5 Cheaper Android Tablets to Buy Instead of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra

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In September, Samsung updated its Galaxy Tab lineup with the new Galaxy Tab S12 series. These tablets focus on high-end performance, huge battery life, and the latest Galaxy AI features. Of the two new options, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is Samsung’s best tablet ever, with an ultra-thin design, 23 hours of battery life, a 3D vapor chamber, and an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. In other words, this tablet, which starts at $1,399, represents the best on the Android tablet market. However, if you’re looking for something that fits your budget, you can go for something like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+, or even other great options from brands like TCL and Lenovo.

The selected tablets are cheaper than Samsung’s latest flagship, but they can still meet the expectations of most users. Each tablet has unique features that could make it a solid replacement for the Tab S12 Ultra, even if it’s not as powerful. Yet as companies like Google have abandoned their tablet business altogether and OnePlus has moved away from the US and European markets, Android customers are left with fewer options.

Since the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is so expensive that even Apple’s latest iPad Pro M5 could be a cheaper option, we’ll focus on its Android counterparts, which are perfect for those who also own Android smartphones or non-Apple computers.

Announced in September alongside the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ is the little sister of this enormous high-end tablet. Priced just under $1,199, it also remains in the premium tier of the Android tablet ecosystem, which seems dominated by Samsung. Under the hood, this tablet has a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset found in the Ultra model, a minimum of 12 GB of RAM, and a massive 10,600 mAh battery that can last up to 21 hours.

The tablet is quite similar to its predecessor. It features a stunning 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a crisp 2800 x 1752 resolution, which is ideal for media consumption and for creatives who want to draw, edit, and multitask. Aimed at power users, professional illustrators and creators, the Galaxy Tab S12+ includes a built-in S Pen, so you don’t need to carry a separate device.

Those who aren’t willing to pay $200 more for the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra can rest assured that the Plus model will offer most of the features expected for this model, including a fast processor, long software support of at least seven years (unlike a few previous models), and other benefits. The only real compromise is swapping the Ultra’s massive 14.6-inch screen for a slightly more manageable 12.6-inch option, which many users might view as a plus rather than a downgrade.

Launched in September, Lenovo’s Yoga Tab (Gen 2) enters the market as a true strong contender in the high-end productivity and streaming user space. Starting at $729, it offers a much better price than current premium tablets, while still maintaining an impressive spec sheet. The Lenovo Yoga Tab (Gen 2) features an 11-inch 4K display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a sharp resolution of 2560 x 3840 pixels. With a big 11,000 mAh battery, it runs Android 17 and is ready for the most demanding days.

Lenovo designed the Yoga Tab (Gen 2) for creative professionals, digital artists, and entertainment enthusiasts who demand visual fidelity for their workflows and media consumption. One of the tablet’s most compelling features is Lenovo’s commitment to longevity: it promises seven major Android OS upgrades and security support through 2033.

For customers who don’t want to spend $1,399 on a tablet, the Lenovo Yoga Tab (Gen 2) is a masterclass in value and an alternative premium option. By saving $600, users still get a beautiful 4K display, exceptionally long-lasting software, and excellent specs, as this tablet features a power-efficient MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor, up to 12GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage, with the option to expand it up to 2TB via microSD card.

Coming to market in spring 2026, Motorola’s Moto Pad focused on what an affordable tablet should be. Priced at $249, you could buy this tablet for your entire family for less than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. Still, it offers important features for casual customers. The Moto Pad features a premium aluminum unibody design with an 11-inch IPS LCD display, 2.5K resolution, and 90Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. Customers can also expand the storage via a microSD slot up to 2TB. A 7,040mAh battery also keeps the tablet running all day.

For media consumption, the Motorola Moto Pad is equipped with four speakers tuned by Dolby Atmos, which should deliver rich, room-filling sound. What also makes this tablet special is its standalone 5G connectivity out of the box, a feature usually absent at this price point. Motorola designed this tablet for students, frequent travelers, and media enthusiasts who want an affordable device for everyday use and occasional web browsing.

That said, if the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra’s exorbitant $1,399 cost seems completely unjustifiable for your everyday use, the Moto Pad might be the perfect option for those looking to get a newer tablet, as it has a great screen, improved audio capabilities, and mobile network freedom for much less than what most companies charge users just for the option of 5G.

Released in 2025, the TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus remains one of the most exciting tablets of 2026 due to its unique display technology. Originally priced at $369.99, you can find it around $227.98 on Amazon. What makes TCL’s tablet unique is the fact that it abandons the traditional glossy screen in favor of visual comfort. With an 11.5-inch IPS display, 1440 x 2200 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, it features TCL’s proprietary Nxtpaper technology for a matte-textured display. As a result, customers experience significantly reduced blue light and glare, mimicking the comfortable and effortless experience of reading on paper or an e-ink reader while retaining color.

Powered by MediaTek’s Helio G100 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, this tablet has an 8,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging. TCL designed this tablet for voracious readers, students who often rely on digital textbooks, and users who frequently experience eye strain when staring at standard reflective screens for long hours.

If you don’t want to pay at least $1,399 for a tablet and don’t care about the flashiest specs, the TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus can still be a great option for anyone who cares about reading, taking notes, or browsing the web. When choosing TCL’s tablet, you won’t get the fastest tablet or a tablet with a standout OLED screen, but you will still get a product designed to protect your eyes and provide a comfortable reading experience.

Finally, those looking for a tablet can find a great option in the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ instead of the more expensive Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. This device is the first entry-level option for customers engaged in the Galaxy ecosystem. If you already own a Samsung Galaxy smartwatch, Galaxy Buds, and maybe a Galaxy Watch, your next step could be the Tab A11+. Priced at around $299.99, it lowers the barrier for those looking for a tablet and Samsung’s polished software environment. Featuring an 11-inch LCD screen and 90Hz refresh rate, users enjoy smooth navigation on a daily basis.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ features a power-efficient MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. A 7,040mAh battery powers this device, with 25W wired charging. Samsung designed this tablet for budget-conscious families, casual multitaskers, and everyday users who simply need a reliable screen for social media, YouTube, and light productivity tasks.

This tablet is the smartest way to stay in the Samsung ecosystem while protecting your wallet. The Galaxy Tab A11+ benefits from Samsung’s full OneUI experience and the company’s commitment to seven major updates to the Android operating system. Users also benefit from cross-device syncing between other Galaxy products without spending more than $1,000 to take advantage of the company’s ecosystem. Although this tablet does not come with a built-in S Pen, users can improve the experience by getting a generic stylus for drawing, writing, and taking notes.

The Android tablet segment does not seem very attractive. In a market dominated by Apple, which accounted for more than 50% of total global sales in the first quarter of 2024, Samsung remains the second largest supplier, with more than 24% of tablets sold. That said, while we could have added a number of Samsung tablets to this list as cheaper options for the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra – after all, you could get last year’s Tab S11, a Tab S10, etc. –, we also thought it would be interesting to offer customers other options from other brands.

On the cheaper price side, these other tablets still offer great value, and some options, like TCL’s Tablet, give users a new way to think about a tablet: as a good e-reader and a college-friendly option without costing more than $1,000. With the recent memory crisis pushing manufacturers to raise prices, finding a good tablet at a reasonable price can be difficult, but this list helps by offering recent releases from trusted brands reviewed by thousands of customers.

While BGR doesn’t necessarily review each of these tablets, our staff has expertise with these brands, including hands-on time with TCL’s Nxtpaper options. We also encourage readers to consider alternatives, including Apple’s iPad line. Rumors suggest a new iPad mini with an OLED display is in the works, and the company recently updated the iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, which rival Samsung’s best.