The mobile and handheld gaming market is booming at a rapid rate and, as per the data, it's expected to grow by more than twice the current market by 2030. It's no surprise that gamers are searching for the best retro handhelds and looking for something that can let them enjoy gaming anywhere they like.

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The Best Gaming Consoles in 2024

Buying a new game console in 2024 can be tricky, given the plethora of options on the market, but Game ZXC has gamers covered!

Gaming tablets are more immersive since they boast a larger screen than a typical handheld console like the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally. From operating systems like macOS and Android, the latest gaming tablets provide superior compatibility with modern games and are equipped with power-efficient yet potent hardware configurations to meet the demands of their users.

After analyzing dozens of dedicated gaming tablets from various vendors, the Game ZXC hardware team compiled a list of the best tablets users should go for if they don't want to compromise on functionality or performance. However, it's recommended that users should go through our quick bullet points at the end of the guide before making a purchase.

Game ZXC's Picks for the Best Gaming Tablets in 2024

Samsung has been at the forefront of providing premium features since it entered the world of smartphones. Their features are usually compared with more expensive Apple devices but are more budget-friendly. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus is one of the latest high-performance tablets that excel in gaming and productivity through its powerful Snapdragon Gen 2 chipset. With 1x 3.36GHz Cortex X3, 2x 2.8Ghz Cortex A715, 2x 2.8Ghz Cortex A710, and 3x 2.0GHz Cortext A510 core combination, it's not only extremely potent in intensive operations but also power efficient.

Users don't have to worry about its battery life either. It boasts a 10000+ mAh battery to operate for several hours and provides 45W quick charging support to fully recharge in no time. At its core lies the Adreno 740 GPU, which is currently the second-fastest GPU for smartphones after the Adreno 750. It convincingly outperforms even the Apple A16 Bionic's GPU to remain one of the best choices for gaming that will handle GPU-intensive titles with ease, consistently providing 60 frames per second of smooth gameplay.

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Apart from that, the tablet boasts a solid configuration, comprising 12GB RAM and 256GB storage to ensure users can install multiple games. However, users who fear a shortage of capacity can also opt for the 512GB version, which is a little more expensive. Gaming on the S9+ Plus will look wonderful as well because of its AMOLED display that provides true blacks, vibrant colors, and a high 266 ppi density. It's a full package for under $900 that buyers will not regret.

If users are prepared to compromise on some aspects, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus will let them play on a budget on its decently large 10.6-inch screen with acceptable frame rates. The viewing angles are satisfactory, and the brightness can reach up to 400 nits, making it suitable for well-lit rooms. The tablet is powered by a decent Mediatek Helio G80 processor, featuring 8 cores and an Arm Mali G52 MC2 iGPU, which runs at 950MHz. While enough for most Android games, the CPU is also capable of video encoding at 2K resolution at 30 fps and 1080p resolution at 60 fps.

The RAM capacity is, however, lackluster. With just 4GB of LPDDRX memory soldered on the PCB, the tablet may lack enough power for multitasking, such as opening multiple tabs and apps at the same time. Assuming that most users are buying it for gaming purposes, the Tab M10 Plus won't disappoint with its Android 12 platform and 128GB of storage.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is a slight downgrade compared to the S9+ Plus and, therefore, is also $300 cheaper. The tablet features a powerful Exynos 1380 processor, made on a 5nm process node, and brings eight cores to execute operations quickly. With its Mali G68 MP5 GPU, the tablet can play a lot of popular games like Genshin Impact, Diablo Immortal, and Asphalt 9: Legends on medium to high settings at 30+ frames per second. However, it may not be able to provide playable frame rates on ultra settings compared to the S9+ Plus, which is why the FE+ should be considered a middle road between the S9+ Plus and the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus.

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Nonetheless, the device has Android 13 OS installed and can be upgraded to Android 14 pretty easily. With an 8GB/128GB configuration, it's not going to introduce any bottlenecks and will provide sufficient juice for multitasking. The display is particularly appealing as it boasts a high resolution of 1600x2560p, running at a 90Hz refresh rate to provide a smooth gaming experience. As already said, there are some limitations, but the pros are far better to compensate for the minor flaws.

The OnePlus Pad is hands down one of the most powerful choices out there without being too heavy. It remains competitive with the mid-range and high-end gaming tablets but weighs just 552 grams and is hardly 6.5mm thick. The screen size is 11.61 inches but has an incredibly high pixel density of 296 ppi, making sure users get richer, more vivid, and sharper image quality at a 2000x2800p resolution. It is powered by an excellent MediaTek Dimensity 9000 CPU, manufactured on 4nm to provide power-efficient operation without compromising on performance.

With its potent Mali G710 MC10 GPU, the tablet allows users to play most games on high settings at close to 60 fps. Of course, there are some exceptions where the settings need to be tweaked, but overall, the tablet has an incredible configuration for gaming and productivity. The screen is almost flawless, supporting HDR10+ with 500 Nits of brightness, and runs at 144Hz. Powered by a Li-Po 9510mAh battery, the tablet can run for several hours straight and supports 67W fast charging.

Apple iPad Pro
Best Premium Gaming Tablet
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation)
$1124 $1169 Save $45

Although the iPad Pro isn't a traditional drawing tablet, it has largely been favored by the art community ever since the release of Procreate. Procreate is a great program for 2D design, art, and animation. One thing that sets the iPad Pro apart from the other options on this list is the ultimate ease of use and portability, making drawing anywhere possible.

Brand
Apple
Active Area
12.9‑inch display
Resolution
2732 x 2048p
Compatability
iPadOS
Tilt
90 Degrees (Apple Pencil)
Pros
  • Supports Wi-Fi and Cellular modes
  • High-performance Octa-Core M2 chip for gaming/productivity
  • Excellent audio and display
Cons
  • Comes at a hefty price tag
  • App Store has fewer games than Play Store
See at Amazon$1124 at Walmart$1149 at Best Buy

If the Apple versus Android debate is kept aside, no one can deny that Apple devices are blazing fast and their apps are generally bug-free. If that's an important factor, then the Apple iPad Pro 2022 edition is the best choice. The tablet comes with a big 12.9-inch display, bringing a Liquid Retina XDR panel for excellent color reproduction, and boasts a 120Hz refresh rate to bring smooth movements. It's powered by the Apple M2 chip, which doesn't need any introduction. It provides a powerful 8-core configuration to quickly get the job done and is fairly good at gaming too.

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However, its GPU performance may be lackluster at times, particularly when compared to high-end mobile GPUs like the Adreno 740. Still, it's quite decent to play games at 30+ fps on high settings, and, with Dolby Vision technology, gaming will be more immersive on the iPad Pro. Lastly, the iPad Pro boasts HDR support and can reach up to 1000 nits of brightness, making it perfect even with lots of sunlight.

The ROG Flow Z13 isn't a regular tablet. It is a convertible device that can be used as either a laptop or a tablet. A detachable low-profile keyboard is provided with the device and the display can be set at different angles using the kickstand. Unlike regular gaming laptops, it's incredibly thin as the hardware is present behind the display rather than underneath the keyboard. Powered by a 14-core, 20-thread Intel Core i9 13900H CPU, it absolutely crushes every other tablet on the list when it comes to crunching numbers, multitasking, content creation, or even gaming.

It is paired with the RTX 4050, which is undoubtedly faster than any smartphone GPU and can deliver a consistent 60 fps on high to ultra settings. Surely, it could have been better if it was an RTX 4060 or even a 4070, as the price tag is already over $1500. However, it's not a regular gaming laptop and can be carried more easily. A stylus pen is also included to draw or take notes, which is a plus point, and the display itself is an IPS panel, featuring a wide color gamut of 100% DCI-P3 to produce vibrant colors and features a QHD+ resolution to make images sharper.

How to Choose a Gaming Tablet

There are many considerations that potential buyers should keep in mind when looking for a gaming tablet. These include:

Operating System: Depending on the vendor, gaming tablets can feature Android or macOS operating systems. Both have pros and cons, but Android tablets generally provide more choices of games through the Play Store. It's also recommended to go for the latest OS versions for better compatibility and ease of use.

Hardware: The processor and GPU are the most crucial parts of any gaming tablet, just as in any other gaming system. It's recommended to look for at least a hexa-core CPU and a GPU that can provide stutter-free gameplay. Look for at least 4GB of RAM if on a tight budget, and 6GB or higher to eliminate bottlenecks, and a 128GB storage capacity at the minimum to store a good number of games.

Display: A standard 60Hz display should be fine considering it also provides good viewing angles. However, a display that runs at 120Hz or higher will provide fluid movements in video games and also feels pleasant in general usage. Look for better quality panels like OLED and higher resolutions to further enhance the gaming experience.

Battery Life: A tablet that discharges in just 2 to 3 hours will force its user to keep hooked to the power outlet all the time. Good gaming tablets boast an excellent battery life to last several hours on continuous usage and should feature quick charging. This is why power efficiency is a highly underlooked yet crucial aspect of a gaming tablet.

Connectivity: Apart from a good display and hardware, the tablet should boast the latest connectivity features like Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0 or higher. The former will support high internet speeds for downloading the games quickly, while the latter will allow connecting the tablet to gaming controllers.

Audio: Good audio is the key to immersive gaming and while it's not possible to achieve a surround sound setup on tablets, some tablets feature Dolby Atmos for powerful and crisp sound quality.

FAQ

Q: What's the best tablet brand?

Samsung, Apple, and Lenovo are currently the best brands for buying a gaming tablet. They offer the latest specs and a lot of choices at different price tags. They also boast great connectivity features.

Q: Is a tablet better than a laptop?

Not in performance, unfortunately. A tablet has, however, better portability, and depending on the specs, it can offer a satisfactory gaming experience.

Q: How much RAM is good for gaming tablet?

4GB is the minimum RAM capacity users should look for when buying a gaming tablet. However, with 6GB RAM or higher, the tablet is most likely not going to face any bottlenecking.