The mobile and handheld gaming market is booming at a rapid rate and,as per the data, it’s expected to grow by more than twice the current market by 2030. It’s no surprise that gamers are searching forthe best retro handheldsand looking for something that can let them enjoy gaming anywhere they like.
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch
Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2023)
Gaming tablets are more immersive since they boast a larger screen than a typical handheld console like the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally. From operating systems like macOS and Android, the latest gaming tablets provide superior compatibility with modern games and are equipped with power-efficient yet potent hardware configurations to meet the demands of their users.
After analyzing dozens of dedicated gaming tablets from various vendors, the Game Rant hardware team compiled a list of the best tablets users should go for if they don’t want to compromise on functionality or performance. However, it’s recommended that users should go through our quick bullet points at the end of the guide before making a purchase.
Update on August 25th 2024 by Elvis Shida:The best budget and premium picks were replaced with the Lenovo Tab M11 and iPad Pro 13-inch (2024), respectively. In addition, pricing and availability for the other products was updated.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Gaming Tablets in 2024
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus uses a durable metal frame to provide reliability and is fully water-resistant. Made to dominate in productivity and gaming, the tablet features an Octa-core CPU along with a powerful Adreno 740 GPU to bring high performance on the go. With an AMOLED display, sufficient storage capacity, and the latest connectivity features, the Tab S9+ Plus stays on par with the modern workload.
Samsung has been at the forefront of providing premium features since it entered the world of smartphones. Their features are usually compared with more expensive Apple devices butare more budget-friendly. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus is one of the latest high-performance tablets that excel in gaming and productivity through its powerful Snapdragon Gen 2 chipset. With 1x 3.36GHz Cortex X3, 2x 2.8Ghz Cortex A715, 2x 2.8Ghz Cortex A710, and 3x 2.0GHz Cortext A510 core combination, it’s not only extremely potent in intensive operations but also power efficient.
Users don’t have to worry about its battery life either. It boasts a 10000+ mAh battery to operate for several hours and provides 45W quick charging support to fully recharge in no time. At its core lies the Adreno 740 GPU, which is currently the second-fastest GPU for smartphones after the Adreno 750. It convincingly outperforms even the Apple A16 Bionic’s GPU to remain one of the best choices for gaming that will handle GPU-intensive titles with ease, consistently providing 60 frames per second of smooth gameplay.
Apart from that, the tablet boasts a solid configuration, comprising 12GB RAM and 256GB storage to ensure users can install multiple games. However, users who fear a shortage of capacity can also opt for the 512GB version, which is a little more expensive. Gaming on the S9+ Plus will look wonderful as well because of its AMOLED display that provides true blacks, vibrant colors, and a high 266 ppi density. It’s a full package for under $900 that buyers will not regret.
Lenovo Tab M11
The Lenovo Tab M11 delivers on all fronts for a sub-$200 tablet. While you’ll need to tune down the settings for most graphics-intensive games, lightweight titles like Mario Kart Tour and Alto’s Odyssey run smoothly on the sharp 90Hz screen. It also has a folio case and stylus pen to keep your creative juices flowing.
High-end tablets can cost as much as laptops, but if you’re looking for an affordable device that can handle web browsing, entertainment, and casual gaming, the Lenovo Tab M11 is a solid choice. Powered by a decent MediaTek Helio G80 processor and Arm Mali G52 MC2 integrated graphics, this 11-inch slate can run most basic games smoothly and even handle slightly demanding titles like PUBG, albeit with lower settings. While its 4GB of RAM might limit multitasking, it performs well with a few tabs open or a single app running at a time.
The 128GB storage space is more than enough for games and media, with a microSD slot included for additional storage. You also get a sharp and colorful display that makes your games shine and pop, plus it gets bright enough for use outdoors. Lenovo includes a stylus and a folio case that make it easy to take notes and flex your creative skills when not gaming. Combined with all-day battery life and a durable metal build, this tablet offers excellent value for the price.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ brings a fluid 90Hz display and a 1600x2560p resolution to provide smoother and crisp visuals. Equipped with the latest Android 13 platform, the Tab S9 FE+ can also be upgraded to Android 14 easily. Ideal for most gamers and content creators through its powerful configuration, the tablet provides a stylus as well to improve productivity.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is a slight downgrade compared to the S9+ Plus and, therefore, is also $300 cheaper. The tablet features a powerful Exynos 1380 processor, made on a 5nm process node, and brings eight cores to execute operations quickly. With its Mali G68 MP5 GPU, the tablet can play a lot of popular games likeGenshin Impact, Diablo Immortal,andAsphalt 9: Legendson medium to high settings at 30+ frames per second. However, it may not be able to provide playable frame rates on ultra settings compared to the S9+ Plus, which is why the FE+ should be considered a middle road between the S9+ Plus and the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus.
Nonetheless, the device has Android 13 OS installed and can be upgraded to Android 14 pretty easily. With an 8GB/128GB configuration, it’s not going to introduce any bottlenecks and will provide sufficient juice for multitasking. The display is particularly appealing as it boasts a high resolution of 1600x2560p, running at a 90Hz refresh rate to provide a smooth gaming experience. As already said, there are some limitations, but the pros are far better to compensate for the minor flaws.
The OnePlus Pad is hands down one of the most powerful choices out therewithout being too heavy. It remains competitive with the mid-range and high-end gaming tablets but weighs just 552 grams and is hardly 6.5mm thick. The screen size is 11.61 inches but has an incredibly high pixel density of 296 ppi, making sure users get richer, more vivid, and sharper image quality at a 2000x2800p resolution. It is powered by an excellent MediaTek Dimensity 9000 CPU, manufactured on 4nm to provide power-efficient operation without compromising on performance.
With its potent Mali G710 MC10 GPU, the tablet allows users to play most games on high settings at close to 60 fps. Of course, there are some exceptions where the settings need to be tweaked, but overall, the tablet has an incredible configuration for gaming and productivity. The screen is almost flawless, supporting HDR10+ with 500 Nits of brightness, and runs at 144Hz. Powered by a Li-Po 9510mAh battery, the tablet can run for several hours straight and supports 67W fast charging.
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)
There’s a lot to love about the 13-inch iPad Pro if you’re able to afford its hefty asking price. Powered by the M4 chip, it offers plenty of processing power to handle all your favorite games and then some. Games look stunning on the 13-inch OLED screen, with the 120Hz refresh rate making everything feel smooth and responsive. It’s an investment, but the iPad Pro isn’t just for gaming; it can also handle other demanding tasks like video editing.
Running on the latest M4 chip, Apple’s high-end tablet is essentially a laptop on wheels. This 13-inch slate can run every game on the App Store without hiccups, while its 120Hz refresh rate screen offers a competitive edge in fast-paced titles like Call of Duty. Apple matches the high-end hardware with a smooth and well-optimized software experience and a gorgeous OLED display that brings your games and movies to life with stunning colors and brilliant contrast. It’s the best tablet experience you can get, if you’re willing to match the insanely expensive starting price.
Unlike other tablets, the iPad Pro is also a productivity monster. The M4 chip not only runs the latest games flawlessly, but also offers plenty of processing power for multitasking and productivity tasks, like video editing. You’ve got 256GB of storage to play with on the base model, but you can configure it with up to 2TB of storage; enough to store multiple games and other files. With the Apple Pencil, the iPad Pro transforms into a high-resolution, vibrant, and large 13-inch canvas for your creative needs, as well.
Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a laptop cum tablet, meant to increase productivity by converting it into a tablet when users want no distraction. With a solid configuration to play games on high-ultra settings and a 165Hz display, the Z13 provides a pleasurable gaming experience.
The ROG Flow Z13 isn’t a regular tablet. It is a convertible device that can be used as either a laptop or a tablet. A detachable low-profile keyboard is provided with the device and the display can be set at different angles using the kickstand. Unlike regular gaming laptops, it’s incredibly thin as the hardware is present behind the display rather than underneath the keyboard. Powered by a 14-core, 20-thread Intel Core i9 13900H CPU, it absolutely crushes every other tablet on the list when it comes to crunching numbers, multitasking, content creation, or even gaming.
It is paired with the RTX 4050, which is undoubtedly faster than any smartphone GPU and can deliver a consistent 60 fps on high to ultra settings. Surely, it could have been better if it was an RTX 4060 or even a 4070, as theprice tag is already over $1500. However, it’s not a regular gaming laptop and can be carried more easily. A stylus pen is also included to draw or take notes, which is a plus point, and the display itself is an IPS panel, featuring a wide color gamut of 100% DCI-P3 to produce vibrant colors and features a QHD+ resolution to make images sharper.
How to Choose a Gaming Tablet
There are many considerations that potential buyers should keep in mind when looking for a gaming tablet. These include:
Operating System:Depending on the vendor, gaming tablets can feature Android or macOS operating systems. Both have pros and cons, but Android tablets generally provide more choices of games through the Play Store. It’s also recommended to go for the latest OS versions for better compatibility and ease of use.
Hardware: The processor and GPU are the most crucial parts of any gaming tablet, just as in anyother gaming system. It’s recommended to look for at least a hexa-core CPU and a GPU that can provide stutter-free gameplay. Look for at least 4GB of RAM if on a tight budget, and 6GB or higher to eliminate bottlenecks, and a 128GB storage capacity at the minimum to store a good number of games.
Display: A standard 60Hz display should be fine considering it also provides good viewing angles. However, a display that runs at 120Hz or higher will provide fluid movements in video games and also feels pleasant in general usage. Look for better quality panels like OLED and higher resolutions to further enhance the gaming experience.
Battery Life: A tablet that discharges in just 2 to 3 hours will force its user to keep hooked to the power outlet all the time. Good gaming tablets boast an excellent battery life to last several hours on continuous usage and should feature quick charging. This is why power efficiency is a highly underlooked yet crucial aspect of a gaming tablet.
Connectivity: Apart from a good display and hardware, the tablet should boast the latest connectivity features like Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0 or higher. The former will support high internet speeds for downloading the games quickly, while the latter will allow connecting the tablet to gaming controllers.
Audio: Good audio is the key to immersive gaming and while it’s not possible to achieve asurround sound setupon tablets, some tablets feature Dolby Atmos for powerful and crisp sound quality.
FAQ
Q: What’s the best tablet brand?
Samsung, Apple, and Lenovo are currently the best brands for buying a gaming tablet. They offer the latest specs and a lot of choices at different price tags. They also boast great connectivity features.
Q: Is a tablet better than a laptop?
Not in performance, unfortunately. A tablet has, however, better portability, and depending on the specs, it can offer a satisfactory gaming experience.
Q: How much RAM is good for gaming tablet?
4GB is the minimum RAM capacity users should look for when buying a gaming tablet. However, with 6GB RAM or higher, the tablet is most likely not going to face any bottlenecking.
