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6 affordable tablet alternatives to the iPad — starting at just $50

Moriba Cummings
·3 min read

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It’s common knowledge that Apple has a firm stronghold on the portable and wearable tech markets, with the massive successes of the brand’s AirPods and Apple Watch setting records in 2020, alone. While these two releases prove to be major revenue drivers for the tech giant, its more classic devices are still dominating consumer markets with the iPad being one of the latest to break barriers.

According to CNBC, the iPad set a June 2020 quarter revenue record in China, the world’s second-largest economy. Apple’s Chief Executive Tim Cook said that “work-from-home and distance learning” practices led to a massive surge in iPad sales across the board. While the company did not disclose its specific revenue numbers, Cook did outline that “about two out of three” customers that are buying the iPad are new.

While this data is no surprise given the massive reach and brand loyalty many have to Apple, it remains a deep reality that its products are not within the “affordable” space.

Currently, the latest model of the Apple iPad retails for $329 while the Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch) begins at a base price of $999.

While iPads are certainly some of the most luxe options available in the tablet space, there are several others that deliver similar quality and features for hundreds of dollars less.

Below, we’ve listed six of our favorite tablet picks (all customer-approved and recommended) from brands ranging from Amazon and Lenovo to Samsung and Vankyo. What’s even better is that they range in price from $50 to $150 — all cheaper than the most affordable iPad.

To make your shopping experience a bit easier, we’ve also listed the top features for each one.

1. Fire 7 Tablet, $49.99

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Top Features:

  • Thin and compact

  • Comes with three months of free Kindle Unlimited

  • Alexa hands-free

  • A part of the Amazon ecosystem

2. Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet, $89.99

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Top Features:

  • Long-lasting battery life

  • Metal outer cover

  • HD display

  • Lowers harmful blue light when appropriate to reducing eye strain

3. Fire HD 8 Plus Tablet, $109.99

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Top Features:

  • Alexa hands-free

  • All-day battery life

  • Wireless charging compatible (fully charges in under four hours)

  • Game mode (a distraction-free and optimized gaming experience)

  • A part of the Amazon ecosystem

4. Vankyo MatrixPad S30 Tablet, $126.64 (Orig. $152.99)

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Top Features:

  • 1080P display

  • Up to 15 hours of use on a full charge

  • 32 GB of built-in storage

  • Storage can be expanded with a microSD card

  • 13MP back camera and 8MP front camera

5. Samsung Galaxy Tab, $137 (Orig. $149.99)

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Top Features:

  • Designer with a minimized bezel for more screen space

  • Dual speakers

  • Up to 13 hours of use on a full charge

  • 32 GB of built-in memory

  • Storage can be expanded with a microSD card

6. Fire HD 10 Tablet, $149.99

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Top Features:

  • Alexa hands-free

  • Up to 12 hours of battery life on a full charge

  • Charges in four hours

  • Dual speakers

  • A part of the Amazon ecosystem

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