Apple iPad (2021)
The basic iPad (9th generation) is still one of the best value tablets on the market, thanks in large part to Apple’s dedication to supporting tablet-specific apps and the iPadOS operating system. There’s a reason so many people love iPads, even if they use an Android phone. Get it only from Best Buy while the supply lasts!
The iPad (2021) is one of the hottest-selling tablets this Black Friday, and as we turn the corner intoCyber MondayAmazon has already sold out. However, you haven’t missed your opportunity to snag the baseline iPad at its lowest price because Best Buy is still selling the 9th-gen iPad for only $249. It’s the cheapest iPad you’ll still be able to find at its Black Friday price, so don’t hesitate and miss out on the deal of the year!
Even though Android is in our name, we know there’s no denying the mass appeal that iPads have in the tablet market. Even if you can find cheaper Android tablets out there, Apple has done a commendable job of supporting the iPad since its inception, making it a more robust ecosystem than Android has currently come up with. If you’re looking for a tablet-optimized app, it is far more likely to be on an iPad than on an Android tablet.
Another big advantage the iPad (2021) has over some of the cheaper Android tablets is the hardware. Yes, the design of the basic iPad is a tad dated — with the big bezels around the screen and the Home button on the chin — but it is still quite powerful under the hood. The A13 Bionic chipset is far and away superior to the budget-level chips other companies put in their cheaper Android tablets. Heck, the iPad (2021) is even more powerful than some Android tablets that cost more.
The last big reason you’ll love an iPad over an Android tablet is Apple’s update support. Software is only good if it stays in shape. While you can expect every device to lose support as time goes on eventually, Apple has been consistently supporting iPad with proper OS updates for a good 5-6 years on average. So, even though the iPad (2021) is a couple of years old, Apple will most likely continue to support the model for a few years. With Android tablets, it’s entirely possible they only get one or maybe two OS updates if you’re lucky — especially the lower-cost models.
Alternative tablet deals
If you’re still not convinced that the iPad is for you — or Best bUy sells out before you can snag one — here are a few of thebest early Cyber Monday tablet dealson Android tablets that are still worth grabbing.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) is over 40% off right now, offering the best price this budget-friendly tablet has ever seen. It starts at only $200, even cheaper than the iPad. Plus, it comes with the S Pen, which helps Samsung’s S6 series shine as a solid mid-range tablet for streaming, editing, and more.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is theFan Editionof the normal Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. It’s got the same look and feel as that tablet, but trades down to a 90Hz LCD display and a slower Exynos chipset to hit a midrange price point that is currently $50 off despite the tablet being a matter of weeks old. It’s more expensive, but it will be more powerful under the hood than the iPad (2021) as well.
