Meet the Redmi Note 13 Series, priced in PH

5 best affordable tablets for online classes and WFH (2021)

Now that smartphones are larger than ever before, tablets have gradually decreased in popularity. Big brands such as ASUS and Xiaomi, for instance, aren’t promoting tablets like they used to. Samsung is even promoting foldable devices: the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is essentially a tablet that fits in your pocket.

On the other hand, traditional tablets still serve their purpose. They’re great alternatives to desktop PCs and laptops for online classes and work-from-home setups. Because of their large screens and stylus support, tablets can also act like digital notebooks for taking notes and drawing.

In addition, they’re often cheaper than laptops, making them more practical for multiple users in a household.

We compiled five of the best tablets you can buy today, as well as a few alternatives that might pique your interest. We’re limiting the price to below PhP 20,000 to keep things affordable, and we’re prioritizing well-known brands for better customer support. If you’re willing to spend more, consider checking out our list of the best affordable laptops.

Apple iPad (8th Generation)

Specifications and Price:

• 10.2-inch display (2160 x 1620 pixels)
• A12 Bionic chipset
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB storage
• 8MP (rear) and 1.2MP (front) cameras
• PhP 18,990

Apple’s most affordable iPad is arguably the brand’s best bang for the buck. It comes with a large 10.2-inch display, the same chipset found in the iPhone Xs, and a fingerprint scanner. What makes the iPad stand out, however, is its App Store access and support for the first-generation Pencil.

These two features make the iPad such a versatile device that can potentially replace your laptop if you add a keyboard and mouse to your setup.

Buy the Apple iPad 8th-gen on Lazada

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)

Specifications and Price:

• 10.1-inch display (1920 x 1200 pixels)
• MediaTek Helio P60T chipset
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB storage and microSD slot
• 5MP (rear) and 2MP (front) cameras
• PhP 6,990

While Amazon’s latest Fire HD 10 is the lowest-priced tablet on this list, it can easily keep up in terms of features and specs. The drawback is it doesn’t support Google Play and you must rely on Amazon’s own Appstore. In addition, it’s filled with bloatware and ads from Amazon.

On the bright side, you can still install the usual apps you’d need for studying and work, including document editors and all the popular video call platforms. 

Buy the Amazon Fire HD10 on Lazada

Huawei MatePad 10.4

Specifications and Price:

• 10.4-inch display (2000 x 1200 pixels)
• Huawei Kirin 810 chipset
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB storage and microSD slot
• 8MP (rear) and 8MP (front) cameras
• PhP 14,999

When it comes to specs, it’s hard to beat the MatePad 10.4 at its price point. It’s practically a midrange LTE-powered smartphone with a much larger screen and support for Huawei’s M-Pencil. Sadly, the Matepad 10.4 is part of the company’s newer generation of devices that don’t come with Google services. You’re instead forced to use Huawei’s proprietary apps which may or may not be as user-friendly as what you’d get from Android or iOS.

Buy the Huawei MatePad 10.4 on Shopee

Lenovo Tab M10 HD (2nd Generation)

Specifications and Price:

• 10.1-inch display (1280 x 800 pixels)
• MediaTek Helio P22T chipset
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB storage and microSD slot
• 8MP (rear) and 5MP (front) cameras
• PhP 9,990

Lenovo’s lineup of tablets is diverse, and yet the Tab M10 HD makes a strong case as one of the best in the budget category. It comes with a decent chipset, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of expandable storage, all while offering the full Android experience.

There’s even a slot for a 4G LTE SIM card for mobile data on the go. The only downside is the low display resolution, making it less sharp for video viewing. 

Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 HD on Lazada

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

Specifications and Price:

• 8.7-inch display (1340 x 800 pixels)
• MediaTek Helio P22T
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB storage and microSD slot
• 8MP (rear) and 2MP (front) cameras
• PhP 9,490

Similar to the Lenovo tablet, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite stays below the P10,000 mark while providing the full Android experience. However, this Samsung tablet has a couple of compromises. It has the smallest display in this group and the specs are lacking in comparison.

It’s still great for everyday tasks with its compact size and 4G LTE support, setting itself up as an ideal complement to your laptop or smartphone.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite on Shopee

Alternatives

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

If you don’t need a full-color display and simply wish to read ebooks or documents, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite would be a fine alternative. It’s slightly cheaper than some of the options we listed above, and its paper-like screen is much easier on the eyes.

It’s also waterproof and can last several days to weeks on a single charge. Another new feature is its compatibility with Audible, allowing you to listen to audiobooks with Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

Apple iPad mini, Huawei MatePad 11, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Going above the PhP 20,000 mark affords you more premium options from Apple, Huawei, and Samsung. Although the current iPad mini is beginning to show its age, it manages everything its larger counterpart can do at a more travel-friendly size.

The MatePad 11’s biggest upgrades are its smoother 120Hz display and flagship-level Snapdragon 865 chipset. Finally, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite offers solid all-around hardware and dual speakers by AKG and Dolby Atmos.

Final Thoughts

All things considered, Apple still reigns supreme when it comes to tablets. With a max budget of PhP 20,000, we highly recommend the standard iPad. Apple’s suite of accessories makes it customizable in the long run, and you can’t go wrong with its build quality and app selection from the App Store.

The iPad might see a refresh in the near future though, so you may want to wait a bit longer before pulling the trigger.

Lenovo’s second-generation Tab M10 HD is a close runner-up. It’s nearly half the price of the cheapest iPad and it comes with the full Android OS unlike some of its competitors. We wish it had a sharper resolution, but at PhP 9,990, we can’t complain.