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Tablets combine the best features of mobile phones and laptops. They’re incredibly portable and can help you with a wide range of tasks you do daily. People can use such devices for browsing the internet, taking notes, watching movies, capturing photos and videos, and, of course, playing games. Games for tablets have evolved tremendously over the years, and many have been treating them as their own mobile gaming consoles. When searching for a gaming tablet, finding one that meets all your needs is imperative. First and foremost, your gaming tablet should have a large high-resolution screen. The bigger the display, the more enjoyable your game would be, but you should also see if the size would still allow you to carry it without any hassle. A good battery life, a powerful processor, and lots of storage are all qualities you should also keep in mind. If the tablet you end up buying has the specs to support your gaming needs, it would also mean that it can handle heavy tasks you might need to do for work or school. There are many options to choose from on the market, but we’re here to let you know of the best options your money could buy in 2022.
There’s no denying that Apple has been a reputable brand in the tablet market, and they continue to step their tablets’ game up specs-wise. Their most premium option is the iPad Pro 12.9-inch, which initially hit stores in 2021. It’s the perfect device to have, especially if you love mobile games. You would probably be better off getting the variant with 1TB storage and Wi-Fi + Cellular, but you can also get a Wi-Fi-only model and pick between other storage options like 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 2TB. Most models come with 8GB RAM, except for the 1TB and 2TB variants which have 16GB RAM. Users can also make the most out of their iPad if they have the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio, but these accessories are sold separately and are not so cheap. The iPad Pro is ideal for hardcore gamers because of its powerful M1 chip and its spectacular 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display. Its screen has a 1,600-nit peak brightness, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and technologies like P3 wide color, True Tone, and ProMotion. Its 120Hz refresh rate ensures that it can handle all the motion from your games well. Another vital area of the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch is its camera system. You get a 12MP wide camera, 10MP ultra-wide camera, and 12MP selfie camera. Its rear cameras can capture 4K video at 60 fps, while its front-facing camera is limited to 1080p at 60fps video. You will love how the device comes with five studio-quality microphones and four stereo speakers, and you will find its Face ID and Apple Pay beneficial for your daily life. Those who opt for the Wi-Fi-only model will get to enjoy impressive network speeds thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 support, but those who get the one with cellular capabilities can access its 5G connectivity. The iPad features a USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4) port and supports 18W fast charging. In terms of battery life, you can get close to 11 hours per charge, but you can expect that number to go down if you’re gaming non-stop.
Impressive overall performanceLarge high-quality display with 120Hz refresh rateModern designExcellent camerasDecent battery life
ExpensiveMight be too heavy and large for some
If you want a tablet that can play all your favorite PC games, you will love the Asus ROG Flow Z13. You can consider it a gaming laptop, but its hybrid design allows you to use it as a tablet. It guarantees an incredible performance for gamers because it’s equipped with a 14-core 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H processor. The device will also deliver breathtaking visuals because of its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card. The Asus ROG Flow Z13 features a 13.4-inch FHD+ IPS touchscreen display, and you can expect all your games to run smoothly because of the screen’s 120Hz refresh rate. Its display even has support for Dolby Vision and Adaptive Sync. Users can use the on-screen touch controls when playing games, or you can use compatible controllers. It comes with a detachable keyboard you can also use for gaming, and if you’re not comfortable with using its touchpad, you can invest in a Bluetooth mouse. We mentioned how the device could play PC games, but you can also download your favorite mobile games. Long hours of playing games can require a ton of power from a device, but the tablet-laptop hybrid has a ROG Intelligent Cooling system that ensures your device will have proper heat management. The Asus ROG Flow Z13 also performs well in the audio department because you get Dual Smart Amp speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio support. If you’re the type who loves talking to your competitors when playing online games, you will benefit from its High SNR 3-mic array with AI Noise Cancelation. Unfortunately, the device’s battery life is disappointing when gaming unplugged, so you will most likely need to keep it plugged in for your long gaming sessions. It redeems itself with its charging speed because you get a 100W USB Type-C charger that gets you 50% battery in half an hour. Since the Asus ROG Flow Z13 doubles as a laptop, you get better connectivity options than standard tablets. The device has a USB Type-C port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, a USB Type-A port, and a microSD card slot. It has an 8MP rear camera and 720p front camera, but you shouldn’t expect much regarding its quality and performance.
Impressive CPU and GPUTablet-laptop hybridVibrant display with 120Hz refresh rateExcellent port selectionCan play both PC and mobile games
PriceyUnderwhelming cameras
Not everyone is a fan of iOS devices, and if you prefer a tablet running on android, the best option you can purchase is the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. You get an enormous 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display, and its HDR10+ and 120Hz refresh rate ensure you get the best quality and motion handling while gaming. You will experience a snappy and responsive performance from the tablet because of its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. We suggest you get the 512GB model with 16GB RAM, but if you want to save money, you can opt for the 256GB/12GB RAM or 128GB/8GB RAM model. If you get the lowest storage option, you can easily get more space by inserting a microSD card or subscribing to a cloud storage plan. One unique thing about the tablet is that it comes with Samsung’s S Pen. You can use it for writing notes, sketching, drawing, etc., and you will have close to no latency. It attaches to the back of the tablet magnetically, so you won’t lose it easily. The tablet can also take superb photos and videos because it comes with a 13MP wide camera, 6MP ultra-wide camera, and 12MP wide/12MP ultra-wide front-facing cameras. The maximum resolution you get for videos is 4K at 60 fps. All these specs mentioned might make the tablet look perfect, but it still has areas it needs to improve, like its battery life. You can get up to 8 hours per charge when using the Standard refresh rate, but you can expect to run out of juice faster when you’re gaming at 120Hz.
14.6-inch display with HDR10+ and 120Hz refresh rateExcellent professor Expandable storageComes with the Samsung S Pen16GB RAMDecent cameras
PriceyBattery life could be betterLarge size not for everyone
For those who think Apple’s iPad Pro is too pricey, you can opt for the iPad Air, which is significantly cheaper. The latest iPad Air was released in 2022, and it has the same M1 chip as the Pro model. The device features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, which is portable enough for you to carry it around without feeling any hassle. You will get breathtaking visuals from its display because of its 8-core GPU, and its 16-core Neural Engine enhances its machine learning capabilities. Like other iPad models, you can pick between a Wi-Fi-only model or a Wi-Fi + Cellular variant. The tablet is 5G ready, so you can expect to have fast mobile data speeds when you use it outdoors. Storage options are scarce for the device because you can only pick between a 64GB or 256GB model. It doesn’t have a microSD slot for storage expansion, but Apple offers cloud storage for an extra fee. As you can expect with most modern Apple mobile devices, the iPad Air has a decent camera system. It features a 12MP wide rear camera that can shoot 4K video at 60fps, while its 12MP ultra-wide selfie camera can only capture 1080p footage at 60 fps. The device doesn’t have Face ID, but you get Touch ID integrated into the top button for easy authentication. Unfortunately, the tablet is disappointing when it comes to battery life because it will only last you around 5 hours per charge. It would be best to have a charger or power bank nearby if you plan to spend hours playing games on the device. The iPad Air is compatible with the Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, and Apple Pencil, but all of these are sold separately.
Powerful M1 chipStylish and lightweight designVibrant display5G readyTouch IDMore affordable than rivals
Limited storage optionsDisappointing battery lifeNot the best cameras
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus should be the top choice for those who need a gaming tablet with an affordable price tag. Yes, you won’t get the same high-tech specs as its more expensive rivals, but it’s still more than enough for you to enjoy different mobile games. Customers can pick between a 32GB or 64GB model, which comes in a variant with lock screen ads and one without. We suggest the 64GB model with no lock screen ads since it would only cost you about $235. You can also expand its storage up to 1TB using a microSD card. The tablet features a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display protected by aluminosilicate glass. It’s powered by a Mediatek Helio P60T processor, which is decent enough for basic mobile games, but many might not be happy that it only has 4GB RAM. Sadly, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus doesn’t have full access to the Google Play Store, so you have a limited app selection. The tablet has a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front-facing camera, but its quality isn’t something that would make your jaw drop. You can use your voice to control the device because it has Alexa built-in, but this isn’t surprising since the tablet is made by Amazon. The estimated battery life per charge is around 10-12 hours, and it supports wired and wireless charging.
Budget-friendlyDecent processor and display for its priceyExpandable storageDecent battery lifeWireless charging supportAlexa built-in
Limited internal storage and RAMDisplay is only 1080pUnderwhelming camerasLimited app selection
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