iPad are iPads better for graphics than Android tablets?

[Oganesson]

I'm generally not an Apple fan but I do like the look of the tablets. Tablet devices never really took off but I still like watching high quality movies on a 2K/4K device.

A tech friend of mine told me that iPads are superior in this category? Is this true?

 

[redcarlsen]

For watching movies? You can probably find a decent android tablet with an OLED screen for less than an ipad.
also, unless you subscribe to services or buy your movies on itunes, it's much easier to download directly or transfer movies to an android device.
ipads are nice though.
forgot to mention, ipads generally have pretty good sound.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

In terms of video playback quality, a 12.9 M1 Mini-LED screen would likely give the best experience, possibly some high-end Samsung offerings might too.

For graphics processing in general (3D games and video editing), all M1 iPads with their 8 GPU cores would be the best.

 

[dumastudetto]

Depends on the models you are considering buying.

Nothing running on Android comes close to beating Apple's entry level iPad at a similar price point.

At the higher-end, Samsung has some very large and nice tablet displays. The iPads Pros generally review as having the best sound system, which can obviously be important when watching movies. Which display you prefer will probably come down to preference as Samsung and Apple tune them differently. I obviously prefer Apple's tuning.

 

[Digitalguy]

Depends on the models you are considering buying.

Nothing running on Android comes close to beating Apple's entry level iPad at a similar price point.

At the higher-end, Samsung has some very large and nice tablet displays. The iPads Pros generally review as having the best sound system, which can obviously be important when watching movies. Which display you prefer will probably come down to preference as Samsung and Apple tune them differently. I obviously prefer Apple's tuning.

sound is very close.... actually before the M1 12.9in, Samsung S7+ had better audio than any iPad.... M1 12.9 is now basically on par (same loudness, slightly more bass, but very close).

As for "nothing is beating the iPad 9 at its price", in terms of performance per price, sure, but it's also a matter of priorities, some people may prefer to trade speed for UBS C, a pen included, more/expandable storage and better speakers for the same money (e.g. if their main use is watching videos and taking notes). So I wouldn't make this an absolute rule....

 

[Digitalguy]

I'm generally not an Apple fan but I do like the look of the tablets. Tablet devices never really took off but I still like watching high quality movies on a 2K/4K device.

A tech friend of mine told me that iPads are superior in this category? Is this true?

For pure watching high res videos, Samsung tablets are generally superior to iPads, for other uses it's a different story

 

[redcarlsen]

Nothing running on Android comes close to beating Apple's entry level iPad at a similar price point.

I regularly see the Galaxy Tab S6 lite for $269 brand new. It comes with a pen and has Dex mode. Great screen and decent audio and an aspect ratio much better for watching video. And a micro sd card slot.

Unless you are ensconced in the iOS ecosystem and can do everything you like with ipad... I'd say the s6 lite is a better option. at least for me.

 

[Technerd108]

For video content the Samsung tab s8 would be the best for the price. Right now $599 direct from Samsung and if you have an old Samsung phone lying around you can get trade in value to offset the cost. The S8 has a 16x10 aspect ration which means smaller bars at top and bottom. The screen is 120 hz. Quad speakers. Samsung will give 4 years of OS upgrades and a total of 5 years security patches so it can last a while.

Apple M1 iPads have much better graphics and processing power than any android tablet. OS updates will outlast even the S8. The iPad have a 4x3 aspect ratio so video content will have larger bars but better for web browsing.

The iPad Air with M1 it only has stereo speakers and no promotion. But if all you do is watch videos and maybe play a game or two tha t won’t matter too much.

iPad Pro seems a little overkill for what you will use it for but it does have a slightly brighter screen and 120 hz display.

Personally I would recommend the iPad Air 5th generation or the S8. You also get the s pen with the s8 if it is something you will ever use. The s8 doesn’t come with a charger while the iPad does.

Software on the iPad is a bit more limited at the moment as Samsung has dex but it is not an issue as it doesn’t sound like you will use such a feature. Dex allows a desktop interface with multiple floating windows. Apple is about to introduce Stage Manager to M1 iPads which will offer similar functionality.

I prefer iPad OS to android generally and m1 chip but the S8 is a great device too. It is just that Samsung likes to load up the bloatware and the snapdragon 8 gen 1 is an okay chip. Great for Android but nothing compared to M1.

Honestly I would just buy what is cheaper and if you have an iPhone or Android phone that would make a difference because S8 can send texts and answer calls on an android phone and vice versa for the iPad On a iPhone.

 

[Mark Stone]

I regularly see the Galaxy Tab S6 lite for $269 brand new. It comes with a pen and has Dex mode. Great screen and decent audio and an aspect ratio much better for watching video. And a micro sd card slot.

Unless you are ensconced in the iOS ecosystem and can do everything you like with ipad... I'd say the s6 lite is a better option. at least for me.

I agree with this. I used a Samsung Tab S6 Lite for about a year, and although anemic when compared to an iPad Air 5 in most categories, it really shined when streaming Netflix, YouTube etc. I always used headphones with it, so the sound was awesome and the screen was great. When watching videos or streaming movies now, I can’t really tell any difference between my iPad and the old S6 Lite (which I gave to a grandson).

 

[chevyboy60013]

I have never liked android, found it very difficult to use, and basically crap apps for weather radar, and drone flying. Also having an iPhone and iMac the iPad blends in perfectly, and I typically use my iPad Pro 10.5 inch more than my MacBook Air.

 

[spiderman0616]

I have never liked android, found it very difficult to use, and basically crap apps for weather radar, and drone flying. Also having an iPhone and iMac the iPad blends in perfectly, and I typically use my iPad Pro 10.5 inch more than my MacBook Air.

I've been in macOS/iOS/iPadOS for so long now that Android and Windows now look like those cheap fake movie computer interfaces that are designed to show certain things for the plot but have to be generic so they don't break any copyrights. They're just both really.......blah.

 

[q64ceo]

An iPad is always better than any Android tablet. I wish this was not the case, but it is.

 

[Technerd108]

I regularly see the Galaxy Tab S6 lite for $269 brand new. It comes with a pen and has Dex mode. Great screen and decent audio and an aspect ratio much better for watching video. And a micro sd card slot.

Unless you are ensconced in the iOS ecosystem and can do everything you like with ipad... I'd say the s6 lite is a better option. at least for me.

I would not buy the s6 lite. It is a 2020 release and has an old under power Samsung chip with 4gb ram. It is just enough power to function but if you do anything more than the most basic of tasks it will not be very enjoyable and next year will be the end of major updates for the tablet. I honestly don't know why Samsung has not refreshed this model.

I agree that it is a great tablet I terms of build quality, screen and speakers and is the perfect size to hold.

The problem is update support and really slow internals that would frustrate the heck out of me. I had a blue model and it was very nice and a surprise at how ell it was built for the cost. But is was frustratingly slow for me.

I bought it on sale at Best Buy for $249 and traded it in for a tab S8 for the same price. Honestly the iPad Air even 4th gen is so much better than the S6 lite and the $349 regular price is really high. If you got the s6 lite make sure you don't pay more than $249.

I would stay far away from cheap android tablets. Far away......Heck a regular iPad would be much better than the s6 in terms of performance the only issue I have with the basic iPad is the non-laminated display. But the next gen regular iPad will be announced most likely in October and it might be something to think about.

Android tablets have been ignored by most OEMs and Google for a long time and it is honestly a niche market now.

Google is showing some interest in trying to revive it so there is some hope but Google has a tendency to start something and just stop for no reason.

Apple on the other hand will be offering iPads for a long time and is heavily invested in them so the experience is just better.

The only viable Android Tablet is the Samsung Tab s8. It is the only Android tablet even worth considering compared to an iPad and it doesn't really compete that well with the iPad Pro although if you like OLED and large size it is the only way to go right now.

 

[Digitalguy]

I would not buy the s6 lite. It is a 2020 release and has an old under power Samsung chip with 4gb ram. It is just enough power to function but if you do anything more than the most basic of tasks it will not be very enjoyable and next year will be the end of major updates for the tablet. I honestly don't know why Samsung has not refreshed this model.

I agree that it is a great tablet I terms of build quality, screen and speakers and is the perfect size to hold.

The problem is update support and really slow internals that would frustrate the heck out of me. I had a blue model and it was very nice and a surprise at how ell it was built for the cost. But is was frustratingly slow for me.

I bought it on sale at Best Buy for $249 and traded it in for a tab S8 for the same price. Honestly the iPad Air even 4th gen is so much better than the S6 lite and the $349 regular price is really high. If you got the s6 lite make sure you don't pay more than $249.

I would stay far away from cheap android tablets. Far away......Heck a regular iPad would be much better than the s6 in terms of performance the only issue I have with the basic iPad is the non-laminated display. But the next gen regular iPad will be announced most likely in October and it might be something to think about.

Android tablets have been ignored by most OEMs and Google for a long time and it is honestly a niche market now.

Google is showing some interest in trying to revive it so there is some hope but Google has a tendency to start something and just stop for no reason.

Apple on the other hand will be offering iPads for a long time and is heavily invested in them so the experience is just better.

The only viable Android Tablet is the Samsung Tab s8. It is the only Android tablet even worth considering compared to an iPad and it doesn't really compete that well with the iPad Pro although if you like OLED and large size it is the only way to go right now.

For your information the S6 Lite was recently updated to a 2022. As crazy as it sounds, it's still called S6 lite (2022).
It has a better processor (although nothing impressive) but most other things stayed the same. But it's being updated until at least Android 15 and maybe Android 16 (it's not very clear yet, as it was a quiet launch).
Other than that I clearly prefer iPads to Android tablets, mainly for the hardware superiority (better aspect ratio, better keyboard, more powerful, better hand rejection), but I own a S8 ultra because there is no equivalent size in Apple world, and a S7FE, which a bought just because of an app that turns it into a wireless (lag-free) touchscreen monitor with pen input and sound output for my Windows desktop, something I can only dream of with iPads at the moment (sidecar is still way behind...), and that's how it is used from morning to night, not as an Android tablet at all.

Having said that it's funny to read some of the fanboy comments above... (not yours to be clear) but what can one expect on a forum when most people live in the Apple ecosystem...

 

[Technerd108]

For your information the S6 Lite was recently updated to a 2022. As crazy as it sounds, it's still called S6 lite (2022).
It has a better processor (although nothing impressive) but most other things stayed the same. But it's being updated until at least Android 15 and maybe Android 16 (it's not very clear yet, as it was a quiet launch).
Other than that I clearly prefer iPads to Android tablets, mainly for the hardware superiority (better aspect ratio, better keyboard, more powerful, better hand rejection), but I own a S8 ultra because there is no equivalent size in Apple world, and a S7FE, which a bought just because of an app that turns it into a wireless (lag-free) touchscreen monitor with pen input and sound output for my Windows desktop, something I can only dream of with iPads at the moment (sidecar is still way behind...), and that's how it is used from morning to night, not as an Android tablet at all.

Having said that it's funny to read some of the fanboy comments above... (not yours to be clear) but what can one expect on a forum when most people live in the Apple ecosystem...

I did not know that. Do you know what processor they put in it?

It is a great size and build quality and still has a headphone jack. Unless they changed that too.

Well stage manager is supposed to change the iPad into something like Dex but we will see.

I personally think a tablet should just be a tablet because a tablet with keyboard just doesn’t work for me.

Anyway, thanks for the update.

I don’t have a dog in the fan fight as I am a multi platform person and always will be. Clearly though Apple makes a better tablet/software although it sure would be nice to have some serious competition!

 

[Digitalguy]

I did not know that. Do you know what processor they put in it?

It is a great size and build quality and still has a headphone jack. Unless they changed that too.

Well stage manager is supposed to change the iPad into something like Dex but we will see.

I personally think a tablet should just be a tablet because a tablet with keyboard just doesn’t work for me.

Anyway, thanks for the update.

I don’t have a dog in the fan fight as I am a multi platform person and always will be. Clearly though Apple makes a better tablet/software although it sure would be nice to have some serious competition!

It's a Snapdragon 720G, nothing to write home about, but better than the exynos ins the original model. It still has a jack. I don't use Dex, I honestly don't see the point other than for having an external monitor (it's the only way to avoid mirroring). On the tablet I prefer OneUI. I am a multi platform guy too and will always be. I try everything but I have my preferences.
Tablet wise, I prefer iPad, by far. But I have a couple of Android tablets because they give me things iPad can't give me (see above in part)
Phone wise, I prefer Samsung, I have tried iPhone and there are too many things I can't stand.
Laptop/desktop wise, I prefer Windows as an OS, but I prefer Mac hardware. I use both, but I use Windows more.

 

[Technerd108]

It's a Snapdragon 720G, nothing to write home about, but better than the exynos ins the original model. It still has a jack. I don't use Dex, I honestly don't see the point other than for having an external monitor (it's the only way to avoid mirroring). On the tablet I prefer OneUI. I am a multi platform guy too and will always be. I try everything but I have my preferences.
Tablet wise, I prefer iPad, by far. But I have a couple of Android tablets because they give me things iPad can't give me (see above in part)
Phone wise, I prefer Samsung, I have tried iPhone and there are too many things I can't stand.
Laptop/desktop wise, I prefer Windows as an OS, but I prefer Mac hardware. I use both, but I use Windows more.

Interesting. We have similar use habits but a little different. I have an android phone but prefer my iPhone except for notifications. I have a windows laptop but prefer my Mac. I have an iPad and android tablet and there it is pretty split.

SD 720 is way better than what it had. Probably has decent performance. Well then I take back my comment and would say that the s6 lite is the perfect cheaper android tablet. I had a Lenovo p11 plus and although the hardware was good the software was absolutely the worst experience I have ever had on an android tablet and that is saying a lot. I like Lenovo as I have a laptop by them and had some Moto phones after they took over so I was expecting the tablet to be good.

I have even had some Teclast and Alldocube tablets. They were actually a lot better software wise than the Lenovo.

 

[Digitalguy]

Interesting. We have similar use habits but a little different. I have an android phone but prefer my iPhone except for notifications. I have a windows laptop but prefer my Mac. I have an iPad and android tablet and there it is pretty split.

SD 720 is way better than what it had. Probably has decent performance. Well then I take back my comment and would say that the s6 lite is the perfect cheaper android tablet. I had a Lenovo p11 plus and although the hardware was good the software was absolutely the worst experience I have ever had on an android tablet and that is saying a lot. I like Lenovo as I have a laptop by them and had some Moto phones after they took over so I was expecting the tablet to be good.

I have even had some Teclast and Alldocube tablets. They were actually a lot better software wise than the Lenovo.

Notifications are a big deal to me, that's pretty much all I use my phone for, other than calls and take photos/videos. I don't watch videos, I don't browse, I don't even write messages. I do all these things on a laptop/desktop/tablet, not on my phone. I like compact and comfortable phones for my use.
I would consider iPhone if it had USB C (non negotiable), if the standard iPhone (which is lighter and cheaper) had promotion and always on and if it had better notification. It won't happen for years if ever. Until then I'll stay with the smallest Samsung flagship (S line).
One thing I like about Android tablets is that apps keep on running on them for many years after end of support. I have an old lenovo tablet with Android 5 and it can basically run everything. iPads with IOS 10 or even 12 have many apps that don't run on them... IOS 9, which came after Android 5, is basically abandon-ware at this point....

 

[chevyboy60013]

I have an iPad Pro 10.5 inch model that I believe was made in 2017. That being said it is running the latest version of iPadOS 16 beta without any issues, which that alone says a lot…. 2017 production makes it a 5 year old almost 6 year old tablet, and still has awesome battery life, close to 8 full hours of use. I have an iPhone XR that I got it 2018 which makes it a 4 almost 5 year old phone, it’s running the latest version of iOS, iOS 16 and has all day battery life still, take it off the charger around 4:30 am and at 12 midnight still has 25% to 30% remaining, which is absolutely awesome.

I have had android phones namely the Samsung galaxy s4, the last android phone I ever had and likely the last android phone I will ever have, I have serious issues with a phone getting red hot in my pocket and that Samsung was replaced under warranty 3 times, and when it was just out of warranty it did it again, that is when I got my first iphone 5s that was used, and it never had any issues until it got dropped and needed a screen replacement and that is when I replaced it with the iPhone XR. I have had android tablets, from very cheap models to the samsung galaxy a8, and had constant issues with them with quality and performance along with finding apps that actually work and act right. Needless to say I will stick with apple for the phones and tablets and likely the laptop as well, windows is a whole other issue.

 

[Vivian125]

iPad 9/10 is even already better than almost all Android Tablets out there.
Don't even talk about iPad Mini Lineup, Air/Pros with much better power, display and speakers to the point they are almost on the league of what Laptop can does.

 

[floral]

I'm generally not an Apple fan but I do like the look of the tablets. Tablet devices never really took off but I still like watching high quality movies on a 2K/4K device.

A tech friend of mine told me that iPads are superior in this category? Is this true?

If you mean graphic design, iPads are the king of that due to Apple Pencil + Paperlike protector giving you an authentic drawing experience, plus great battery life and very powerful chips. The only issue is how Apple usually treats the iPad (a "subpar MacBook") offering Mac-like features that are different enough to make most people cave in and buy a Mac instead (excluding me).

 

[cthompson94]

Truthfully as far as capabilities and such go you can certainly get an a closely rivaled android tablet to the competing iPad. I think the iPad wins because of the amount of dev support with apps and updates and many most apps have the complete separate iPad app and I mean it both literally a separate app, but also with the development and differences of iPad in mind. Years ago I had a couple different Android tablets and they all were fine of course with the stock apps. The main issues I ran into was when you get other apps, there are so many different sizes and chip containing android tablets that unless you have the top notch mainstream tablet the apps to me just seemed clunky because the size and everything in the app was maybe artificially stretched or whatever to fit the tablet you have and it just doesn't work. For instance, it is widely known that social media apps work better on iOS than Android because of the only certain number of different models of iPhone and when new ones release they do so just at one time per year and same for the iPad and as far as size goes we usually go through a few years of the same size so I feel like it isn't as bad and this happens with the iPad/iPhone. On Android side though, you have how many companies making tablets, how many different sizes, how many with different chips, there was just no optimization except the big mainstream ones that are maybe even worth dev time to include optimization for.

This was my problem on the Android side of tablets, also at the time it was horrible how long the software support was, but I know Android makers recently changed that.

 

[Technerd108]

Yes iPads are better in some ways for graphic design.

Some people like the hard plastic tip on Apple pencil and some do not.

Samsung Galaxy Tab s8 is just about as good and a lot of people prefer the softer feel of the spen. 8 gen 1 chip is good and GPU is good.

Apple iPads like the 5th gen air and iPad Pro with m series chips have superior GPU vs. Android alternative.

Also if you like some Apple exclusive apps like Procreate, etc then that will further escalate the position of iPad.

But if you don't use those apps then a Galaxy Tab s8 would work just as well.

It is really personal preference, cost, app availability and if you want desktop chip in your tablet then iPad is the only way to go.

 

[Shanghaichica]

If you are just wanting it to watch movies, then I would go for an android tablet. Some of the android tablets have OLED displays and they often have better aspect ratios for movies.

 

[BhaveshUK]

If I’m understanding you correctly, you don’t mean graphic design, but rather playing movies and other media.

My recommendation is to consider a refurbished Samsung tablet. Last years high-end models drop off in value exponentially and I’d imagine you could get a great deal for your use case.