Tech Picks: Reviewing tablets with the best screens
The importance of a tablet’s screen quality cannot be understated. The vast majority of your interactions with a given tablet take place on its display. We’ve rounded up the tablets with the best screens, taking into consideration the various traits that together make Netflix binges and Angry Birds marathons even more hypnotizing and visually immersive.
Apple iPad Air 2
Product Review: nando.com/1er
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The new iPad Air gets an improved A8X processor, better rear and front-facing cameras, an even thinner and lighter design, an anti-reflective screen, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and more built-in storage at higher configurations than last year.
The bad: The Air 2 isn’t a big change from last year’s iPad in terms of overall function; battery life remains the same, although its battery life is already pretty good. Audio playback via speakers makes the thin metal body resonate more than before.
The cost: $480.00 to $529.99 (with two-year contract)
The bottom line: The iPad Air 2 is a nice refinement and finesse of last year’s model, with a bevy of tweaks, enhancements, a much faster processor, and the welcome addition of Touch ID. Simply put: it’s still the gold standard for tablets.
Amazon Fire HDX 8.9
Product Review: nando.com/1es
CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 is the first tablet with Dolby Atmos audio-enhancing technology and Amazon’s item-identifying Firefly function. Its user-friendly operating system includes Mayday instant customer service, extensive parental controls and the ability to set up individual profiles. It’s still one of the lightest and slimmest tablets around.
The bad: Amazon’s curated app store has far fewer apps and games than Google and iOS app stores. The heavily modified OS leaves little room for customization and there’s no microSD card slot.
The cost: $379.00
The bottom line: Impressive Amazon features and an outstanding display make the Fire HDX 8.9 one of the best and most affordable media consumption tablets.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S
Product Review: nando.com/1et
CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S rocks a vividly colorful, razor-sharp screen and exclusive software perks in an ultra-thin and lightweight design.
The bad: Starting at $500, it’s a high-end purchase. Touchscreen response can lag if many of its memory-hogging apps are open in the background.
The cost: $349.99 to $399.99
The bottom line: An exceptional screen and a long list of software goodies make the Galaxy Tab S Samsung’s best tablet to date and our top Android choice for an entertainment slate.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4
Product Review: nando.com/1eu
CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 packs a sharp pixel-dense screen, zippy performance, and oodles of software features inside a comfortable and lightweight slate.
The bad: It’s too easy to block the speakers and trigger the capacitive buttons unintentionally when holding the tablet in landscape orientation. Performance lags when using the multi-window function.
The cost: $209.99
The bottom line: The premium specs and high-end feel of the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 make it well worth the price.
This story was originally published June 25, 2015 at 12:01 PM with the headline "Tech Picks: Reviewing tablets with the best screens."