Looking for an alternative to the Apple iPad? These tablets from Microsoft, Samsung, OnePlus, and more are great options.
When it comes to tablets, few brands are as universally praised as iPad. Apple has done an incredible job with the entire lineup, ensuring there’s a high-powered device for every type of activity. However, not everyone has bought into the Apple ecosystem, and if you own a Windows desktop PC or Android smartphone, you may not be interested in adding an iPad to your collection.
Apple certainly dominates the tablet market with iPad, but there are plenty of great iPad alternatives to choose from in 2024. Whether you want something budget-friendly or just as powerful as an iPad Pro, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye. Here’s a look at the six best iPad alternatives of 2024, including products from Samsung, Microsoft, OnePlus, and more.
OnePlus PadThe best iPad alternative
Despite carrying a price tag under $500, the OnePlus Pad is loaded with premium specs. Not only does it use a cool 7:5 aspect ratio and support a 144Hz refresh rate, but its battery can last up to a month in standby mode and its chassis makes it look way more premium than its price suggests.
At less than 7mm thick, the OnePlus Pad is one of the thinnest tablets on the market. It also weighs just 555 grams, so your hand shouldn’t cramp up during extended work sessions. The display is top-notch, offering a 2800 x 2000 resolution across its 11.61-inch display. Combined with its 144Hz refresh rate for select apps, there’s no denying the screen looks brilliant.
The OnePlus Pad is running OxygenOS 13.1, is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 9000, includes 8GB RAM, and 128GB SSD. Storage space is where the OnePlus Pad takes a tumble, as all of its other specs are impressive and more than acceptable in this price range. If you do pick up this tablet, be sure to make use of the cloud to maximize your local storage.
Rounding out the OnePlus Pad is support for Wi-Fi 6, a camera suite with both front-facing and rear cameras, face unlock technology, and a ton of environmental sensors (including a light sensor, gyroscope, color temperature sensor, and more). In short, OnePlus cut very few corners in producing the OnePlus Pad, making it a great alternative to iPad.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 UltraRunner up
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a great alternative to a high-end iPad. Its price can quickly climb over $1,500, but if you need tons of firepower for your work (or games), the Tab S9 Ultra needs to be on your list.
Several different versions of this tablet are available, letting you choose between 12GB or 16GB RAM and up to 1TB SSD. That makes the Tab S9 Ultra much more customizable than other tablets, which offer rigid specs that can’t be change. But regardless of which you pick, you’ll get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which sits among the most powerful processors available in tablets today.
Of course, all the hardware in the world means nothing if the tablet is an eyesore, and Samsung doesn’t disappoint. The large 14.6-inch AMOLED display looks fantastic in use, and its size turns this into a bonafide laptop replacement. You can even use a variety of Bluetooth keyboards with the device, making it a powerful 2-in-1 that rivals anything else available in 2024.
You’ll pay dearly for this premium tablet, but if you were shopping for an iPad Pro, this is a great alternative. Toss in stylus support, a durable design, and access to the Android operating system, and you’ve got a well-rounded tablet that works well for just about everything.
Amazon Fire Max 11The best budget iPad alternative
Affordable, reliable, and good enough for daily tasks, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is a perfect choice for budget-minded shoppers. It’s not going to run today’s hottest games very well and you won’t be doing any fancy editing, but for checking your email and streaming movies, it’s a great companion.
The Fire Max 11 uses Fire OS, which is a modified version of Android 11. It doesn’t come with the Google Play Store preinstalled, instead giving you access to the Amazon Appstore — which is lackluster, to say the least.
