It’s no surprise that iPad sales have skyrocketed since the pandemic began, thanks to working from home and the accelerated digital transformation. A total of 168.8 million iPads were shipped worldwide by end-2021, with Samsung coming in at half that amount, according to database company Statista.
Hybrid work and digital classrooms are the driving force behind record tablet demand, says research firm Strategy Analytics, with the likes of Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and Amazon all posting double digit year-on-year growth.
The company adds that the Android tablet market is undergoing big changes as vendors retool their portfolios for more productivity solutions for the hybrid work and digital learning era. “Samsung leads the segment, with its Galaxy Tab S7 including premium features like 5G connectivity, while Lenovo recently released its Tab P11 device at a lower price point than most detachables on the market.”
The pandemic has also changed viewing and consumption habits. If you want to free up your phone from lengthy video calls or don’t have a laptop/PC powerful enough to handle video conferencing for hours on end, buying a tablet solely for this purpose may be your best solution.
Earlier this month at Samsung Unpacked 2022, the Korean mobile giant announced its next generation of tablets: the Galaxy Tab S8, S8+ and the S8 Ultra. The trio will suit various budgets and productivity levels, but with tighter integration on its S22 smartphones, making it easier to continue working on any device.
Our Top Tablet Picks For 2022
10.2-inch Apple iPad
The 9th-gen iPad from 2021 is one of the best value-for-money tablets you can buy, starting at R6499. It has Apple’s fast A13 Bionic chip, a large 10.2-inch LED backlit screen and a 12MP FaceTime HD camera suited for video meetings. It’s a productivity powerhouse with eSIM and Apple Pencil (1st-gen) support.
Microsoft Surface Go
Regarded as the lightest 2-in-1 laptop, Microsoft’s Surface Go 10.5-inch is for when need to switch between a laptop or tablet. It has 10 hours of battery life, supports drawing using the Surface Pen, has a Nano SIM slot, and a 5MP 1080p HD front camera with Dolby speakers.
Samsung Tab S8 Ultra
Newly announced Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is an 11-inch tablet with a 120Hz display suited for gaming and productivity. It has a 12MP ultra-wide front camera, three microphones and records 8K video. It supports 5G and expandable storage via micro-SD. The S Pen and keyboard cover accessories are available separately. Samsung Tab S8 Ultra launched in early March.
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