fonts folder not set up correctly within Storage in previous Boox devices has been sorted, which makes me happy.
Even the ebook titles have less text weight than before, making the library app look clean and nice (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I'm still disappointed with the inability to plug the Palma 2 (or any other Boox device for that matter) into an iMac or MacBook to transfer ebooks and other files via a wired connection. This method of sideloading files works fine if you have a Windows machine, so I really don’t see why connectivity with an Apple computer should be exempt.
I’m also unable to take advantage of the OTG support on the USB-C port to transfer files directly from an external hard drive. While the Palma 2 can read my 2TB Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD, it refuses to let me move ebooks back and forth. It’s the same with my older 1TB Samsung T5 Portable SSD as well.
Thankfully, BooxDrop is an easy enough tool to use – if you have your files saved on any PC – Windows or Mac – you can use the web platform to transfer files via the cloud.
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The older page-styling setup (left) was cluttered, but the Palma 2 (right) is easier to use (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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New icons and less weight to the design gives the user interface of the Palma 2 (right) an airier look compared to the older model (left) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The default sleep screen is different between the two generations, but these can be changed in Settings (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The rear camera is identical – the Palma 2 is the one on top (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The one other issue I faced with using the Palma 2 is the responsiveness of the screen. While page turns are fine, using the on-screen keyboard isn’t as smooth as I expected it to be. I had to occasionally tap on a letter or number a couple of times before it registered. It wasn’t a consistent issue, and another colleague said he had no such problems when he tried it out for a short period of time, so I’ll put this down to being an isolated problem (or blame it on my sausage fingers).
Using the fingerprint scanner is a lot more frustrating though. While easy to set up, I found you have to place your finger just right for it to work every time, something I don’t think any of us can do unless we’re concentrating. Using the fingerprint scanner to wake the device up or make purchases would have been a lot faster than a passcode, but if it doesn't work each time, what's the point?
The rest of the user experience is quite good, particularly if you're judging it as an ereader. While the built-in speaker is perfectly fine for listening to audiobooks, I’d advise against using it for music – the sound quality isn’t good and you’ll be better served pairing a set of Bluetooth headphones or a speaker with the Palma 2.
• User experience score: 4 / 5
Taking pics with the Boox Palma 2's camera can be fun, but don't expect much (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Performance
Updated processor, but no difference in performance in real-world use
Handles graphics quite well for an e-paper device
Scanning and OCR performance could be better
The older Palma already had a decent processor in the form of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, but Onyx has stepped it up by using a Snapdragon 690 chip in the Palma 2. On paper, the latter is the more powerful chipset and running Geekbench 6 benchmarking proves it to be so.
In real-world use, though, that doesn't translate as well as I had expected. There's no improvement in page turns, for example, and neither is there any discernible difference in app performance and multitasking, although individual apps open a smidge quicker. As I've already said, that's not a deal breaker as the performance of the older model was just fine and the Palma 2 barely beats it by the skin of its teeth (figuratively speaking).
With integrated graphics and 6GB of RAM, the Palma 2 handles mobile games – albeit in black and white – just as well as its predecessor. Games like Alphabear 2 and Two Dots work smoothly, but more graphics-heavy games like Monument Valley 2 and Sky: Children of the Light aren’t too bad either. I can only imagine how much the experience would improve if the next Palma came with a color screen!
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It's an Android device, so running a benchmark app is easy enough (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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Readability is fantastic, but overall performance hasn't seemed to improve much (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
One of the biggest issues I’ve had with other Boox tablets while reading is ghosting, wherein a light overlay of the previous page can be seen. Thankfully this isn’t a problem on the Palma 2, and I didn’t even have to adjust refresh rates.
The performance of the rear camera hasn’t improved at all. It’s the same 16MP lens from the original Palma and it’s not intended for taking photos, although I will admit it was fun doing so for a short while. While you see the frame in grayscale, you can export the images in color, just not in very good quality.
The camera is meant for scanning documents but, again, the quality isn’t great and I think your smartphone will do a better job if it has scan functionality.
If you do use the rear camera to scan a document, the native DocScan app has an OCR (optical character recognition) feature to convert the words on the scan into text. There's a marked difference in performance here with the text converting well, compared to the "gibberish" I experienced with the previous Palma.
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Scan quality is quite dismal with the Boox Palma 2... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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..but the photos aren't half bad – just don't expect phone-quality pics (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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OCR text conversion on the DocScan app is now much better than before (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I can’t fault its battery life, though. It’s still the same 3,950mAh pack from the previous Palma and, if you read for an hour a day, you’ll easily get around 6-7 weeks out of a single charge. Battery life, however, is dependent on a lot of other factors, including the apps you use, the screen brightness and the refresh rate. Even with more extensive use, you can eke out four weeks before plugging it into the mains.
Charging speed will also depend on whether you use a wall adaptor or your PC/laptop to charge the Palma 2. The former will be the faster top up, and it took about 2.5 hours to go from about 20% to full the two times I had to give it a charge during my testing period using an USB-A to C cable plugged into a port of a 65W adaptor. The only time I had it plugged into a dock for my laptop, it took an hour for the battery level to go from 25% to 38%.
• Performance score: 4 / 5
The only difference between the two Palmas is the power button, which is slightly longer and flat on the new model (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Should I buy the Onyx Boox Palma 2?
Buy it if...
You want a unique device
There’s no other ereader quite like the Palma devices, which makes them quite the novelty. And I can tell you that the novelty doesn’t wear off quickly either. It’s not the 6.13-inch display that makes it so, but the 2:1 aspect ratio that no other ereader brand has on offer at the time of writing.
You want a very compact ereader
Like its predecessor, the Palma 2 is the most compact ereader on the market. It’s phone-like size means it can be carried around in your pocket or slipped into any bag. It’s also very lightweight, making it perfect for travel.
You want to ease eye strain because you mostly read on your phone
The LCD and OLED displays on smartphones emit more blue light than e-paper displays, making the latter easy on the eyes. So if you find yourself tiring after reading a page or two on your phone, consider getting a similarly sized ereader.
Don't buy it if...
You want a cheaper 6-inch ereader
The Palma 2 can be versatile, thanks to access to the Google Play Store. But if you only want to use it for reading, you’ll save a lot of cash by opting for a 6-inch Kindle or Kobo alternative.
You want more bang for buck
A device like the Palma 2 needs to justify its price tag better, and one way to do that is to offer more functionality – aka adding writing capabilities. That would make it really easy to recommend the Palma 2 at its price point.
You need a bigger screen
If you typically use larger font sizes, you might get frustrated by the small screen of the Palma 2. A larger e-paper screen – perhaps 7 or 8 inches – would be ideal in those cases.
Also consider
As with the original Palma, there's not a lot that can be directly compared to the Palma 2 and I'm hesitant to offer up the older model as an alternative in case it gets discontinued.
That said, there are other 6-inch ereaders that are lightweight and portable, but not necessarily pocketable. I've picked three that I think would cover a few bases, including budget and usability. I've also listed some of their basic specs as a comparison with the Palma 2.
Amazon Kindle (2024)
Also using the older E Ink Carta 1200 screen, but getting software upgrades that make it a slightly more responsive/faster ereader than the 2022 edition, the latest Amazon Kindle is also an affordable option. It misses out on any kind of waterproofing, but it's great for a basic ereader. Find out more in my in-depth Amazon Kindle (2024) review
Kobo Clara BW
It's my pick for the best budget ereader on account of getting a waterproof body, adjustable light temperature and baked-in OverDrive support to borrow library books in select countries. It also features the latest E Ink Carta 1300 screen and is repairable. Read more in my full Kobo Clara BW review
Onyx Boox Poke 5
If you want an ereader that runs Android, the Boox Poke 5 is the better option than the newer Onyx Boox Go 6 as it's got a few less bugs than the latter. Giving you a similar reading experience to the Palma 2, just in a different form factor, it's also a lot cheaper. Learn more in my Onyx Boox Poke 5 review
How I tested the Onyx Boox Palma 2
Used as daily reading device for nearly 6 weeks
Sideloaded all content via BooxDrop, including ebooks and music
Downloaded Android apps for benchmarking, reading and streaming music
The Boox Palma 2 is a unique device, thanks to its form factor (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
As with every Boox device I test, I began by following the on-screen setup instructions to connect to Wi-Fi, then customized some of the settings for refresh rate, power-saving and system navigation. There's a lot of customization options on a Boox tablet, far more than on a Kindle or Kobo, so it's always best to get familiar with them before you start using a Boox ereader.
Next, I used BooxDrop to access files (ebooks and music) from my Onyx cloud storage account that I've had from previous Boox reviews. I also connected to Google Drive to test other means of cloud transfer.
I downloaded a few apps from the Play Store, including benchmarking, Kindle and Kobo (the last two were deleted after a short testing period of a couple off days).
For the majority of the six-week testing period, I used the Palma 2 mainly as an ereader for an average of three hours a day. I occasionally used the native browser to surf the internet, and even used the native music player to play some sideloaded MP3 files. All other music listening was down via Spotify.
To compare the two generations of Palmas side by side, I scanned a document to test the rear camera, took some sample photos with both models and ran Geekbench 6 on them to determine chipset performance. I also used CPU X, an Android app, to find out what exact chipset is being used as Onxy doesn't reveal this spec.
Having tested nearly 30 ereaders in the past few years, I've got the experience to determine whether a digital reader is a worthwhile investment.
If you can count on Chinese tech brand Xiaomi to do one thing in its gadgets, it’s to load them up with top-end spec and then sell them for a relatively competitive price, and that’s exactly what it’s done with the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro.
This new mid-range slate is a relative rarity given Xiaomi’s focus on low-end tablets over mid-range ones (it doesn’t sell top-end ones to match the price of the iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10). It follows the Pad 6 which was released in the west in 2023, and it comes amidst many other Android tab rivals all vying for a spot in our list of the best tablets, including the recent Honor Pad V9 and Oppo Pad 3 Pro. It’s this latter that competes closely with the Xiaomi, in terms of specs and price – more on that later.
As is often the case with Xiaomi’s gadgets, the brand has laden the Pad 7 Pro with top-tier specs. It has one of the most powerful chipsets on Android devices right now, plus a screen resolution and charging speed that aren’t currently available on any rival products right now.
So it’s spec-heavy but it has its issues too. There’s a fingerprint scanner built into the power button that proved quite unreliable, the battery drained pretty quickly during gaming, and the tablet could heat up quite a bit. I also found some of the AI features to be unreliable.
Given its display size, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro could be considered an Android-powered iPad Pro 11 rival. It's less powerful but costs less and has a better-looking display... and the Xiaomi's accessories are just as pricey as Apple's versions.
So if you've been considering buying a fairly powerful tablet but don't need the top-end trappings of an iPad Pro, or the price tag that comes with it, the Xiaomi is a solid option. However if you're not as picky a buyer, you'll find that the Xiaomi doesn't offer quite as much value for money as more affordable options that you'll find detailed below.
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Released in Februay 2025
Starts at £449, but only on sale in limited regions
Accessories cost a pretty penny
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro was unveiled in February 2025 alongside a suite of other gadgets from the company including the Xiaomi 15 series of smartphones, the Xiaomi Buds 5, a new smartwatch and the base model Xiaomi Pad 7.
You can pick up the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro for £449 (around $581 / AU$900, though it’s not on sale in the US or Australia). That price will get you 8GB RAM and 256GB storage but I’d recommend you pay an extra £50 (around $70, AU$100) for the higher-spec 12GB RAM and 512GB model, which gets you a lot more power. Add that premium again and you can get a special matte glass model of the higher-spec tablet, which will provide a more premium design but the same internals.
At that price, this is a mid-range slate, designed not as an entry into the tablet world but for people who are looking for a series tab with a lot of power but not all the trimmings and trappings of a top-price premium alternative.
Price-wise it sits between the standard iPad and the iPad Air, or at about £100 more than the non-Pro Xiaomi Pad 7. We’ll get to a few competitors later but suffice to say, you can expect a fair amount if you’re paying this much for a tablet.
I’ll briefly touch on accessories too: these don’t come with the slate but you can buy them separately. There’s a keyboard stand for £119 and a Focus Keyboard £179, and these are imitations of Apple’s Keyboard Folio and Smart Keyboard respectively. The main difference with the latter is that it has a trackpad and lets you tilt the display over different angles. Then there’s the stylus, which costs £89, and a standard cover-stand that costs £45.
Value: 3 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: specs
Here are the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro's specs at a glance:
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: design
(Image credit: Future)
Lightweight and pretty thin
Three color options plus one matte alternative
Unreliable fingerprint scanner
You may find the look of the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro familiar, and that’s because it boasts the same flat-edge unibody look that most slates have been using since the iPad Pro was introduced 7 years ago. Oh well: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, and it’s popular for a reason: the design is svelte and slender, easily slipping into a bag and looking good to use.
The exact measurements of the Pad 7 Pro are 251.22 x 173.42 x 6.18mm, so it’s pretty slim. It weighs 500g, according to Xiaomi.
When held landscape the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro has a USB-C charging port on the right edge, but no 3.5mm jack, I’m sorry to say. There’s a volume rocker and a power button, and the latter doubles as a fingerprint scanner, but it wasn’t the most reliable sensor. When attached to a keyboard, I found that the lip of the folio overshot the edge of the tablet, so I had to angle my finger just right to press my finger on the sensor.
(Image credit: Future)
The keyboard case adds quite a bit to the bulk of this otherwise-thin and portable tablet. However, its added protection is worth the extra size, in my eyes, as gadgets like this are prone to scratches and bumps.
You’ll want to add a case or keyboard if you plan to lay the slate flat on a table. That’s because the square camera bump on the back of the Pad is pretty pronounced, so it’ll wobble quite a bit if you don’t use the case to level it out.
You can buy the tablet in gray, blue or green, and the aforementioned matte glass version is also gray – I didn’t test this model, so can’t talk about what difference it makes.
Xiaomi’s website doesn’t list an IP rating for the Pad 7 Pro and I’d take that to mean that there isn’t significant protection against dust or water. Try to avoid getting the thing wet, or getting into a situation where fine particles could get into the ports (that includes sand, you beach-readers!).
Design: 4 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: display
(Image credit: Future)
11.2-inch display and 3:2 aspect ratio
2136 x 3200 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro has an 11.2-inch screen, making this a potential alternative to the smaller-sized iPad Pro which also has an 11-inch screen. Both have the same 3:2 aspect ratio, but the Xiaomi has more pixels.
Its resolution is 2136 x 3200, which Xiaomi classifies as 3.2K – enough for any movie, TV show or game you’d want to enjoy on the slate. In all my testing and research, I haven’t found a tablet with a higher resolution (and all Apple and Samsung options have fewer pixels), so if you want something really high-res, this is for you. It equals a 345 pixel-per-inch density.
(Image credit: Future)
The refresh rate is 144Hz, which only a handful of video games can hit, but by default the slate runs on an adaptive mode which changes the refresh rate depending on your task.
The max brightness is 800 nits, which is fairly luminous and it’ll make the colors in your chosen TV show pop more. However when I used the tablet in a coffee shop, I did struggle to see the screen due to glare from sunlight.
One other display feature to mention is that there’s official support for Dolby Vision here, a visual standard that’s used for movies if you stream from certain apps like Netflix.
Display: 5 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: software
(Image credit: Future)
Android 15 with HyperOS 2 laid over the top
AI features are hit-or-miss
Some bloatware
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro runs on Xiaomi’s version of Android, HyperOS 2, which runs on top of Android 15. I couldn’t find official confirmation from Xiaomi for how long it plans to support the tablet with software updates.
HyperOS, for better or worse, doesn’t change many layout or design features of Android. Android has been in iPadOS’ shadow as a tablet-oriented operating system and while it’s come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, with features like split-view apps and a redesigned user interface, there are still some annoyances, like how squished the quick settings menu is.
Instead, Xiaomi has jumped on the AI bandwagon by loading the Pad 7 Pro full of features that bear the ‘AI’ name – though some didn’t work right, and a few didn’t work at all. I could never find a way to enable the AI art feature, for instance, which lets you circle your own works in the Mi Canvas app to create AI-generated images.
Using my own photos, the AI: 1) thought movie posters on my wall were documents, and wouldn’t let me edit any part of the picture except the posters 2) provided completely incorrect transcripts when I asked it to recognize text and 3) failed to identify items I wanted removed from shots.
Plus, you need to create a Xiaomi account, sign in and install these features to use any of them, so they’re not available out of the box, and features are spread between separate menus in the Gallery app instead of being in one place.
(Image credit: Future)
Some AI features worked better, like the speech-to-text conversion from the recorder app, so it’s not all doom and gloom. I find AI features incredibly situational at the best of times, and didn’t use any of the Pad 7 Pro’s during day-to-day use, so their unreliable nature won’t affect your using the tablet if you don’t plan to utilize these tools. Notably, they only seem to work from the Pad 7 Pro’s pre-installed apps; I couldn’t use the AI writing tool on Google Docs, for example.
As with many Xiaomi devices there’s bloatware with apps like LinkedIn, WPS Office and Gemini pre-installed, but it’s not as dramatic as on many phones from the company.
A few features make the Pad 7 Pro useful as a working tool, like the ability to wirelessly connect it to a Windows or Mac PC as a screen extension (without downloading any extra apps on either) or to turn it into a working hub for other Xiaomi gadgets you own.
Software: 3 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: performance and cameras
(Image credit: Future)
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 provides lots of processing power
8GB/12GB RAM and 256GB/512GB storage
50MP rear camera and 32MP front-facing
Xiaomi has packed up the Pad 7 Pro with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a chipset that was designed as a slightly less powerful alternative to the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. So the Xiaomi Pad isn’t the most powerful slate on the market, not as long as Apple is offering desktop-class M2 and M4 chips in the iPad Air and iPad Pro, but it can still hold its head up high for most functions.
I tested a variety of games on the tablet and never saw serious stuttering or lagging, with titles able to run their highest graphics options if they were available. Perhaps for super-power-hungry tasks like video editing you might need a little more power, but for 99% of buyers, I’d say the 8s Gen 3 is enough. However when gaming, a common Snapdragon problem did arise: the slate could get pretty hot if I gamed for too long in one session. Take breaks!
(Image credit: Future)
In terms of speakers, there are four around the tablet. These provide Dolby Atmos audio for supported apps and Xiaomi has also included a Volume Boost feature that does exactly what you’d expect. However, movies and music only sound one step better than listening on a smartphone, and I found myself opting to use Bluetooth headphones when streaming movies.
The rear and front cameras of the Pad 7 Pro are both surprisingly high-res; you’re getting a 50MP camera on the back and a 32MP one on the front. There are a few photography modes (Portrait and Night on the rear camera), but you’re not getting nearly as many as on a smartphone.
A small LED mounted on the top bezel of the slate, just next to the front camera, lights up green when either camera is on; a bonus for privacy-conscious users.
Performance: 4 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: battery
(Image credit: Future)
8,850mAh battery drains surprisingly fast
67W charging powers up tab quickly
Battery health tech
Keeping the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro powered is a 8,850mAh battery, which is in the same ballpark as its competitors.
Xiaomi estimates that you can keep the tablet running for 19 hours of video playback with that battery, but while I didn’t personally watch Netflix for that long in my testing period, I did find the battery would drain a little quicker than I’d expect.
At least the tablet charges quickly: with 67W powering, this is one of the fastest-charging slates you’ll find on the market. Xiaomi’s says it should take about 80 minutes to power from empty to full and I’d concur.
If you worry about battery health, the slate also has two chips that Xiaomi designed for its smartphones; one helps extend the device’s battery life and the other ensures that fast charging doesn’t damage the battery capacity.
Battery: 3/5
Should you buy the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro?
Buy it if…
You care about screen fidelity If your tablet use case necessitates lots of on-screen pixels, then the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro's high-res display will be perfect for you.View Deal
You want power on a budget It's not the cheapest tablet, and it's not the most powerful, but the Xiaomi is a lovely marriage between value and power.View Deal
You're not great at remembering to charge Tablets often take ages to charge, which isn't great for those of us who constantly forget to plug in the slate. The Xiaomi's 67W powering helps a lot with that.View Deal
Don’t buy it if…
You want accessories on a budget I was surprised to learn how expensive the Xiaomi's accessories are. If you're on a budget but want a stylus or keyboard, you might want to look elsewhere.View Deal
You're reliant on AI features If you are buying a tablet for its AI-enabled features, then you might find the Xiaomi doesn't reach expectations.View Deal
Also consider
Not convinced by the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro? Here are a few other options to consider:
iPad Pro 11 (2024) You get more with the iPad: more processing power, more storage and lots of Apple features. However it costs a lot more, doesn't have as high-res a display and charges a lot slower.
Oppo Pad 3 Pro Oppo's Android tablet costs roughly the same as the Xiaomi, and its specs are very similar too. Slight differences distinguish the two, but nothing huge.
I used the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro for three weeks before writing this review, alongside the keyboard folio which you see in some of the accompanying pictures. The model used was the higher-spec option.
My use cases involved streaming movies, TV shows and music across various apps, playing several games titles, writing articles for my job and reading news stories online.
I've been reviewing products for TechRadar since early 2019, covering everything from tablets and smartphones to headphones, fitness trackers, and electric scooters.
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The XPPen Magic Note Pad aims to deliver the best of both worlds – a digital writing pad that’s easy on the eyes while also functioning as a true productivity tablet running Android 14. It claims to be the first of its kind, being a digital note pad with an X-Paper display featuring three modes: Ink Paper, Color Paper and Regular.
While other brands have provided similar functionality (like TCL's Nxtpaper series), I think XPPen's first foray into writing tablets is a home run. From the moment I unboxed and powered it on, I was hooked to its paper-like color tablet. While it might be a notepad first, my initial download was the Kindle app and my favorite comics were its first test.
I’ve had plenty of experience reading on tablets before, from cheap Android ones to an iPad Pro, and while the experience is fine, it can get tiring on the eyes after a while. With this tablet – which happens to use TCL's Nxtpaper screen technology – you can use the Regular display mode, which I found less harsh than other LCD displays, you can easily switch to color ink at a moment's notice. Of course, the colors aren't as vibrant when switching because of the filters on the screen, they're a lot better than when using a color ereader like the Kobo Libra Colour or the Kindle Colorsoft.
Reading comics in the Magic Note Pads 'regular' display mode (Image credit: Future)
This tablet sports a 10.95-inch display, offering what I think is the sweet spot in terms of portability for a digital slate, but adding in the extra dimensions of the chassis itself makes it a cumbersome device to hold in one hand.
Still, using both mitts, or resting it on your lap while cradling it with one hand is a small price to pay for the brilliant and versatile reading experience, although XPPen is keen to tell you that this is a secondary use case. It wants to be a writing tablet first.
And that's where it's caught me hook, line and sinker because now I don't ever forget to carry a notepad when I need to jot something down and I don't lose the pen I need to do said writing.
Making notes on the Magic Note pad (Image credit: Future)
The X3 Pro Pencil 2, which ships in the box, sticks to the tablet via a strong magnet, stronger than any writing e-paper tablet I've seen.
While the industry-leading 16,384 pressure levels might seem an unnecessary gimmick in what is predominantly a writing tablet – 8,000 is agreed to be enough even for artists – there's no doubting its superb writing experience with soft nibs. There's even a helpful shortcut button on the stylus that can open the native notes app when the tablet is sleeping, or it can take a screenshot when you're reading something, then promptly take you to the notes app for marking up the image it just took.
Writing and drawing feel effortless, even with light pressure. It may not perfectly replicate the feel of pen on paper, but it comes very close and offers a different, equally satisfying experience.
I'm not much of an artist, but given how easy it is to write from even considerably tilted angles, and how precise the Pencil is, this tablet is certainly one that artists not only could consider, but should.
It's not just a writing, drawing and reading machine either. The 3-in-1 versatility of this tablet means it's a viable option for watching your favorite content on the best streaming services, too. It's not the greatest viewing experience, given the lamination on the screen and the 1920 x 1200 resolution of this device, but I still found it easy to watch, even in bright ambient conditions. It's not the main reason to buy this tablet, but in terms of added versatility, it's hard to beat.
Watching Avengers: Infinity War (Image credit: Future)
Further, the XPPen Magic Note Pad aims to boost efficiency in both work and creative expression. That's why this tablet includes a 13MP front camera and dual microphones that ensure you can easily pop into any meeting or online class. Plus, with multi-window display support, you can write notes and video chat at the same time.
Just 7mm thick and weighing 495g, the XPPen Magic Note Pad is incredibly easy to fit into any bag, even with the included magnet folio that increases its size considerably. And, in comparison to other writing tablets, it's well priced.
XPPen Magic Note Pad review: Price and availability
Launched globally on March 19, 2025
List price of $439.99 / £399.99 / AU$629.99
Available directly from XPPen and will be sold via authorized retailers
The XPPen Magic Note Pad launched in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia on March 19, 2025 with a launch price of $439.99 / £399.99 / AU$629.99. At the time of writing, it seems like UK customers are getting short-changed as that £400 price tag is about $520 / AU$815 at the current conversion rate.
Still, I think it's competitively priced for what it offers and potential US buyers will benefit from an additional 10% early-bird discount, bringing the price down to just $395.99 at launch.
To put that price into perspective, e-paper writing tablets like the Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) and Onyx Boox Go 10.3 will also set you back $399.99 / £379.99 / AU$649 and $379.99 / €419.99 (about £355) / AU$699 respectively, but you won't get the versatile screen on offer on the XPPen. Investing in a budget Android tablet might save you money, but you'll lose out on the writing and sketching features available natively here.
Value score: 4/5
XPPen Magic Note Pad review: Specs
XPPen Magic Note Pad review: Display
10.95-inch X-Paper display
1920 x 1200 resolution and 90Hz refresh rate
Low blue light
Opening up a book in Regular mode (Image credit: Future)
It's rare to find a product that feels unique in a very crowded tech market, but the Magic Note Pad's color display does. Admittedly it's not the first of its kind – we saw the tech in our TCL Nxtpaper 10s review – but it is the first such device to offer three screen modes: Ink paper, color paper and standard tablet modes.
The tablet comes with TÜV SÜD certifications for low blue light and paper-like display standards, and features a respectable 1920 x 1200 resolution with a not too shabby 90Hz refresh rate.
While the Magic Note Pad aims to be a versatile device, its core strength lies in writing and XPPen has done a fantastic job optimizing the screen for that main purpose. I thoroughly enjoyed writing on this tablet, jotting down a to-do list, taking notes during a documentary, or brainstorming article ideas. The included X3 Pro Pencil 2 delivers an incredibly responsive and fluid feel, with even mimics the noise of a pen on paper.
The 90Hz refresh rate ensures minimal latency, making handwriting appear almost instantaneously on the screen. With 16,384 pressure levels – well beyond the 8,000 levels considered sufficient for most digital artists – the stylus allows for a wide range of strokes, from light scribbles to heavy, bold lines.
Writing comparison with heavy and light pressure (Image credit: Future)
Writing remains smooth across all display modes, though the viewing exprience changes significantly. The XPPen Magic Note Pad includes a Reading Mode designed to reduce eye strain, but I found this feature to have minimal impact as the tablet's lamination (aka filters) already improves readability.
The paper modes are best for reading, though not quite on par with the best ereaders. For example, my Onyx Boox Page truly mimics paper, whereas the XPPen Magic Note Pad still feels like a tablet that's imitating an ereader as it's a modified LCD display and not an E Ink screen, but the black-and-white Ink Paper mode comes close to the ereader effect.
The color-paper and standard modes shine when reading comics or other image-heavy content. The color-paper mode is less saturated, making it easier on the eyes over long periods and the standard mode delivers vibrant, detailed colors you'd expect from a traditional tablet.
The display also handles video playback well. The eye-protecting screen lamination slightly affects viewing angles, but this has little impact on everyday use. Watching content ranging from Avengers: Endgame to Daredevil: Born Again, Moana 2 and Dune, I found the visuals impressive. The display doesn’t deliver deep blacks, but that’s expected given its nature.
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Comparing the XPPen Color Paper mode in Kindle to the Onyx Boox Page (Image credit: Future)
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Watching Invincible in Color Paper mode (Image credit: Future)
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It won't be used often by most people, but the paper-like modes do support video playback. While unconventional, I found the color-paper mode provided an unique and unexpectedly enjoyable experience while watching Invincible – though it took some time to adjust.
With excellent writing responsiveness, resistance to accidental touches, and enjoyable reading and viewing experiences, the only drawbacks in the display are expected of a device with this kind of screen technology. The XPPen Magic Note Pad stands out as a compelling choice for writers, artists, and casual readers alike, offering an outstanding writing display with solid versatility.
Display score: 5/5
XPPen Magic Note Pad review: Design
Ships with the X3 Pro Pencil 2
No rear camera bump (flat back)
Easily portable
Magic Note Pad saying hello, with the stylus laying on the desk (Image credit: Future)
At first glance, the XPPen Magic Note Pad doesn’t stand out. Sure, it’s a nice-looking device, but there’s nothing particularly striking about it.
That said, XPPen highlights its 7mm thickness – or thinness – but several tablets on the market are slimmer, including the 13-inch iPad Pro at just over 5mm. Perhaps what makes it feel so thin is the absence of a rear camera bump (or any rear camera whatsoever), creating an exceptionally flat surface made for writing on.
And, while the front and sides feature sleek, metallic silver bezels, the back panel is a letdown. The matte white material feels cheap compared to the rest of the design.
The device has a USB-C charging port at the bottom alongside stereo speakers, while all the buttons are positioned on the top-right. The volume buttons sit on the right side, with the power button and Nxt Paper Mode button – used for display mode options – on top.
Holding X3 Pro Pencil 2 (Image credit: Future)
The real star here is the X3 Pro Pencil 2, and it's a pleasure to use. Powered by the X3 Pro smart chip, it requires no charging or Bluetooth pairing – ready to go straight out of the box. Its magnetic attachment is impressively strong too; there were a few accidental knocks that I thought would send it flying, yet it remained securely in place.
I’ll dive deeper into the pen’s performance in the software section, but as a physical tool, it’s fantastic. Lightweight, comfortable to hold and equipped with gel pen-inspired soft nibs, it provides an excellent writing experience. And it has some physical controls of its own
In the XPPen Notes app, the pencil’s down key – used for shortcuts outside the app – functions as an eraser. Positioned right where my thumb naturally rests, I frequently pressed it by accident. Fortunately, the eraser only removes what the pen has touched on-screen, so I never lost significant work. Still, when focused on taking notes, it became a considerable frustration, although it was easy to avoid once I was aware of it.
All said and done, while the Magic Note Pad might not have tickled my fancy from a design perspective, it does look nicer than some premium e-paper writing tablets (I'm looking at you, Kobo Elipsa 2E) and I can wax lyrical about the stylus because it's one of the best I've used on a digital display.
Design Score: 4/5
XPPen Magic Note Pad review: Software
Runs Android 14
Minimal bloatware
Time-saving shortcuts
Homepage, app icons and the X3 Pro Pencil 2 in its magnetic holster (Image credit: Future)
Running Android 14, the XPPen Magic Note Pad will feel familiar to anyone who has used Android devices in the past. The most striking thing upon booting it up though, was the minimal amount of natively available applications, something I absolutely appreciate after coming off doing the Poco F6 Pro review.
The only apps I would consider bloatware are Facebook, Booking.com and Adobe Acrobat. Otherwise, all that's downloaded is the Google suite of apps, YouTube (Music and Kids), WPS Office, Google Play Store and necessary apps like Settings and Camera.
Opening up the settings, you can change the wallpaper as well as the colors of icons, text and backgrounds. You can also edit the lock-screen shortcuts.
The true customization is less about aesthetics, and more about how you like to use the tablet. On top of the three display modes – Regular, Color Paper and Ink Paper – you can also upgrade the Regular mode with image, video and game enhancement, as well as reading, eye comfort and sunlight display modes.
One of the things I really liked was the ability to hold the down key on the stylus and quickly tap the sleeping screen to immediately open the XPPen Notes app. It's a small gesture, but it was considerably faster than the alternative.
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Display customization (Image credit: Future)
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Settings menu (Image credit: Future)
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X3 Pro Pencil 2 settings and customization (Image credit: Future)
Holding the down key and tapping the screen can also create a screenshot of whatever you are reading, then immediately open it up in the notes app for you to doodle on or mark up. You can change this button's function to go back, go to the home screen, recents or the shortcut panel. I also found the ability to screenshot by swiping down on the screen with three fingers helpful versus pressing the power and volume buttons simultaneously.
Also worth noting is the shortcut panel which can be hidden or left floating on-screen. Within, you can quickly open notes, screen record, write an e-signature, make a handwritten GIF and more.
The XPPen Notes app deserves its own special mention, too. The custom-designed application has more than enough tools for any writing scenario, from a 15 second purge of your thoughts to a dedicated list of lecture notes with dozens of formats across seven categories. You can even add your own images from the Gallery or via PDF.
With three pen types – fountain, ballpoint and pencil – an eraser and highlighter, you can do a heck of a lot within the native notes app but, since it runs Android 14, you can download your preferred application (like OneNote) if you wish. Personally, I found no need for any other.
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Shortcut panel (Image credit: Future)
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Additional tools within the XPPen Notes app (Image credit: Future)
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Document options in XPPen Notes (Image credit: Future)
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Drawing and colouring (badly) (Image credit: Future)
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Homepage in Ink Paper mode (Image credit: Future)
There's a built-in AI assistant that can answer questions and read your document, as well as immediately convert your messy handwriting into text for a more orderly list of notes. I found the handwriting-to-text conversion inconsistent, but it usually got the gist of what I was writing – and my handwriting is messier than most.
Clean, easy to traverse and offering personalization that ranges from the quirky to seriously productive, the XPPen Magic Note Pad is a joy to use. I'd recommend reading the user manual though, as I found it quite complicated to figure out all the possibilities provided by the tablet and its stylus.
Software score: 4.5 /5
XPPen Magic Note Pad: Cameras and audio
13MP front camera, but no rear lens
Dual speakers and mics
XPPen Magic Note Pad's front camera (Image credit: Future)
Admittedly the Magic Note Pad wasn't decided to take photos, but it does have a 13MP front-facing camera for video calls (and the odd selfie maybe). With a target audience of professionals and students who a versatile digital notepad, that's more than enough to meet the usual needs.
Sure, a rear camera would be nice, it would also be near impossible to write on – so the 13MP front camera is just fine for getting through online uni classes and your weekly 9am team meeting. The camera quality is clear, and the dual speakers and precision microphones made certain I could both clearly hear and be heard on the rare occasion when I wasn't using headphones.
And, while I would prefer to have used headphones in most scenarios, the dual speakers performed more than adequately when watching content.
It won't be competing for any prizes in the camera and audio category, but it wasn't designed to either.
Camera score: 3/5
XPPen Magic Note Pad review: Performance
MediaTek MT8781
Struggles with heavy loads
Smooth regular daily use
The XPPen is not going to replace your laptop and handle your entire workload, but it's plenty powerful for what it aims to do.
Powered by the MediaTek MT8781 8-core processor, the Magic Note Pad was fast and smooth when I indulged in some light gaming, watched YouTube videos, wrote notes, reading or did several of them simultaneously when in a video call. It did struggle a little when it was multitasking, but it's not an iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab S series to take a whole lotta load.
In the 3D Mark Wildlife test, which tests graphic performance, the XPPen Magic Note Pad scored 1244 at 7.45fps. For reference, the Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 and Alldocube iPlay 50 Pro, two cheap tablets, as well as the Huawei MatePad Paper, boast higher scores.
I used the Geekbench 6.2.2 benchmark to test the Magic Note Pads CPU performance for everyday tasks, and XPPen's latest tablet scored 728 (single-core) and 1949 (multi-core). These scores place it well behind even a tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (1,198 / 3200).
Still, I didn't feel any performance issues in my time with the XPPen Magic Note Pad, and across writing, reading, watching and calling, you're not likely to. This XPPen tablet runs multiple apps with ease and lets you seamlessly write notes while on a call or watching a video, nailing everything a writing-focused productivity tablet should at this price range, but there are certainly similar, more powerful devices on the market.
Performance score: 4/5
XPPen Magic Note Pad review: Battery
20W charging
21% charge in 30 minutes
9+ hours video playback at high brightness
Charging port and speakers (Image credit: Future)
Boasting an 8,000mAh battery, the XPPen Magic Note Pad has a greater battery capacity than some other tablets, like the 2021 iPad and ReMarkable 2, which has only a 3,000mAh battery. It's certainly not large for a tablet though, with big-screen devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 boasting capacities that far exceed 10,000mAh.
After watching Avengers: Endgame and Deadpool & Wolverine back-to-back at 83% brightness – that's almost 5.5 hours – the XPPen Magic Note Pad was still at a very healthy 40% battery. That means you'll see at least 9 hours of screentime before it taps out, and plenty more than that when just reading or writing on a lower brightness.
In fact, XPPen states that you'll get as much as one week of usage out of the Magic Note Pad with a daily usage of 3 hours at 50% brightness. In my experience, reading on the way to work, making a few notes throughout the day and even hopping into a quick online meeting or watching some YouTube, that approximation seems about right.
Watching movies in Regular mode (Image credit: Future)
I also found that battery consumption is different depending on which display mode you're in and the activity being performed. I had assumed that paper modes required less battery, and this did seem to be the case, even if the difference was negligible during regular use.
Interestingly, I did find one hour of video in Ink Paper Mode used 13%, compared to 8% in Regular Mode – though these tests were done at different times and battery percentages.
Whether or not it lasts a week without charging isn't really the sticking point, though. As a work and study-focused tablet, it needs to be able to last the six to 10-hour days at work or school when it's needed. And, while battery drain will depend on what activities it's used for, it should have no issue doing so.
If you are planning on being a heavy user of this tablet though, draining the battery on a daily basis and requiring regular charging, you'll want to do so overnight. From dead, the device charges just 3% in five minutes, sitting on 21% after 30 minutes – putting a full charge at around 2.5 hours.
Battery score: 3.5/5
Should I buy the XPPen Magic Note Pad?
Buy it if...
You want a digital note pad and more The Magic Note Pad is first and foremost a digital writing tablet that can also perform as a regular one and an ereader. If you want that kind of versatility, this one's for you.View Deal
Your eyes struggle with blue light With a main focus on reducing eye strain, the XPPen Magic Note Pad is a must for those who find themselves having to step away from the computer. With three display modes and several eye-friendly settings, it's a great option.View Deal
You want to read and write in color Whether you're an avid comic book reader or just want to be able to write, highlight and brainstorm in color, the Magic Note Pad is for you. Both the color paper mode and regular mode offer excellent color options in very different ways.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
Reading is your main focus While this tablet performs well as an ereader, and could happily be used as such by owners who bought it for its overall performance, I wouldn't recommend purchasing this device as a reader first and tablet second.View Deal
You want a drawing tablet While you can write, draw and sketch accurately until your heart is content on this tablet, if art is your main focus, you might be better off splurging on a larger screen with a higher resolution might be better, like the XPPen Artist Pro 16.View Deal
Your viewing experience is your main concern While it certainly performed well enough for watching, if your main reason for buying a tablet is to watch content on the go, there are better tablets available without the layered screen.View Deal
XPPen Magic Note Pad review: Also consider
ReMarkable 2 If you're looking for an e-paper display to write on first, and read on second, there is no better device on the market. It's more expensive and lacks the Magic Note Pad's color display options, but for writing there is nothing better and it's cheaper than the color reMarkable Paper Pro. Read ourfull ReMarkable 2 reviewView Deal
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) The cheapest iPad that we still feel comfortable recommending, if you're looking for an affordable device to watch and read on, this iPad is a viable option. You won't get the paper modes or eye protection of the Magic Note pad, but not everyone will want or need that. Read our full Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) reviewView Deal
XPPen Artist Pro 16 If you're an artist, this tablet offers 16k pressure levels with the X3 Pro Pencil and a textured surface and colorful display, as well as the ability to act as a true laptop replacement and drawing pad. It costs quite a bit more than the XPPen Magic Note Pad, though. Read our full XPPen Artist Pro 16 reviewView Deal
How I tested the XPPen Magic Note Pad
Review test period = Two Weeks
Testing included = Regular daily use, writing, reading and watching content, video calls
Tools used = 3D Mark, Geekbench 6.2.2, built-in Android tools
The XPPen Magic Note Pad was my new best friend for two weeks, coming with me everywhere I went. From making notes in the morning and reading on the way to work to watching YouTube while working and joining online meetings with it, it was a crucial addition to my daily life.
To test it, I purposefully ran multiple apps during work meetings, multitasking and scribbling gibberish (and actual notes) during the meeting. I ran movies for hours on end and played mobile games like Clash Royale, Marvel Snap and Hearthstone.
I also used the 3D Mark Wildlife and Geekbench benchmarks to put a number to how the tablet was performing, and how it compared to other tablets on the market. I did all this while keeping in mind that this tablet is priced very fairly, aiming to help students and workers with productivity.
It’s hard not to view the Honor Pad V9 through the lens of its potential as a rival to the new base-model iPad (2025) – it came out just days before (for roughly the same price), has comparable specs, and half of the best Android tablets on the market are trying to take on Apple’s market-dominating juggernauts, anyway.
The more I used the Honor Pad for this review, the more I recognized its strengths – it takes the basic iPad principle, strips away the unnecessary extras, and adds in some useful productivity tools.
Take, for example, performance: instead of burdening its tablet with more processing power than you’d ever practically be able to use, Honor has given the Pad V9 a more restrained mid-range processor. But it’s compensated with twice the storage of the basic iPad, and more RAM. From my testing, using the device felt as smooth and snappy as anyone would need it to.
Software is another important thing to note. In the tablet space, Android used to struggle compared to iOS, but a lot has changed in the last few years, with plenty of similar productivity and multi-screen features between the two operating systems. What's more, instead of burdening the slate with a million first-party apps that you may or may not ever use, Honor has only added a few useful apps to the default Pad V9 package. Some of these proved pivotal to my experience, too.
Specifically, there's a suite of pre-installed Microsoft Office-like apps that each offer some useful functions, like the ability to convert your docs into PDFs (or other file formats), compile documents from various apps, and also mark up PDFs. Where was this technology when I was doing my degree?
The Pad V9 is a dab hand at entertainment, too: it has eight speakers, unlike the iPad’s two, and I found it great for streaming music or creating a surround-sound effect when streaming movies and TV shows. The display, while only using LCD tech, supports a 144Hz refresh rate and 2.8K resolution, which should sate spec-heads.
Most of my gripes with the Honor Pad V9 are pretty minor, and ones you can level at the vast majority of Android tablets: there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, you can’t expand the storage, and there are some irritating software quirks – I’m talking specifically about the weird design of the quick settings menu, which is unduly cramped.
Like its Apple rival, I can see the Pad V9 being useful to students, or people who need a lightweight business companion and think a laptop is too bulky. It’s not as fully featured as it needs to be to be classed as a creativity powerhouse, and it’s a bit too advanced for those who want a simple on-the-go movie tool. That said, a few extras over the new base-model iPad mean it manages to beat Apple’s tablet at its own game (on paper, at least – we're currently in the process of reviewing the latter).
Honor Pad V9 review: price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Costs £399.99, but only on sale in limited regions
Bundled with some accessories, depending on region
You can pick up the Honor Pad V9 for £399.99 (roughly $515, AU$820) in the UK. At the time of writing, it’s only on sale in a handful of European countries, as well as in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, though Honor does sell some tech in the US and Australia.
The device you get varies by country. In the UK, there’s only one variant on sale, which has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, and you get a flip cover and stylus included in the box. Other countries have different combinations of storage, memory, and bundled accessories. So, in the interests of fairness, I’ve treated the tablet as independent of its accessories when weighing up its value.
At the time of writing, Honor's website (in the UK, at least) doesn't actually list any accessories to buy individually. So make sure you don't lose or break the ones you get in the box, because replacements may be hard to find.
The price roughly puts the slate in the mid-range of Android tablets, a fact reflected in its positioning in Honor’s line-up: it beats the Honor Pad 9 and Honor Pad X9, but doesn’t match the Honor MagicPad 2. For context, Apple’s new base-model iPad starts at $349 / £329/AU$599 for 128GB storage.
Its price marks the Honor Pad V9 as pretty good value for money when you consider its specs and features. It doesn’t quite veer right into ‘drop what you're doing and buy it now!’ territory, but if you find a deal that reduces its price tag by a healthy margin, I'd say it's a must-buy.
The Honor Pad V9 was announced at the global tech expo MWC 2025 in February 2025, and went on sale shortly afterwards.
Value: 4 / 5
Honor Pad V9 review: specs
Here are the Honor Pad V9's specs at a glance:
Honor Pad V9 review: design
(Image credit: Future)
Lightweight and easy to carry or hold
USB-C port but no 3.5mm jack
Camera bump creates some wobble
Honor hasn't shaken up the tablet world with the V9's design, but it echoes the premium cleanliness of iPads (and most other Android tablets on the market right now).
The dimensions of the Honor Pad V9 are 259.1 x 176.1 x 6.1mm – yes, it’s nice and thin, so it won’t take up much space in a backpack. It weighs 475g, so it’s pretty light, and I found it easy to hold for long periods of time (at least, the length of time it takes to watch a movie in bed).
You can pick up the tablet in gray or white, and as you can see in the images included throughout this review, my sample was a gray model.
(Image credit: Future)
When holding the tablet in landscape, the power button is on the left edge while the volume rocker is on the top-left corner. There’s a USB-C port on the right edge but no headphone jack to speak of. Holding the slate in this orientation means that the front-facing camera is in the top bar of the bezel, which I find to be the best positioning for video calls.
On the back are two circular mounds. One, which barely sticks up from the surface of the slate, houses the flash, while the second holds the camera lens. It doesn’t stick too far up, but it does mean the slate has a little wobble when put flat on a table.
As far as I can tell, the Honor Pad V9 doesn’t have an IP rating against dust or water ingress, so keep it protected.
You can get some extra use out of the Pad V9 with some accessories; the slate supports a keyboard folio and a stylus, the latter of which comes with its own features. As mentioned, though, I didn’t receive either, so didn’t test them, and can only see them on sale in some regions. In other regions, they come bundled with the tablet in various combinations – it’s a bit confusing, in all honesty. If you can’t pick up the keyboard or stylus in your region, it’s very possible that third-party equivalents will go on sale before too long.
Design: 4 / 5
Honor Pad V9 review: display
(Image credit: Future)
Large 11.5-inch display
1840 x 2800 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate
Range of eye comfort overlays
The Honor Pad V9 is pretty big, as mid-range Android tablets go – don’t go taking that ‘9’ in the title to be its screen size. Instead, the display measures 11.5 inches diagonally.
The display has a 2800 x 1840 pixel count, which is billed by Honor as a 2.8K resolution, and it supports a refresh rate of up to 144Hz (though you'll struggle to find an app or game that supports such a high figure). I couldn’t find a figure on the max brightness but suffice it to say, it’s really bright.
The screen uses LCD tech so it’s not got the same contrast or sharpness that your phone (or a more premium tablet) may have, but this kind of display is easier to see in direct sunlight if you’re working, say, in a well-lit cafe or coffee shop. And Honor is clearly pulling out all the stops to ensure it’s still valid as a streaming device.
(Image credit: Future)
The brand touts that the screen supports DCI-P3 color gamut and 10-bit color (basically, it can show a wide range of colors, making videos look realistic) and it’s also certified by IMAX Enhanced. This basically means that it reaches a set of standards in the visual and audio departments to accurately play IMAX content – this is mostly available on Disney Plus, according to IMAX’s website, though Bravia Core, iQIYI, and Rakuten TV also have some such content.
Like most rivals, Honor offers a few screen modes to benefit eye comfort or battery life. These include eBook mode (which makes the display grayscale), eye comfort (which reduces the prevalence of blue colors), and Dark mode (you've probably used this before, and it's a decent battery-saving option).
Display: 4.5 / 5
Honor Pad V9 review: software
(Image credit: Future)
Android 15 with MagicOS 9.0 laid over the top
Range of useful pre-baked working apps
A few user interface quirks to be ironed out
The default software for the Honor Pad V9 is MagicOS 9.0 – that’s Honor’s own skin, which is based on Android 15, and while it’s largely a graphical overhaul of Android, it brings a few useful extras.
One of these is Honor Docs, a pre-installed suite of document processing apps that look near-identical to the Microsoft Office equivalents (and may actually be them). There are extra tools, too, like the ability to convert various documents to PDF and the aggregation of documents across your tablet into one place, no matter their file format.
If you’re buying the Pad V9 for productivity reasons, I can see these tools being a core part of your user experience, and it was pretty handy to have them pre-installed on the tablet. They'll be especially useful for students, or people who already own Honor tech, as docs will be shared between devices.
(Image credit: Future)
Android software used to be poorly implemented on tablets, but in 2025, that’s not the case, with useful features that make the most of the large display size. It's still not perfect, though.
Case in point, the quick-settings menu on the Pad V9, which is summoned when you swipe down from the top-right edge of the screen, is unnecessarily cramped and clustered. It makes it rather hard to use, and I don’t see a reason why it has to be shoved so far to the side. Hopefully, an update can fix this. You can see it in the image above, and I don't understand why it can't be a bit wider to use more of the empty screen space.
All tech companies tout ‘AI features’ nowadays, and Honor has a few too, like the ability to create meeting minutes from your notes, summarize documents, or automatically add typesetting. They’re pretty light-touch, but that’s how I like it, and Honor hasn’t staked the entire use case of its tablet on a few AI features.
Software: 4 / 5
Honor Pad V9 review: performance and cameras
(Image credit: Future)
MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite offers middling processing power
8GB RAM and 256GB storage (depending on region)
Impressive octo-speaker offering
Powering the Honor Pad V9 is a MediaTek chipset called the Dimensity 8350 Elite. Despite the name, this is a mid-range chipset that we’ve seen in a few Oppo phones and tablets before.
Multi-core benchmark results attest to this: over multiple tests, I got an average score of 4409, while the best chipsets on phones and tablets right now reach up to 6000. That goes to show that this is a tablet designed more for streaming and working than intensive processing.
Most games I tested on the tablet ran just fine, but noticeably not as snappily or quick as tablets or phones running top chipsets. When graphical options were available, I didn’t push to the top graphics due to fear of how the slate would respond, and the same was true of framerate. So, the Pad V9 will be fine for gamers, but there are better options out there.
(Image credit: Future)
The slate has various memory configurations depending on where you live. In the UK, it’s on sale in a sole 256GB storage and 8GB RAM model, but the version I tested had 12GB RAM, and certain regions have models ranging from 128GB to 512GB storage. There’s no memory card slot, so you’ll have to stick to the storage of whichever variant you pick up.
I mentioned earlier that the tablet is IMAX Enhanced; that extends to the speakers too, with a whopping eight of them around the slate (on other tablets, you’re lucky to get four). They make movies and TV shows sound a little bit better, with audio spread out to the left and right as well as up and down (depending on the video you watch). However, the max volume isn’t exactly deafening – streaming a movie in bed was fine, but when I tried to put on some Netflix while I was cooking, I sometimes struggled to hear what was being said over the various cooking noises.
On the camera front, you’re looking at a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facer. They’re fit for scanning documents, conducting video calls, and facial recognition, but you’re not exactly going to take artistic snaps with sensors like these. There was noticeable noise in darker areas of pictures (even fairly well-lit ones), and I couldn’t see a difference in images taken in portrait mode versus the standard mode.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
Honor Pad V9 review: battery
(Image credit: Future)
10,100mAh battery will see you through multiple days of use
33W charging is slow for a battery of this size
The Honor Pad V9 packs a 10,100mAh battery, which is a sliver bigger than the ones seen on some comparably priced rivals.
Practically, this gets you about two days of heavy use before the tablet needs to be charged. In my testing period, which saw me replicate my usual tablet use (some word processing here, a movie night there, and a fair amount of music streaming), I reached about five days of charge before the slate needed powering up.
If there’s a slight disappointment with the Pad V9's battery, it’s the charging speed, which caps at 35W – on the global release of the slate, at least, though the Chinese version gets 66W. You’re looking at a charging time of several hours to fill that big battery, so remember to plug it in early if it needs a charge!
I found it easiest to charge the tablet up in dribs and drabs, so I could ensure it always had some charge, but never needed to part with it for an entire working day.
Battery: 4/5
Should you buy the Honor Pad V9?
Buy it if…
You're a student If I'd bought the Honor Pad V9 when I was a student, I'd have saved hours of wrangling various apps and trying to use various features that the tablet can handle out the gate.View Deal
You like streaming movies and TV Its display is good, but its speakers are great: the Honor Pad V9 is dependable for streaming entertainment.View Deal
You want an iPad, but running Android Are you an Android fan who wants an iPad-like tablet? The Honor Pad V9 is one of your best picks, and it roughly matches its Apple rivals in price.View Deal
Don’t buy it if…
You need lots of storage space While the Honor's 256GB built-in memory is extensive, that's all you'll get without relying on cloud space or external hard drives.View Deal
You like wired audio There's no 3.5mm headphone jack on this tablet, so audiophiles will have to rely on USB-C converters, which can be annoying if you also want to charge the slate.View Deal
Also consider
Not convinced by the Honor Pad V9? Here are a few other options to consider:
iPad 11 (2025) The natural rival, Apple's newest iPad will win fans simply by being an iOS device. But it's more expensive (when considering like-for-like storage), doesn't offer the same speaker quality, and will make you pay more for accessories. We've currently got the device in for review, so we'll have a full verdict on its quality soon.
Oppo Pad 3 Pro For only a little bit more, you can get Oppo's new tablet, which boasts a more powerful chipset, a higher-res display, and faster charging.
I tested the Honor Pad V9 by using it in lieu of my normal tablet (an iPad Pro from years ago) for several weeks, for all the tasks I normally use my iPad for.
This included typing up and editing documents, watching movies, playing games, and checking out the news. The model I tested had 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, and I used it without first-party accessories.
I've been reviewing products for TechRadar since early 2019, covering everything from tablets and smartphones to headphones, fitness trackers, and electric scooters.
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☑️ 100s of smartphones reviewed ☑️ 15 years of product testing ☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total ☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
Apple hasn’t changed much with the latest generation iPad Air, and for good reason. In 2024, Apple expanded the Air to two sizes, moved the front-facing camera, tossed in support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and upgraded it to the M2 chip.
This year – and not even 12 months have passed since the last upgrade – Apple keeps the same prices and color options but equips the Air with an even better chip – the M3. The result is a faster yet refreshingly familiar experience that checks off the right boxes, whether you want a tablet just for entertainment or one for both work and play. The only caveat is that the Magic Keyboard, which you'll really benefit from if your focus is more on productivity, is an additional purchase and doesn't come bundled with the iPad Air, although it's cheaper year over year.
In my five days with the iPad Air, I really noticed and enjoyed the speed boost. It stretches the value proposition that bit further, and puts any concerns about power – both now and likely for the foreseeable future for most people – pretty much to bed for me. I was able to edit photos in Photoshop and Pixelmator, draw my wildest dreams in ProCreate, and even edit a movie in Final Cut Pro, and export those media files swiftly, with the Air sometimes outpacing a MacBook Air.
When it was time to get to work, I could dive into Slack, Safari, Gmail, and Google Docs to quickly write, edit, and produce stories to get them live without missing a beat. And I could also fit in time for a FaceTime call, a quick game – be it a AAA title or an Apple Arcade one – and stream any TV show or movie on the services I subscribe to.
Apple Intelligence in its current state is fully supported here, and future upgrades, including the AI-infused Siri and other yet-to-be-revealed ones, should run here without issue. I had no problems creating my emojis, removing objects from photos, and even dabbling with writing tools to clean up copy.
All this is to say that the latest generation iPad Air blurs the line between who this is for and who the iPad Pro is for. Yes, it’s more powerful than the iPad mini or the entry-level iPad, but it lacks some of the flair of the iPad Pro. If you need the best-in-range screen from Apple, and for some reason need even more power than the new Air, or really want the ultra-thin look and feel, the Pro is worth consideration if you can afford it.
Otherwise, the latest iPad Air might be a bit thicker and heavier, but it makes less of a dent in your wallet – and really isn’t that heavy. I normally would have opted for the larger-screen option, but the 11-inch iPad Air stretched its mileage for me. It’s proved to be an excellent working companion when teamed with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro, allowing me to leave my Mac at home and more than get by with just the super-portable combo.
If you invested in the iPad Air with M2 you won’t need to make the jump just yet, but if you have an M1 or older iPad Air, or own an entry-level iPad and feel the need for more power, now’s an excellent time to upgrade.
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025): Specs
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025): Price and Availability
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
How much does it cost: $599 / £599 / AU$999 for the 11-inch or $799 / £799 / AU$1,299 for the 13-inch
When does it ship: Apple’s iPad Air with M3 in both sizes formally launches on March 12, 2025.
Here’s some good news: Apple’s 11-inch iPad Air with M3 starts at $599 / £599 / AU$999, and the 13-inch at $799 / £799 / AU$1,299, which is the same price as last year’s M2 model. Both start at 128GB but can be configured with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage if you’re willing to spend the money.
Apple also offers an LTE model with 5G connectivity if you need it. The iPad Air comes in Purple, Blue, Space Gray, or Starlight regardless of connectivity or storage size.
My test unit is an 11-inch iPad Air with M3 with cellular connectivity and 1TB of storage in a lovely shade of purple.
Value score: 4.5 / 5
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025): Design
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
The 11-inch size is very portable without compromising on features or power
It's a nearly identical build to the 2024 model aside from slightly less branding
Considering that Apple updated the design of the iPad Air in 2024 and rolled out a new super-sized 13-inch model, there isn’t a whole lot new about the M3 iPad Air design-wise. After all, the most significant change does lie within the name.
The dimensions year over year for both sizes remain essentially the same. The 11-inch iPad Air I’ve been using is 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm and weighs 460 grams – that’s actually two grams lighter than last year’s model, but the difference is indiscernible in everyday use.
For those keeping track, that’s heavier and thicker than the 11-inch iPad Pro, but the iPad Air still feels effortlessly modern. I still dig the pastel-y shade of purple that it comes in and appreciate that, thanks to its matte aluminum finish, the rear gets easily covered in fingerprints. That distinct shade of purple can also change depending on how the light hits it.
The most noticeable design change that Apple has made to the iPad Air is removing the name from the tablet's rear. On previous models, ‘iPad Air’ was stamped above the Smart Connectors on the rear (when held vertically, it was centered on the bottom), but that’s no longer the case. Now, the whole rear is quite clean, aside from a shiny Apple logo in the center and a 12-megapixel camera aperture in the upper-right corner (when held vertically).
Little has changed in terms of button and port placement, which is to be expected, especially since the power button with the embedded Touch ID sensor was already in a location that works great for either orientation. When the Air is held horizontally or docked in the Magic Keyboard, that button lives at the top on the left-hand side, making it easy to unlock the iPad and authenticate for purchases or password fill-ins, and when you’re holding the tablet held vertically Touch ID is a beat away at the top on the right-hand side.
Touch ID is fast here, and I’d highly recommend setting up a finger from each of your hands, as it makes it a bit easier to get the most out of the button in both orientations; it will also save you from playing Twister when it comes to unlocking. You’ll also find the stereo speakers – which get quite loud – on the shorter sides of the iPad Air, so on the top and bottom when it’s vertical or left and right when horizontal. It makes this tablet excellent for enjoying content, be it in an episode of Bluey with my niece, the latest episode of Severance, or Bruce Springsteen’s Road Diary on Disney Plus.
The speaker volume is controlled by the up and down buttons that are on the top when horizontal or right side when vertical, or via Control Center. For charging or data transfers, the USB-C port is still on the bottom when the tablet is vertical or on the right side when it’s horizontal. You get a USB-C to USB-C cable and wall plug in the box.
Right below the volume controls is the magnetic connector for the Apple Pencil. The iPad Air supports both the Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil with USB-C, but I’d recommend the former if you can afford it, as it will wirelessly charge when attached to the side. As we noted with the 2024 refresh of the iPad Air, reconfiguring the wireless charging spot here required some heavy lifting on Apple’s part.
Apple has made this change not only to facilitate easier Pencil charging, but also so that it could move the front-facing 12-megapixel wide camera that supports CenterStage, which is now in a better position when you're using the iPad Air horizontally. The microphone now sits directly next to it, and you won’t risk muddying up the lens with fingerprints, which can be an issue given that the bezels on tablets are relatively thick. The bezels are identical in size to those on the 2024 model, and despite their relative thickness and the Liquid Retina display here, which I’ll talk about more in the next section, is almost all screen.
Even if it’s no longer the thinnest or lightest iPad, the 11-inch iPad Air was never a chore to take with me. While I usually use a 13-inch iPad Pro, I really like the flexibility this size of iPad affords – I could easily toss it in a bag or backpack wrapped in either the Smart Folio or the Magic Keyboard. It will easily fit on a tray table on an airplane, but more importantly, it didn’t take up too much space when I was working in a cafe or at a kitchen island. The 11-inch size has its perks.
So, the iPad Air is still the name, but maybe ‘Air’ reflects the price more than the design. Either way, the iPad Air is still a modern-looking tablet that has all the buttons in the right places and is won’t weigh you down, whether you’re using it to watch something in bed, working at your desk or from the kitchen, or touting it around in a bag.
The Liquid Retina display is still excellent with punchy colors
No ProMotion high refresh rate here
I’ll cut to the chase here: the 11-inch Liquid Retina display is excellent. No, it’s not a Dynamic OLED like on the iPad Pro, but it’s more than enough for everything from streaming content to editing photos or videos or drawing in Procreate, playing games like Asphalt 9 or Mini Metro, browsing the web, and responding to emails in between all of the above. The colors are vibrant and punchy, contrast is good, and whether it was typed or handwritten via an Apple Pencil, text is rich and inky.
Apple is also one of the best at creating anti-reflective coatings for its screens, and the oleophobic coating here effectively blocks fingerprints from being visible when you’re using the tablet. That’s something that I think is pretty important – and remember, the 11-inch Air only hits 500 nits at its peak (that’s up by 100 to 600 nits on the 13-inch iPad Air), so the coating is doing its thing here.
As on the 2024 model, this year’s display still has a 2360 x 1640 resolution at 264 pixels per inch, with support for the P3 Wide Color Gamut and Apple’s True Tone tech.
For the lower price, I think the Liquid Retina display here isn’t too much of a concession – it’s a great tablet screen that lets you make the most of iPadOS and your various apps.
The only thing missing is a higher refresh rate courtesy of the ProMotion designation, but as on the iPhone and Mac, Apple reserves that for its higher-tier products.
Still, whether you’re using the 11-inch iPad Air for education, work, or play, you’ll be happy with the screen here. And if you want a super-sized experience, the 13-inch Air gives you a more expansive canvas.
Display score: 4 / 5
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025): Cameras
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
No major upgrades to either the front or rear camera
Center Stage is still great for video calls
Like every other iPad in Apple’s lineup, the iPad Air features two cameras, and as on every other model but the iPad mini, the front camera is on the landscape/horizontal side. It’s still a 12-megapixel camera that supports Center Stage, Apple’s onboard software that responds swiftly to keep you in the center of the frame for video calls. That, plus the better location for the camera, especially if you use it docked in the Magic Keyboard, makes this an excellent device for video calls or at-home recording.
For instance, one night, while cooking dinner, I rested the iPad Air on the counter in one position. As I moved around to the stove and back to the countertop, including draining a pot while cooking pasta, Center Stage kept me in the frame while on a FaceTime call with friends.
The rear camera on the new iPad Air is still a 12-megapixel wide lens that can zoom in up to five times digitally and supports video recording at up to 4K at 60 frames per second. It performs pretty well, and considering some folks insist on taking photos with an iPad, the Air does a good job here.
Cameras score: 4 / 5
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Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025): Software
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
It's the familiar iPadOS experience
The iPad Air supports the advanced Stage Manager multitasking mode
It works really well with the new Magic Keyboard; it's more laptop-like than before
Just as with the iPad, iPad mini, iPad Pro, or the iPad Air that came before this iPad Air, one of the best parts of the Apple tablet experience is the vast array of things you can do on your device.
In my testing time so far, I’ve been writing – including this review – on the iPad Air with it docked in the Magic Keyboard, streaming movies and TV shows, playing games like Mini Metro, RFS+ (a flight simulator), Asphalt 9, and Disney Dreamlight Valley, editing photos and videos in Pixelmator, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Detail, drawing in Procreate, practicing organization in Notability, and even dabbling with some 3D modeling to see what the M3 chip is capable of in the likes of Uniform.
I’ve pushed iPadOS pretty much to the limits, using just one app, multitasking on a split screen with a third app hanging on the side, and even using Stage Manager. iPadOS 18 is still a very familiar experience; it’s another year older, but Apple is still differentiating it from its other OSes – it’s not entirely different from iOS, though it has clear benefits for the tablet form factor, and still uniquely different from macOS. There’s sufficient continuity between iPadOS and Apple’s wider ecosystem, though – I can use my Mac’s trackpad and keyboard on the iPad thanks to Universal Control, and even extend my display to the iPad with Sidecar.
The M3 chip here is very, very powerful, and ensures that nothing so much as stutters, other than a larger 4K export file in Final Cut Pro, which took some time. For the most part, any typical productivity or entertainment task really flies, allowing you to get a lot done with the iPad Air in a little time – and it also blurs the lines as to who might need this model versus the iPad Pro with the M4.
While the iPad Air with M2 was released before Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence and began its staggered release – one that’s still ongoing – it does support the suite of features, as does the iPad Air with M3.
A lot of what you can do with Apple’s take on AI right now is complimentary to the rest of iPadOS – you can remove photo bombers and objects from photos directly in the app under ‘Clean Up’, you can opt to have your notifications summarized, create unique emojis on the fly, and even have Siri route your queries through ChatGPT.
You’ll also find Siri’s new look – a colorful glow that surrounds the whole display as a digital bezel – here on the iPad Air, but the truly AI-infused Siri is still a promised feature. On March 7, Apple announced that the smarter Siri was taking a bit longer that expected, and that it would arrive “in the coming year.” Whenever it does come, the iPad Air with M3 will support ot, as well as future Apple Intelligence features
Another way in which the iPad Air with M3 really shines is when it’s docked into the redesigned Magic Keyboard, which costs $269 / £269 / AU$449 for the 11-inch iPad, and $319 / £299 / AU$499 for the 13-inch model. Regardless of size, the new Magic Keyboard is slightly cheaper, and you’re getting a much more Pro experience that almost takes you into MacBook territory. Apple has kept the same form factor for the Magic Keyboard, but there’s now a 14-key function row, which gives you easy access to shortcuts like multitasking, playback control, volume control, and even focus mode engagement. You also get a full QWERTY keyboard with arrow keys and a larger trackpad. I spent two days using just the 11-inch iPad Air as my main work device, tabbing between Slack, Gmail, Google Docs, and Sheets, as well as Safari, Messages, Photoshop, Notes, FaceTime, and countless other apps.
Even though I usually use a 13-inch or 14-inch MacBook, I didn’t feel all that cramped on the iPad Air, even at the 11-inch size, and this is something I want to test more while traveling. I especially liked that I could literally reach out and touch iPadOS when I needed to, and I felt at home with the more laptop-like experience as well.
Another key and needed upgrade to the Magic Keyboard is an upgrade to the charging speed, and the keyboard’s USB-C port now supports up to 60W charging, the same as the iPad’s own USB-C port. Bravo, Apple! To make room for the extra row of keys and larger trackpad, the oval hinge – the mechanism by which the iPad attaches and the case closes – has been redesigned to accommodate the extra functionality. It’s really well designed, and my only complaint is that the Magic Keyboard only comes in white, which will undoubtedly get dirty.
It adds cost to the iPad Air, but it’s an excellent accessory that will let you stretch the mileage and capabilities of the tablet itself; and paired with the M3 chip inside, the excellent, punchy display, and iPadOS, it will most certainly let you get a bunch of years of use out of your device.
The Apple Pencil Pro is also an add-on at $129 / £129 / AU$219, and one that I found enjoyable to use for note-taking, navigating iPadOS, and for creative acts like drawing. Way back when Apple first launched the original Apple Pencil and super-sized 12.9-inch iPad, I ditched a Retina MacBook Pro for the iPad and used it with the Pencil and eventually a Smart Keyboard as my main device combo – and the note-taking experience is still effortless here, and basically identical to writing on paper, with no visible latency. The addition of Squeeze to the Pencil Pro lets you easily engage options like an eraser, which is quite helpful considering Apple never added one to the top.
Software score: 4 / 5
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025): Performance
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
M3 chip lets the iPad Air fly with nearly any task
Even more intense video edits or AAA game perform without hiccups
Not a night and day difference over the M2 iPad Air, but older models will see a big improvement
The biggest change with Apple’s 2025 iPad Air refresh is the newer, faster, and better-equipped M3 chip under the hood. It also blurs the lines between the iPad Air and the M4-powered iPad Pro a bit more, as both are very powerful – and it was already a close race last year between the M2-powered Air and the M4 Pro. Apple’s silicon is just very, very good.
I threw pretty much everything at the M3 iPad Air, and it was almost impossible even to slow it down, never mind make it buckle. It’s not leagues better than the iPad Air with M2, but it’s closing the gap with the Pro, and has me questioning exactly which specific use cases might require you to make that jump – the overall thinner build and OLED screen might be better selling points for the Pro.
Considering that the Air in iPad Air doesn't mean slower speeds or a super light build, I think it really denotes that this tablet is closer in terms of features and power to the MacBook Air. The new iPad Air is more affordable, but it still delivers a stellar experience in nearly every department, especially performance. I could perform all my daily tasks for work, from email to writing and editing written words, as well as producing GIFs and editing photos, then exporting them at my normal speed, if not faster. I could also have a FaceTime call running during this or even take a break for a quick game – maybe, just don’t tell my boss that. Testing, though, am I right?
In my daily experience, the M3 iPad Air flew, and quantitatively, it also bettered the results we got from the M2 iPad Air in 2024. Apple hasn’t put an underpowered version of the M3 in the iPad Air – it’s still an M3 chip with an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine as well as 8GB of RAM – that’s plenty for an iPad in pretty much any use case.
The chip enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing for AAA titles like Death Stranding and Resident Evil. Using GeekBench 6, which runs the iPad Air through a number of tests, the iPad Air scored very well, achieving 3,023 single-core and 11,716 multi-core scores. That jumps past the iPad Air with M2, which scored 2,591 on single-core and 10,046 on multi-core, and puts it closer to the iPad Pro with M4, which scored 3,700 on single-core and 14,523 on multi-core.
Suffice to say, those are impressive numbers from Apple’s mid-range iPad, at a much more affordable price of $599 / £599 / AU$999 11-inch or the $799 / £799 / AU$1,299 for the 13-inch then compared with the iPad Pro. You’ll also find that really any iPad task runs well here, assuming you have the app to make it happen.
Given that it’s not a huge leap over the M2-powered iPad Air, I don’t see any need for folks who bought that model last year to rush out and upgrade. But if you have an older standard iPad, and find your needs pushing past its capabilities, or even an M1-powered iPad Air or older, the iPad Air with M3 makes a whole lot of sense, offering power and performance that will last you for many years to come.
Performance score: 4.5 / 5
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025): Battery and Connectivity
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
The iPad Air can still last a full work day on a charge
It's the same battery performance as the prior generation
No Wi-Fi 7 support
Still powering the 11-inch iPad Air is a 28.93Wh battery (the 13-inch Air has a larger 36.59Wh battery), and Apple again promises up to 10 hours of web surfing or watching a video on Wi-Fi. That essentially translates as all-day battery life, and that’s largely what I got out of the iPad Air with M3, even when docked in the Magic Keyboard, which didn’t seem to drain much more of the battery. What battery depletion I did experience was generally the result of a more power-hungry process or app – for example, exporting a bunch of photos or videos, or a AAA game.
I could get through between eight to 10 hours of work with brightness at about 70% using various productivity apps, and some music playback and video calls in between, which is pretty good for a tablet of this size, all things considered. When needed, I could also plug in the iPad Air or utilize the port on the Magic Keyboard with a USB-C cable to charge.
Connectivity is identical to the previous version, meaning that Wi-Fi 7 is still missing here, with Apple opting for Wi-Fi 6E. There’s also Bluetooth 5.3 and, on LTE models, support for 5G Sub-6 GHz and Gigabit LTE.
Battery and Connectivity score: 4 / 5
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025): Should you buy it?
Buy it if...
You have an older iPad or tablet
The M3 chip ensures you’ll have no concerns about power or performance, and makes this an especially good upgrade if you have an M1 iPad Air or older, an entry-level iPad, or another tablet, and are craving more power.View Deal
You don’t want to break the bank
At $599 / £599 / AU$999 for the 11-inch Air and $799 / £799 / AU$1,299 for the 13-inch model, you can get the screen size you want, along with excellent cameras, software, and power, without spending thousands.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You don’t need M-series power
If you don’t need a laptop replacement, aren’t planning on playing AAA games, or are alright with some load times, go with the entry-level iPad.View Deal
You want a jaw-dropping display
If you want the best visuals and can stomach the price tag, consider the iPad Pro with M4 with its Dynamic OLED screenView Deal
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025): How I tested
I spent five days testing the 11-inch M3 iPad Air, supplemented with a Magic Keyboard, a Smart Folio, and an Apple Pencil Pro. After unboxing the tablet and accessories I set the iPad Air up as new, and then downloaded my usual apps to make it feel like home.
I mostly put my 14-inch MacBook Pro to one side, and put the iPad Air to the test by using it as my primary device productivity and entertainment device. I used it for most of my daily tasks, from responding to emails, writing articles, and communicating on Slack to editing photos and videos. I also played several games on the device, from more basic titles to AAA ones, and streamed hours of content, including music, TV shows, and movies.
Maybe a giant tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra seems wild to some, but to me it makes a lot of sense. I love a huge screen; the bigger the better. I want a tablet that can be a work surface, a drawing space, a tabloid newspaper, and a television stand-in when I’m moving to a new house and my TV is packed. Like all of Samsung’s ‘Ultra’ devices, the Tab S10 Ultra is all I need and much more.
How much more? There’s the S Pen, of course, which clings loosely to the back of the Tab S10 Ultra, so you’ll definitely want to buy Samsung’s Smart Book Cover case, at least.
Also, the Tab S10 Ultra is water resistant enough to take a dunk, which may seem superfluous for a tablet that would never possibly fit in a toilet, but it speaks to the Tab's durability. You can use it in the bath tub, or the pool, or in a wet environment, then wash it in the sink. That’s pretty amazing for a tablet this size.
There’s also… um, actually that’s kind of all there is? Okay, there’s Galaxy AI, of course, but nobody should buy a premium Android tablet for features like Sketch to Image or Circle to Search. Maybe someday AI will be a ‘system seller,’ as the gamers say, but for now it’s barely a bonus feature.
You can easily see two full windows side-by-side on the Tab S10 Ultra (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is so close to last year’s model that all of the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra accessories work with this tablet. But a warning: if you want a keyboard, don’t buy Samsung’s offering. I wouldn’t usually knock accessories so hard, but this is an important component of a laptop replacement tablet. Samsung needs a much better keyboard for the Tab S series. Samsung’s keyboard is flimsy and unpleasant.
The Tab S10 Ultra version has an AI key... awesome. For the same price (even less!), Apple owners get a Magic Keyboard that's rigid and premium. You can lift the iPad by the lip of the keyboard, but don’t try that with Samsung’s QWERTY.
The good news is that all the third-party cases and covers for the Tab S9 Ultra fit the S10 Ultra. Cool, there are some good options on Amazon, at least. But that means this tablet is basically unchanged from last year, on the outside at least.
Usually, when a product doesn’t change much year-over-year, there's either a big upgrade under the hood, or there is a price drop for new buyers. Unfortunately, neither of those things happened.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is the same price as the Tab S9 Ultra in the US and UK, and it’s $50 more in Australia. Inside, you get a… hold on, [checks notes] MediaTek Dimensity 9300. Wait, seriously?! Samsung is using a MediaTek processor? Instead of Qualcomm? Instead of Samsung Semiconductor!?
Not much has changed from this Tab S9 Ultra to the Tab S10 Ultra (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Oooooookay. Well, the results are what you’d expect. It’s a good brain for a tablet, but it isn’t a Snapdragon. Last year’s Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra came with the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset found in the Galaxy S23 family. This year’s Galaxy S24 uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The MediaTek 9300 can mostly keep up with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and once in a while beat it, but not always.
Why is there a MediaTek chip in this flagship Samsung tablet? MediaTek makes a respectable, less expensive chip that focuses more on graphics performance than overall raw power. The Tab S10 Ultra does have slightly better graphics capabilities than a Galaxy S24 phone, but this is supposed to be Samsung’s best tablet. Why is it only slightly better?
Apple is loading its comparably priced iPad Pro with an Apple M4 chip, which is more powerful than most Windows laptops. Samsung gives you a lot more display on the Tab S10 Ultra, but at the cost of so much performance that it knocks the Ultra back into a lower category. This is a gigantic mid-range tablet, not a premium flagship.
If you want to run pro-level software, you should buy Apple’s tablet. If you want the biggest, best display to run all of your Android apps and games and watch your favorite content, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a great choice, with a screen that will knock your socks off. But we all know it should be a few hundred bucks cheaper.
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: price and availability
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Starts at $1,1199 / £1,199 / AU$2,049 for 12GB RAM and 256GB storage
A 5G version is available, but not in the US
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is Samsung’s biggest and most expensive tablet, and it costs a bit less than the iPad Pro 13-inch, which is a point in its favor, considering Samsung gives you a humongous 14.6-inch display. That’s not a small difference: the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra display offers 65% more screen area than the iPad Pro 11-inch.
Besides the big screen, does the Tab S10 Ultra justify its price tag? Let’s consider features that you won’t find anywhere else. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is water resistant, like all of Samsung’s recent Galaxy Tab S tablets (including the Galaxy Tab S9 FE, if you need a cheaper, water-resistant tablet). If you’re going to use your tablet in the rain, or in the pool, or if you just want to doomscroll in the bathtub, the Galaxy Tab S is your only choice.
Otherwise, Samsung’s key advantage is, surprisingly, software. Samsung does a much better job with tablet software than Apple. It’s easier to multi-task, open multiple windows, and use your tablet with an external monitor and keyboard. Samsung even does a great job integrating its tablet with your Samsung phone and Galaxy Book laptop, if you have recent Samsung devices.
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Drawing a truck with Sketch to Image (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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Here is Galaxy AI's watercolor version of my truck (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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The robust Galaxy AI settings menu (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
All of Samsung’s tablets are good at multitasking, you don’t need to spend $1,1199.99 / £1,199 / AU$2,049 to get this software experience. Even the Tab Ultra’s display isn’t the advantage it was in the past. Apple’s latest iPad Pro tablets pack the most advanced OLED I’ve ever seen on a tablet. It’s thinner, brighter, and sharper looking than Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, even if it’s smaller.
Samsung gives you an S Pen with the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, while Apple makes you pay $129 / £129 / AU$219 for an Apple Pencil. That’s a nice bonus, but it doesn’t justify Samsung’s high price.
Apple gives you a desktop-class chip, while Samsung includes a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset that is… not bad? It’s good at gaming, but not as powerful as Apple’s M4 in the iPad Pro, and it doesn’t even top the Apple M2 in the iPad Air, except in a few graphics benchmarks.
Apple gives you a better, more advanced display, a thinner tablet, and incredible power. Unless you need a water-resistant tablet, or if your games are only available on Android, it’s hard to justify the price tag for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. The Tab S9 FE is a much better buy for those benefits.
Value: 3/5
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: specs
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
It was a shocking move for Samsung to include a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset in its Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. The last Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra used the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which was the same processor used in the Galaxy S23 Ultra phone, launched the same year. This year’s Galaxy S24 Ultra phone uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and that’s what I expected on the premiere tablet.
the MediaTek Dimensity 9300... falls short on processing performance compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon
Why use MediaTek instead of Qualcomm or a Samsung Exynos chip? My guess is that Samsung wants to diversify its chip supply, and the Tab S10 Ultra is a safe place to stick the first processor from a new partnership. [Full disclosure: I worked on Samsung’s PR team from 2011 to 2017 and was never involved in chip decisions, I only know what other technology journalists know.]
Samsung will tell you that the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 is exceptional at gaming, and it wanted this tablet to appeal to gamers. While MediaTek does win some benchmark races on the graphics side of Future Labs testing, it falls short on processing performance compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon, and it’s generations behind Apple’s M4 chipset when it comes to processing power.
I’ll talk about whether the MediaTek 9300 delivered on that gaming promise below in the Performance section (spoiler: it did, but it’s still a mobile chipset).
Otherwise, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has an impressive list of specs. It comes with plenty of RAM to start, 12GB, and you can boost that to 16GB if you buy an upgraded storage model.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra also uses Wi-Fi 7, which the iPad Pro still lacks. If you have the latest networking equipment installed and you want to take advantage, the Galaxy Tab is ready.
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: display
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Massive 14.6-inch screen is a new level of tablet bigness
Samsung thankfully sticks with Wacom tech for the S Pen
You can’t find a bigger, better display on a tablet than the huge 14.6-inch OLED screen on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. If you are considering a tablet as a laptop replacement, the Tab S10 Ultra gives you more screen space than a 14-inch Macbook Pro, though finding the right keyboard could be tricky.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab gives you much more screen real-estate than a similarly-priced iPad, but is it still a better display? The latest iPad Pro uses an OLED screen that is more sharp, with 264 pixel-per-inch density, compared to 239 ppi on Samsung’s display. Is that enough to notice? Not really, but bragging rights are important at this price.
Apple’s latest iPad Pro is also much brighter than the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, which makes a difference if you work outside, though the iPad Pro can’t handle a rain storm like the Galaxy Tab.
Samsung still refuses to support Dolby Vision on its displays, and you can spot the difference side-by-side if you compare, say, Netflix movies on an iPad Pro and the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. There is HDR10+ support, but not the Dolby HDR video standard.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
I’m happy to see Samsung keeps using Wacom’s electromagnetic resonance (EMR) technology for its S Pen. I’ve seen a few mobile manufacturers switch to their own technology recently. That usually means a battery and an added expense. Samsung’s S Pen has a battery, but it’s for additional features like Bluetooth and the motion sensor; the pen still works without a charge if you just want to draw.
Display: 5/5
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: design
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Water resistant design is unique among premium tablets
Same size and shape as Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
With a tablet this big, the design should get out of the way of the screen and the viewing experience, so I’m not expecting much. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has some design highlights but nothing special. I like the cool, tech-y antenna lines on the back that give it a futuristic sheen, but otherwise it’s just a big slab.
There are four speakers hidden around the edges of the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, so things get loud when you hold the tablet in landscape mode for movie watching. The camera is also centered for landscape viewing, as it should be.
The only buttons on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra are the power and volume buttons, and Samsung has managed to screw up the volume keys. You’ll need to remember which side is up, because the Galaxy Tab won’t help.
Here’s what I mean: an Apple iPad is smart enough to know that however you are holding the tablet, pressing the volume rocker button on top should turn up the volume. If you hold the iPad upside down, it flips the orientation of the volume keys.
The Galaxy Tab has fixed Up and Down volume keys, and if you hold the tablet upside down, you need to press down to turn the volume Up. If this seems hard to explain, it’s even worse to use in real life.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
If you plan on using the S Pen and not losing the S Pen, I highly recommend buying Samsung’s back cover. It has a nice garage that holds the S Pen in the right spot to charge wirelessly against the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. I wish there was a proper silo like there is on the Galaxy S24 Ultra phone, but that would mean a much smaller S Pen, so I’ll accept the trade off.
I don’t recommend Samsung’s keyboard case, and I’m not sure there is a great option to turn the Galaxy S10 Ultra into a proper laptop replacement, which is a huge miss on Samsung’s part. Apple’s Magic Keyboard, which costs less than Samsung’s Keyboard Cover with a trackpad, is a much more premium accessory. You can lift the iPad Pro by grasping the front of the Magic Keyboard, while Samsung’s expensive keyboard cover feels cheap and flimsy, with keys that are too shallow.
Design: 4/5
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: software
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Still the best tablet software for multitasking
No significant enhancements for gaming
Samsung’s One UI software, running on top of Android 14, is packed with features, and maybe overstuffed for a smaller smartphone screen, but on a big tablet Samsung lets you cut loose. You can run up to four windows on screen at once, and it’s easy to tile and arrange windows by dragging them where you want them. You can open apps or conversations in pop-up bubbles, and we haven’t even got to the pop-up note taking and screen writing with the S Pen.
While Apple pays lip service to multitasking on the iPad Pro, Samsung really makes it easy to do two or more things at once. I could research on the web while taking notes in Google Docs, or chat on a webcam meeting on one side, play a game on the other, and doomscroll in a floating window.
Taking notes (left) while surfing the web (right) while watching Skeleton Crew (bottom left) all at once (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
While Samsung’s operating system is great, I’m worried that a big, expensive tablet like this is let down by the Android ecosystem. What are the premium apps that require so much screen size and power? Well, maybe not power, since the MediaTek processor isn’t exactly a powerhouse. But it's pretty good at gaming, and Samsung has said this tablet is aimed at gaming enthusiasts.
So, where is the gaming software? When you buy an Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, our best gaming phone, you don’t just get top performance. You get a suite of software tools to help you control your game, tweak your system settings, and stream your sessions over your favorite social network. That’s what it takes to call your device a gaming device. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra was great for playing games, but it’s not an excellent gaming device.
Software: 4/5
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: performance
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Good enough for Android, but not competitive with the iPad Pro
There better be a Snapdragon 8 Elite in the next Tab Ultra
It’s a very weird time for Samsung to release a Galaxy Tab Ultra with a relatively underpowered MediaTek chipset. Apple offers the iPad Pro tablet with an Apple M4 chip that's more powerful than most Windows laptop computers. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra doesn’t come close to that level of performance.
Then we have Qualcomm, which followed up one of its best chips in memory, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with a chipset that could truly be a revolutionary step forward, the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite. The latter wasn’t available in time for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra launch, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has been the most powerful chip in smartphones over the past year. Samsung should know, that’s the chip inside the Galaxy S24.
For the same price, you can have an Apple M4-powered iPad Pro. Heck, you could buy a Samsung Galaxy Book 4 360 laptop with a Snapdragon X processor inside and you’d get more in just about every way for the same price. Why pay for a big, mid-range Android tablet when you can have a premium convertible laptop or professional-strength iPad?
Multi-window is as easy as dragging an app to where you want it (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
If the answer is Android games, then the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra will satisfy hardcore gamers with its performance, but I wonder if a gigantic tablet is what the mobile gaming world wants.
Many games won’t work with a joystick. Genshin Impact, for instance, works with a joystick on the iPad, but not on Android tablets. That means I need to hold the huge tablet and manipulate the controls that were meant for a mobile phone.
There are quite a few games like this, and while I enjoyed playing games with my Xbox controller connected, I had a hard time manipulating onscreen controls while holding the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. Don’t get me wrong, I love the huge size of this tablet, but for some tasks it simply might be too big.
Performance: 3/5
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: battery
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Less battery life than last generation
Much less battery time than an iPad Pro
Battery life on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra was, frankly, unacceptable. While the tablet lasted through most of a work day, I usually kept it plugged in or charging when I was working at a desk because the big display can chug through battery time.
Our Future Labs tests report the same. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra performed worse on our battery tests than the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. Both tablets came in behind Apple’s iPad Pro, but the Tab S9 Ultra lasted around 9.5 hours and the Tab S10 lasted just over 9 hours. A small difference, but battery life should never, ever go down year over year.
Four days?! Not likely (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
In comparison, an iPad Pro 13-inch will give you almost 15 hours in the same test. That’s a huge loss for Samsung, and battery life needs to be a priority on the next generation of Galaxy Tab S devices.
I have to imagine that a Tab S10 Ultra with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 would have offered better battery life, based on tests I’ve seen comparing the Gen 2 and Gen 3 platforms. Too bad Samsung didn’t use that chipset here.
Battery: 2/5
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra?
Buy it if…
You play a lot of Android games If you’re playing a lot of games on your Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers impressive gaming performance and the best big screen for gaming.View Deal
You want a big office tablet that’s easy to use An Android tablet is much simpler than a Windows tablet, and you have your work accounts loaded, just like with your phone. Go ahead, work on the Tab.View Deal
You want to draw and play and have fun The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a big tablet for fun, indoors and outdoors, for doodling and gaming and playing with AI. Don’t take it too seriously.View Deal
Don’t buy it if…
You need a serious productivity tool If you need real power and performance, and real desktop apps, you might need an iPad Pro or iPad Air.View Deal
You can get a deal on the Tab S9 Ultra This is almost the same tablet as last year, so if you find the Tab S9 Ultra for much cheaper, just buy it instead.View Deal
You want a laptop replacement The Tab S10 Ultra doesn’t have any great keyboard options to help you replace a laptop, though you can use any desktop keyboard and mouse instead of Samsung’s accessories.View Deal
Also consider
Not convinced by the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra? Here are a few other options to consider:
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch It costs a bit more, but Apple’s iPad Pro 13-inch is more powerful, much thinner and lighter, and even brighter than Samsung’s Tab S10 Ultra.
Apple iPad Air 13-inch The Air is Apple’s mid-range iPad, but it is still more powerful than Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, and it lasts longer on a charge.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus If you really just want a big Samsung display that’s water resistant and packed with OneUI features, the Tab S9 FE might be enough, and it’s battery life can’t be beat.
I have been using and reviewing tablets since the very first Samsung Galaxy Tab 7-inch tablet and the original Apple iPad, and I use tablets every day in my personal life and work environment. I carry two or more tablets when I travel for work and personal business, and I travel every month, often every few weeks.
I used the Galaxy Tab 10 Ultra for two months as my primary work tablet, using it when I traveled for business and as a second screen at my office when I was working. I loaded it with my work accounts and apps, including Slack, Google Meet, Airtable, and Vampire Survivors.
I tested the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra’s durability by dunking it in my sink filled with water and rinsing it repeatedly. I used the Tab S10 Ultra with Samsung’s keyboard with trackpad cover, as well as with my own SteelSeries USB-C keyboard, and a Bluetooth mouse. I also connected the Tab Ultra to my Dell monitor.
I played many games on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, mostly using an Xbox controller with Bluetooth. I played Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, Vampire Survivors, and games from my Xbox Series X console over Wi-Fi.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra was also tested and benchmarked in Future Labs independently. Future Labs uses benchmark software like Geekbench and Crossmark, as well as proprietary tests for color gamut and battery rundown times. Future Labs runs the same tests on every tablet to compare them equally.
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