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Written By Brandt Ranj Printed Might 10, 2023 5:00 PM
Telephone screens have repeatedly gotten larger, however there’s nonetheless room for the venerable 8-inch pill. These standalone units supply extra digital actual property for work and play with out feeling cumbersome. For years, corporations handled their smaller tablets poorly—omitting options current in “full-sized” fashions—however that’s modified. At present’s “8-inch “mini” tablets have characteristic parity with their larger siblings whereas besting them in portability. The very best 8-inch tablets fill a noticeable hole between smartphones and tablets, providing a number of the better of each worlds.
How we selected the most effective 8-inch tablets
Our analysis and testing revealed that the time period 8-inch pill is just a little ambiguous as a result of many tech corporations have determined to play quick and unfastened with display sizes. The iPad Mini, for instance, has an 8.3-inch display, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s show is available in at 8.7 inches. This distinction could appear delicate, however each tenth of an inch counts when coping with tablets this small. We factored in these variations—plus which tablets have the most effective total {hardware}, expandable storage, and battery life—to seek out 5 that swimsuit completely different individuals’s wants equally.
The very best 8-inch tablets: Critiques & Suggestions
There’s much more competitors on this a part of the tech world than you may assume, with many tablets having overlapping options and delicate variations. You’ll discover the precise 8-inch pill under no matter your display measurement preferences, working system preferences, or price range.
Finest total: iPad Mini
Specs
Display screen measurement: 8.3 inches
8.3 inches Battery life: As much as 10 hours
As much as 10 hours Storage: As much as 256GB
As much as 256GB Weight: 239 grams
239 grams Cameras: 12 megapixel (entrance) 12 megapixel (rear)
Professionals
Helpful for media consumption and work
Wonderful digicam {hardware} for its measurement
App retailer stuffed with useful software program
Cons
Value
This whole story may actually be a meditation on how the iPad mini completely smokes some other pill on this display measurement bracket in the case of efficiency, {hardware} high quality, and software program high quality. Nonetheless, as is often the case, its value—roughly thrice larger than our different suggestions—will mood anybody’s enthusiasm.
In our checks, there wasn’t a single process the iPad Mini couldn’t do nicely. Its Liquid Retina display (2266-by-1488 decision at 326 pixels per inch) made studying textual content, viewing photos, and watching movies a pleasure. The LED IPS show’s huge coloration show (P3) replica was particularly spectacular—it could actually’t match the efficiency of the 12.9-inch iPad Professional’s miniLED display, however it holds its personal. The pint-sized pill is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which is speedy sufficient to stream 4K video, load high-resolution photos, and play Apple Arcade video games with no indicators of slowing down.
If you happen to’ve used an iPhone or previous-generation iPad, you’ll be accustomed to many features of iPadOS. Apple’s pill working system isn’t as versatile as macOS, however Apple has repeatedly added options to bridge the hole. The iPad Mini’s best software program benefit over Android tablets is the App Retailer, which is loaded with tons of of hundreds of productiveness and leisure functions. If you wish to work on an iPad Mini, you’ll discover the software program you want on the App Retailer, and the pill is highly effective sufficient to run it.
Apple says the iPad Mini’s battery lasts as much as 10 hours per cost, and that’s true, relying on how you employ it. You’ll most likely get there should you browse the online, hearken to music, or stream video with the five hundred nits of brightness at 50 p.c. Useful resource-intensive duties like gaming or streaming video with the brightness cranked all the way in which up will run down the battery far more shortly.
Taking photographs and movies with a pill is extra cumbersome than utilizing a cellphone, however the iPad Mini’s 12-megapixel digicam system is unmatched in comparison with its competitors. Whether or not you’re video chatting with buddies and colleagues or snapping a fast pic of one thing that catches your eye, you have to be very pleased with the outcomes. The truth that you’ll be able to import your photograph and edit it in skilled software program like Adobe Lightroom or Photomator—utilizing the Apple Pencil (2nd era), if desired—speaks volumes concerning the iPad Mini’s worth.
The iPad Mini is obtainable in 64GB and 256GB storage sizes—greater than the common for an 8-inch pill—however you’ll be able to’t broaden it with a reminiscence card afterward. The bottom storage tier is okay for informal use, however should you plan on utilizing the iPad Mini for productiveness duties, it is perhaps essential to bump as much as the excessive storage tier. At that time, you’re a pill that prices over $600—greater than Apple expenses for the entry-level mannequin of its higher-end tablets. Including mobile connectivity will increase its value much more.
If you happen to don’t thoughts spending the additional cash, the iPad Mini isin a league of its personal. You gained’t discover a better-looking, better-performing 8-inch pill—or one which even comes shut.
Greatest storage: Amazon Hearth HD 8 Plus
Specs
Display screen measurement: 8-inches
8-inches Battery life: As much as 13 hours
As much as 13 hours Storage: 32GB (Expandable as much as 1TB)
32GB (Expandable as much as 1TB) Weight: 337 grams
337 grams Cameras: 2 megapixel (entrance), 5 megapixel (rear)
Professionals
Tight integration with Amazon’s digital content material ecosystem
Massively expandable storage
Value
Cons
Weak productiveness app choice
No native YouTube assist
Amazon has steadily improved the standard of its Hearth Tablets by including extra reminiscence (3GB), 30-percent quicker processors, growing the battery life, and persevering with to permit customers so as to add to the bottom 32GB or 64GB storage through a MicroSD Card. That closing characteristic is true of most Android tablets, however the Hearth HD 8 Plus takes it to the subsequent stage by supporting storage growth as much as 1TB. That’s greater than sufficient house to carry a lifetime’s value of media—which this pill is finest used for.
The best power of the Hearth HD 8 Plus is its tight integration with Amazon’s providers ecosystem. Your Kindle books, Prime Music library, Prime Video library, and Audible audiobooks will instantly be obtainable if you activate the machine. The entire acceptable Amazon apps come pre-downloaded, so all you must do is select which media you’d prefer to sync with it. If you happen to use Amazon’s digital providers and luxuriate in Alexa, utilizing the Hearth HD 8 Plus shall be a superb expertise.
The identical is true if you wish to stream video from providers like Netflix, hearken to music on Spotify, or obtain media from both service. YouTube is the one streaming app you gained’t discover on this pill; you’ll need to entry this service through the online browser. The Hearth HD 8 Plus has sufficient reminiscence and processing energy for audio and video consumption, looking the online, or taking a video convention name. If you wish to get work accomplished, although, it’s a special story. The app library obtainable on the Hearth HD 8 Plus isn’t as large as Apple’s App Retailer, and its comparatively low-resolution display (1280 x 800 at 189 ppi) will make utilizing the restricted productiveness software program much more tough.
That mentioned, you may get the Hearth HD 8 Plus and a 1TB MicroSD card for a 3rd of the price of the iPad Mini. Economically, it’s a greater wager should you solely want your pill for studying, watching films in mattress, on-line procuring, and catching up with buddies on social media. If you must obtain a cache of exhibits and movies to look at on an extended journey, the expanded storage and Amazon’s battery claims—this pill can last as long as 13 hours of their estimation—make it an ideal journey companion.
Greatest display: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
Specs
Display screen measurement: 8.7-inches
8.7-inches Battery life: N/A
N/A Storage: 32GB (expandable as much as 1TB)
32GB (expandable as much as 1TB) Weight: 371 grams
371 grams Cameras: 2 megapixels (entrance) 8 megapixels (rear)
Professionals
Giant show
Expandable storage
Value
Cons
Weak front-facing digicam
Samsung not forthright about battery specs
If you happen to’d prefer to push the boundaries of what it means to be an 8-inch pill, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the precise selection. Its 8.7-inch 1340 x 800 px (WXGA+) show is the most important display of any pill we’re recommending, which can come in useful whether or not you’re making an attempt to get work accomplished or get pleasure from a streaming video. The pill’s different tech specs—an eight-core processor, 3GB of reminiscence, and expandable storage as much as 1TB through MicroSD—are spectacular given the pill’s low value.
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite runs on Android, and the number of apps on the Google Play retailer is powerful sufficient that it is best to have the ability to discover productiveness apps along with the same old assortment of streaming providers. The pill’s massive display and extremely expandable storage make it an exquisite content material consumption machine. Nonetheless, no expertise will match the one on Amazon’s tablets concerning total person expertise. No less than you’ll be able to obtain the YouTube app on this pill.
Our solely grievance concerning the Galaxy Tab A7 is that Samsung just isn’t forthright about its tech specs. It touts this pill’s battery life however refrains from giving a battery estimate on its website. The battery’s capability is excessive sufficient to final a number of hours between expenses, however, sadly, Samsung doesn’t give a determine to assist set your expectations. If that ambiguity doesn’t hassle you, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a higher Android pill at this value.
Finest for teenagers: Amazon Hearth HD 8 Youngsters Version
Specs
Display screen measurement: 8-inches
8-inches Battery life: As much as 13 hours
As much as 13 hours Storage: 32GB (Expandable as much as 1TB)
32GB (Expandable as much as 1TB) Weight: 337 grams
337 grams Cameras: 2 megapixel (entrance), 5 megapixel (rear)
Professionals
Features a case
Two-year guarantee
Bundled with Amazon Youngsters+ subscription
Cons
Value is steep for a child’s gadget
The Amazon Hearth HD 8 Youngsters Professional has the identical precise specs because the model of this pill aimed toward adults, however its kid-friendly options assist it stand out within the 8-inch pill house in vital methods.
Amazon bundles every of those tablets with a hardshell case obtainable in a handful of colours and patterns, a two-year guarantee towards any injury, and a 12 months’s subscription to Youngsters+. The primary two advantages are simple, however entry to Amazon Youngsters+ is an even bigger deal than you may think. Amazon’s child-friendly service provides youngsters on the spot, limitless entry to age-appropriate video games, films, TV exhibits, films, music stations, and apps. Consider it as baked-in parental controls that enable a baby to expertise autonomously with their pill with out worries concerning the hassle they may get themselves into.
We’re glad that Amazon opted to construct its kids-edition Hearth Pill with the identical {hardware} as its normal 8-inch pill as a result of it ensures that your child can use this gadget for a number of years with out it feeling run down and gradual. That’s essential given this pill’s value, which is way decrease than the iPad Mini’s, however nonetheless dear for tech aimed toward youngsters. Nonetheless, the general worth is there, and should you’d like your child to cease reaching in your cellphone continuously, it’s a smart funding.
Finest price range: TCL Tab 8
Specs
Display screen measurement: 8 inches
8 inches Battery life: As much as 8 hours
As much as 8 hours Storage: 32 (expandable as much as 512GB)
32 (expandable as much as 512GB) Weight: 310 grams
310 grams Cameras: 2 megapixel (entrance), 5 megapixel (rear)
Professionals
Value
Blue gentle discount modes
Expandable storage
Cons
So-so decision
TCL’s Tab 8, which routinely goes on sale for $99, presents loads of worth at its discounted value for anybody who wants an 8-inch pill for light-weight duties like internet looking, on-line procuring, and video streaming. The Android 11 machine comes with 32GB of storage with the choice so as to add 512GB with a MicroSD card. TCL says this pill lasts as much as eight hours per cost—once more, this may rely upon how you employ it and your display brightness stage.
Regardless of operating Android 11, which is spectacular for a budget-priced pill, we’d nonetheless categorize the Tab 8 as being extra for media consumption than productiveness. Its show is comparatively low decision (800 x 1280 pixels), making it tough to edit photographs or video, although textual content ought to look OK. Consider this as an enormous show you’ll be able to throw in your bag for video streaming on the go—particularly should you obtain media to look at offline. TCL even bundles the Tab 8 with a foldable case, which protects your machine and means that you can angle it upward for extra snug viewing.
One of many Tab 8’s coolest options is its assortment of eye safety modes, that are optimized for duties like e-book studying. Observing a display can begin to damage your eyes after some time, so it’s nice to see these options baked into the machine as an alternative of forcing you to obtain third-party apps for a similar performance. All of those little extras are sudden for such a budget-conscious pill. If you happen to’re largely content material together with your cellphone, however would love an even bigger display when on-line procuring or watching random cat movies, give TCL’s Tab 8 severe consideration.
What to contemplate when searching for the most effective 8-inch tablets
Display screen measurement
The definition of what 8-inch pill is varies from firm to firm—some hit that mark precisely, whereas others push the boundaries to a display nearer to 9 inches. A bigger display makes the pill higher for media consumption and productiveness, however the further measurement will make it extra cumbersome to hold.
Battery life
A pill’s measurement doesn’t actually matter if it’s run out of energy, so we solely suggest tablets that get at the very least eight hours of battery per cost. Some 8-inch tablets can final even longer, although the quantity of uptime you get shall be based mostly on the apps you’re operating and your display brightness settings.
Storage
If you happen to plan on storing lots of media and apps in your pill, it’s going to have sufficient storage to carry all of it. A lot of the 8-inch tablets we’re recommending mean you can add extra storage to your machine by popping in a reminiscence card, which might come in useful in case your wants change.
Weight
If you happen to’re fearful about how a lot bulk an 8-inch pill will add to your on a regular basis carry, don’t be. All of our suggestions weigh in at round 325 grams, which is beneath one pound. Tablets on this measurement class can usually match within the small pocket of a backpack.
Cameras
Pill pictures stays in style, and all of our suggestions have each a entrance and rear-facing digicam. The previous is helpful for selfies or video calls, whereas the latter will allow you to take fast photos of something round you. Pill digicam methods aren’t as subtle as those in your cellphone, however can work in a pinch.
FAQs
Q: Are 8-inch tablets good for gaming? An 8-inch pill will be good for gaming relying on the pace of its processor and the quantity of reminiscence. Each specs are essential in making certain the pill can run video games nicely. Q: Are 8-inch tablets long-lasting? Sure. Relative to their measurement, an 8-inch pill can final a very long time. Our suggestions can final at the very least eight hours per cost. Q: Are 8-inch tablets good for teenagers? It relies upon. We’ve particularly beneficial an 8-inch pill designed for teenagers, however any mannequin will be helpful for youngsters so long as the proper parental controls are set. Q: Is an 8-inch pill good for studying? Sure. If you happen to’re bored with an eBook reader, an 8-inch pill is a superb machine for studying. The display measurement of those units is roughly equal to that of a paperback ebook. Q: Are 8-inch tablets good for artists? Sure. An 8-inch pill is an effective measurement for artists who desire a digital sketchpad. Q: How a lot does an 8-inch pill value? This will depend on its characteristic set. You possibly can spend as little as $99 and as a lot as $400 on an 8-inch pill.
Last ideas on the most effective 8-inch tablets
There’s lots of competitors within the 8-inch pill world, which is nice to see after years of corporations centered on larger-screen units. Present fashions from the highest tech corporations are all fitted to media consumption, and a few are starting to be helpful for productiveness. Shockingly, corporations have managed to maintain the costs of those units down whereas frequently updating them with quicker parts—Apple is the notable exception, however the iPad Mini is nearly untouchable in its efficiency. If you happen to’ve been inquisitive about tablets, however haven’t taken the plunge as a result of they have been too massive and unwieldy or costly, give an 8-inch pill a strive.
Why belief us
Fashionable Science began writing about expertise greater than 150 years in the past. There was no such factor as “gadget writing” after we revealed our first problem in 1872, but when there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for on a regular basis readers means we might have been throughout it. Right here within the current, PopSci is absolutely dedicated to serving to readers navigate the more and more intimidating array of units in the marketplace proper now.
Our writers and editors have mixed a long time of expertise masking and reviewing client electronics. We every have our personal obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video video games to cameras and past—however after we’re reviewing units exterior of our rapid wheelhouses, we do our greatest to hunt out reliable voices and opinions to assist information individuals to the easiest suggestions. We all know we don’t know every thing, however we’re excited to reside by means of the evaluation paralysis that web procuring can spur so readers don’t need to.