Android Need help with a budget tab that would last the next 4-5 years.

Kubdya Khavis

Kubdya Khavis

Disciple
Looking to buy a tab during the current sale. Use case is reading and casual media consumption. Should hopefully last the next 4-5 years.

Redmi Pad 6GB Variant - 12k
The cheapest option right now. But was released 2 years ago and received its last android update (A14) I think.

OnePlus Pad Go 8GB - 16k
Same chipset as Redmi pad. Slightly bigger screen, better ppi. More ram. Was released last year and will receive a total of 2 years of os updates.

Xiaomi Pad 6 6GB Variant - 22k
This is the best rated of the bunch I think? Maybe will receive android 15 next year though not quite sure.

OnePlus Pad 8GB Variant - 23k
Was released last year. Will receive two more years of os updates I think.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE 6GB - 24k
Exynos chipset. Released last year and will receive 3 more years of os updates.


Though my use case is pretty basic the main concern is longevity. Would the cheaper Mediatek G99 run well for another 4-5 years? or is spending a bit more on the other tabs worth it?

Any inputs from folks who own any of the above would be appreciated.
 
The more android update you will get the more years you can use your tablet while enjoying latest Android ....

Go with Brand that offer Good Quality H/W + latest updates (Android & Security Updates)
 
If you are not worried about system updates and are a casual user, and want good quality of hardware, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Samsung are the way to go. If you want software updates are want a decent ecosystem, then Samsung would be the way to go. But if you are concerned purely about hardware longevity, I think Xiaomi would be hard to beat since it has a better processor.

I love Samsung and I have tablets all the way from Tab S3 (S3, S4, S6, S7 FE, S7+, S8U). I have been thinking of upgrading to S9 for portability and was thinking of the FE, but I am not really sure about the performance of Exynos 1380 which overall seems to be on par with my S6. But the software updates have made it a lot better and a lot more friendlier to use than my S6. But I feel the S6 (not lite) still trumps when it comes to raw processing power.

So, if I were you, I would find it hard to choose between the Xiaomi (hardware and software put together) and S9 FE (Ecoysystem, Goodlock, and Longer Support). I feel correctly debloated, OneUI is one of the best mobile experiences I have seen!
 
soulweaver said:
If you are not worried about system updates and are a casual user, and want good quality of hardware, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Samsung are the way to go. If you want software updates are want a decent ecosystem, then Samsung would be the way to go. But if you are concerned purely about hardware longevity, I think Xiaomi would be hard to beat since it has a better processor.

I love Samsung and I have tablets all the way from Tab S3 (S3, S4, S6, S7 FE, S7+, S8U). I have been thinking of upgrading to S9 for portability and was thinking of the FE, but I am not really sure about the performance of Exynos 1380 which overall seems to be on par with my S6. But the software updates have made it a lot better and a lot more friendlier to use than my S6. But I feel the S6 (not lite) still trumps when it comes to raw processing power.

So, if I were you, I would find it hard to choose between the Xiaomi (hardware and software put together) and S9 FE (Ecoysystem, Goodlock, and Longer Support). I feel correctly debloated, OneUI is one of the best mobile experiences I have seen!
Click to expand...
+1 for Samsung Android UI
 
I had the same question when I was searching for a tablet to buy. Ended up with an ipad because generally that's what people reccomend when you're looking for something that'll last 5-6 years without lagging (which happens with usual android tablets). If you can go a little over your budget, would reccomend the ipad 10. It's on sale for 33k. The 33k one has 64gb which is enough for just reading and media consumption. Also, if you're a uni student, on the official apple website there's a free apple pencil offer if you buy an ipad there (not sure if it's still available).

But if you're specifically asking about those in your list, then would recommend the Samsung S9 FE, my friend has it and it seems pretty good so far.

However, the screen on the Samsung s9 FE is more rectangular and looks smaller overall. The ipad 10 on the other hand, is identical in size and built to the ipad air, and watching stuff on it, personally, is a better experience than the samsung. But if you're someone who likes to hold their tablet and watch stuff than would prefer the samsung s9 because it's lighter.

If you're a heavy reader than the samsung would be better. Pdfs on the ipad are inconveinient to read because the default app has no bookmark available + really really bad search feature. But it gets the job done, nothing too bad. Most of the good pdf apps on the ipad are paid, android offers a better diversity for free. (Maybe there are better free reading apps available for ios devices but I'm not familiar with them.)

Ah, and if you're into adblocker browsers than samsung >>>>ipad.

Also, the pen on the samsung feels way more natural than the apple pencil, albeit the built feels cheaper. If your pen gets damaged though, you can purchase a wacom one pen to replace it. Wacom pens work fine with samsung, so I guess that's one advantage.
 
soulweaver said:
So, if I were you, I would find it hard to choose between the Xiaomi (hardware and software put together) and S9 FE (Ecoysystem, Goodlock, and Longer Support). I feel correctly debloated, OneUI is one of the best mobile experiences I have seen!
Click to expand...

Well it was quite hard to make a decision really. Ultimately narrowed it down to Oneplus Pad and S9 FE. Xiaomi has good hardware no doubt, but the software experience is dubious. A lot of people are saying that new HyperOs has slowed down the device and isnt optimized overall for tablets. Plus there is no official word on A15 update from Xiaomi. Infact they silently deleted the promised A15 update from their website. It only shows upto A14 now. So didnt think it was worth it. Though Croma was offering the 8GB variant for 22.5k post discount.

I wasn't sure about the exynos chipset but did some research and found out its actually pretty good compared to its predecessors. Sure you cant push it too hard but its perfectly alright for casual multitasking. Plus it comes with the S Pen and has 3 more years of major os updates. For 24k it was a great deal.

But my initial choice was Oneplus Pad. Has a slightly larger screen with 7:5 ratio compared to Samsung's 16:10. Better chipset, more ram on the base variant and two more years of os updates. Unfortunately it sold out on Amazon during the early sale. And then later while I was planning to buy the S9 FE it's price went up to 26k and then 28k.

But due to some tier A universal conspiracy I managed to get the Oneplus Pad 12gb 256gb for 24.8k from their official website. Banger of a deal.


app0les said:
However, the screen on the Samsung s9 FE is more rectangular and looks smaller overall.
Click to expand...

Yup all the tablets other than ipad and Oneplus have a 16:10 screen. I only wanted android so Oneplus was my first choice. It has a 7:5 screen. Similar to ipad's 4:3.

Also for anyone else looking for a budget tab for casual use in the same price range, Xiaomi will be releasing the Redmi Pad Pro. Has a bigger 12in screen and sports a SD 7s Gen 2 (similar performance to exynos 1380), sd card slot and a headphone jack. Should release around the 20k mark.
 
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app0les said:
Ah, and if you're into adblocker browsers than samsung >>>>ipad.
Click to expand...
While this has been (and still largely is, I suppose) historically true, I am currently using Orion browser on my iPad Mini 6 and get no ads. Orion supports browser plugins and after installing UBlock and fiddling with some Orion settings, I am getting the same experience on my iPad that I get with my S23 Ultra while using the dns.adguard.com custom DNS option.

In fact, I would say that the iPad has better ad blocking since my phone has stopped blocking YouTube ads of late (yes, I watch videos on the browser and don't use an app) whereas Orion + UBlock is going strong.
 
Kubdya Khavis said:
Why not use revanced though? Also I just checked firefox + ublock on my phone, youtube ads are blocked perfectly fine.
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I was previously using Revanced but had gotten addicted to YouTube. Hence the decision to get rid of the app. In fact, getting ads on the browser is good in that way to keep my addiction in check lol

I used to use Firefox but switched to Samsung Browser of late since the latter has measurably better battery life. Plus, the AdGuard DNS still works pretty well for all other websites (including for all other apps apart from the browser which display ads) apart from the occasional YouTube ad. Would recommend using the DNS even if you have Firefox + UBlocker combo imo

Oh I must also mention that I do have to switch from the custom AdGuard DNS in connection settings to "auto" or "off" for some public WiFi networks (the phone send a notification me if it is unable to connect to a wifi network due to DNS), but it's not a huge hassle and I anyway use CloudFlare Warp when on public wifi for at least some level of protection. Would highly recommend using the DNS to anyone who wishes to avoid ads in not just the browser but for apps with ads (games with banner ads, for example).
 
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