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Need a new Android tablet! Recommendations and where to buy?

F

FitCat

Newbie
Hi, all!

I have had the Samsung Galaxy Tab s2 for a while now and it is giving signs of sudden and imminent death (draining battery, turning off for no apparent reason, etc). Given I am an Android girl at heart, any recommendations on a new tablet to buy?

Also, my carrier is T-Mobile and I will want to add the tablet as a new line but what they have to offer right now is lame. Where do you suggest buying a carrier-ready tablet at the best possible price?

Thanks guys!!!!

Cat
 
Samsung's arguably the best in Android. I have iPad because I needed FaceTime for business. Honestly? I despise iOS and even more so now that I own an Apple product. My feelings are not because I am an Android Forums person, but because I tried it and don't like being told what I can and cannot do with my own device. (Steven has a chip on his shoulder). :)

Also, Welcome to Android Forums!!!!
 
Steven58 said:
Samsung's arguably the best in Android. I have iPad because I needed FaceTime for business. Honestly? I despise iOS and even more so now that I own an Apple product. My feelings are not because I am an Android Forums person, but because I tried it and don't like being told what I can and cannot do with my own device. (Steven has a chip on his shoulder). :)

Also, Welcome to Android Forums!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks... and believe me, truer words were never spoken about iOs....Cass has a chip on her shoulder, too! Everytime I pick up my kids' phones (xr) to play around a bit and use them, I get so annoyed and give it back to them and say "Apple sucks!".

So, looking to replace this tablet though....on it's way out and need a new one, fast, but would rather not going broke doing it.

Any suggestions?
 
Steven58 said:
I would say you could save a shekle or 2 at
Amazon. Especially if you buy a refurbished
Click to expand...

Hmmm....refurbished? That means "not new", right? Should I be concerned about that? And what would I look for exactly? (sorry, new to this kind of stuff)
 
FitCat said:
Hmmm....refurbished? That means "not new", right? Should I be concerned about that? And what would I look for exactly? (sorry, new to this kind of stuff)
Click to expand...
as long as the refurb is from a respectable place, i would buy one. i have bought many refurbs from amazon and even thru best buy (though that was from my geek squad protection replacement phone) and they all worked great.

and i would recommend the galaxy tab A. it is a great tablet that's under $200 though i'm not sure on price for a cellular model. it is what i use mostly as far as tablets go. i use it mainly for web browsing, emails, youtube, and chrome casting netflix to my tv.
 
ocnbrze said:
as long as the refurb is from a respectable place, i would buy one. i have bought many refurbs from amazon and even thru best buy (though that was from my geek squad protection replacement phone) and they all worked great.

and i would recommend the galaxy tab A. it is a great tablet that's under $200 though i'm not sure on price for a cellular model. it is what i use mostly as far as tablets go. i use it mainly for web browsing, emails, youtube, and chrome casting netflix to my tv.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about the Galaxy Tab s4. Supposed to be much better (and therefore, more $$$) than the Tab A. What are your thoughts on that? I do a lot of reading, web surfing. taking notes (with Outlook 365 Word, some Excel, etc), watching videos, etc.

I also heard that the Lenovo Smart Tab P10 is pretty good. Know much about that?

Any other rec's would be much appreciated! :)
 
FitCat said:
...
Also, my carrier is T-Mobile and I will want to add the tablet as a new line but what they have to offer right now is lame. Where do you suggest buying a carrier-ready tablet at the best possible price?...
Click to expand...

As it sounds like you want a tablet that also has cellular connectivity, when you're shopping around keep in mind most tablets are WiFi-only so be sure to get one that a) supports both WiFi and mobile data (cellular) and b) will work with T-Mobile's cellular network.
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-android-tablet/
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-ipad-is-the-best-tablet/
 
svim said:
As it sounds like you want a tablet that also has cellular connectivity, when you're shopping around keep in mind most tablets are WiFi-only so be sure to get one that a) supports both WiFi and mobile data (cellular) and b) will work with T-Mobile's cellular network.
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-android-tablet/
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-ipad-is-the-best-tablet/
Click to expand...
Yes, exactly....I do want and need both! Will it very specifically say whether it is cellular ready and how will I know if it is compatible with T-Mobile?

Thanks so much for the help :)
 
FitCat said:
Yes, exactly....I do want and need both! Will it very specifically say whether it is cellular ready and how will I know if it is compatible with T-Mobile?

Thanks so much for the help :)
Click to expand...

Yes, the product description will include support for cellular connectivity, along with which carrier(s) the device can support. So it isn't a matter of just buying whichever model you prefer, it has to be that model will specifically work with your chosen carrier. You initially weren't impressed with what T-Mobile was selling but looking at their offerings there are some pretty current and popular iPad and Android models for sale:
https://www.t-mobile.com/tablets
The safest way to buy a tablet that works with T-Mobile is to buy it from T-Mobile, a caveat being when you buy a mobile device from a carrier it often will be branded with carrier-centric fluff and cruft apps and services. Buying a tablet from a typical retail service will typically be carrier-unlocked so it's just a matter where you then need to add in your carrier's SIM and get their service set up and working. (...but another caveat being even if there's no carrier-based branded apps using up system resources, a lot of models will still include at least some manufacturer-based fluff and cruft).
 
svim said:
Yes, the product description will include support for cellular connectivity, along with which carrier(s) the device can support. So it isn't a matter of just buying whichever model you prefer, it has to be that model will specifically work with your chosen carrier. You initially weren't impressed with what T-Mobile was selling but looking at their offerings there are some pretty current and popular iPad and Android models for sale:
https://www.t-mobile.com/tablets
The safest way to buy a tablet that works with T-Mobile is to buy it from T-Mobile, a caveat being when you buy a mobile device from a carrier it often will be branded with carrier-centric fluff and cruft apps and services. Buying a tablet from a typical retail service will typically be carrier-unlocked so it's just a matter where you then need to add in your carrier's SIM and get their service set up and working. (...but another caveat being even if there's no carrier-based branded apps using up system resources, a lot of models will still include at least some manufacturer-based fluff and cruft).
Click to expand...

So looked at this link - the s4 is basically being sold for $700 (but on a monthly breakdown) whereas on Amazon, I see it for $548. Course, still looking, as I don't see the description that says it is cellular ready and works with T-Mobile....I suck at this stuff! :)
 
This Tab S4 'should' work with T-Mobile, as stated in its initial product details:
"International version of the tablet PC that comes with no warranty in the US. Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will NOT work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint, Boost"

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM-T...rds=samsung+tab+s4&qid=1571085722&sr=8-10#Ask

Or if budget is a factor, this Tab A 'should' also work with T-Mobile:
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Cell...?keywords=samsung+tab+a&qid=1571086356&sr=8-9

and there are a lot of other brands of tablets to peruse through if you do a search for something like 'Android tablet cellular'
 
svim said:
This Tab S4 'should' work with T-Mobile, as stated in its initial product details:
"International version of the tablet PC that comes with no warranty in the US. Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will NOT work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint, Boost"

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM-T...rds=samsung+tab+s4&qid=1571085722&sr=8-10#Ask

Or if budget is a factor, this Tab A 'should' also work with T-Mobile:
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Cell...?keywords=samsung+tab+a&qid=1571086356&sr=8-9

and there are a lot of other brands of tablets to peruse through if you do a search for something like 'Android tablet cellular'
Click to expand...

Ok, I will check that one out, thanks! I currently have the Galaxy Tab s2, so don't think I would like taking a step back to the Tab A, which I believe is a downgrade from what I currently own.

Any other "non-Samsung" Android tablets really worth looking at? Sounds like Samsung kind of has the market cornered on these Android tabs...
 
FitCat said:
..... Any other "non-Samsung" Android tablets really worth looking at? Sounds like Samsung kind of has the market cornered on these Android tabs...
Click to expand...

There are a lot of other manufacturers making tablets, but again the issue that whittles your options down quite a bit will be that cellular/T-Mobile factor. Those two Wirecutter links I posted previously are good sources of information. Even if you don't want (or don't apply - T-Mobile connectivity) their recommendations, if you scroll down they provide a lot of details on what to look for so you can make an informed decision on what to buy based on your own wants/needs. Most articles tell you what the author 'thinks' you need or what's advantageous for themselves, the issue being we all use our gadgets a little differently.
 
svim said:
There are a lot of other manufacturers making tablets, but again the issue that whittles your options down quite a bit will be that cellular/T-Mobile factor. Those two Wirecutter links I posted previously are good sources of information. Even if you don't want (or don't apply - T-Mobile connectivity) their recommendations, if you scroll down they provide a lot of details on what to look for so you can make an informed decision on what to buy based on your own wants/needs. Most articles tell you what the author 'thinks' you need or what's advantageous for themselves, the issue being we all use our gadgets a little differently.
Click to expand...

Awesome...thank you! I am going to spend some time on those WIreCutter links you sent me this weekend. Don't want to make a rash decision but need something fairly soon. But, it's gotta be a good fit - T-Mobile compatible, high quality, fairly fast, etc....any other info, thoughts or advice, please send it my way! I am learning as I go, thanks to kind people like you! :)
 
This may or may not be workable for you but T-Mobile is tentatively offering a LTE WiFi modem/router to selected markets (invitation only). If you can get your hands on one it will allow you to use your T-Mobile cellular to feed the modem, allowing you the freedom to buy basically any tablet you want and it will have online access (via the WiFi signal this LTE modem/router puts out).
https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-39517
https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/21/18275640/tmobile-lte-wireless-home-internet-service-pilot-launch
https://arstechnica.com/information...e-internet-but-good-luck-actually-getting-it/
 
Well, have spent some time looking and can't seem to find many upgrade tablets from my Galaxy Tab s2 that will work with T-Mobile. Any other thoughts?

I did find out that the Galaxy Tab s6 can be bought for $29/month for 2 years with my contract with t-mobile. $700....not a cheap tablet!
 
Another option that's more of a kluge -- assuming you also have a smartphone if your cellular service plan includes hotspotting than you can set up your own portable, limited WiFi network. Since almost all tablets include support for WiFi, your options to upgrade to a newer one are a lot less restricted. Not an ideal situation of course, and it requires having the hotspot service running on your phone which is going to add a drain on the battery.
 
svim said:
Another option that's more of a kluge -- assuming you also have a smartphone if your cellular service plan includes hotspotting than you can set up your own portable, limited WiFi network. Since almost all tablets include support for WiFi, your options to upgrade to a newer one are a lot less restricted. Not an ideal situation of course, and it requires having the hotspot service running on your phone which is going to add a drain on the battery.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have done that with my current tablet, my Galaxy s2 that is slowly dying. I agree, it's not 100% perfect fit but since most of the time when using my tablet, I am on Wifi, and if doing this does open up my ability to get any tablet I want, I agree...this really just might be the way to go.

Are you familiar with many of the Android tablets? Are there any that you think are awesome, given what I use it for? (reading on Kindle, surfing the web, emails, taking notes, and watching Netflix)? Would the s6 be much much more than I would need? What else might be worth looking at that would be a great upgrade from my s2?

Thanks for all your help on this post :)
 
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