As such, we’ve asked our guest expert, Adam, for his take on the best tablets you can buy on a budget. So whether you’re an artist, an office worker, or a student, here are the best tablets you can buy without breaking the bank.
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Expert
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Table of Contents
10 Best Budget Tablets below RM1000 in Malaysia 2024
Why It’s Our Top Pick:
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a perfect go-getting companion. Sketching, writing or gaming, this is the tablet for every occasion.
Overview:
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is light and thin and designed with a seamless metal body. The 10.4-inch profile is the right size for true portability and minimalist style. Despite the compact design, it does come with a massive 7040mAh battery for all-day productivity.
Taking notes is a breeze using the S Pen. It has low latency, impressive pressure sensitivity and is easy to grip. To make things better, you can always have more space to save your content and files with an expandable microSD.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite Specifications
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720
- GPU: Adreno 618
- Display: TFT LCD, 10.4 inches, 307.9cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio), 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density)
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Ports: USB-C port
- Dimensions: 244.5 x 154.3 x 7.0 mm
Who is this for?
Best overall budget tablet with all-rounder performance? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a no-brainer. You can almost do everything on this little monster from drawing, note taking and even blasting through races. The 10.4-inch display and the dual speakers deliver a theatre-like experience with high-resolution visuals and rich, 3D sound.
Overview
Get a PC-like experience on the HUAWEI MatePad 2022 featuring a huge library of popular top Malaysia apps on AppGallery. The extremely fast Kirin 810 allows Multi-Window up to 4 apps displayed on the screen for four-fold productivity!
Certified with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light and Flicker Free, the 2K FullView display is easy on your eyes over extended sessions. The professional Harman Kardon audio brings rich and vivid audio details for an impressive music experience.
HUAWEI MatePad 10.4-inch 2022 Specifications
- CPU: Kirin 810
- GPU: Mali-G52 MP6
- Display: IPS LCD, 10.4 inches, 307.9cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio), 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density)
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Ports: USB Type-C 2.0
- Dimensions: 245.2 x 155.0 x 7.4 mm
Who is this for?
The HUAWEI MatePad 2022 is a wonderful light office companion on the go. Its 10,4-inch 2K HD display comes with advanced technologies for better eye care besides presenting rich details. The 7250mAh large-capacity battery provides enough juice for up to 12.5 hours of local video binge-watching on a single charge.
Overview
Rejoice in bigger fun while watching your favourite TV shows or doing home fitness on the massive 2K 11” TCL Tab 11. With a 5:3 golden ratio, you get a comfier viewing for work, studying and play.
Credits to the robust 8000mAh battery with smart optimization, you can now worry less about battery anxiety. Also worth mentioning is that Tab 11 supports reverse charging to boost other devices such as your smartphone when they are running out of juice.
TCL Tab 11 Specifications
- CPU: Mediatek Helio P60T
- GPU: PowerVR GE8320
- Display: IPS, 10.95 inches, 341.3cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio), 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~213 ppi density)
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Ports: USB Type-C 2.0
- Dimensions: 259.0 x 163.6 x 6.9 mm
Who is this for?
If you’re a heavy tablet user, we strongly recommend the TCL Tab 11 which comes with a day-to-night battery life. The combination of 4GB + 128GB memory makes multitasking seamless and offers abundant storage for your essentials. Other than that, it has a sleek look paired with a robust solidness to deal with bumps and drops.
Overview:
While this isn’t exactly under RM1000, it’s still Apple’s most affordable tablet. The Apple iPad is built for any task from work, play, stay connected and more. Powered by the super-responsive A13 Bionic chip, you can switch between multiple apps at once for maximized productivity. Moreover, its fast GPU provides you the graphics performance for intensive multimedia tasks and immersive games.
Famous for the Retina display, the 10.2-inch iPad outputs incredible detail and vivid colours. It also supports True Tone which automatically adjusts the display to the ambient colour temperature for a comfortable view in any light.
Apple iPad (9th Gen) Specifications
- CPU: Apple A13 Bionic
- GPU: Apple GPU
- Display: Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ), 10.2 inches, 322.2cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio), 1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~256 ppi density), scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
- RAM: 3GB
- Storage: 64GB SSD
- Ports: Lightning connector, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm
Who is this for?
If you don’t mind to fork out a little more for a superior digital art tablet, the Apple iPad gets our votes. Its cutting-edge hardware makes everything effortless, including powering advanced apps such as Adobe Fresco and Procreate. This little powerhouse is always ready for all-day work and play with its 8557mAh juice.
Overview:
Go bigger with the Telcast T50 featuring a brilliant 11-inch 2K IPS TDDI full lamination display. Its machined unibody design is thin, and light yet durable enough to withstand the occasional mishaps, like being accidentally dropped or sat on.
The T50 uses Sony sensors on both its front and rear cameras. Capturing all the precious moments in life is never been easier with the 20MP stacked camera supporting four-in-one pixel mode. With fast AC dual-band Wi-Fi and efficient Bluetooth 5.0, you can stay connected for communication and entertainment.
Telcast T50 Specifications
- CPU: UNISOC Tiger T616
- GPU: Mali G57
- Display: 11 inch, FHD+, 2000 x 1200 pixels
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Ports: USB Type-C
- Dimensions: 260.0 x 164.0 x 9.7 mm
Who is this for?
The Teclast T50 is one of the rare budget tablets that comes with high-megapixel built-in cameras. If you are a photophile, this is certainly the tablet for you. Aside, the T50 also excels in satellite positioning. It assures you’ll always be on the right track with faster and more precise direction navigation.
Overview
Designed specifically for kids ages 6 to 12, the Kindle Fire HD 8 Kids Pro includes a slim kid-friendly case. The case is super-protective besides offering fun designs on the back. The parental controls are easy to use. There are multiple levels of controls to not only pick the content your child has access to but also how and when.
Kids can also send announcements, and make voice or video calls over WiFi to the approved contacts with an Alexa-enabled device or the Alexa app.
Kindle Fire HD 8 Kids Pro Specification
- CPU: Quad-core 2.0 GHz
- GPU: -
- Display: 8” HD, 1280 x 800 pixels (189 PPI)
- RAM: 2GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Ports: USB Type-C 2.0
- Dimensions: 212.0 x 162.0 x 17.0 mm
Who is this for?
If you want to keep your child busy with reading or watching videos, consider the Kindle Fire HD 8 Kids Pro. Not only the screen is made with strengthened aluminosilicate glass, but the colourful case is sturdy enough to protect the tablet against drops and bumps. The Kindle also offers a vibrant 8.0-inch HD display and immersive Dolby Atmos sound.
Overview:
The OPPO Pad Air is a blend of technology and aesthetics. With an ultra-slim 440g body, this tablet is effortless to carry around. Its 10.36-inch narrow bezel display provides a wider view for more fun, supporting up to 2K image quality.
Enjoy smooth gaming and multitasking with the high-performance and power-efficient Snapdragon 8-core processor. It can carry out more intensive tasks while conserving power, claiming to last a maximum of 15 hours on continuous video calls or 12 hours of movie marathons.
OPPO Pad Air Specifications
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
- GPU: Adreno 610
- Display: IPS LCD, 1B colours, 360 nits (typ), 10.36 inches, 305.5cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio), 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density)
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Ports: USB Type-C 2.0
- Dimensions: 245.1 x 154.8 x 6.9 mm
Who is this for?
For those who enjoy gaming on their tablets, we highly recommend the OPPO Pad Air equipped with a top-grade multi-core processor. You’ll have no issue playing the latest and most popular games on the large 2K screen with Dolby Atmos symmetrical quad-speaker. Its thin and lightweight body makes it easier and more comfortable to hold, especially during long games.
Overview:
No matter for gaming or binge-watching your favourite Netflix shows, the Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE is simply entertaining. Supporting an immersive 11-inch FHD+ display, this tablet covers up to 16.7 million colours and a 90Hz AdaptiveSync refresh rate.
The powerful Snapdragon 680 offers a smooth and fast experience. With 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM, the Redmi Pad SE certainly can meet all your day-to-day needs. If you ever need more space for all your downloads, it is always expandable up to 1TB.
Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE Specifications
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
- GPU: Adreno 610
- Display: IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 11.0 inches, 34.75 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio), 1200 x1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~207 ppi density)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Ports: USB Type-C
- Dimensions: 255.5 x 167.1 x 7.4 mm
Who is this for?
The Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE with the amazing Snapdragon 680 is perfect for gaming. It can handle most popular Android games at medium to high settings while demanding games at low settings. Its exceptional 8000mAh power capacity also allows you to enjoy extended gaming sessions without tethering to the wall.
Overview:
Work smarter, not harder. The lightweight, portable Lenovo Tab M10 Plus is great for most working adults, particularly businessmen and young professionals. Taking down small notes and making sketches are a breeze with the Lenovo Instant Memo app.
With an octa-core power-saving processor and a massive 7700mAh battery, the tablet has abundant power to spare for long hours of streaming and multitasking. What’s more, you also get a MicroSD card slot and Nano SIM slot for extra storage and connectivity.
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Specifications
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
- GPU: Adreno 610
- Display: IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ), 10.61 inches, 320.4cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio), 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density)
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Ports: USB Type-C 2.0
- Dimensions: 251.2 x 158.8 x 7.5 mm
Who is this for?
The excellent processing power and long battery life make the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus a preferred choice as a budget work tablet. You can work and stream up to mobile maximum 1080p on the 10.6-inch 2K IPS display. Special Reading Mode and low-blue light certification are also supported for long screen sessions.
Overview:
Lightweight, exquisite and comfortable, the Blackview Tab 16 features a 7.95mm ultra-slim body and weighs 533g, making it effortlessly to carry in a tote bag. In contrast to the screen, the 11-inch ultra-large screen delivers a full-view surface at Full HD resolution.
Out of the box, you get a free stylus pen that is handy for taking notes, journaling and drawing. The Tab 16 is certified by TÜV Rheinland for low blue light plus it comes with three built-in eye protection modes.
Blackview Tab 16 Specifications
- CPU: Unisoc Tiger T616
- GPU: Mali-G57 MP1
- Display: IPS LCD, 11.0 inches, 344.4cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio), 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Ports: USB Type-C
- Dimensions: 260.1 x 164.7 x 8.0 mm
Who is this for?
The Blackview Tab 16 is a wise choice for those who are looking for a budget tablet with a built-in stylus pen. It has an octa-core Unisoc chipset to handle your daily jobs while its 8GB RAM delivers a faster start-up compared to its competitors. The 7680mAh battery is good for 18 hours of daily use before requiring the next charge.
Choosing a budget tablet can be overwhelming. Here are some thoughts that you might need answers to.
FAQ:
- What are the advantages of having a tablet?
A tablet is a perfect alternative over a full-blown laptop, considering its features and generally, a more affordable cost.
With an internet connection regardless of Wi-Fi or a cellular network, you can browse the internet, stream videos, check emails and even play online games on a tablet.
Most tablets come with a huge collection of mobile apps for productivity and fun. Similar to a smartphone, you can download all the essential apps including e-wallets, banking, social media and navigation apps.
- How much RAM do I need for a tablet?
Generally speaking, 4GB of RAM is ideal for just about most tasks, whether it’s gaming, multitasking, or even something more intensive like video editing. You can get away with 3GB of RAM, but it really depends on what you’re looking to do with your tablet.
Ideally, you want to get a tablet that supports RAM swapping, so you can upgrade later on, but those devices are a bit rarer to find.
- Are budget tablets good enough for students or gaming?
- As obvious as it may sound, budget tablets are great for students because they’re affordable and sufficient enough for school work.
- When it comes to gaming, however, most don’t have cutting edge specs. So heavy gaming isn’t really suited as there will be lags, especially for fast-paced ones.
- Can budget tablets replace laptops?
- Because most tablets are mirrored from today’s smartphone technology, there’s certainly the potential to replace laptops for good in about 5 years.
- There’s likely to be technological advancements that can integrate laptop-level hardware into portable lightweight tabs as more users are prioritising portability.
- What are the disadvantages of a budget tablet?
- As smartphones get more advanced, budget tablets may just be irrelevant as many are of cheap quality builds.
- Moreover, some of the specs aren’t exactly new or high-end, rendering their ability to fill in any gap in the smart device market.
- What tablet features or specs will still be relevant in 2022 and after?
- Most phones today have about a day’s worth of battery only, so a 2-day battery life would be highly appreciated
- 4GB RAM is still okay unless the OS starts using more RAM
- An 8-inch display would be great for portability purposes
- MicroSD card support for extra storage is always welcomed
- As tablets aren’t heavily reliant by most users, a 5MP Camera may still stick around
- Same as above, a single loudspeaker is likely to still stay
- Choosing a budget tablet
1) Know What You Want
Here’s an all-important question: What do you primarily use the tablet for? Is it strictly for work? Or perhaps more on enjoying the entertainment sides like bingeing on Netflix shows and playing mobile games? Is it for study? For instance, if you plan to use the tablet generally for reading purposes, consider the Amazon Fire HD model which has a native Kindle (book-reading) app.
2) Size Matters
By size, we mean both RAM (memory) and storage capacity. If it is just for general uses, a standard 2GB + 32GB tablet would be sufficient enough. But if you tend to download a lot of content like storing video clips and photos, look out for a tablet that comes with a microSD card slot. Preferably, the kind that allows you to expand your tablet’s existing space up to 512GB or 1TB.
3) Look Out For The Processor
Similar to smartphones and laptops, a processor in a tablet is equivalent to the brain of the operation. Newer models generally come with multiple-core processors. So if you are using your tablet for multitasking from web browsing to gaming and even operating graphic software, consider getting the one with an octa-core chipset.
4) Determine Your Screen Size
Today’s tablets generally come in 7 to 8 or over 10 inches. The general idea where “the bigger screen, the better experience you’ll get from a tablet” may ring true.
But think about it for a second; do you really need a bigger-screen tablet if you tend to travel with it on a regular basis? Unless, of course, a 10-inch tablet doesn’t bother you even if using it on the go. The smaller-size tablets are usually lighter and easier in terms of portability. They are also ideal for kids, who can hold it comfortably in their hands.
5) Battery Capacity
Sure, you can always carry a portable power bank in case you need extra battery juice for your tablet. But what if you suddenly forgot to bring your power bank along? That leaves your tablet depending heavily on its internal battery capacity. So, if you frequently use it for long hours, look out for a tablet that can last a whole day or at least around 8-10 hours.
- Is it worth buying a tablet?
Smartphones may be great and many are embracing larger screen sizes stretching between 6 and 7 inches. Not to mention the combination of bezel-less display and a wider aspect ratio averaging at 18:9 has since become a common sight.
But for a bigger and more productivity-focused tool, tablets are portable hybrids of aL smartphone and laptop. With screen sizes between 8 to 10 inches that do not look too big or too small, tablets are great for viewing web pages, watching movies or playing mobile games on the go.
- What is a tablet good for?
Tablets are also useful for those who do not want to carry a laptop in their backpack. Not only they are considerably lightweight by comparison, but you can connect your tablet with a wireless portable keyboard for a better and easier typing experience.
You can make use of a tablet for mobile presentation purposes while say, meeting your client in a café. They are even great for e-reading, given their bigger screens that you don’t have to squint your eyes at every text.