During their early years, tablets used to be a somewhat niche product in the tech space, and are often seen as larger smartphones without any of the processing power of most laptops at the time. Fast-forward to 2025 though, and it’s clear that things have changed. We now have a more varied tablet landscape, with manufacturers cramming more high-end specs into their devices. So if you’re someone who’s looking to get a loved one a shiny new tablet this holiday season, then we’ve prepared this handy rundown of tablets that you might want to consider.
As such, we’ve included tablets across different pricing tiers and sizes, and hopefully this guide will give you a better idea on what tablet you should consider for friends and loved ones, or for yourself. With that out of the way, let’s get started!
Premium Tablets
Let’s kick things off with the cream of the crop. While they are expensive, high-end tablets are a lot more capable now than they were a decade ago, thanks to more capable processors and software, larger and more vibrant displays, and they also look the part with sleek designs. As such, these tablets are the best you can get especially if you’re looking to use one primarily for work and productivity, and even graphics-heavy gaming.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
Samsung’s top-of-the-line tablet packs a highly-impressive 14.6-inch display, up to 16GB of RAM, as well as MediaTek’s latest flagship Dimensity 9400+ processor. It also comes bundled with an S Pen for users who want to do a bit of digital art on the side.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
If the S11 Ultra is a bit too expensive for you, then last year’s Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra still makes a pretty great option, as it comes with near-similar specifications, albeit with a slightly older chipset in the mix.
iPad Pro 2025 (M5)
Launched not too long ago, the iPad Pro 2025 is powered by Apple’s M5 chipset, a desktop-grade processor that can easily run games and intensive apps such as photo and video editing software, and even music production.
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iPad Pro 2024 (M4)
The 2024 iPad Pro makes a terrific alternative to the M5 version, and while it does come with last year’s processor, the differences in overall power and performance aren’t too vast, and you still get the same overall hardware setup.
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Microsoft Surface Pro 2-in-1
If you’d rather go for a tablet with a dedicated desktop operating system similar to most laptops and computers, then the Surface Pro 2-in-1 is a great option. It supports Microsoft’s Office suite of apps, and can even natively connect to a keyboard if needed.
Midrange Options
One of the great things about most tablets these days is that they don’t need to be extremely expensive to get you great performance. Sure, going for a mid-tier device generally means that you’re getting less-capable cameras, LCD screens instead of AMOLED, and maybe miss out on a feature or two that’s reserved for more expensive tablets. That being said however, they come with capable processors with fast speeds for everyday use and games—check them out below!
OnePlus Pad 3
At the top of this segment is the OnePlus Pad 3, which runs on Qualcomm’s ever-powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. It also features a large display with a 144Hz refresh rate, and a massive 12,140mAh battery.
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Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro
Another terrific option is the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro, which also comes with a smooth display, a powerful Snapdragon chip, as well as an 8,850mAh battery that can pretty much last the entire day.
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iPad Air 2025 (M3)
As far as performance goes, the iPad Air 2025 is one of the better midrange options on the market, thanks to Apple’s M3 chip. For context, this is the same chip that Apple uses in some of its MacBooks and desktop Mac models.
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iPad Mini (A17 Pro)
If the iPad Air (or any of the other tablets on this list) is too large for you, then you might want to go with the seventh-generation iPad Mini instead, which comes with the rather-capable A17 Pro chip, as well as support for newer Apple software features and apps.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
While it’s not one of the most powerful options within Samsung’s tablet lineup, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE comes with all the essentials such as a smooth display and large battery, a bundled S Pen, and support for the latest Samsung and Google apps.
Entry-level Tablets
Still, if you don’t really need a powerful chipset, perhaps an entry-level model will suffice. In general, more affordable tablets are often ideal for users who mostly need them to check their social media feeds, browse the web, and maybe read an eBook or two. They’re also good options for younger users who don’t really need much in the way of hardware, and just need a portable entertainment device for shows and maybe the occasional puzzle game.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite costs less than 400 bucks, and features the same sleek design as the Tab S10 FE, along with a bundled stylus. It also features a large display and battery that should be enough for those lengthy Netflix sessions.
Redmi Pad 2
For a price that’s much lower than a lot of the other models on this list, the Redmi pad 2 comes with up to 256GB of built-in storage, expandable microSD support, a large 90Hz display, and a massive 9,000 mAh battery.
Lenovo Tab M11
The Lenovo Tab M11 manages to impress with its JBL-tuned speaker setup, a large 2K display, an all-metal design with a built-in kickstand, as well as 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
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Google Pixel Tablet
Google has since confirmed that it’s stepping away from the tablet market, although users after a perfectly-capable Android tablet for casual use and web browsing might want to check out the Google Pixel Tablet, which is much more affordable now.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9
The most affordable of the bunch, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 comes with a compact size that’s friendly for younger users, and while it’s since been replaced by the newer Tab A11, it doesn’t stray too far in terms of overall performance differences.
So there you have it—there’s certainly a device for each and every discerning budget, and hopefully this list was helpful for those of you out there who are looking to get their friends and loved ones a tablet this holiday season. Be sure to check out our other 2025 gift guides as well!
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