When recently testing the OnePlus Pad Go 2, it struck me that the tablet has aimed its crosshairs at a familiar target: the iPad. Apple’s entry-level slate doesn’t just dominate the market, but it’s arguably the ubiquitous tablet; how many people say “iPad” to refer to any tab?
Having reviewed plenty of Android tablets in my day, I’ve come across loads of slates aiming to topple Apple’s heavyweight. Many have fallen flat at worst, or at best simply offered an iPad-alike, but with Google’s operating system instead of Apple’s. But there are some options out there, that really are tempting alternatives for Android fans.
So if you’ve been considering the OnePlus Pad Go 2 as an alternative to a new iPad, here are four other Android tablets that you should also be checking out. Or, three and one honorable mention.
Xiaomi Pad 7
Xiaomi’s smartphones generally don’t sell in the US, but its tablets do. I tested the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro and was won over in myriad ways – the non-Pro model is cheaper and only offers a few spec downgrades: lower-resolution cameras and a slightly weaker chipset.
What made the Xiaomi Pad 7 a viable iPad alternative for me is the screen dimensions. Android rivals often have wider displays than the 4:3 aspect ratio of the iPad, making them better for watching movies and TV shows, but too many manufacturers opt for giant screens too. The OnePlus Pad Go 2 measures 12.1 inches diagonally, for example, and you’re soon to read about an option that’s even bigger.
However the Pad 7 is only a hair larger than the iPad at 11.2 inches, making for a smaller overall package. This meant it was easier to carry, easier to fit in a bag and took up less tabletop space on my cluttered desk. Despite this, the screen has loads of pixels – it’s 3.2K, according to Xiaomi, which isn’t officially a standard resolution but gives you a sense of the detail on offer – and hits a 144Hz refresh rate.
Xiaomi’s home-made keyboard folio has got to be one of the best tablet accessories not made by Apple, as it’s sturdy and compact – nothing like the OnePlus Pad Go 2’s flimsy shell. Having tested other gadgets with the Pad 7’s internals, I can attest to it having enough power for long gaming sessions, and the software is… well, it’s an Android tab, it’s no iPadOS.
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro
One of my staunch Android tablet beliefs is that Lenovo’s tablets are underrated, and I think the Idea Tab Pro is a great example. It’s roughly the same price as the entry-level iPad, but with an included stylus
This is a machine for entertainment: it has four speakers tuned by JBL, and supports Dolby Atmos for movies. The 12.7-inch display has a 3K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, and the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipset is great for gaming (even if it’s not the most powerful processor out there).
Lenovo knows when to keep the specs light: the cameras aren’t anything to write home about, but they don’t need to be in a tablet, and the 10,200mAh battery will keep the thing running for a long enough time. Creatives will be glad to know that, unlike the vast majority of Android tablet styli, the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus can clip magnetically to the back of the slate, so you won’t lose it.
Now for the downside: the slate released on stock Android 14, which was already outdated when it released, and there’s no word on how many updates it’ll get past Android 16 (which it can currently be updated to). So it’s not going to solve common problems with the software, and may never do so – buy it for the specs.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
Samsung’s tablets are often considered some of the most robust iPad rivals that Android makers have to offer. Samsung’s FE-branded pads, slightly more affordable equivalents, don’t often get included in this conversation… but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE still deserves a mention.
This pad is a little more expensive than the iPad, but it has the S Pen included, so if you’re a stylus user they’ll be comparable. It’s also a touch smaller, with a 10.9-inch display, and you’ve already read about how I value iPad-sized displays in my iPad rivals.
Looking at the rest of the specs, this thing isn’t quite a winner: its Exynos 1580 chipset won’t win awards, while its 8,000mAh battery is about average and the 45W charging is nice but no saving grace.
However it has been pledged for more software updates than most Android slates usually get, and has a few Samsung-designed software enhancements to bypass some common Android tablet issues, and these two considerations are why the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE remains in consideration as an iPad alternative.
TCL NXTPaper 11 Plus
An honorable mention for a tablet which I haven’t tested, but may be a worthwhile consideration for certain users. TCL’s NXTPAPER is a display tech designed to look like paper, without going so far as to use e-reader-like E-Ink. So the 11-inch display here is designed for eyes: it reduces glare, reduces blue light and reduces vision strain.
It’s also less battery-intensive than a standard screen when in certain modes, so its 8,000mAh battery could last a long time. If you need a tablet to stare at for hours, it’s worth considering.
The 11 Plus, which matches the iPad’s base price, has a middling range of specs beyond its screen. The use of 256GB storage is a great perk but the MediaTek Helio G100 chipset isn’t too powerful. You’re looking at a 2K 120Hz display, which is decent (though not matching the other rivals on this list), and the 33W charging and 8MP dual front and rear cameras are both just average for the price.
