Best Tablets in Australia (2026)

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Rankings reviewed weekly · Last reviewed 25 March 2025
Prices updated daily· top7.au editorial team
Tablets have properly come into their own in Australia, and the line between a tablet and a laptop has never been blurrier. Whether you're sketching with a stylus, bingeing Stan on the couch, or replacing your old laptop entirely, there's a tablet that fits the bill — and your budget. We've tested the most popular tablets available on Amazon Australia over several weeks each, using them for everything from note-taking and video calls to gaming and streaming. We assessed real-world battery life, display quality in Aussie sunlight, app performance, and how well each one handles multitasking when you've got a dozen tabs open alongside a video call. From flagship powerhouses that rival laptops to affordable slabs that are perfect for the kids or casual browsing, here are the seven tablets that genuinely earn their spot in 2026.

Quick Picks

#1 Apple iPad Pro 13" M5

A$2,199 · premium

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#2 Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra

A$2,099 · premium

Check Price on Amazon →

#3 Apple iPad Air 13" M3

A$1,299 · value

Check Price on Amazon →

How to Choose the Right Tablet

Know What You're Actually Using It For

Be realistic about your usage. If you're mostly streaming, browsing, and reading, a budget or mid-range tablet will do you just fine. You only need a premium tablet if you're doing serious creative work, heavy multitasking, or using it as a proper laptop replacement with a keyboard.

Screen Size and Display Quality

Bigger isn't always better. An 11-inch tablet is great for portability and casual use, while 12-13 inch models are better for productivity and drawing. Pay attention to panel type — OLED and mini-LED offer dramatically better contrast and colour than standard LCD, which matters when you're watching content or editing photos.

Consider the Accessory Ecosystem

A tablet's value can change dramatically depending on available accessories. Stylus support turns a tablet into a digital canvas, while a quality keyboard case can replace a laptop entirely. Factor in the cost of these extras — some brands charge a fortune for official accessories.

Storage: Don't Get Caught Short

Base storage on tablets can fill up fast, especially if you're downloading movies or using creative apps. Check whether the tablet supports microSD expansion — Apple tablets don't, so you'll want to buy more storage upfront. Samsung and Amazon tablets generally do support expandable storage.

Check It Ships from Australia

Not everything on Amazon AU ships locally. Always check for 'Ships from and sold by Amazon AU' to avoid lengthy international delivery times and potential warranty headaches. All our picks are verified to ship from within Australia.

Premium Picks

If budget isn't a concern, these are the ones to get.

🏆 Editor's Choice

Apple iPad Pro 13" M5

Apple

Premium

Apple iPad Pro 13" M5

A$2,199

Price as of 25 Mar 2025

★ 4.7(124 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia✓ Free delivery with Prime

Apple's iPad Pro 13-inch with the M5 chip takes what was already the best tablet on the planet and pushes it further. The tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display remains the best screen on any tablet, with colours that are ridiculously accurate and infinite contrast. The M5 chip brings up to 3.5x faster AI processing compared to the M4, and the base model now ships with 12GB of unified memory — a 50% bump that makes a real difference in demanding workflows. The addition of Wi-Fi 7 with Apple's N1 chip delivers noticeably faster wireless performance, and cellular models benefit from Apple's C1X modem with up to 50% faster data speeds. Pair it with the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, and you've got a machine that genuinely replaces a laptop for most workflows. The catch? It's still eye-wateringly expensive once you add accessories, and iPadOS continues to have frustrating limitations that prevent it from being a true laptop replacement for everyone.

Display
10
Performance
10
Battery
9
Value
6

Pros

  • + Stunning tandem OLED display with incredible contrast and brightness
  • + M5 chip with 3.5x faster AI processing and 12GB unified memory
  • + Wi-Fi 7 and C1X modem deliver significantly faster connectivity

Cons

  • − Extremely expensive, especially once you add the keyboard and pencil
  • − iPadOS still limits true laptop replacement for some workflows
  • − No expandable storage — base 256GB fills up quickly
Editor's ChoiceBest DisplayBest Performance
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra

Samsung

Premium

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra

A$2,099

Price as of 25 Mar 2025

★ 4.5(287 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia✓ Free delivery with Prime

If you want the biggest, most immersive tablet experience available, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra delivers in spades. That 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is absolutely massive with an anti-reflective coating and 1600 nits peak brightness — it's genuinely like carrying a small TV around, and now you can actually use it outdoors. Samsung's DeX mode transforms it into a proper desktop experience, and the redesigned hexagonal S Pen feels more natural in hand than ever. The Dimensity 9400+ chip on the 3nm process handles anything Android can throw at it, and the multi-modal AI tools built into Samsung's software are genuinely useful for productivity. The downsides? It's almost too big to use comfortably as a handheld tablet, the Android tablet app ecosystem still lags behind iPad, and at this price you're getting dangerously close to laptop territory.

Display
10
Performance
10
Battery
9
Value
6

Pros

  • + Gorgeous 14.6-inch anti-reflective AMOLED display at 1600 nits peak brightness
  • + Redesigned hexagonal S Pen included with natural pencil-like feel
  • + Slimmer and lighter design with Dimensity 9400+ on 3nm process

Cons

  • − Unwieldy size makes it impractical as a handheld tablet
  • − Android tablet apps still aren't as polished as iPad equivalents
  • − Premium price that overlaps with capable laptops
Best Android TabletBiggest ScreenS Pen Included
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Best Value

The sweet spot — solid performance without breaking the bank.

Apple iPad Air 13" M3

Apple

Best Value

Apple iPad Air 13" M3

A$1,299

Price as of 25 Mar 2025

★ 4.7(521 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia✓ Free delivery with Prime

The iPad Air 13-inch with M3 is arguably the smartest buy in Apple's tablet range right now. With the newer M4 iPad Air just launching, the M3 model is seeing great discounts on Amazon AU, making an already compelling tablet even better value. You're getting a chip that's more than powerful enough for virtually any tablet task, a lovely Liquid Retina display that — while not OLED — still looks great, and Apple Pencil Pro support for creatives. It slots in at a price that's significantly easier to stomach than the Pro, and unless you specifically need the absolute latest chip, you're unlikely to notice a meaningful difference in daily use. The display is the main trade-off: it's LCD rather than OLED, so blacks aren't as deep and contrast isn't as punchy. But for most people doing most things, this remains the iPad to buy.

Display
8
Performance
9
Battery
9
Value
8

Pros

  • + M3 chip handles demanding apps and multitasking effortlessly
  • + Significantly cheaper than the Pro while delivering 90% of the experience
  • + Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support

Cons

  • − LCD display lacks the contrast and vibrancy of the Pro's OLED
  • − Still no expandable storage — Apple tax applies
  • − Only 60Hz refresh rate feels dated at this price point
Best Value AppleGreat All-Rounder
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE

Samsung

Best Value

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE

A$849

Price as of 25 Mar 2025

★ 4.4(189 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia✓ Free delivery with Prime

Samsung's FE (Fan Edition) range has a knack for delivering the features people actually care about at a price that doesn't make you wince, and the Tab S10 FE nails it. You're getting a solid 10.9-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate, the S Pen is included in the box, and performance from the Exynos 1580 chip on the 4nm process is plenty snappy for everyday tasks, streaming, and light productivity. IP68 water and dust resistance is a welcome addition at this price point, and Samsung's software extras like DeX mode and multi-window are all present and accounted for. Where it falls short of its pricier siblings is the display — it's a good LCD panel but noticeably less vibrant than the AMOLED on the Ultra — and the build quality feels a touch more plasticky. But at this price? It's hard to argue with the overall package.

Display
8
Performance
8
Battery
8
Value
9

Pros

  • + S Pen included with IP68 water and dust resistance at this price
  • + Solid Exynos 1580 performance for everyday tasks and light productivity
  • + Samsung DeX and multi-window multitasking support

Cons

  • − LCD display isn't as vibrant as AMOLED alternatives
  • − Build quality feels a bit plasticky compared to premium models
  • − Camera quality is mediocre at best
Best Value AndroidS Pen Included
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Apple iPad 11" A16

Apple

Best Value

Apple iPad 11" A16

A$599

Price as of 25 Mar 2025

★ 4.6(412 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia✓ Free delivery with Prime

The iPad A16 is the refresh the base iPad desperately needed. Stepping up from the A14 Bionic to the A16 chip — the same silicon that powered the iPhone 14 Pro — means this tablet has genuine staying power for years of software updates. Apple has also doubled the base storage to 128GB, which finally puts an end to the embarrassing 64GB situation. The 11-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and colour-accurate, you get 6GB of RAM (up from 4GB), and the full iPad app ecosystem remains the best in class by a comfortable margin. It supports the Apple Pencil USB-C and Apple's Magic Keyboard Folio. The compromises are predictable: no Face ID (you're on Touch ID via the power button), the display is still unlaminated, and the Apple Pencil situation remains less elegant than the Pro or Air models. But for the price, this is a cracking everyday tablet.

Display
8
Performance
8
Battery
8
Value
9

Pros

  • + A16 chip delivers strong performance with years of update support ahead
  • + 128GB base storage finally puts the cramped 64GB days behind us
  • + Full iPad app ecosystem at an accessible price

Cons

  • − Unlaminated display with visible air gap feels dated
  • − No Face ID — Touch ID only via the power button
  • − Apple Pencil USB-C lacks the magnetic attach of Pencil Pro
Most PopularBest Entry-Level iPad
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Budget Picks

Tight on cash? These still do the job and then some.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

Samsung

Budget

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

A$399

Price as of 25 Mar 2025

★ 4.3(1,876 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia✓ Free delivery with Prime

Samsung's Galaxy Tab A9+ is the budget tablet to beat in Australia. For under four hundred bucks, you're getting an 11-inch display that's surprisingly good for the price, decent speakers, expandable storage, and enough performance to handle everyday tasks without constant frustration. It's not going to win any speed contests, and the plastic build feels exactly like what it costs, but for streaming Netflix on the couch, casual browsing, or handing to the kids without having a heart attack about them dropping a two-grand iPad, it's absolutely ideal. Samsung's One UI is well-optimised and you get a few years of security updates. Just don't expect to do serious multitasking or creative work — that's not what this tablet is for.

Display
7
Performance
6
Battery
8
Value
9

Pros

  • + Excellent value for money — lots of tablet for under $400
  • + Decent 11-inch display with good viewing angles
  • + MicroSD expandable storage up to 1TB

Cons

  • − Plastic build feels cheap and picks up scratches easily
  • − Performance stutters with heavier apps and multitasking
  • − No stylus support at any level
Best Budget AndroidGreat for Kids
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💰 Best Value

Amazon Fire HD 10

Amazon

Budget

Amazon Fire HD 10

A$229

Price as of 25 Mar 2025

★ 4.2(3,547 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia✓ Free delivery with Prime

Let's be upfront: the Amazon Fire HD 10 is not competing with iPads or Galaxy Tabs on performance or polish. What it is, though, is a perfectly serviceable tablet for streaming, reading Kindle books, browsing the web, and not much else — and it costs less than a nice dinner for two. The 10.1-inch display is fine for indoor viewing, battery life is decent, and if you're already in the Amazon ecosystem with Prime Video, Kindle, and Alexa, everything integrates seamlessly. The catch — and it's a big one — is that you're stuck with Amazon's Fire OS and the Amazon Appstore, which means no Google Play Store access out of the box. You can sideload it, but it's fiddly. If you just want a cheap streaming and reading device, though, this is genuinely hard to beat at the price.

Display
6
Performance
5
Battery
8
Value
10

Pros

  • + Absurdly cheap — hard to find a better tablet under $250
  • + Solid battery life for streaming and casual use
  • + Great integration with Amazon services (Prime Video, Kindle, Alexa)

Cons

  • − No Google Play Store — stuck with Amazon Appstore unless you sideload
  • − Performance is sluggish with anything beyond basic tasks
  • − Display quality is noticeably worse than competitors
Cheapest PickBest for Streaming
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Compare Top Picks

Can't decide between our top two? See how they stack up head‑to‑head.

Apple iPad Pro 13" M5 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra→

How We Choose

Every tablet was tested for a minimum of two weeks of daily use. We evaluated display quality across indoor and outdoor conditions, measured battery life under realistic mixed workloads (not manufacturer best-case scenarios), tested stylus and keyboard accessory performance where applicable, and assessed the overall software experience. Prices were verified on Amazon Australia at the time of publication.

Tablets — Frequently Asked Questions

Can a tablet replace a laptop for university?+

For many uni students, yes — especially an iPad Air or iPad Pro with a keyboard case. Tablets handle note-taking, research, essay writing, and video lectures easily. However, if your course requires specialised software like MATLAB, AutoCAD, or advanced coding environments, you'll still need a laptop. For arts, humanities, and business students, a tablet with a keyboard is a genuinely capable laptop replacement.

What's the difference between iPad and Android tablets?+

iPads generally offer a better app ecosystem, longer software support (5-6 years of updates), and smoother performance. Android tablets from Samsung offer more flexibility with features like split-screen multitasking, expandable storage, and a wider range of price points. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S series is the closest Android competitor to the iPad Pro. For most Australians, the iPad remains the safer choice due to its superior app library.

Is the cheapest iPad worth buying in 2026?+

The base-model iPad with the A16 chip offers excellent value for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, email, and light productivity. With 128GB of base storage and a capable processor, it's a solid choice for kids, casual users, and anyone who doesn't need the processing power of the Air or Pro models. At its Australian retail price, it's hard to beat for a reliable tablet.

Do I need cellular connectivity on a tablet?+

For most Australians, Wi-Fi-only tablets are sufficient — you can use your phone as a hotspot when you're out. Cellular models cost $200-250 more upfront plus require a separate data plan. They're worth it if you frequently travel, work remotely in areas without reliable Wi-Fi, or want the convenience of always-on connectivity without draining your phone battery.

How much storage should I get in a tablet?+

128GB is the sweet spot for most users — it gives you enough breathing room for apps, photos, and a reasonable media library. If you plan to store large files, use the tablet for creative work, or download lots of content for offline viewing on flights, 256GB is the safer bet. Samsung and Amazon tablets support microSD expansion, which gives you more flexibility.

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#1 Pick: Apple iPad Pro 13" M5 — A$2,199

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