The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a flagship device without a flagship price. It has decent power and battery life. Just don’t go thinking it will replace your laptop anytime soon.
Amazon’s entire Fire tablet range has been designed to appeal to the widest possible demographic. The Fire 7 is a cheap and cheerful entry-level device. The HD 8, and HD 8 Plus occupy the lower and higher ends of the mid-range spectrum. There are even Kids Editions in each size. Then there’s the Amazon Fire HD 10. It’s a flagship device without a flagship price. It’s more powerful, with a larger display than its siblings – to appeal to more “pro” tablet users – all while offering the same level of entertainment features. In fact, it’s the only HD Fire tablet that actually has a Full HD screen (more on that later). But are all of these upgrades worth paying three times as much as the Fire 7? Plus, if you’re in the market for a more pro tablet, does Amazon’s flagship tick the boxes? To see how this tablet performs against its smaller sibling, you can read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus vs Amazon Fire HD 10 article. In our Amazon Fire HD 10 review, we look at what the 10-inch tablet offers compared to its siblings, we review its performance and display upgrades, and we see if there is still a place for a relatively cheap 10-inch tablet in today’s tablet market. To compare this device with other options, check out our best budget tablet, best tablet and best tablet for kids articles. Jump to: Amazon Fire HD 10 review: summary What is the Amazon Fire HD 10? How much is the Amazon Fire HD 10? Amazon Fire HD 10 features Amazon Fire HD 10 screen and sound quality Amazon Fire HD 10 design Amazon Fire HD 10 set-up Amazon Fire HD 10 battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 10 review: summary Price: RRP £149.99, now £134.99 Key features: 10-inch Full HD tablet powered by Fire OS – Amazon’s take on Android 32GB or 64GB of storage, both expandable to 512GB via microSD 2GB RAM 12-hour battery life Alexa-built in meaning this tablet can double up as an alternative to the Echo Show 10 Pros: Very affordable way to buy a full HD tablet Wealth of content on tap Easy to setup and use Three gadgets in one – a Fire tablet, Echo Show and Kindle Cons: Doesn’t have the wireless charging seen on the Fire HD 8 Plus Lacks support for native Google apps – including Drive, YouTube and Gmail The Amazon Fire HD 10 is available at Amazon for £134.99 What is the Amazon Fire HD 10? In the wider Amazon devices range, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is positioned as the flagship tablet. It’s more expensive than any of its siblings and promises 30% more power than the previous version. It also claims to have a 12-hour battery life. It comes in at £149.99 (RRP), meaning the HD 10 is three times the price of the entry-level Amazon Fire 7. Yet it’s only £40, and £60 more than the Fire HD 8 Plus and Fire HD 8 respectively. If anything, the Amazon Fire HD 10’s nearest competitor, price-wise, is the £139.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition. For the latter, though, you get a free Amazon Kids+ subscription bundled in, which explains its higher price. All Fire tablets, so the Fire HD 10 included, come with less-than-adequate 2MP cameras on the front and rear, and all are powered by Amazon’s take on Android – Fire OS. This software looks and feels largely like pure Android, albeit with a whole load of Amazon promotions and ads thrown in. However, the biggest difference is the lack of a Google Play Store and namely the lack of native Google apps. This means you can’t download apps for Google Drive, Google Docs, YouTube, Gmail and more. It is possible to access each of these services via Amazon’s pre-installed Silk browser as bookmarks, but the experience is clunky and less than ideal, especially if you’re a heavy Google user. Amazon doesn’t position the Fire HD 10, or any of its Fire tablets for that matter, as being productivity workhorses. They’re built for entertainment, and that’s what Amazon wants you to use them for, meaning the lack of Google apps won’t be a deal breaker for many. For the extra money when buying the Fire HD 10, you get a Full HD screen instead of a regular HD display and an octa-core processor, rather than a dual-core version. These give it both a viewing and power boost. It’s also larger and slightly thicker to accommodate the 10-inch display. Delving into the specs further, you’ll notice that the Fire HD 10 isn’t a flagship device across all categories. It shares the same battery life but doesn’t come with the wireless charging option of the Fire HD 8 Plus. It also has 1GB RAM less than the Plus model. Elsewhere, it charges an hour slower than the Fire HD 8 (four hours vs five). It is possible to expand the built-in 32GB or 64GB storage on the Fire HD 10, but it only accepts microSD cards up to 512GB. This is half the amount of additional storage seen on the Fire HD 10’s cheaper siblings. What does Amazon Fire HD 10 do? Amazon’s Fire HD 10 follows suit with the rest of the range, providing access to cheap, portable entertainment and browsing. As a result, it comes with all of Amazon’s own-brand services – Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible and Kindle pre-installed – and the likes of Netflix and BBC iPlayer are a click away via the Amazon App Store. Media streaming with Amazon Prime Video installed by default Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ available from the Amazon App Store Kindle e-reader and access to the Kindle Store, plus Kindle Unlimited (for an extra fee) Show Mode turns the Fire HD 10 into an Echo Show, complete with Alexa Skills Alexa built-in means you can use the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition to control Echo, plus other compatible smart devices, using your voice or the Alexa app Available in black, plum, blue and white How much is Amazon Fire HD 10? Unlike the smaller models in the Fire range, it’s not possible to pay extra to remove the lock screen ads on the Fire HD 10. This means you only get to choose between the 32GB or 64GB model and which colour you want. The Amazon Fire HD 10 price, when bought directly from Amazon, is as follows: Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB storage: £139.49 Amazon Fire HD 10 64GB storage: £167.39 You can also buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 from the following places: Currys: £129 Argos: £179.99 Is the Amazon Fire HD 10 good value for money? If you’re in the market for a cheap 10-inch tablet, even one that offers the hardware and entertainment of the Fire HD 10, £149.99 (RRP) may seem steep. In this respect, Amazon is very much a victim of its own success. By selling tablets so cheaply across the board, it makes a very affordable, Full-HD tablet that would – in normal circumstances – seem like a great deal, feel overpriced. It’s not, though. The Fire HD 10 is almost staggeringly cheaper than some of the rival 10-inch tablets from the likes of Samsung and Huawei. These rivals range from £170 up to £500+ for wildly different specifications. And, of course, Amazon isn’t stupid. It’s actually very shrewd with its tablet pricing strategy. By making the £149.99 10-inch version seem expensive, it makes the Fire HD 8 range more appealing. By pricing the HD 8 Plus at only £20 more than the lower-end HD 8, people almost feel obliged to go for the 8 HD Plus because it feels like such great value for money, comparatively. Amazon may lose out on £40 per sale for the HD 10, but it’s more likely to sell a greater number of the 8 HD Plus, meaning the losses are soon swallowed. All while offering a 10-inch model to those who really care about the better screen. This explains why Amazon added wireless charging to the 8 HD Plus and the 8 HD Plus only and why the expandable storage is better on the Fire HD 8 range. All things considered, the Fire HD 8 Plus represents better value for money than the HD 10, but we’d still recommend the latter. The larger, Full HD display lends itself much better to be a portable entertainment device, and it packs a whole load of punch for relatively very little. Despite what the pricing strategy would have you believe, the Fire HD 10 is still great value for money. Amazon Fire HD 10 features If you’ve read our previous Fire HD 8 review, Fire HD 8 Plus review or even our Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review, the below is going to sound very familiar. The Fire HD 10 runs Fire OS, like all Fire tablets do, which means it also uses Amazon’s bespoke Silk Browser by default. Almost every element of this OS is geared towards making you sign up for various Amazon products and services. Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, Kindle and, of course, the Amazon Shopping app are all front-of-centre on the homepage and throughout the setup process. This, coupled with the lock screen ads, can become a bit much, but it’s ultimately what allows Amazon to price its tablets so low. So we’ll take that hit. A hit we struggle to take, however, is the lack of Google apps. This includes YouTube, Chrome and many more. This won’t feel like a big problem for some people, but it’s worth noting because we missed these apps. The standout feature for us in the Fire HD 10 – as it was in the Fire HD 8 and HD 8 Plus – is Show Mode. Either by asking Alexa to “enable Show Mode”, or enabling it via the on-screen controls, you can transform your HD 10 into an Echo Show 10. Without forking out an additional £240. Show Mode gives you the same full-screen Alexa experience as the original. It replaces the normal menus and app icons with a simple screen that you control with your voice. It’s great for propping the Fire HD 10 up in your kitchen to follow recipe videos, catch up on your favourite shows, ask questions, get weather and news headlines, and make video calls. Plus much more. It’s not an exact like-for-like, of course. The new Echo Show 10’s much better-quality, 13MP camera follows you around the room and keeps you in the frame, thanks to its rotating base. By comparison, the Fire HD 10 has a static, 2MP camera. Measly by comparison. On the plus side, you don’t have to keep the Fire HD 10 plugged into the mains, though. Nor is it £240. We’d go as far as to say the Fire HD 10 in Show Mode is better than a standard Echo Show because of this increased portability. We must warn you, though, if you’re using multiple Alexa-enabled devices – tablets, Echos or more – in the same vicinity, they’ll all spring into action when you call their name. This can get confusing. Amazon Fire HD 10 screen and sound quality As previously mentioned, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is the only Fire tablet to come with a Full HD screen. To be classified as HD, a display needs to have more than 921,000 pixels. To reach full HD status, it must have 2 million, minimum. The Fire 8 HD and 8 HD Plus both have HD screens, but they fall short of the technical definition of Full HD by around 1 million pixels. The Amazon Fire HD 10 has a screen resolution of 1920 x 1200, which equates to 2.3 million pixels. The day-to-day difference isn’t hugely stark, and you don’t really notice the shift unless the HD and Full HD screens are next to each other. The edges on the smaller icons and notifications are much sharper on the HD 10 than on the smaller tablets, but that is also because the screen is larger, so these icons themselves aren’t as small by default. The Full HD screen comes into its own when watching Netflix, Amazon Prime et al. High-quality content looks more crisp and vibrant, while the Full HD makes low-quality shows look even worse. The quality of sound that comes out of the Fire HD 10’s dual speakers is admirable. Just like the other tablets in the Fire range, its sound certainly isn’t loud enough to fill a busy room, but it’s enough to help you watch shows over the sound of your preparing dinner or similar. Thanks to the partnership with Dolby Atmos, the sound is much more well-rounded and less tinny than we’d expect for such a relatively cheap device. Plus, they do a good job of making voices sound clear when audiobooks are being read aloud or during video calls. Amazon Fire HD 10 design The Fire HD 10 has the same overall design as the rest of the Fire tablet range – a fat bezel, chunky shape, rounded corners, and plastic casing. Albeit in a larger size. It may be due to the way you hold the larger 10-inch device or the quality of the Full HD screen, but the Fire HD 10 doesn’t feel as cheap as its siblings. It’s more balanced, meaning it’s more comfortable to hold when used as a Kindle. It’s significantly heavier, too – weighing in at 504g vs the 355g of the Fire HD 8s – which subconsciously gives it a more luxurious, expensive feel. Conversely, despite this extra weight and heft, the Fire HD 10 doesn’t feel as robust as its smaller equivalents. This may be because there is more screen to break, but it’s a strange paradox. In terms of ports on the Fire HD 10, there’s a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, a USB-C charging port and a microphone. Amazon Fire HD 10 set-up Ease-of-use and simple, intuitive screens are at the heart of the Fire tablet range. The HD 10 is no exception. You’re guided through, step-by-step, how to get your Amazon Fire HD 10 connected to your Wi-Fi, signed into your Amazon account, and how to add on various Amazon services (or sign into them, if you’re already a subscriber.) You’re even presented with a screen of popular apps that you can download from the setup screen, rather than having to find them in the Amazon App Store. A series of promotional messages punctuate this setup and, while this is a minor inconvenience, it’s an inconvenience nonetheless. Amazon Fire HD 10 battery life and performance For every tablet we review, we test its battery life by playing an HD video on repeat. We set the brightness to 70% and have aeroplane mode enabled. This video loops from full charge until the battery goes flat. Amazon promises that the Fire HD 10 will last 12 hours, but it fell a little short in our test, reaching 10 hours and 14 minutes. This is a tad disappointing and worse than the battery performance of the 8 HD Plus. It’s only marginally better than the 8 HD. We did have a feeling that the HD 10, with its Full HD screen, would miss the mark by comparison, so this isn’t a huge surprise. The battery lasted a lot longer when using the Amazon Fire HD 10 for everyday tasks. The occasional game of SimCity, catching up with three episodes of a podcast, a video call with our parents, and general browsing for a few hours every day, saw the tablet last into the fourth day. The longest of any of the Fire tablets we’ve tried. This may have something to do with the fact it has a relatively souped-up, octa-core processor, the only processor in the range to have eight cores. Not only does this help improve the performance and reduce the lag, seen on other Fire tablets, but by seemingly optimising the software to work better with this processor means it works more efficiently with the battery, too. Don’t get us wrong. The Fire HD 10 isn’t lightning-fast, but it’s a noticeable improvement on other Fire tablets we’ve tested. It can be a little slow to switch between regular and Show Mode, and there can be delays when loading shows, but by and large, its speed is more than adequate for an entertainment device. Our verdict: should you buy the Amazon Fire HD 10? When tablets first hit the mainstream, a 10-inch display was the default for many manufacturers. It was large enough to distinguish the tablets from the, then, much smaller smartphone displays while positioning the tablets themselves as laptop alternatives. Over time, the screens on tablets (particularly those at the cheaper end) have shrunk, while smartphone screens have grown, and the two devices now occupy a very similar space. Today, you have the choice of smaller, cheaper devices aimed at more general consumers to either compliment or sit in lieu of a larger, more expensive phone. And pricey, 10-inch devices aimed at pro consumers looking to do everything and more on them. Amazon’s Fire HD 10 occupies a welcomed middle-ground. You get a well-balanced, largely well-designed 10-inch device on which to watch your favourite shows. It has enough power to do a range of tasks, and the addition of Show Mode just increases its versatility and appeal. All without charging a fortune for the privilege. Rating: Features: 5/5 Screen and sound quality: 3/5 Design: 4/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 3/5 Overall rating: 4.2/5 Where to buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Amazon Currys Want to compare with other Amazon Fire HD models? Check out our Fire HD 8 review, Fire HD 8 Plus review and our Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review to help you decide, or, if you think you might prefer an iPad, check out our Apple iPad Air (2020) review.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus vs Amazon Fire HD 10: which should you buy?
Two popular Amazon tablets, the Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10 go head-to-head, but which model will come out on top? Here's the verdict.
On the one hand, the choice Amazon offers with its range of affordable tablets means there should be something for everyone. On the other, this can make it tricky to know which is the best tablet for your needs. It doesn’t just come down to price – in fact, little separates the different devices in Amazon’s tablet range from a cost perspective – you also have to factor in size, battery life, performance, and added extras. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve spent the past month putting the two bestselling models (according to Amazon) to the test – the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus and the Amazon Fire HD 10. The Fire HD 7 is so cheap and basic that it almost doesn’t compare to the rest of the range. While the Amazon Fire HD 8 is remarkably similar to the HD 8 Plus, with a couple of differences, we’ll explain below. What’s more, only £40 separates these two more expensive models, so unless you’re on a super tight budget, you’ll likely be wondering if it’s worth shelling out the extra or not. In our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus vs Amazon Fire HD 10 review, we compare the two tablets’ key differences, specs, features, battery life and extra to help you make up your mind. Amazon recently announced a refreshed lineup for the HD 10 range (with prices starting at £189.99). This versus article compares the 2019 model with the 2020 Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus. They’re more similar in price and specs, with enough differences to warrant confusion about which to buy. Plus, with the launch of the new HD 10s back in May, the price of the previous generation will likely drop. If your whole family is using the tablet, head to our what is Amazon Kids+ explainer to find out more about the subscription to kid-friendly books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, and games. Key differences at a glance Specs and features Price and storage Battery life Display Design Verdict: which should you buy? Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus vs Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019): key differences at a glance Amazon’s Fire HD 8 Plus costs £109.99 versus the Fire HD 10’s £149.99 price The HD 8 Plus has an 8-inch display, while the HD 10 has a 10-inch panel The HD 10 is the only Amazon tablet in the range to offer full, high-definition image quality; the Fire HD 8 Plus falls short by around a million pixels The better quality HD 10 display panel does require more power, and this seemingly causes the battery life on the Amazon 10 to fall short of that seen on the Fire HD 8 Plus (10 hours vs 12 hours) The HD 8 Plus offers wireless charging with USB-C, the HD 10 just offers USB-C You can expand the HD 8 Plus to 1TB via microSD, but only 512GB on the HD 10 Both devices have Alexa built-in and can be used in Show Mode, which turns the respective tablets into full-screen devices Elsewhere, the software, camera setup, and built-in storage options are identical Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus vs Amazon Fire HD 10 in detail Specs and features Because both Amazon tablets are cut from the same cloth, they share the majority of features, albeit with slightly more screen and more power in the case of the HD 10. Both run Fire OS which is an Amazon skin placed over the top of standard Android software. Almost every element of this OS is geared towards trying to sell you something – whether it’s an Amazon service (Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, and Kindle) or via the Amazon Shopping app. All are placed front-of-centre on the homepage and throughout the setup process. This feels intrusive on both devices but specifically the HD 8. Its smaller screen means that all you can see is Amazon “ads” upon unlocking it. This, coupled with the lock screen ads that come with both, are somewhat overkill. It’s the sacrifice you have to make for Amazon to be able to price its tablets so low, however. Instead of running the Play Store found on pure Android tablets, Amazon runs its own app store. Most of the big hitters are there (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+) with one exception; Google’s suite of apps. This means Google Drive, YouTube, Chrome, and many more cannot be downloaded as standalone apps. You can only access them via a bookmark on the built-in Amazon browser. Clunky and inconvenient, to say the least. The standout feature for us on both devices is Show Mode. Either by asking Alexa to “enable Show Mode” or enabling it via the on-screen controls, you can transform your HD 8 Plus or HD 10 into an Echo Show. We actually feel that an Amazon Fire HD tablet running Show Mode is more convenient than an actual Echo Show because it’s more portable and has more versatility. Show Mode replaces the normal tablet menus and app icons with a simple, full-screen that you control with your voice. It’s great for using in the kitchen to follow recipe videos, catch up on your favourite shows, ask questions, get weather and news headlines, and make video calls. Plus many of the other Alexa Skills. The HD 10’s screen size lends itself much better across the board to all of these features and apps. It’s just a little more cumbersome to prop up in the kitchen or anywhere else compared to the HD 8 Plus. The main point of distinction, beyond the size, between the two tablets is that the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus offers wireless charging. A first for an Amazon device and the key differentiator with the Fire HD 8, too. The more recently announced Fire HD 10 for 2021 adds wireless charging, but you pay another £40 – so £80 in total – above the price of the HD 8 Plus for the privilege. If you want to add a charging dock, you’ll pay an additional £39.99 on top of the standard Fire HD 8 Plus price. Price and storage The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus comes in two storage sizes – 32GB and 64GB – and you can choose to buy with lock screen Amazon ads or with the adverts removed. Both sizes are expandable up to 1TB. The prices, when bought directly from Amazon, are as follows: Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, 32GB storage with home screen ads: £109.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, 32GB storage without ads: £119.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, 64GB storage and ads: £139.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, 64GB storage without ads: £149.99 Amazon Fire HD 10, 32GB storage with ads: £179.99 Amazon Fire HD 10, 32GB storage without ads: £189.99 Amazon Fire HD 10, 64GB storage with ads: £219.99 Amazon Fire HD 10, 64GB storage without ads: £229.99 Amazon Fire HD 10 is available with Wi-Fi only and comes with 32GB or 64GB storage. You can expand this up to 512GB via a microSD card. Unlike the smaller models in the Fire range, it’s not possible to pay extra to remove the lock screen ads on the Fire HD 10. Battery life You’d think the larger model, with its larger, 6,300mAh battery (vs the HD 8’s 4750 mAh), would have a better battery life than its smaller sibling. However, the HD 10 actually performed poorly in our streaming test. We tested both tablets’ battery life by playing an HD video on repeat. We set the brightness to 70% and had aeroplane mode enabled. Amazon promises that the Fire HD 10 and 8 HD Plus will both last 12 hours. We only got 10 hours and 14 minutes out of the larger model, but an impressive 12 hours 17 minutes on the smaller version. Better than expected. This is likely because the HD 10 uses more energy to power its more vibrant, Full-HD display, and it’s more powerful. By comparison, the Fire HD 8 Plus is sluggish and lags more times than we could count. We’ll take the battery hit for the sake of a better performing tablet. Display As we mentioned in the key differences section, the HD 8 Plus has an 8-inch display that doesn’t quite reach Full HD classification. Despite its name. To be classified as HD, a display needs to have more than 921,000 pixels. To reach Full HD status, it must have a minimum of 2 million. The Fire 8 HD and 8 HD Plus both have HD screens but miss the mark of Full HD by around 1 million pixels. The Amazon Fire HD 10 has a screen resolution of 1920 x 1200, which equates to 2.3 million pixels. This makes it the only Amazon tablet in the range to offer full, high-definition image quality, and the difference is noticeable. Granted, if you’re simply browsing, watching TikTok or similar, or playing games with regular graphics, the upgraded screen won’t feel all that special. However, when you want to watch Full HD shows, play souped-up games or even read on the Kindle app, this increase in pixels will come into its own. Lines are sharper, colours are richer, and the whole experience feels more advanced. Design All Fire tablets have the same aesthetic. They all have fat bezels, chunky shapes, rounded corners, and plastic casing. In summary, they look and feel as cheap as their price tag would suggest. The larger size of the HD 10 does manage to balance all the different design elements and components better than the Fire HD 8 Plus, and it feels lighter and thinner despite the fact it's not. It weighs in at 504g vs the 355g of the Fire HD 8s – which subconsciously gives it a more luxurious, expensive feel. It may be due to the way you hold the larger 10-inch device or the quality of the Full HD screen, but the Fire HD 10 doesn’t feel as cheap as its siblings. Conversely, despite this extra weight and heft, the Fire HD 10 doesn’t feel as robust as its smaller equivalents. This may be because there is more screen to break, but it’s a paradox. In terms of ports on both tablets, there are 3.5mm stereo headphone jacks, USB-C charging ports and microphones. Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus vs Amazon Fire HD 10: which should you buy? The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus and HD 10 share almost as many similarities as they do differences. In the HD 8 Plus’ favour, it has wireless charging and is cheaper, with better battery life. The HD 10 offers a much better screen and is more powerful, but it is £40 more expensive. If you’re umming and ahhing over these tablets because the price is a major consideration, the HD 10 might seem a lot dearer for not a lot of extra features, but, in our view, it’s a worthwhile investment. Particularly when you factor in that Amazon has just launched a new range of HD 10 tablets, which will push the price of the original down to be closer to the Fire HD 8. The display is better, the screen size gives you a greater viewing angle for TV shows, and it feels more like a tablet should, as opposed to purely feeling like a large phone a la the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus. Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) Buy from Amazon Buy from John Lewis Buy now from Currys Buy now from Argos Buy now from AO.com Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus Buy from Amazon Buy from Currys Buy from AO.com Still not sure which Amazon tablet to pick up? Check out our expert reviews of the Amazon Fire HD 8, Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition and the Amazon Fire HD 10.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is essentially a repackaged Fire HD 8 that costs £50 more – yet it’s an investment more than worth making in our view.
Before we had kids, we – very naively – said we’d never let our child become reliant on a tablet for entertainment. Fast-forward three years and various scenarios – car journeys, trying to cook dinner, working from home with them in tow, and more – have meant we’ve well and truly backtracked. On the plus side, our toddler now has a firm understanding of technology. He’s also learned things from YouTube Kids that we hadn’t taught him. Singing Happy Birthday to himself at his first birthday party, for instance. The tricky thing is that few brands make tablets designed specifically with children in mind these days. And even fewer pack them full of features and sell them for as relatively cheap as the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition. If you’re in the market for the best tablet for kids, you need to weigh up the price with how robust it is, as well as what protection it offers in terms of apps and parental controls. In our Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review, we look at the pros and cons of buying this child-friendly tablet versus buying a regular tablet. We compare the Kids Edition with the standard Amazon Fire HD 8. We also get our toddler to test how easy it is to use and how robust it is. Plus, we take a look through the various controls and customisation options to give you peace of mind. Head to our what is Amazon Kids+ explainer next to find out if the child-centric subscription is worth the money. Jump to: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition summary What is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? How much is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition features Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition screen and sound quality Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition design Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition set-up Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review: summary Price: £139.99 Key features: Full-featured, 8-inch HD tablet powered by Amazon’s take on Android – Fire OS A child-proof case comes as standard. Available in blue, pink or purple 32GB of storage, expandable to 1TB via microSD 12-hour battery life Every purchase comes with a free, one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ (formerly known as Fire for Kids Unlimited). This usually costs £79 a year, or £49 for Prime members and gives kids unlimited access to child-friendly apps, games and videos Amazon Kids+ includes educational apps for preschool, and key stage 1–3 Parental controls, including screen-time limits, are controlled via the Parent Dashboard available on the Kids+ phone app or via your Amazon account Amazon Fire HD Kids Edition comes with a two-year guarantee, and Amazon will replace the tablet for free if it breaks within this period Pros: Designed with kids first and foremost; it’s not just an adult tablet with child-friendly features tacked on or buried away Easy to set up and use Can be used as an adult tablet by setting up additional profiles Up to four children can share yearly Kids+ subscriptions Three gadgets in one – a Fire tablet, Echo Show and Kindle Cons Not cheap Basic design Sluggish No Google apps – including YouTube Kids The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is available at Amazon for £139.99. What is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? At its core, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is a repackaged Amazon Fire HD 8. It comes with all the features and design elements of the original yet is sold with a kid-friendly case, parental controls enabled by default, and free access to Amazon Kids+. For these additions, you’ll pay an extra £50 on top of the price of a standard Fire HD 8, or £30 more than a Fire HD 8 Plus. This price gap becomes even wider when you consider the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is £90 more expensive than the entry-level Amazon Fire 7. Hardware-wise, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition has an 8-inch HD screen. It’s powered by a dual-core processor and runs on 2GB of RAM. The tablet itself comes with 32GB storage, but you can expand that up to 1TB with a microSD card. On both, the front and rear is a 2MP camera, and Amazon promises a 12-hour battery life. The main difference between the Kids Edition and the standard Fire HD 8 is that the latter comes in an additional 64GB model. This is largely moot, though, given the fact you can expand both of them up to 1TB. The Fire HD 8 Plus, despite being cheaper, comes with an extra GB of RAM and wireless charging. All Fire tablets are powered by Amazon’s take on Android, called Fire OS, but the Kids Edition comes with an extra layer of parental controls and kid-friendly apps. Even if you don’t subscribe to Amazon Kids+, the Kids Edition has a redesigned web browser designed with child safety and security in mind. Compared to the £50 entry-level Amazon Fire 7, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition has dual speakers, tuned by Dolby Atmos, rather than a basic mono output, and it’s much faster thanks to having twice the RAM and twice the power. You can also buy a 7-inch Amazon Fire Kids Edition for £99.99 or upgrade to a 10-inch Kids version for £199.99. All Kids Editions of the Fire tablet come with a free year’s Amazon Kids+ subscription and child-friendly case. In our view, however, the 10-inch is too big for smaller hands (it might suit a teenager better) while the 7-inch isn’t powerful enough. The 8-inch Fire HD Kids Edition is the Goldilocks of the bunch. What does the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition do? Amazon has taken the ethos of its standard Fire tablet range – to provide access to cheap and portable entertainment – and made it child-friendly. Signing up to Amazon Kids+ is part of the setup process. You can alternatively download child-friendly apps via the Amazon App Store via your Parent Dashboard. When you switch to an adult profile, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, and Kindle are all pre-installed. Games, apps, books, web videos and a child-friendly web browser are all included as part of your free subscription to Amazon Kids+ Media streaming with Amazon Prime Video installed by default Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ available from the Amazon App Store on an adult profile Kindle e-reader and access to the Kindle Store, plus Kindle Unlimited (for an extra fee) Child-friendly Audible audiobooks on the Kids profile or the full catalogue on an adult profile Show Mode turns the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition into an Echo Show when using an adult profile, complete with Alexa Skills Alexa built-in means you can use the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition to control Echo, plus other compatible smart devices, using your voice or the Alexa app Skip to the deals How much is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition price, when bought directly from Amazon, is as follows: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition 32GB storage: £139.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition 32GB storage with BuddyPhones headset: £179.98 (for ages 3-7) and £174.98 (8-15) This price includes a year’s Amazon Kids+ subscription worth £79 (£49 for Amazon Prime members). You can also buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition from the following places: Currys: £140 AO.com: £139 You can sign up for Amazon Prime for a 30-day free trial, after which it costs £7.99 a month. Is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition good value for money? On paper, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition seems expensive. Especially compared to the standard £90 Fire HD 8 and £110 Fire HD 8 Plus. Of course, it’s far cheaper than the £400 iPad Mini, as an example, but £140 is still an investment. In this instance, though, we feel it’s an investment worth making. When you add in all the extras, you’re getting a decent deal. The Fire HD 8 is £89.99; a shock-proof case is around £15; a year’s Amazon Kids+ subscription is, at best, £49 if you already pay for Prime. This takes the total to £154 – a saving of £14. Not huge, but it’s not quite the price difference it first seems. What’s almost priceless, though, is the fact that Amazon has taken a lot of the hassle out of setting up child profiles and navigating through parental controls on multiple apps. You’re also paying for the peace of mind that if it breaks, you’ll get a replacement for free. Adding to this is the fact you can set up multiple profiles on the tablet. This means it can become a family tablet – with a protected adult profile and access to standard apps, alongside the kid-friendly software features. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition features While the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition's hardware specifications are identical to the original HD 8, the software couldn’t look and feel further from it. The Kids Edition runs on a child-friendly version of the original’s Fire OS, which is a take on Android. The small homepage icons and dark colour scheme of the regular version have been replaced by brightly coloured pages and large thumbnails on the Kids Edition. The Recent Apps button has been dropped from the on-screen menu, while a Parents menu has been added in the bottom left-hand corner. Your child’s name and preferred colour scheme are shown on the home page, and you can swipe through to select Games and Apps, Shows, Educational Apps, and more. The most recently watched shows or apps are also shown, allowing your little one to jump straight back into what they were doing last time. The on-screen Home and Back buttons disappear as soon as any app or show is selected to avoid distracting your child or being knocked by accident. The extra money you pay for the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition secures you a year’s free access to Amazon Kids+, and we cannot stress enough how fantastic this service is. It contains all of our toddler’s favourite shows – Peppa Pig, Mister Maker, The Gruffalo, PJ Masks – and various other mainstream, plus more niche titles. All perfectly aimed at younger children. Not only does this make it incredibly easy for children to search, browse and select their shows, it means you don’t have to jump from Disney+ to Netflix to BBC iPlayer and so on, like you do on the standard Amazon Fire HD 8 or other tablets. There are then books your child can read, or that can be read to them, National Geographic collections, games, packs based on various kids’ interests such as cars, dinosaurs, animals and so on. There is even a child-friendly browser that has parental controls and restrictions in place by default. One downside – or an upside, depending on your view – is that the Amazon App Store does not support Google’s suite of apps. This includes YouTube and YouTube Kids. If your children are avid YouTube fans, this may not be the tablet for them. It is possible to watch YouTube via the web browser if need be. However, if you’re trying to wean them off watching hundreds of videos of other children opening Kinder Eggs, then this may be a major positive. Another more significant complaint is that many of the apps and games were too advanced for our toddler. Amazon says that the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is suitable for ages three and up, yet all the games and apps are pretty much lumped together and aren’t categorised by age. Our toddler would often click on games appropriate for his age, in terms of content, but too advanced in terms of controls. This led to quite a few frustrations. On the iPad Mini, he’s learned to press the physical Home button to go back to the main menu. He then selects which app he wants. The disappearing Home button on the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition meant he was shouting for us every few minutes because he’d got bored of the app he was on and couldn’t get out of it. Considering we use a tablet to keep him amused because we need to get on with cooking, or while we’re cleaning up the mess from a recent arts and craft session, this defeated the point somewhat. A major plus point in the Kids Edition’s favour is that you can add multiple profiles, including a profile for yourself. Once you’ve enabled an adult profile, you get the full functionality of the Fire HD 8. This includes Show Mode. Show Mode is the standout feature for us in the 2020 versions of the Fire HD range. Rather than paying extra for an Echo Show 8, simply ask Alexa to enable Show Mode on your Fire HD 8 Kids Edition (with an adult profile selected), and you have a fully-fledged alternative. Show Mode gives you the full-screen Alexa experience. You can use it in your kitchen to get step-by-step recipes, see weather and news headlines from a distance, catch up on your favourite shows hands-free (in the bath, for instance), make video calls and add to your Amazon shopping list. Plus much more. What’s more, because the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition comes with a case and a stand, you don’t have to prop it up against something or pay extra for a dock – like you do with the HD 8 and HD 8 Plus. We should warn you, though, if you’re using it in Show Mode in the same vicinity as any other Alexa-enabled devices when you shout “Alexa”, they’ll all kick in. Eager to come to your assistance. This can get confusing! Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition screen and sound quality In our Amazon Fire HD 8, and HD 8 Plus reviews, we marked the tablets down slightly because the screens weren’t quite Full HD quality. They fall short of the technical definition of full HD by around 1 million pixels, and they only just qualify officially as HD. When judging the same screen, with the same resolution, on the Kids Edition, this dip in quality feels less important. As adults, many of us are used to 4K screens, but our toddler doesn't know the difference. Even our 10-year-old barely flinched at the fact that the display didn’t match up to our TV's quality. If anything, the quality – considering this is a tablet aimed at kids – feels more than adequate for what it’s being used for. Like on its “adult” sibling tablets, there are areas where the low definition is visible, on smaller icons and notifications particularly. Yet because the software is deliberately bright and colourful, and the buttons are all larger, this is less of an issue on the Kids Edition. The screen is highly reflective, though, which can create some problems. Not to mention the fact it shows up all of your child’s many sticky fingerprints. Thanks to the partnership with Dolby Atmos, the quality of sound that comes out of the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition’s dual speakers is decent. It’s not super loud, but this is a good thing for little ears. At full volume, the sound can become a little tinny on certain games and shows, but the speakers do a good job of making voices sound clear when audiobooks are being read out loud. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition design As the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition has the same overall design as the Fire HD 8 and HD 8 Plus, our critique is the same. It’s basic and looks cheap. This is due to its large bezel, chunky shape and size, rounded corners, and plastic casing. However, with the Kids Edition case attached, you don’t see any of this. It looks cheap and chunky, but then it’s meant to. The shock-proof kid-friendly case is overly big, but that’s deliberate. It’s designed to protect the tablet and make it easy for small hands to grab hold of. The volume controls aren’t easy to access because the case is so thick, but again we imagine that’s deliberate. To keep them out of reach of young users. Plus, the robustness and thickness of the case mean the balancing issues we had with the regular HD 8 models is no longer an issue. Moving onto the ports on the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, there’s a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, perfect for Amazon’s BuddyPhones headset, a USB-C charging port and a microphone. Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition set-up The step-by-step guide on the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is straightforward to follow, and you can get multiple profiles added in minutes. You don’t need to set up individual Amazon accounts for your kids; they can just be added to yours. If you've been bought the tablet as a gift and don’t already have an Amazon account, you’ll need to set one up, but even this can be done via the guide. Unlike on the original HD 8 tablets, you don’t need to wade through a series of promotional messages and notices for Amazon’s services. Nor are you met with a host of pre-installed Amazon apps or ads when enabling a kid’s profile. The overriding benefit of buying this tablet for your kids is that you can rest assured, out of the box, this tablet will entertain your children safely and securely without you ever having to tweak and mess with various parental controls. You can, of course, edit these controls in Settings and via the Amazon Parent Dashboard, but if you don’t want to, or you don’t know how they’re protected as standard. Speaking of the parent dashboard, this is a great little app that lets you monitor usage and control screen time remotely, all with a very simple user interface. You can access it via the Amazon Kids+ app on your phone or via your online Amazon account. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition battery life and performance Amazon promises a battery life of 12 hours and, in our looping video test (in which we play an HD video on repeat at 70% brightness and with aeroplane mode enabled), the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition took 10 hours 2 minutes to go from full charge to flat. This is lower than what Amazon promises and three hours lower than the battery life on the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus. However, even though the tablet shares hardware specs with the original Fire HD 8, the Kids Edition battery lasted around an hour longer. When using the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition for everyday tasks – playing a PJ Masks racing game, watching The Gruffalo (for the umpteenth time), helping Mister Maker draw shapes – the tablet lasted days. Literally. It only died by the end of day three. The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is seemingly running apps and games that are less power-hungry and intense than those used on the standard models, which is reflected in the battery life. Performance-wise, though, the HD 8 Kids Edition is less impressive. It’s as sluggish as its siblings and even more so when you switch between profiles and enable Show Mode. It works fine once enabled, but getting there can feel like a slog. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Our verdict: should you buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? Before we started writing this Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review, we weren’t sure why anyone would buy a tablet aimed specifically at children in this way. Especially not when it costs substantially more than “adult” tablets with identical hardware specs. Yet, just like we backtracked on our toddler ever using a tablet, we’ve backtracked on this. You get the best of all worlds with the Kids Edition – minimal hassle and worry about what your kids are watching, minimal stress about them breaking it, maximum value for money. For £149, you’re effectively getting an Amazon Fire HD 8 (£89.99), a case (£15), an Echo Show 8 (£120) and a year of Amazon Kids+ (£79) – a bundle of products and services that would set you back more £300 if bought separately. Plus, you can’t put a price on being able to drink a hot cup of tea while they amuse themselves for five minutes. Interestingly, all the points we marked the HD 8 and HD 8 Plus down for don’t seem as relevant or as bad on the Kids Edition. It’s not perfect, but the things we’d change are very minor, and given how our toddler has taken to the tablet, he wouldn’t change a thing. Rating: Features: 5/5 Screen and sound quality: 3/5 Design: 4/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 3/5 Overall rating: 4.3/5 Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Buy from Amazon Buy from Currys Buy from AO.com Latest Prices Still comparing tablets? Read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review or our best Android tablet guide. Searching for a tech or tablet deal?
Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: which should you buy?
Not sure which tablet to buy? Our head to head comparison pulls out all the most important specs and features to help you decide.
There comes a time in most parents’ lives when they’ll realise the inevitable has happened – either they want their child to use a tablet, or their child comes to them asking for one. Tablets are a great way to introduce children to technology – and all the various safety lessons that come with it. There are countless educational apps for all ages, and both our children – a 10-year-old and a toddler – have gained an awful lot from their respective devices. Plus, when you just want to enjoy a hot cup of tea, or you really need to get dinner on, they can prove invaluable. While, in theory, you can buy your kids any tablet, you need to look for one that is robust enough to handle the odd knock or two, compact enough for small hands, portable for car journeys or meals out, and which comes with enough content, and parental controls. Two of the most popular, most searched-for tablets that tick all of these boxes are Apple’s iPad Mini and Amazon’s Fire HD 8 Kids Edition. Neither are flagship models within their respective ranges – the iPad Mini is now two years old (but still going strong), while the 2020 Fire HD 8 Kids Edition was very recently succeeded by a Fire HD Kids Pro range designed with older children in mind. Both can be used as child-friendly or adult tablets, and their prices range from £140 for Amazon’s model up to a starting price of £399 for Apple’s tablet. So which one is worth the investment? We compare their key differences, specs, features, battery life and parental controls to help you decide. And, if you're planning for the whole family to use the tablet, head to our what is Amazon Kids+ explainer to find out more about the subscription that offers thousands of kid-friendly books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, and games. Jump to: Key differences at a glance Specs and features Price and storage Battery life Parental controls Display Design Verdict and where to buy Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: key differences at a glance Apple’s iPad Mini runs iPad OS and forms part of the wider Apple ecosystem; if you’re already an Apple customer, you can sync all of your apps, purchases and downloads via iCloud Amazon’s Fire HD 8 Kids tablet is based on an Android skin and forms part of the wider Amazon ecosystem; if you’re already an Amazon customer, you can sync all of your apps, purchases and downloads with your existing account The iPad Mini has access to the full catalogue of Apple apps Fire OS offers a limited selection of Android apps and doesn’t support any Google apps, so you can’t download YouTube, as an example Apple has put more focus on the design, and cameras on the iPad Mini Amazon has focused more on making sure the software is child-friendly by default The iPad Mini is more than twice the price of the Amazon tablet but offers better battery life, performance and app choices Amazon’s tablet comes with a case, available in purple, blue and pink, and the tablet itself is black Apple’s iPad Mini is available in silver, grey and rose gold, but you’ll need to buy a case separately to protect it Amazon’s tablet is more robust both in and out of a case Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition in detail Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: specs and features For all intents and purposes, both the iPad Mini and the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids are simply smaller, slightly less powerful, slightly more portable versions of their respective brands’ expensive designs. The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is a repackaged Amazon Fire HD 8. It comes with exactly the same features, and design elements as the “adult” version yet is sold in a chunky case available in purple, blue or pink. With the Kids Edition, parental controls and child-friendly screens are enabled by default. To access the regular software features, you need to set up and switch to an adult profile. The iPad Mini is, as the name suggests, a miniature version of the iPad. Albeit one based on 2019 specs rather than being a smaller, like-for-like comparison with the current iPad range. It doesn’t come with a case, and the onus is on you to set up a child-friendly profile. Hardware-wise, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition has an 8-inch HD screen. It’s powered by a dual-core processor and runs on 2GB of RAM. The iPad Mini’s Retina Display comes in at 7.9-inches. The tablet runs on the six-core A12 Bionic processor and has 3GB RAM. In terms of software, Amazon’s Kids Edition runs on a child-friendly version of Fire OS, which itself is a skin placed over the top of stock Android. Apple’s iPad Mini runs on iPadOS, a tablet version of its regular mobile operating system, iOS. In the iPad Mini’s favour is support for Apple’s first-generation Pencil stylus. This elevates it above being a pure entertainment device and adds some real productivity and creativity chops. Our toddler absolutely loves the colouring apps using the pencil. Or it’s the novelty of being let loose with a “pen.” As an unintended consequence, he’s also mastered the tripod pencil grip much earlier than we would have expected him to. You can also buy the iPad Mini with Wi-Fi or with Wi-Fi and cellular. Amazon’s tablet only comes with Wi-Fi. You do pay extra for the privilege, plus you’ll need a separate mobile contract, but it’s great for on-the-go viewing. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet has two standout features. The first is that it comes with a year’s free access to Amazon Kids+. This service comes with hundreds of TV shows and content, including the likes of Peppa Pig, Mister Maker, The Gruffalo, and PJ Masks. The second is the addition of Show Mode. Rather than paying extra for an Echo Show 8, you can ask Alexa to enable Show Mode on your Fire HD 8 Kids Edition (with an adult profile selected), and you have a fully-fledged alternative. Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: price and storage The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition costs £109.99, is available with Wi-Fi only, and comes with 32GB storage. You can expand this up to 1TB via a microSD card. This price includes a year’s Amazon Kids+ subscription worth £79 (£49 for Amazon Prime members). The iPad Mini comes in two storage sizes – 64GB and 256GB. Neither can be expanded, but Apple sells iCloud storage for a monthly fee that starts at 79p for 50GB up to £6.99 a month for 2TB. The iPad Mini is available with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular. The prices for the different combinations are as follows: iPad Mini 64GB storage with Wi-Fi: £399 £362.58 iPad Mini 64GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular: £519 £499 iPad Mini 256GB storage with Wi-Fi: £549 £499 iPad Mini 256GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular: £669 £409.98 Skip to the deals Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: battery life In the battle of the batteries, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition takes the title. Both tablets fell short of their promised battery life in our looping video tests, but both exceeded them in everyday use. Apple claims the Mini will last up to 10 hours on Wi‑Fi and nine hours when using mobile data. In our looping video test, in which we play an HD video on repeat at 70% brightness and with aeroplane mode enabled, the iPad Mini died in 7 hours 50 minutes. Amazon promises a battery life of 12 hours and, in our looping video test, went from full charge to flat in 10 hours 2 minutes. By comparison, when the tablets were used for everyday tasks – streaming episodes of PJ Masks, playing games and reading books – the iPad Mini lasted into the second day. The Amazon Kids shocked us by running until the third day. The main reason for this difference is that the iPad is much more powerful, and its display is much better quality. Both will use more battery, no matter how efficient the processor works with the software. Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: display Speaking of displays, Apple’s Retina screen is head and shoulders above the HD technology in Amazon’s version. They’re worlds apart. Apple uses what’s called a Retina display, a proprietary Apple technology that crams a greater number of pixels per inch into the LED panel. The iPad Mini’s display has a resolution of 2048 x 1536 resolution at 326 pixels per inch (PPI). By comparison, Amazon’s display is 1280 x 800 with 189 PPI. In fact, Amazon’s Fire HD 8 Kids Edition only just qualifies as high-definition, and falls short, by about a million pixels, to reach Full HD standard. In reality, the result is that the colours on the iPad Mini are much brighter, and the text is sharper. For most tasks, the screen on the Amazon Fire will do – and our kids didn’t register the difference or pay much attention to it. It’s only when streaming high-quality content or looking at the edges of notifications and small icons on the Amazon tablet where things look blurry and pixelated. The screen on the iPad Mini 5 additionally uses something called True Tone. True Tone technology uses sensors that measure the ambient light colour and brightness to automatically adjust its display. This means whites and colours are shown more accurately, and visibility is marginally better in bright sunlight. All controls on the Amazon Fire are on screen, whereas the iPad Mini has on-screen controls as well as a physical Home button. Our eldest had no issues getting used to both, but our toddler preferred to use the Home button on the iPad to switch between apps and games. A minor point, but our little one got frustrated more often by not being able to figure out what to do on the Amazon Fire. Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: parental controls Amazon has put much more focus on making the Fire HD Kids Edition child-friendly – and thus parent-friendly – out of the box. The Kids version of Fire OS replaces the regular small homepage icons with brightly coloured pages and large thumbnails. This means your child can easily swipe through to select Games and Apps, Shows, Educational Apps, and more. On a child profile, your little ones can only get access to age-appropriate content. Even the built-in browser has parental controls enabled as standard. By contrast, the iPad Mini 5 runs on the regular version of iPad OS and offers the full catalogue of Apple App Store apps. While this offers much more variety for your kids, it also means adult apps – and websites via the pre-installed Safari browser – are potentially within reach. The onus is very much on you, the parent, to lock the tablet and its content down. The majority of the parental control features on the iPad Mini are found in Settings > Screen Time. From here, you can block and unblock apps and content, set screen time limits and monitor usage. We should point out that Apple hasn’t designed its iPad Mini specifically for children in the way Amazon has with its Fire Kids Edition. It just happens to be a popular choice of child’s tablet due to its size and features. Both Amazon and Apple let you remotely monitor what your children are getting up to via a separate Parent Dashboard, in the case of Amazon, or via iCloud and Apple’s Family Sharing. Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: design In the same way that your children likely won’t care or realise the display quality differs so much between the two tablets, they’re unlikely to bat an eyelid at the stark design differences. The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, out of the case, looks basic and feels cheap. It has a large bezel, chunky shape and size, rounded corners, and plastic casing. The iPad Mini also has a large bezel, but its size and shape is much more elegant and streamlined. And the aluminium back feels more luxurious. In reality, you’re likely to keep both devices in a case, so this is largely moot. The case on the Amazon Fire is bulky and slightly rough to the touch, and this is deliberate. It’s designed to absorb shocks when dropped. Because the case is so thick, the volume controls aren’t easy to access, but again we imagine that’s deliberate. We bought a child-friendly, silicone case for the iPad Mini, and it does the job, albeit slightly more elegantly than Amazon’s case – if a child-friendly case can ever truly be described as “elegant.” Moving onto the ports on the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, there’s a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, a USB-C charging port and a microphone. The iPad Mini also has a headphone jack alongside a Lightning cable charging point and microphone. Apple iPad Mini vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: which should you buy? Both the iPad Mini and the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition offer their own benefits when it comes to choosing the best tablet for your child. If you’re on a budget, not particularly tech-savvy, prefer Android, or want to give your children the independence of their own tablet with minimal hassle, buy the Amazon Fire. If this is your first time buying a tablet for your child, and you’re not sure how well they’ll take to it, the cheaper of the two models may be a safer bet. If, however, you can afford the iPad Mini and don’t mind putting in a bit more effort to child-proof it, it’s a vastly superior tablet in almost every category. The iPad Mini would particularly suit an older child, although our toddler consistently chooses it over the Amazon model and is a worthwhile investment as a family tablet. Apple fan or no, the iPad Mini would be our choice every time. Where to buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Buy from Amazon Buy from Currys Buy from AO.com Where to buy the iPad Mini Buy from Currys Buy from Amazon Buy from John Lewis Buy from Argos Buy from AO.com Want to compare other Amazon Fire HD models? Check out our Fire HD 8 review and our Fire HD 8 Plus review to help you decide. Looking for Apple deals? Try our guide to the eBay certified refurbished hub for how to find the best offers.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is Apple's biggest flagship device, but how does it compare to its fellow iPhone 13 models?
In the battle of the flagship phones, Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro Max aims to reign supreme. As the most expensive and powerful model in the entire iPhone range, the 13 Pro Max has been built with pro users in mind. Not only does it come with a host of upgrades that are head and shoulders above its iPhone 13 siblings, but it’s also significantly more advanced than last year’s iPhone 12 Max Pro. Yet, with a starting price of £1,049 for a relatively low 128GB of storage, are the advancements worth the money? Jump links to the following headings: iPhone 13 Pro Max review: summary What is the iPhone 13 Pro Max? How much is the iPhone 13 Pro Max? iPhone 13 Pro Max features iPhone 13 Pro Max design iPhone 13 Pro Max screen quality iPhone 13 Pro Max camera iPhone 13 Pro Max battery life and performance iPhone 13 Pro Max set-up Our verdict Where to buy iPhone 13 Pro Max review: summary The most powerful, efficient and stylish iPhone ever made, albeit with a price tag to match. Price: The iPhone 13 Pro Max is available to buy SIM-free at Amazon with prices starting at £1,049. Key features: £1,049 (128GB); £1,149 (256GB); £1,449 (512GB); £1,549 (1TB) 6.7-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion technology Apple A15 Bionic Chip with 16-core Neural Engine IP68 (waterproof for 30 mins up to 6 metres) iOS 15 Pro 12MP rear-facing camera with Telephoto, Wide and Ultra-Wide sensors 12MP TrueDepth front-facing camera with support for FaceID Macro Mode, Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles 28-hour battery life (video playback), 95-hour battery life (audio playback) MagSafe and Qi wireless charging up to 15W Pros: Unprecedented battery life Professional camera setup Sharp, clear display with dynamic refresh rates Cons: Expensive Large display may not suit everyone What is the iPhone 13 Pro Max? While technically both iPhone 13 Pro models are considered flagship – in terms of both specs and price – the iPhone 13 Pro Max is officially the most advanced iPhone model of all time. It’s the larger, more expensive of the two “professional” handsets released by Apple at its September 2021 launch event. It’s the only handset in the latest collection with a price that starts at more than a grand, and it measures a whopping 6.7-inches. This makes it more than half an inch bigger than the cheaper iPhone 13 Pro while being at least £100 more expensive. Specification-wise, the Pro Max is almost identical to last year’s iPhone 12 Pro Max. It has the same Super Retina XDR OLED panel, protected by Ceramic Shield technology and will last 30 minutes underwater thanks to its IP68 waterproof rating. The iPhone 13 Pro Max runs on Apple’s latest generation operating system, iOS 15. This software comes with a number of additions made possible by both the A15 Bionic chip and the Pro camera setup found on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Namely, Share Play, Live Text and Cinematic Mode. The A15 Bionic Chip is Apple’s “fastest, most efficient” processor – and comes with a 16-core Neural Engine, 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU. This not only makes the phone super fast and responsive, but it helps push the battery life on the iPhone 13 Pro Max up to 28 hours, according to Apple. You can read more about the realities of this in our Battery section below. On the rear of the iPhone 13, Pro Max is a 12MP camera system that combines a Telephoto lens alongside a Wide and Ultra-Wide sensor. This means the iPhone 13 Pro Max – and the smaller 13 Pro – now both offer a Macro Mode, allowing you to take photos of close-up objects like never before on an iPhone. On the front of the 13 Pro Max is a 12MP True Depth selfie camera. The FaceID module is housed within this module, all within a notch that sits at the top of the display. What does iPhone 13 Pro Max do? Offers advanced video and photo tools with Cinematic Mode, Photographic Styles and Macro Mode, plus up to 4K video ProMotion technology preserves battery by automatically switching between optimal screen refresh rates FaceID can be used to unlock hardware as well as apps and online accounts A15 Bionic Chip powered by a 16-core Neural Engine allows for high-end gaming, better multitasking and augmented reality iOS 15 brings new Focus features, Live Text, redesigned notifications and Apple Maps and more Media streaming with the Apple TV app, which acts as a remote control for Apple TV streaming boxes; a library for video content purchased from the iTunes store; and a hub to find and watch Apple TV Plus shows (for subscribers) Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ are available from the Apple App Store, as are millions of apps Lasts up to 28 hours when watching videos, or up to 95 hours over audio MagSafe compatible, offering peak power wireless charging, up to 15W, alongside support for standard Qi wireless charging hardware Support for 5G (when available) Smart Data mode saves battery life by automatically shifting iPhone to 4G when 5G speeds aren’t needed Available in silver, graphite, blue and gold How much is the iPhone 13 Pro Max? The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has an RRP of £1,049 and is available at Apple, Argos and Amazon. undefined Is iPhone 13 Pro Max good value for money? As the most advanced iPhone ever made, the 13 Pro Max offers a lot of bang for your buck – but whether it’s good value for money very much depends on how you’ll use it. Being able to take macro photos and the addition of Cinematic Mode coupled with the huge display makes the iPhone 13 Pro Max a creative’s dream. The power and battery life boost, again coupled with the larger screen, will appeal to professionals. The dynamic screen refresh rates and the neural engine will be a boon for gamers. Yet, for the everyday user, this handset will seem excessive. It’s difficult to justify spending such a large amount of money if you’re just using this phone for streaming or browsing, no matter how well the phone does both tasks, and the iPhone 13 Pro or even iPhone 13 will lend itself much more to your needs, and budget. iPhone 13 Pro Max features In terms of hardware, the display on the iPhone 13 Pro Max measures 6.7-inches and comes with a Super Retina XDR panel, protected by Ceramic Shield technology which Apple claims gives the phone four times the protection when dropped. The upgraded Pro camera system comes with new Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras that capture more light, making them even better suited to taking photos in low light than previous iPhones. The new Ultra Wide sensor also allows for the introduction of Macro Mode, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max now comes with a 2cm minimum focus distance to capture even the smallest details. Meanwhile, the improved Telephoto lens offers greater optical and digital zoom options and makes videos and images look steady thanks to more advanced sensor-shift optical image stabilisation. Both front and rear-facing cameras support Apple’s new Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles, designed to make photos and videos look more professional. The FaceID sensor, embedded into the True Depth camera on the front, now takes up less of the display than last year’s notch. Storage-wise, the iPhone 13 Pro Max builds on the options seen on last year’s range, and you can now buy the Pro models with either 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB. It’s still not possible to physically expand these storage options, meaning the only way to increase the built-in storage is to pay extra for the hardware. Alternatively, you can buy a smaller handset and pay extra for iCloud storage. Apple softens this blow a little by giving you 5GB of additional storage when you sign up to iCloud, but it’s still a pain. iCloud plans start at 79p a month for an extra 50GB up to £6.99 for 2TB, and you’ll need to weigh up, which is more cost-effective over time. Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro Max runs on iOS 15 – the latest generation of Apple’s mobile operating system. Our favourite addition in iOS 15 is the ability to copy text from inside images, called Live Text. While this seems insignificant, it has come to our rescue many times. Even in the relatively short period, we’ve spent with this handset. The latest operating system also comes with new features that let you share movies, music, or whatever’s on your screen in FaceTime; new Focus features designed to reduce distractions when you’re working, sleeping, or with friends; and redesigned notifications and Apple apps. Speaking of Apple apps, the iPhone 13 Pro Max ships with a tonne of apps pre-installed. These include the Camera, Photos, Health, Messages, Mail, Music, Wallet, Safari, Maps, Siri, Calendar, iTunes Store, App Store, Notes, News, Weather, Reminders, Stocks, Calculator, Voice Memos and more. Plus free apps including iMovie, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, GarageBand, Apple Store, iTunes Remote, and Clips. These apps take up a substantial amount of space – 15.1GB when combined with the operating system files – but it is easy (albeit a little time-consuming) to get rid of, should you not need them all. This new software has been optimised to work with the new hardware, and Apple claims the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s battery will last up to eight hours longer than the iPhone 12 Pro Max – and no, that’s not a typo. When used for audio-only, this leaps from 75 to 95 hours. You can read more in the Battery section below. iPhone 13 Pro Max design Spending this amount of money on a phone will be as much of a status symbol as a practical purchase for many people. As a result, the iPhone 13 Pro is substantially different, design-wise, from the cheaper iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini handsets. Instead of being covered in glass, the Pro models are coated in aluminium. This not only makes them feel more premium to the touch, but it also makes them feel more sturdy and robust. The Pro models come in fewer and less adventurous colour options, slightly muted in greys, golds, blues and silvers versus the pinks, reds and “starlight white” of the cheaper range. Instead of being boring, however, it adds to the premium and professional look. This is largely a moot point if you’re going to buy anything but a transparent case, but it’s worth noting. The notch on the iPhone 13 Pro Max – and the entire iPhone 13 range – is 20% smaller than on previous models, which means even more of the Pro Max’s huge screen is visible. Elsewhere, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is thicker than last year’s iPhone 12 Pro Max, but the difference is minimal, adding just 0.1mm to the depth. It is 12g heavier, and this is noticeable when you hold both devices. However, when held on its own, this extra weight does very little to the overall comfort of holding the phone. What’s more, the improvements made to the cameras and battery are enough to warrant such an increase and one that we don’t begrudge at all. The improved camera modules on the rear are positioned in the same way they always have been on Pro phones – two sensors on the left with a third sensor mid-right, below the flash. This high-tech setup protrudes quite far, which stops the phone from sitting flat on a surface. Even when it’s in a case. Speaking of cases, the camera module on the 13 Pro Max is a bit wider than on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, meaning it’s not possible to use last year’s case on this year’s model. Port-wise, the iPhone 13 Pro Max charges via Lightning connector rather than the USB-C technology seen on the latest iPads. The power button, which can also be used to enable Siri, sits on the top right-hand side of the handset, opposite the volume buttons on the left. The speakers sit on either side of the charging port. iPhone 13 Pro Max screen quality On paper, the displays on the iPhone 12 and 13 Pro Max are almost identical. They’re listed as having the same 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, the same 2778 x 1284-pixel resolution at 458 PPI. Contrast ratio and support for the P3 wide colour gamut remain, as does the use of True Tone technology that adjusts the white balance on screen based on the lighting conditions you’re in. However, on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the maximum brightness level has been increased to 1,000 nits, up from 800 nits. This improves both the screen’s colour and vibrancy and makes it easier to read in a range of lights, including direct sunlight. Games and HD content on this display look superb, colours are vibrant and black tones look deep and dark. This both improves contrast and adds a high level of detail and realism not seen on cheaper handsets. Elsewhere, the display has native support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. The iPhone 13 Pro Max’s display additionally comes with a new feature called ProMotion. This technology automatically selects the best refresh rate to suit whichever task you’re doing. If you’re simply browsing, sending emails or switching between apps, ProMotion drops the refresh rate down as low as 10Hz. If you’re gaming, editing video, working on creative tasks and streaming high-quality content, this refresh rate rises up to 120Hz. By comparison, the displays on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini handsets go up to 60Hz. This means that whatever you throw at the iPhone, the display will be responsive and meet your needs effortlessly, but it also brings with it significant battery improvements. If your phone is dynamically adjusting how much energy it’s using for different tasks, it’s going to use less energy overall. This, alongside the larger battery components seen on the iPhone 13 range, is undoubtedly the reason why the phones can last all day and night. Even during the most intense tasks. iPhone 13 Pro Max camera The improvements made to both the camera hardware and software on the iPhone 13 Pro Max are what drew us in most when reviewing this phone and are enough to warrant an upgrade almost by themselves. Taking the sensors seen on its predecessor – the iPhone 12 Pro Max – Apple has made some tweaks that may seem small, but in reality, are significant. Firstly, the Ultra-Wide camera features a larger ƒ/1.8 aperture and a new autofocus sensor that means it lets in 92% more light. In our tests, this meant that even photos taken at dusk or in a dark room were sharper and more detailed. When Apple added Night Mode to the iPhone 11 back in 2019, it was a game-changer because it meant our photos looked great, regardless of the time of day. However, our biggest complaint with this mode has always been the need to wait for one to three seconds in order to capture the scene effectively. This is a problem when trying to capture any form of movement or action at night. While Night Mode still exists on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, we barely use it now because of the vastly improved sensor setup, with its new sensor-shift OIS technology, making it capable of taking the same level of low-light photos without delay. Elsewhere, the improved Ultra-Wide sensor now has a 120° field of view, a larger ƒ/1.8 aperture, and a new sensor with autofocus, enabling the addition of Macro Mode. This new autofocus system works with a new 2cm minimum distance, which allows you to get up close in images and videos, like never before, whether that’s capturing detail in an Instagram-worthy meal or picking out parts of a flower or insect, and much more. The new ƒ/1.5 aperture Wide camera is described as Apple’s largest sensor ever, capable of capturing 2.2x more light than the iPhone 12 Pro. While the new Telephoto camera has a 77mm focal length and 3x optical zoom. This advanced camera setup and the features added to iOS 15 also allow for two new modes – Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles. Cinematic Mode uses a technique known as rack focus, commonly used in feature films to switch attention between subjects while adding a depth-of-field effect. This is available on both the latest iPhone Pro models, and it creates superb, professional-looking footage even if you have limited experience or skill, like us. Photographic Styles transform your photos by adding either a Vibrant, Rich Contrast, Warm, and Cool style to the overall image. Going way beyond your standard photo filter, Photographic Styles uses “deep semantic understanding” to adjust the light, brightness, exposure and contrast based on the ambient light in the scene, a person’s skin tone and more. The differences are subtle but create an incredibly professional overall effect. The iPhone 13 Pro Max continues to support Deep Fusion and HDR video recording with Dolby Vision seen on the 12 Pro Max, but the latter now supports 4K at 60 fps on all cameras (up from 4K at 30 fps on the iPhone 12 Pro), including the True Depth camera on the front. In addition to housing the FaceID sensor, this front-facing camera also supports Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles. iPhone 13 Pro Max battery and performance Until this point in our review, the differences between the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max have been small. Almost to the point where it would be difficult to recommend the latter over the former. When it comes to battery life, however, there is no contest. Despite being an absolute powerhouse, crammed full of the latest technology and with a superb display, Apple claims the iPhone 13 Pro Max will last 28 hours when used exclusively for video streaming. This is eight hours longer than the iPhone 12 Pro Max and 11 hours more than the iPhone 13. When used for audio-only, this soars to 95 hours versus 80 on the 12 Pro Max and 55 hours on the iPhone 13. These are substantial, almost unbelievable claims that more than carry over into real-world use. In our looping video test – in which we play an HD video on a loop until the battery dies – the iPhone 13 Pro Max lasted for 29 hours. The video played all day, all night and was still going in the morning, and all without the phone overheating. In our real-world tests, we used the phone to stream at least one episode of Married at First Sight, send WhatsApp messages, play Sim City, listen to Spotify, watch TikTok alongside a couple of audio calls – the phone lasted substantially longer. For the first time in our long history of phone reviews, we have found a handset that lasts more than two days. In fact, this phone can easily run for around 56 hours before needing to be plugged back in. An unprecedented amount of time and one that truly elevates the iPhone Pro 13 Max above its own siblings and the competition. This is made all the more impressive when you look at how powerful the Apple 13 Pro range is. Apple claims its new 6-core CPU, found across the entire iPhone 13 range, is up to 50% faster than the competition and on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. A new 5-core Apple-designed GPU also joins this CPU, said to deliver the same percentage speed upgrades. During everyday tasks, these speed boosts, along with the ProMotion technology, makes this handset super responsive and slick. Improvements that are even more noticeable when playing graphic-heavy games, like Fornite or streaming high-quality content from Netflix. The refresh rate on the iPhone 13 Pro Max coupled with the processor speed increases offer a super smooth, super-fast experience, and we couldn’t fault it. Over 4G and Wi-Fi. iPhone 13 Pro Max set-up With the iPhone 13 range, Apple has made the straightforward, step-by-step nature of its setup process even easier. In addition to guiding you through every stage, from transferring files to enabling Siri and setting up FaceID, Apple now makes it easier to back up and manage your data. Until now, if you didn’t have enough storage on your device to back up your files, photos, and more, you’d have to manually remove items in order to get them moved over to the new phone. Now, Apple lets anyone switching to iPhone use as much iCloud Backup space as they need during setup. The company even lets you keep your data in this iCloud Backup for three weeks to give you the chance to manage your on-device storage. Apple has also made it easier to move Photo albums, files and folders, and Accessibility settings to your new iPhone if you’re coming over from Android, thanks to the improved Move to iOS app. You don’t need to have an Apple ID to get this phone set up. However, if you want to copy over apps, settings or access the full range of iOS 15 features, you will eventually need to sign in or set one up. This can be done easily enough in Settings. Our verdict: should you buy iPhone 13 Pro Max? In the same way that the iPhone 13 mini occupies a relatively niche audience, the iPhone 13 Pro Max won’t appeal to everybody. In fact, it won’t appeal to most people. It’s huge, it’s expensive, and on paper, it’s not a huge leap from the cheaper iPhone 13 Pro. Few of us can warrant spending more than £1,000 for a phone, but – and it’s a big but – for those who can, this is the best phone money can buy. Its huge screen is clear, vibrant and perfect for both streaming and working where needed. Its high price means the Pro Max comes with a wide and varied range of hardware and software features that outdo all the competition. Its superior battery life and larger display separate it substantially from the iPhone 13 Pro. There is enough about the iPhone 13 Pro Max to warrant an upgrade on last year’s Pro Max model, too. If you can afford it, and you’re of the opinion that “the larger the screen, the better”, this is an obvious choice. Our rating: Features: 5/5 Screen quality: 5/5 Design: 5/5 Camera: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Overall rating: 5/5 Where to buy iPhone 13 Pro Max The iPhone 13 Pro Max is available at a number of UK retailers, with prices starting at £1,049. £1,049 at Amazon £1,049 at Argos £1,049 at John Lewis £1,049 at AO undefined For more product guides and reviews, head to the Technology section. Looking for more on Apple? Try our best iPhone guide or read our Apple Watch 7 review.
It may fall short of its other iPad siblings, but the iPad 2021 is leagues ahead of external competition, all for an affordable price.
From the iPad Mini all the way up to the iPad Pro, there are numerous ways in 2021 to buy an Apple tablet, with various storage, colours and connectivity options. The range has grown so far and so wide over the years that just for the iPad Pro alone, there are as many as 20 combinations to choose from. Yet while smaller, larger, lighter and more colourful iPads have all made their debut, Apple has remained true to the original – a tablet simply called iPad. The latest of which was launched at an event in September 2021. In our iPad review, we look at how well the 10.2-inch tablet performs both as a standalone tablet and in comparison to its siblings and assess whether there is enough about this device to make it an obvious choice when it’s surrounded by so much of its own competition. Jump to: iPad (2021) review: summary What is the iPad? How much is the iPad? iPad features iPad screen quality iPad design iPad set-up iPad battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy iPad (2021) review: summary Price: £319 (64GB, Wi-Fi); £439 (64GB, Wi-Fi and Cellular); £459 (256GB, Wi-Fi), £579 (256GB, Wi-Fi and Cellular) Key features: 10.2-inch Retina display iPad powered by iPad iOS 15 TouchID sensor built into a physical Home button Support for the first-generation Apple Pencil (£119, sold separately) 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera with support for Center Stage, plus an 8MP rear-facing Wide sensor Apple App Store gives access to millions of entertainment and productivity tools, games, TV shows, music, podcasts, books, notes, reminders and more Can be used for browsing, streaming, games, drawing, and note taking (when used with the Apple Pencil) and as a laptop monitor (when used with an Apple keyboard, sold separately) HomeKit app allows you to control compatible smart devices via the tablet Voice support for Siri and the Apple HomePod Pros: Punches well above its entry-level price tag Easy to set up and use, especially for existing Apple customers Slim design Cons: Runs on older processor technology Lacks the specs and design features of its siblings What is the iPad (2021)? The iPad was one of two tablets launched at Apple’s September 2021 event, alongside the iPad Mini 6 and four handsets in the iPhone 13 range. It’s the ninth time Apple had refreshed the iPad since the original in 2010, yet it’s only the third to be released with the larger 10.2-inch display. Until 2019, the iPad always measured 9.7-inch. The iPad has always been the cheapest way to buy a large – as opposed to a mini – Apple tablet, and it comes with a number of cheaper, entry-level specifications in comparison. The 2021 model runs on the older A13 Bionic Chip, whereas the current iPad Air runs on the A14, and the latest iPad Mini 6 is powered by the A15. The 2021 iPad still has a physical Home button with TouchID built-in; the majority of the range has switched to on-screen controls and FaceID. The 2021 iPad still has a Lightning Connector, whereas the rest of the range has been upgraded to USB-C, and it’s missing support for the most recent Apple Pencil (although it does support the first-generation model). On the rear of the tablet is an 8MP Wide sensor, and on the front is a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with support for Center Stage. With Center Stage, the camera remains fixed on you and your face as you make video calls or join conferences. This means you can walk around the room, and it will follow you. It even widens automatically when new people enter the scene. Center Stage was introduced on the iPad Pro 2021 but is now available on the iPad Mini 6 as well as the 2021 iPad. Software-wise, the launch of the ninth-generation iPad coincided with the release of iPad OS 15 – the tablet-friendly version of the standard iOS mobile software. What does the iPad (2021) do? Media streaming with the Apple TV app. This app can be used to control Apple TV streaming boxes. It is also where video content purchased from the iTunes store is found and acts as a hub to find and watch Apple TV Plus shows (for subscribers) Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ are available from the Apple App Store, as are millions of apps from games to fitness and more Apple Books and Podcasts have their own apps, as does the iTunes Store GarageBand, iMovie, Numbers, Keynote, Pages and Files are pre-installed The iPad can be used to control and manage smart home devices via HomeKit, it also supports voice controls for Siri and the Apple HomePod iCloud support Support for the first-generation Apple Pencil (sold separately for £89) turns the iPad into a notebook and sketch pad, and it can also be used to write in any entry field on browsers, apps and more Available in grey and silver How much is the iPad (2021)? The iPad comes in two storage sizes – 64GB and 256GB – and is available with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular. The prices, when bought directly from Apple, are as follows: iPad 64GB storage with Wi-Fi: £319 iPad 64GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular: £439 iPad 256GB storage with Wi-Fi: £459 iPad 256GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular: £579 You can also buy the iPad from the following places: From £319 at Currys From £319 at Amazon From £319 at John Lewis From £319 at Argos From £319 at AO From £319 at Very Is the iPad (2021) good value for money? With the launch of the latest, larger and more expensive iPad Mini 6, the iPad 2021 is now not only the cheapest way to buy a large-screen Apple tablet, but it’s also the cheapest way to buy an Apple tablet full stop. The sacrifice you make for the iPad’s lower price is lower specifications. However, even running an older chip and not using Apple’s flagship display technology or cameras, the iPad is still a superb device. It’s head and shoulder above similar-sized rivals, and it comes with a host of software improvements that means, in reality, this tablet feels much more flagship than it should. The iPad is fantastic value for money, and you get much more than what you pay for or what the on-paper technical details suggest. iPad (2021) features Like all iPads, the 2021 10.2-inch tablet runs on iPad OS. iPad OS is a slightly redesigned version of the iOS software seen on iPhones. It comes with the same features and apps seen on iOS but adds a number of tablet-friendly tweaks and additions to make apps render properly and to make better use of the larger screen when it comes to creative and productivity tasks. To accommodate the latter further, the iPad and the current iPad OS 15 are compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil. This latest-generation software offers a host of multitasking features, including Split View and Center Window, which helps you see all of your tasks at a glance while also focusing or prioritising certain jobs. The Widgets and App Library have been redesigned to make them easier to use and control, and iPad OS 15 comes with a new shelf that lets you see all the open windows for an app and quickly switch between them – akin to adding tabs on a browser. Apple’s App Store on iPadOS comes with the same range of millions of apps available on iOS. The tablet also comes with a number of Apple apps installed by default, including Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, Books, GarageBand, News, Clips, iMovie, Fitness, Health, Voice Memos, Reminders, Notes, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Files, and a university app called iTunes U. During our testing, we found that some third-party apps don’t render well on the larger screen – Instagram being the worst offender – but this isn’t a fault of Apple and is down to individual developers. The downside to having loads of pre-installed apps is that they use up the built-in storage, and Apple doesn’t let you physically expand the storage on any of its products. You can remove any or all of these apps, or you can pay for up to 2TB of iCloud storage, but this either takes time or comes with an extra cost. This is even more of a pain when you consider that the iPad 2021 only offers two relatively low storage options – 64GB and 256GB. Through the iTunes app, you can get access to millions of TV shows, films, and songs via the iTunes Store. This is where you’ll find any previously purchased content stored in your iCloud account. By connecting the iPad to an existing iCloud account means you’ll also get full access to all your settings, photos, videos, downloads and more on every device linked to the same account. This is great if buying this tablet for a family member or if you’re using it as an on-the-go alternative to your MacBook or similar. Security-wise, Apple has stuck with a physical Home button on the front of the latest iPad and has embedded a TouchID sensor inside. There is no FaceID module or notch on this tablet. Other hardware features include a 12MP front-facing Ultra Wide camera and a Wide 8MP rear camera. Apple knows that people don’t buy iPads for their camera technology, and the fact that the rear sensor on the new iPad is so average, relatively, is testament to this. Although you have to pay extra for it, a standout feature of the iPad is support for the Apple Pencil. The first-generation Pencil doesn’t quite come with gesture controls seen on the second, more advanced model, but it still supports the ability to handwrite in any type box, known as Scribble to iPad. This means that if you don’t want to fiddle with the on-screen keyboard or a physical one for that matter, you can simply handwrite Google searches, fill in forms and more using the Pencil. The software then converts it to text. The iPad is also compatible with Smart Keyboard. iPad (2021) screen quality While its siblings, including the iPad Mini, use Liquid Retina displays, Apple has opted for the original Retina technology for the 2021 iPad. This means it’s not quite as bright as the more expensive models, but it still packs a hefty punch when watching HD content and playing games. Plus, the difference is barely noticeable when the two technologies are placed side-by-side, so this is more for reference than for critique. For the first time, the 10.2-inch iPad comes with Apple’s True Tone technology. This technology automatically adjusts the display to the colour temperature of the room you’re in and, while this sounds insignificant, it makes TV shows, games, and more look more realistic. The majority of the remaining display specs are near-on identical to those seen on the iPad Air, despite the latter starting at £579. The 2021 iPad has a resolution of 2160 x1620 at 264 PPI and up to 500 nits of brightness. It has the same fingerprint-resistant coating but lacks the anti-reflective technology, which lowers the viewing angles of the iPad a tad. iPad (2021) design The size of the 2021 is the same as last year’s model, but it comes in at around 3g lighter, at 487g. The Wi-Fi and Cellular model is marginally heavier (498g), but this is to be expected in order to accommodate the extra components. Neither feels heavy or uncomfortable to hold for long periods. Design-wise, the iPad is only available in Space Grey and Silver. This is in stark contrast to the host of colours available on the iPad Air and iPad Mini, which have five and four finishes, respectively. It is equal to those offered on the iPad Pro range, though. We always feel that offering a wide range of colours is pointless because the colour is covered if you’re adding a case or keyboard folio. This lack of colourways certainly wouldn’t be a reason not to buy the iPad 2021. The tablet is well-balanced and easy to hold, but it feels bulkier than the iPad Air and even the iPad Pro. This is because extra space is needed for the physical Home button. As is the case with most iPads, the bezels are larger than those seen on rival tablets, and this is particularly the case on the iPad. In terms of ports, the iPad has a Lightning connector rather than USB-C. However, Apple does ship a USB-C adaptor in the box. This isn’t necessarily a mark against the iPad; the iPhone 13 phones all still use Lightning Connectors, but we can’t imagine this will be the case for much longer as the rest of the ecosystem switches to the faster, USB-C ports. iPad (2021) set-up Apple makes it incredibly easy to set up iPads, iPhones and Macs by walking you through each step. If you’re already an Apple customer, the process is even easier because once you’ve signed in using your Apple ID, the tablet will automatically pull in all of your existing settings and app downloads and will sync all relevant data from your latest backup. Through this step-by-step guide, you are given the option of setting up or disabling, TouchID, Siri and sharing settings. At any point, you can skip these steps and manually set them up via the Settings menu at your convenience. If you’re not already an Apple customer, you’ll need to create an Apple ID and manually download the apps you want. Apple has created an Android switching feature, though, which helps you switch from one software to another with ease, so even this setup process is straightforward. iPad (2021) battery life and performance Apple promises up to ten hours of surfing the web or watching video over Wi-Fi, which drops to nine hours when you’re connected to a mobile network. During our review, it lived up to these promises. In our looping video test, in which we play an HD video on repeat until the battery dies, the 2021 iPad went from full to flat in 10 hours and 15 minutes. In real-world use, however, it lasted much longer. Over the course of a day, we used the 10.2-inch iPad in the way we would typically do. This involved playing SimCity, watching TikTok, a handful of video conference calls – for which the Center Stage feature came into its own – as well as writing and editing on Google Docs. For the latter, we used the on-screen keyboard and the Apple Pencil. The iPad lasted all day and was still going first thing in the morning. We didn’t have to plug it in to charge until 10am, meaning it lasted a total of 27 hours. Although the iPad runs on an older processor, we never once struggled to do anything we wanted to do with this tablet. This is likely because the hardware has been optimised to work as efficiently as possible with the iPad OS software. Apple reports that the A13 Bionic delivers a 20 per cent performance boost over the A12 Bionic found in the 8th-generation iPad. It claims that this makes it “up to 3x more powerful than the bestselling Chromebook and up to 6x faster than the bestselling Android tablet.” Although we weren’t able to confirm these claims, we can confirm that the iPad is incredibly fast when multitasking and switching between apps. The tablet never overheated either, even when we were streaming video. Plus, connections to Bluetooth devices such as the Apple Pencil and our Powerbeats Pro never faltered. Our verdict: should you buy the iPad (2021)? In the wider iPad ecosystem, the iPad falls short – at least on paper – in terms of speed, power and specs. It’s running an older processor, it’s using lower-spec camera technology, and it’s still carrying features, such as TouchID and the Lightning Connector, that other iPads largely ditched many moons ago. However, in the wider tablet market, the iPad is miles ahead. Especially at this price point. It’s incredibly well designed and sleek. It’s powerful and lasts all day. Support for Apple Pencil (albeit just the first-generation) is welcomed and highly useful, and we never once felt like we were using outdated hardware. If you’re looking for an iPad, and you aren’t a power user, then this is the iPad for the masses. Our rating: Features: 4/5 Screen quality: 4/5 Design: 4/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 4/5 Overall rating: 3.5/5 Where to buy the iPad (2021) The iPad (2021) is available from a number of UK retailers. From £319 at Currys From £319 at Amazon From £319 at John Lewis From £319 at Argos From £319 at AO From £459 at Very undefined For more Apple product guides and reviews, head to our Technology section or read our iPhone 13 review. Looking for present ideas? Check out our tech gifts guide.
The iPad Mini is back for 2021 – and it’s bigger and better than ever.
It’s been almost a decade since Apple unveiled the first iPad mini at an October launch event back in 2012. In that time, the tech giant has released five successors – the most recent of which, dubbed iPad mini (6th generation), made its debut in September 2021. Unlike the iPhone and larger iPads that are refreshed annually, the iPad mini hasn’t seen as much love from Apple. It hasn’t had anywhere near as many upgrades, and we’ve been waiting since 2019 to see a refreshed model. The wait was so long, relatively, that we half expected to have seen the last of the iPad mini range with the iPad mini 5. Yet, in true Apple style, the brand threw us a curveball. The iPad mini 6 is notably different in a number of ways yet still stays true to the pocket format. In our sixth-generation iPad mini review, we put Apple’s curveball to the test to see if there is still a place for a smaller iPad. Especially one that costs as much as it does, and similarly sized tablets are available for a lot less. We make comparisons to the iPad mini 5 throughout this review, but if you’re keen to delve more into the details of the now-discontinued tablet from 2019, head to our iPad mini 5 review. Jump to: iPad mini 6 review: summary What is the iPad mini 6? How much is the iPad mini 6? iPad mini 6 features iPad mini 6 screen quality iPad mini 6 camera iPad mini 6 design iPad mini 6 set-up iPad mini 6 battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy iPad mini 6 review: summary Price: Wi-Fi only: £479 (64GB), £619 (256GB); Wi-Fi and Cellular: £619 (64GB), £759 (256GB) Latest Deals Key features 8.3-inch Retina display iPad powered by Apple’s iPad OS TouchID sensor built into the physical Home button Support for the second-generation Apple Pencil (sold separately) 12MP Wide camera with True Tone flash Ultra-Wide FaceTime HD camera with Center Stage Built-in Siri voice controls Up to 256GB storage Pre-installed apps and the Apple App Store give you access to a host of entertainment and productivity tools, including games, TV shows, music, podcasts, books, notes, reminders and more Can be used for browsing, streaming, games, drawing, and note taking HomeKit app allows you to control compatible smart devices via the tablet Pros Great leaps in performance and battery life Bright, sharp and vibrant display Beautiful design with easy-to-use controls Support for Apple Pencil (second-generation) Cons Most expensive iPad mini model ever Feels fragile/not very robust What is the iPad mini 6? The sixth-generation iPad mini – often referred to as iPad mini 6 or iPad mini (2021) – is the latest small-form tablet to join the iPad lineup. Revealed at an event in September 2021 alongside a new iPad and the iPhone 13 range, the iPad mini 6 is both larger and more expensive than any of the mini models that have come before. On the same day, Apple discontinued the previous fifth-generation iPad mini/iPad mini 5, although you can still buy this tablet from third-party retailers. In the two years between the iPad mini 5’s release and Apple debuting the iPad mini 6, a number of features have seen significant upgrades. For the first time, the iPad mini comes with an 8.3-inch display, up from the 7.9-inch screens seen on all previous minis. The rear camera has been upgraded from 8MP to 12MP, akin to that seen on the iPhone 13 devices, while the front camera now has a 12MP Ultra Wide lens (up from 7MP) and supports a feature called Center Stage. Center Stage allows the front-facing camera to remain fixed on you and your face as you make video calls or join conferences. This means you can walk around the room, and it will follow your every move, even widening automatically when new people enter the scene. Center Stage was introduced on the iPad Pro (2021) but is now available on the iPad mini 6 as well as the 2021 iPad. Underneath the hood, the iPad mini 6 is powered by the A15 Bionic Chip. This is the most substantial improvement made to this most recent model and is three generations of chip processing power and speed better than the A12 found on the iPad mini 5. You can read more about this in our battery life and performance section below, but the A15 Bionic Chip brings significant benefits. It’s so cutting-edge, it’s the same chip found in Apple’s newest flagship phones. This, along with its larger size, goes some way to justifying the price increase from £399 on the iPad mini 5 up to £479 for the latest model. You can buy the iPad mini 6 with Wi-Fi only or with Wi-Fi and cellular. The latter starts at £619, and not only does this mean you’re paying more for the tablet itself, but you’ll also need to pay extra for a mobile contract if you want to take full advantage of the cellular capabilities. For many, being able to use the iPad mini 6 on the go will be a dealbreaker but, based on our experiences, save yourself the hassle – and £140 – by buying the Wi-Fi model and hotspotting off your phone. The iPad mini 6 is available with 64GB or 256GB storage. This follows suit from the iPad mini 5 but is limited in comparison to all the iPad mini models that came before. Each of those models offered 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. As with all Apple products, there is no option to expand this storage via microSD. You can only upgrade this storage virtually via iCloud for an extra monthly fee. Elsewhere, the iPad mini 6 offers support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, which is sold separately. What does iPad mini 6 do? Ultra-Wide, FaceTime HD camera offers support for Center Stage Media streaming with the Apple TV app, which acts as a remote control for Apple TV streaming boxes; a library for any video content purchased from the iTunes store; and a hub to find and watch Apple TV Plus shows (for subscribers) Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ available from the Apple App Store, as are thousands of gaming, entertainment, health and wellbeing apps Apple Books and Podcasts have their own apps, as does the iTunes Store iPad mini additionally comes with Apple’s pre-installed apps, including Books, Files, Find My, Photo Booth, Safari, Translate, Voice Memos and more It additionally comes with free apps including Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, GarageBand, Apple Store, Clips, Swift Playgrounds and Support The iPad mini can be used to control and manage smart home devices via HomeKit iCloud support means you can sync all content, purchases, and downloads across multiple Apple devices, including Macs, other iPads and iPhones Support for the second-generation Apple Pencil (sold separately for £119) turns the iPad mini into a notebook and sketchpad How much is iPad mini 6? The iPad mini comes in two storage sizes – 64GB and 256GB – and is available with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular. The prices, when bought directly from Apple, are as follows: iPad mini 64GB storage with Wi-Fi: £479 iPad mini 64GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular: £619 iPad mini 256GB storage with Wi-Fi: £619 iPad mini 256GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular: £759 You can also buy the iPad mini from the following places: Currys: From £479 Very: £479 Amazon: From £469 John Lewis: From £399 Argos: From £479 AO.com: From £479 Is the iPad mini 6 good value for money? The iPad mini has historically been a relatively affordable way to enter the Apple tablet market. At its previous price of £399, it could never be described as cheap, but by coming in under the £400 mark, it at least felt attainable. With its latest refresh, Apple has pushed the price up to £479 for the entry-level model, and this feels like a substantial difference. As with all Apple products, you do ultimately get what you pay for. The amount of tech that is now inside the iPad mini 6, not to mention its larger size, means that it wouldn’t have made economic sense for Apple to price it the same as its smaller, less powerful predecessors. Yet, this also means it will price it out of reach for many, too. If you can afford this increase, and you don’t need all the bells and whistles that come with the larger iPads in the range, then the iPad mini is a fantastic device. You’ll get the most value for money if you’re an existing Apple customer, but even if you’re not, there is enough here to hit the sweet spot of functionality and portability. It’s also head and shoulders above its rivals, meaning you’re unlikely to be disappointed with your (albeit extravagant) purchase. iPad mini 6 features Anything the iPhone can do, the iPad mini can do better. Well, almost. By running on iPad OS, the tablet version of the regular mobile iOS, the iPad mini 6 comes with all the same apps and many of the same features seen on even the most recent iPhones. Granted, it doesn’t have Cinematic Mode or Photographic Styles seen on the iPhone 13. Nor does it come with quite the level of technical power and specs as the iPhone 13 Pro range. However, with the recent camera upgrades and the addition of the A15 Bionic Chip, it can certainly give earlier iPhones more than a run for their money. On the other hand, the larger screen and support for Apple Pencil open up a huge number of use cases that aren’t possible on any of the phones. Of course, you’re unlikely to buy one or the other. They address different needs, but we make the comparison to show just how far the technology on the iPad mini 6 has come. It offers the full catalogue of apps via the Apple App Store and, if you’re an existing Apple customer, you can connect your iPad mini 6 to your iCloud account. This means you’ll get full access to all your settings, downloads, shows, games, purchases and more on every device. And this access is constantly synced across these devices. For Non-Apple customers, it just means you’ll have to manually add the apps you want as you go. As with all Apple products, the iPad mini 6 comes preloaded with a whole host of Apple apps and services, plus a selection from Apple’s partners. This includes Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, Books, GarageBand, Swift Playground, and News on the entertainment and hobby side of things. It has Clips and iMovie video creation and editing tools; Fitness and Health apps to keep track of all things exercise, health and wellbeing; plus productivity apps including Voice Memos, Reminders, Notes, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and Files. The downside to all these free tools is that they take up a large chunk of storage. 15GB, to be precise. This does include the operating system, but if you’re looking at getting the 64GB model, that’s almost a third of the storage gone in one fell swoop. It is possible to remove as many or as few of these apps as you like, so if you’ve got a lot of your own apps, files, photos and more to sync, you might want to be particular about what you keep. Surprisingly, Apple has stuck with Touch ID for the iPad mini 6, rather than introducing the Face ID features seen on almost every other device. On the iPad mini 6, the Touch ID sensor has been embedded into the Power button (as it is on the iPad Air), and it’s done away with the physical Home button entirely. For us, as iPhone users, the removal of this button for on-screen controls is familiar. However, our toddler struggles to use the iPad mini 6 as easily as he did the iPad mini 5. He often swipes apps away or moves between them accidentally, and it’s been a steeper learning curve for him. The iPad mini 5 was the first to support the Apple Pencil, and we’re thrilled to see that the iPad mini 6 has not only carried over this support but that it now supports the Apple Pencil 2. While the original Apple Pencil is a great accessory, it lacks some of the smarter gesture controls as seen on the latest, second-gen model, and this meant we were missing certain productivity gains when using it with the iPad mini 5. Thankfully, all of these gains are back with the iPad mini 6 and Apple Pencil 2. We knocked a point off the score of the iPad mini’s features because, while it offers a whole lot, it’s missing some of the fantastic photography additions recently made to the iPhone range. Plus, not all app developers have rendered their apps to suit the larger screen yet. This isn’t Apple’s fault, of course, but it does lessen the quality and experience at times. iPad mini 6 screen quality Aside from the larger display on the iPad mini 6 – 8.3-inch up from the iPad mini 5’s 7.9-inch – the screen quality has also had an upgrade. For the first time on an iPad mini, the screen panel uses Liquid Retina Display technology. This, alongside True Tone and support for the P3 wide colour gamut, as well as a new anti-reflective screen, makes the iPad mini 6 display super bright and vibrant. Text is sharp and clear, and the contrast is great, which means that whether you’re playing games, watching Squid Game or reading via the Kindle app, you’ll get the content as it was intended. All without having to find the perfect angle to watch from. Apple claims the anti-reflective screen coating gives this tablet the “lowest reflectivity in the industry” – at 1.8%. It is noticeably less reflective than our iPhone, our iPad mini 5 and other Apple devices we own, and this means it’s great for use in brightly lit rooms or when outside. This all combines to put the iPad mini leagues above the displays found on rival 8-inch tablets, particularly those from Amazon. iPad mini 6 design Despite being packed full of new technology, from a faster processor to a more efficient battery and improved camera sensors, the iPad mini 6 is still remarkably thin and light. In fact, it’s only 0.2mm thicker than the iPad mini 5, at 6.3mm. All while being lighter than the iPad mini 5. Although the difference is marginal and barely noticeable in hand, this is a technological achievement, and we’re impressed. Apple always makes well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing products, and the iPad mini 6 is no exception. It’s comfortable to hold, even for long periods, and it’s lightweight enough to be portable. The outer enclosure is made from aluminium which gives it a premium, luxury feel but, due to the combination of its size and lightweight design, it does make it feel like the iPad mini 6 could break easily should it be dropped. As a result, and as is the case with all Apple products, we do recommend you buy a case or stand to absorb any damage. Although the display is advertised as 8.3-inch because of the curved corners of the device, the actual viewing display is a tad smaller than this. The bezels are also noticeably large and a little intrusive, but the benefit to this is that it’s comfortable to hold without worrying you’ll knock the screen. On the plus side, however, and despite the larger display, the iPad mini 6 is noticeably smaller than the iPad mini 5. This is because the latter had to make room around the edges for the physical Home button. Port-wise, the iPad mini 6 has a USB-C port. Then there is a power button, which can also be used to enable Siri, on the top of the device, with the volume buttons sitting on the top edge, to the right. The speakers sit on either side of the charging port at the bottom and between these buttons on the top. This makes the sound feel much more immersive and less tinny than previous models. Colour-wise, the iPad mini 6 is available in four new finishes – Purple, Pink, Starlight, and Space Gray. iPad mini 6 camera Few of us will likely buy an iPad, or any tablet for that matter, purely for its camera technology. However, with the upgrades seen on the iPad mini 6, we wanted to give Apple a nod for the photography improvements seen on this new tablet. The rear-facing 12MP camera does, for the first time on an iPad mini, let you shoot in 4K. It also takes beautiful, detail-rich photos thanks to an improved lens and sensor, as well as Apple’s hardware and software integration. The portability and lightweight nature of iPad mini 6 makes this tablet much more suited to taking videos and photos on the go, and it comes with modes Apple fans will be familiar with, including Panorama, Slo-mo video, Burst mode, and time-lapse. Sadly, it doesn’t come with some of the photography improvements seen on the iPhone 13 range, such as Cinematic Mode or Photography Styles. However, it’s the front-facing, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage that has really caught our attention. It allows us to make video calls more easily while cooking dinner, for example, or while chasing our toddler around the room. We don’t have to be constantly moving the angle for our family members to see us. The quality of the camera is great for video conferences, too, and we no longer take our laptop with us when we’re working on the go. We can do everything we need to do on the iPad mini 6. iPad mini 6 set-up If you’re an Apple fan and already have Apple products in your home, you’ll know the drill when it comes to setting up the iPad mini 6. Even if you’re not, though, a step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of connecting the tablet to your Wi-Fi, adding TouchID fingerprints, setting up Siri voice controls and enabling various Privacy settings. You can choose to set the iPad up manually, or use a backup. If you’re an existing Apple customer, the latter simply means signing in to your account. However, if you’re setting this tablet up for a child or as a new device, you can also skip this sign in step and add all the appropriate apps and settings manually. If you’re not an existing Apple customer, you’ll be asked to create an Apple ID. Technically you don’t need an Apple ID to use the device, but if you want to add any apps or take advantage of many of the Apple features, you’ll eventually need one. iPad mini 6 battery life and performance On one hand, Apple claims the iPad mini 6 has ‘all-day’ battery life. However, when you delve a little deeper, this is listed more specifically as 10 hours. Not really what we’d describe as ‘all-day’, and a claim that falls a little short of the 24 hours we expected. In reality, though, the battery lasts somewhere in between. In our looping video test, in which we play an HD video on repeat at 70% brightness and with aeroplane mode enabled, the iPad mini 6 took a little under 11 hours to go from full charge to flat. Yet, when we used the tablet as we would normally do – which includes a couple of hours of browsing, half an hour playing SimCity, around five hours of Spotify and some TikTok – the iPad mini 6 did actually last all day. We didn’t have to plug it in to charge until the following morning. While this is impressive, the biggest draw of the iPad mini 6 for us is just how fast and powerful it is. It’s noticeably slicker than the iPad mini 5 and on par with our iPhone 13 Pro Max. This is because it’s running on the same A15 Bionic chip found in the latest handsets. This not only increases power efficiency – which explains the great battery life – but it also powers a host of intense tasks, such as editing 4K videos and playing immersive games. The iPad mini 6 has a new 6-core CPU alongside a 5-core GPU, plus a 16-core Neural Engine and machine learning accelerators. Apple claims that the A15 Bionic chip delivers a 40 per cent increase in performance over the previous iPad mini and why we can’t quantify this, we can confirm that it’s a powerhouse. Our verdict: should you buy the iPad mini 6? As always seems to be the case with each iteration of the iPad mini, the iPad mini 6 was worth the wait. In the wider iPad and iPhone range, the iPad mini 6 always felt like an entry-level device that was lacking in a number of places but which had a relatively low price to match. Yes, Apple has increased the price of the iPad mini 6, but it’s also significantly ramped up the specs to warrant this increase. Whereas previous models have been best suited for entertainment, the power improvements on the iPad mini 6 make it much more suitable for productivity, creative and work tasks – suitability that is bolstered by support for the second-generation Apple Pencil and its larger screen. This will increase its appeal to a broader audience. By increasing the screen size, Apple has also helped distance the iPad mini from its range of iPhones. Previous models were marginally larger and often came with far lower specs, so it was tricky to justify buying both. Performance-wise, this tablet can do almost anything you want it to do. Hardware-wise, it’s easy-to-hold, easy-to-use and versatile. The price is the only real sticking point, but if you can afford it, you – and/or your kids – will be getting a lot of bang for your buck. Rating: Features: 4/5 Screen quality: 5/5 Camera: 4/5 Design: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 5/5 Overall rating: 4.5/5 Where to buy iPad mini 6 The new iPad mini is available at a range of UK retailers. From £479 at Currys From £479 at Very From £469 at Amazon From £479 at John Lewis From £479 at Argos From £479 at AO.com Want to compare it to the competition? Read our best tablet and best Android tablet guides, or head to our Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 review. For more reviews, take a look at our Technology section.
Find out our expert's thoughts as we put the new, smallest iPhone to the test.
After years of phones growing larger and wider, Apple broke the mould in 2020 with the launch of the iPhone 12 mini – a 5.4-inch entry-level version of its 6.1-inch iPhone 12. Not only did the launch increase the number of new handsets to four – alongside the iPhone 12, the 12 Pro and the 12 Pro Max – it created a new revenue stream by appealing to a new audience. An audience that doesn’t want to spend more than a grand for a flagship phone, and one that doesn’t want a giant, cumbersome phone bulging out of their pocket or bag. It was a launch that seemingly paid off. According to Apple’s quarterly earnings for the period following the launch in September 2020, iPhone sales were up more than 18% year-on-year. This explains why Apple recently released a follow-up at its September 2021 event, called the iPhone 13 mini. For the past month, we’ve been putting the iPhone 13 mini to the test to see how it both performs on its own, and how it compares to other handsets in the iPhone 13 range. You can read our thoughts on its siblings in our iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro reviews. Jump links to: iPhone 13 mini review: summary What is the iPhone 13 mini? How much is the iPhone 13 mini? iPhone 13 mini features iPhone 13 mini design iPhone 13 mini screen quality iPhone 13 mini camera iPhone 13 mini battery life and performance iPhone 13 mini set-up Our verdict Where to buy iPhone 13 mini review: summary The iPhone 13 mini offers almost flagship features for an entry-level price – but its smaller display won’t suit everybody. Price: £679 (128GB); £779 (256GB); £979 (512GB) Key features: 5.4-inch, Super Retina XDR display with Ceramic Shield protection IP68 (waterproof for 30 mins up to 6 metres) iOS 15 5G Apple A15 Bionic Chip with 16-core Neural Engine 12MP dual‑camera system on the rear, with Wide and Ultra-Wide sensors 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front with support for FaceID Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles 17-hour battery life (video playback), 55-hour battery life (audio playback) MagSafe and Qi wireless charging up to 15W Pros Clear and vibrant display Takes professional-looking photos, especially in low light Great battery life for such a small device Fantastic value for money Cons 5.4-inch display not well suited to streaming or gaming It feels cheaper than its price would suggest What is iPhone 13 mini? The iPhone 13 mini is the smallest, cheapest handset in the wider iPhone 13 range. It’s closest in design, features and price to the iPhone 13, and both lack the high-end, “professional” specs of the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. As the successor to the iPhone 12 mini, released in September 2020, the iPhone 13 mini comes with many of the same specifications. It has the same 5.4-inch, True Tone, Ceramic Shield display. Little separates the camera hardware; the measurements are near-on identical, and both handsets have the same IP68 waterproof rating. Yet the iPhone 13 mini is far more powerful, more energy-efficient, and it comes with software improvements that well and truly set it apart. Firstly, the iPhone 13 mini runs on Apple’s “fastest, most efficient processor ever”, the A15 Bionic Chip. This chip has a new 16-core Neural Engine – alongside a 6-core CPU and new 4-core GPU – in a system that’s been built to make the 13 mini (and the rest of the iPhone 13 range) better equipped at handling more intense AI and machine learning tasks. In particular, this makes the entire range well equipped for streaming HD video and playing games. This processor and the rest of the iPhone 13 mini hardware has been optimised to work with the latest generation operating system, iOS 15. This helps boost its power and ability to handle intense tasks, all while improving how long the phone lasts between charges. There are also new storage options, new video and photography modes, and a host of new software features in iOS 15. There is a Wide and Ultra Wide sensor on the rear in the 12MP dual-camera system, accompanied by a 12MP True Depth sensor on the front. All of which have been optimised to work with iOS 15 and support new modes, including Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles. These new software additions help you take better and more professional looking photos and films. What does iPhone 13 mini do? Media streaming with the Apple TV app installed by default. This app acts as a remote control for Apple TV streaming boxes; a library for video content purchased from the iTunes store; and a hub to find and watch Apple TV Plus shows (for subscribers) Takes professional-style photos and up to 4K video thanks to improved dual-camera setup and the new Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles Supports biometric security with FaceID, used to unlock the hardware as well as apps and online accounts Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ are available from the Apple App Store, as are millions of apps Lasts up to 19 hours when watching videos, or up to 75 hours over audio MagSafe compatible, offering peak power wireless charging, up to 15W, alongside support for standard Qi wireless charging hardware iOS 15 brings spatial audio, a new Portrait mode, and new Focus features to help users reduce distractions when working, driving or sleeping, as well as Live Text, which allows users to copy text from images Support for 5G (when available) Smart Data mode saves battery life by automatically shifting iPhone to 4G when 5G speeds aren’t needed The iPhone 13 mini can be used to control and manage smart home devices via HomeKit Cloud support means you can sync content, purchases, and downloads across multiple Apple devices, including Macs, other iPhones and iPads Available in off-white, black, red, blue and pink How much is iPhone 13 mini? The Apple iPhone 13 mini has an RRP of £679 and is available at Apple, Argos and Amazon. undefined Is iPhone 13 mini good value for money? The iPhone mini range is the cheapest and most accessible way into the Apple ecosystem, and it’s been designed for those who don’t want all the bells and whistles of the more expensive handsets but don’t want to make too many sacrifices either. Despite coming in at £100 cheaper than the iPhone 13, the two handsets are almost identical. They have the same operating system, camera setup, processor, and storage and are available in exactly the same colours. Your choice between the two will come down to their two main differences – handset size and battery life. The iPhone 13 Mini has a 5.4-inch display and a cited 17-hour battery life. The iPhone 13 is 6.1-inch and 19 hours. As a result, the iPhone 13 mini is fantastic value for money. It’s full of advanced technology and specs that will suit a large majority of people. And while it might not be the most advanced on the market, it’s not far off, and for a significant amount of money less. iPhone 13 mini features As its name suggests, the iPhone 13 mini takes the vast majority of features seen on the iPhone 13 and presents them in a smaller form. All while offering a number of notable upgrades on its 2020 counterpart, the iPhone 12 mini. Software-wise, the iPhone 13 mini runs on iOS 15 – Apple’s latest generation operating system, and this means it has all of Apple’s latest software advancements. This includes redesigned notifications and Weather app, 3D and AR tools in Apple Maps, and new privacy controls in a number of apps, including Siri and Mail. It also has new Focus features designed to reduce distractions while you work, sleep or spend time with loved ones, and you can now search for photos from the main Search bar: a small but very useful addition. The software has been optimised to work with the new hardware seen across the iPhone 13 range, and this helps boost both the performance of the iPhone 13 mini and maximises its battery life by as much as five hours compared to the iPhone 12 mini. You can read more about this in the iPhone 13 mini Battery section below. Although, on paper, the camera setup looks the same on the iPhone 13 mini as was seen on its predecessor – that is, it has a 12MP Wide and Ultra Wide system on the back, and a True Depth camera on the front – Apple has improved the sensors across the board. It has also introduced two new software-led features called Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles. These are superb, and we explain more about these additions in the iPhone 13 mini camera section below. The phone itself comes with a number of pre-installed Apple apps. These include Camera, Photos, Health, Messages, Mail, Music, Wallet, Safari, Maps, Siri, Calendar, iTunes Store, App Store, Notes, News, Weather, Reminders, Stocks, Calculator, Voice Memos and many more. The new App Library feature from iOS 14 means that these apps are relatively easy to find and manage, although they do take up almost 5GB on their own. This, alongside the 10GB occupied by iOS 15 and System Data, adds up to a loss of 15.1GB before you’ve even got started. This is standard for all phone manufacturers, yet unlike many of its Android rivals, Apple doesn’t let you physically expand the storage on the iPhone 13 mini or any of its devices. In previous handsets, the relatively poor built-in storage options caused issues. Yet with the iPhone 13 range, Apple has doubled storage across the board without charging extra for it, so this complaint feels less significant. The entry-level handset now starts at 128GB, and this rises to 512GB. You can remove any or all of the pre-installed apps or pay for up to 2TB of iCloud storage for an additional cost should you need to. Security-wise, there is a FaceID sensor embedded into the True Depth camera on the front of the device, and this camera and sensor now sit on a slightly smaller, redesigned notch at the top of the display. This notch is definitely more noticeable on the smaller display of the iPhone 13 mini than the rest of the iPhone 13 range, and this can make an, albeit small, difference to viewing and browsing space in apps. iPhone 13 mini design The iPhone 13 mini is a dinky little device. Placed alongside the iPhone 13 Pro Max, it’s comical – and cute – how tiny the iPhone 13 mini looks. It also feels almost like a toy handset in comparison to the larger models. The iPhone 13 mini sits comfortably in our hands, with room to spare, and we don’t have particularly large hands. In one respect, this makes the iPhone 13 look and feel cheaper than it is. However, as soon as you start using the phone and experience just how responsive and smart it is, it’s almost unbelievable how Apple has managed to make such a small and lightweight device with so many tech creds. As mentioned, the notch on the iPhone 13 mini is smaller – by around 20% – than that seen on the iPhone 12 mini. This makes more of a difference on the smaller 5.4-inch display than on any of the larger iPhone 13 phones, and it does reduce the space given to games and videos, but chances are if you’re a big gamer or streamer, you won’t be opting for a small device. So this may be a largely moot point. The iPhone 13 mini is a tad – 7g – heavier than the iPhone 12 mini, but this makes such little difference overall. We’re also willing to make this almost insignificant sacrifice for better battery and power specs. On the rear, the new camera modules are positioned diagonally in the same way that they are on the iPhone 13. On the iPhone 12 mini, these sensors sat one above the other. Although this means very little in the grand scheme of things, it makes the module wider. This means iPhone 12 mini cases won’t fit. In terms of colours, the iPhone 13 mini now comes in Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink and PRODUCT (RED). Proceeds from the sale of the latter go towards AIDS charities. Every other feature is identical to the iPhone 12 mini, including the IP68 water-resistant rating. It has a Lightning port, a power button on the right, which can also be used to enable Siri, and volume buttons on the left. The speakers sit on either side of the charging port. iPhone 13 mini screen quality Although the display is much smaller than that seen on the rest of the iPhone 13 range, the quality is just as good. Surprisingly so. In fact, the iPhone 13 mini has a better PPI (pixel per inch) than the iPhone 13 – 476 versus 460. It uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel and now comes with a peak outdoor brightness of 800 nits. This is 28 per cent higher than on the iPhone 12 mini. When viewing HDR photos or videos, the Super Retina XDR display can even push the brightness up to 1200 nits, making scenes look as close to real-life as we’ve seen on a phone of this size. This is boosted by the iPhone 13 mini’s support for the P3 wide colour gamut and its True Tone technology. The combination of these various features makes games and HD content shine. Plus, because each OLED pixel has its individual light source, it helps make blacks look deeper and darker and helps improve contrast. For the lower price point, you do get a lower 60Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 13 mini display versus the 120Hz seen on the Pro models. Yet, for everyday tasks, you’ll barely notice this. This display is then protected by Apple’s Ceramic Shield technology, which the brand claims gives the iPhone 13 mini four times better durability when dropped. The back glass has also been strengthened through what Apple calls a dual ion-exchange process, making it “the toughest glass on a smartphone.” Despite these assurances, we still prefer to put our handsets in a case. – especially when a phone is as light and feels as fragile as the iPhone 13 mini. We’ve found that the best iPhone cases, in terms of protection and style, are those made by Mous, but Apple also sells a wide range. However, there is a catch. We feel that fantastic and true-to-life display is almost wasted on the iPhone 13 mini because of how small the screen is. We’ve tried using the iPhone 13 mini for streaming Netflix and playing Sim City, and while it’s perfectly capable of doing both, the screen is too small to take full advantage of such activities. iPhone 13 mini camera On the face of it, nothing appears to have changed with the camera setup on the iPhone 13 mini. However, there have been a number of improvements behind the scenes that elevate the quality of the photos and videos taken on this phone. Hardware-wise, the Wide camera now has what Apple describes as the “biggest sensor ever” and which captures 47 per cent more light. The phone also comes with the new sensor-shift optical image stabilisation. This helps make your photos and videos more steady and smooth and is made possible by the way in which the iPhone 13 works with the new neural engine and image processor on the A15 Bionic Chip. There is also a new sensor on the Ultra-Wide camera that reveals more of the dark areas with less noise while capturing four times more scenery. It’s great when taking photos of landscapes or when you don’t have much room or distance from which to take the photo. Software-wise, the iPhone 13 mini is the smallest and cheapest way to access Apple’s new Cinematic Mode. This mode uses what’s known as “rack focus” – a technique used by cinematographers in feature films to guide the viewers’ attention. It automatically switches focus between subjects and adds a depth-of-field effect. Although this sounds like a small change, we were, and continue to be, blown away by just how professional it makes our videos look. There is also a new Photographic Styles feature that can be set before you take each photo and which applies one of four styles – Vibrant, Rich Contrast, Warm, and Cool. As you cycle through these styles, iPhone 13 mini uses a “deep semantic understanding” to apply different adjustments to different parts of photos to change their overall appearance. It’s akin to adding a filter but is much more nuanced and advanced. Instead of washing the whole image with a single filter, Photographic Styles makes adjustments while taking each individual person’s skin tone or lighting and contrast into account. This makes photos look more realistic and highly professional. Elsewhere, the iPhone 13 mini comes with Night mode, Deep Fusion, and HDR video recording with Dolby Vision. The latter now supports 4K at 60 fps on all cameras (up from 4K at 30 fps on the iPhone 12). Night mode helps take even better photos at night, while Deep Fusion captures multiple shots at multiple exposures and “fuses” them together to present the best possible image. On the front of the iPhone 13 mini, the 12MP True Depth camera (which also houses the FaceID sensor) also supports Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles, meaning you can snap and film selfies using these new tools. It similarly supports the same Night mode, Deep Fusion and Dolby Vision HDR recording, up to 4K at 60 fps, as on the rear module. A boon for vloggers. iPhone 13 mini battery and performance The speed and performance of the iPhone 13 instantly impressed us. While it’s not noticeably faster or slower than the rest of the iPhone 13 range, we didn’t expect such a small phone to perform so well. This is because despite being so much smaller than its siblings, it’s still powered by the A15 Bionic Chip. Apple spent a large portion of its launch event bigging up this chip, claiming its new 6-core CPU is up to 50 per cent faster than the competition, “the fastest in any smartphone”, while the new 4-core GPU is up to 30 per cent faster. This setup, alongside a new 16-core Neural Engine, makes the entire iPhone 13 range capable of handling anything we throw at it. Even the compact iPhone 13 mini. We never once experienced a lag while using the phone, not as we switched between apps or ran multiple tasks. We even pushed it to the point where we were playing music through Spotify, had directions running via Google Maps in the background, while playing Sim City in the back of a car, and having the latest episode of Squid Game playing over 4G in a pop-out video. The iPhone 13 mini handled all of this effortlessly, even if it was fiddly to do all of that on a smaller screen. The power boost, combined with the Super Retina Display and support for Dolby Vision, makes gaming quick and responsive, but it’s not as immersive as on the iPhone 13 and above due to the smaller display. In terms of battery life, the iPhone 13 mini also impressed us. Apple claims the handset will last up to 17 hours when watching videos and up to 55 hours when listening to audio. This is up from the 15 and 50-hour claims made, respectively, for the iPhone 12 mini. In our looping video test, in which we play an HD video on repeat at 70% brightness with aeroplane mode enabled, the iPhone mini 13 lasted 17 hours and 20 minutes – on par with Apple’s claims. However, when we used the phone daily, the iPhone 13 mini lasted 23 hours. Our daily use during the testing period included streaming at least one episode of Married at First Sight, sending WhatsApp messages, playing Sim City, watching TikTok and a couple of audio calls. While this is impressive, particularly for a small phone, it falls a little short of what the rest of the iPhone 13 range is capable of, though, which is worth noting. iPhone 13 mini set-up You can set up the iPhone 13 by either signing into the device using your Apple ID, by using Apple’s Move to iOS app if you’re joining from Android, or manually configuring the phone. Whichever route you take, Apple will guide you through setting up, or disabling, FaceID, Siri and sharing settings via a step-by-step guide. With the launch of iOS 15, Apple now additionally lets you temporarily use iCloud Backup to move your data to the new device, even if you’re low on storage. Previously, if you didn’t have sufficient storage either on the handset itself or in the cloud, you’d have to delete apps, remove content and so on to make sure everything was backed up. With this new feature, Apple now gives you as much iCloud space as you need to complete a temporary backup, free of charge, and this lasts for up to three weeks from when you buy the iPhone. Our verdict: should you buy iPhone 13 mini? The iPhone 13 mini has many of the hallmarks of an entry-level device – namely its lower price and smaller size – yet offers a whole host of hardware and software features to make it feel more flagship. It’s powerful, it lasts almost all day, the quality of the photos and videos you can take on it are far and above what we’d expect for an entry-level handset, and it looks great. There is enough about the iPhone 13 mini to warrant an upgrade from last year’s 12 mini. There is even enough about the 13 mini to warrant recommending it over the more expensive iPhone 13. Especially if it’s a smaller handset that you’re after. However, this smaller display does, at times, cause issues. If you’re an avid gamer or use your phone to stream a lot of TV shows and films, you may find the iPhone 13 mini lacking. That’s not to say it can’t handle these tasks; it’s just not seemingly built for them, and you may find yourself wishing you’d bought a larger device. The iPhone 13 mini does come into its own, however, with people looking to enter the world of smartphones. Whether that’s teenagers, and their parents, looking for a way to increase independence and older or less tech-savvy people who have never owned a device like this before. The combination of great design, easy-to-use software and premium tech makes it a great starting point. Our rating: Features: 5/5 Screen quality: 4/5 Design: 4/5 Camera: 4/5 Battery life and performance: 4/5 Set-up: 5/5 Overall rating: 4/5 Where to buy iPhone 13 mini The iPhone 13 mini is available at a number of UK retailers. £679 at Very £679 at Amazon £679 at Currys £679 at AO £679 at Argos undefined Can’t decide which is the best iPhone for you? We’ve put the iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 head-to-head to help you choose.
iPhone 13 Pro review: is this outstanding flagship worth the price?
Find out if the iPhone 13 Pro is worth the investment.
Despite Apple launching four handsets in the iPhone 13 range at its September 2021 event, there is a distinct divide in the group. On the one hand, you have the two entry-level models – the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini – and on the other, you have two flagship models – the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Not only are the Pro models more expensive, but they come with a host of upgrades that improve on what has come before in a way that’s been designed to appeal to a different audience – a Pro audience of Apple power users. The iPhone 13 Pro is the smaller, cheaper of the two Pro models, yet it comes with many of the same features and advancements seen on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. All in a smaller, 6.1-inch design. In this iPhone 13 Pro review, we put the handset to the test to see whether the entry-level Pro is worth the investment. Jump to: iPhone 13 Pro review: summary What is the iPhone 13 Pro? How much is the iPhone 13 Pro? iPhone 13 Pro features iPhone 13 Pro design iPhone 13 Pro screen quality iPhone 13 Pro camera iPhone 13 Pro battery life and performance iPhone 13 Pro set-up Our verdict Where to buy iPhone 13 Pro review: summary Key features: £949 (128GB); £1,049 (256GB); £1,249 (512GB); £1,449 (1TB) 6.1-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion technology and Ceramic Shield protection IP68 (waterproof for 30 mins up to 6 metres) iOS 15 5G connectivity Apple A15 Bionic Chip with 16-core Neural Engine 12MP Pro system on the rear, with Telephoto, Wide and Ultra-Wide sensors 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front with support for FaceID Macro Mode, Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles 22-hour battery life (video playback), 75-hour battery life (audio playback) MagSafe and Qi wireless charging up to 15W Pros: Incredible, professional camera setup Sharp, clear display Responsive and fast Excellent battery life Cons: Expensive Lacks some of the power and battery life of the iPhone 13 Pro Max The iPhone 13 Pro is available to buy SIM-free with prices starting at £949. Latest Deals What is the iPhone 13 Pro? The iPhone 13 Pro is the cheaper of the two “professional” handsets released by Apple at its September 2021 launch event. It sits below the larger, more powerful, more expensive iPhone 13 Pro Max and just above the slightly technologically inferior, more consumer-focused iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini. This means that it has a number of Apple’s most advanced mobile features, but in a form and at a price-point that should make it a tad more accessible. As the successor to the iPhone 12 Pro, released in September 2020, the iPhone 13 Pro has the same 6.1-inch display, fitted with the same Super Retina XDR OLED panel. It also shares the same IP68 waterproof rating. It runs iOS 15, Apple’s latest operating system, and is powered by what Apple calls its “fastest, most efficient” processor – the A15 Bionic Chip with a 16-core Neural Engine, 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU. On the rear is a 12MP camera system that combines a Telephoto lens alongside a wide and ultra-wide sensor. On the front is a 12MP True Depth selfie camera with the FaceID module built-in. Both camera setups have been optimised to support new modes, including Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles. The front-facing camera setup – found in a now-smaller notch at the top of the display – also houses the FaceID sensor that allows you to unlock the device using your face. While the rear camera now offers a Macro Mode. The entire iPhone 13 Pro hardware and software setup is said to have been optimised to help the battery last longer than on last year’s models, and Apple promises an extra 1.5 hours between charges, compared to the iPhone 12 Pro. What does the iPhone 13 Pro do? Takes professional-style photos and up to 4K video thanks to a rear-facing Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra-Wide camera setup Offers advanced video and photo tools with Cinematic Mode, Photographic Styles and Macro Mode Supports biometric security with FaceID; can be used to unlock the hardware as well as apps and online accounts Allows for high-end gaming and augmented reality with the A15 Bionic chip powered by a 16-core Neural Engine iOS 15 brings spatial audio, a new Portrait mode, and new Focus features to help users reduce distractions when working, driving or sleeping, as well as Live Text, which allows users to copy text from images Media streaming with the Apple TV app installed by default. This app acts as a remote control for Apple TV streaming boxes; a library for video content purchased from the iTunes store; and a hub to find and watch Apple TV Plus shows (for subscribers) Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ are available from the Apple App Store, as are millions of apps Lasts up to 22 hours when watching videos, or up to 75 hours over audio MagSafe compatible, offering peak power wireless charging, up to 15W, alongside support for standard Qi wireless charging hardware Support for 5G (when available) Smart Data mode saves battery life by automatically shifting iPhone to 4G when 5G speeds aren’t needed, while ProMotion mode preserves battery by automatically switching between the optimal screen refresh rates Available in silver, graphite, blue and gold How much is the iPhone 13 Pro? The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has an RRP of £949. Latest Deals Is the iPhone 13 good value for money? There was a time when spending a thousand pounds on a new phone was seen as excessive – and in many cases, still is, particularly when the phone in question isn’t the most advanced handset on the market, as is the case with the iPhone 13 Pro. The iPhone 13 Pro offers enough additional features and performance upgrades to warrant being purchased over the iPhone 13 without making too many sacrifices when compared to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. We feel the addition of Cinematic Mode, Macro Mode and the improved refresh rate justify paying a bit extra on their own. It also offers a step-change in features and performance over the iPhone 11 range and previous models. If you’re currently using and are happy with the iPhone 12 Pro, these changes may not be significant enough to warrant such a hefty outlay, certainly not so soon after last year’s purchase. Yet when you consider the sheer amount of technology that has been crammed into the iPhone 13 Pro and the new modes that are unique to the iPhone 13 Pro range, it does represent decent value for money, especially if you can get a good deal with a contract. iPhone 13 features The iPhone 12 range introduced a host of hardware upgrades to the display, camera and connectivity, and the iPhone 13 Pro carries a number of these over. Albeit with a selection of upgrades and tweaks. Firstly, it runs on the latest generation of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 15. This software comes with new communication features that let you share movies, music, or whatever’s on your screen in FaceTime and uses spatial audio to make these calls sound more natural. It has new Focus features designed to reduce distractions and stop all but urgent interruptions when you’re working, sleeping, or with friends. Elsewhere, the Weather app has been redesigned to make better use of graphics when showcasing air pollution, rain levels and the hourly forecast. Meanwhile, Apple Maps now displays routes and walking directions with 3D and AR features. From a productivity viewpoint, you can now search for photos directly from the Search bar at the top of the screen, and, thanks to the neural engine in the A15 Bionic Chip, you can now quickly and easily copy text from inside images. The latter has been a game-changer for us. This new software has been optimised to work with the hardware as efficiently and effectively as possible. In addition to making sure the phone and apps are super fast, the battery life on the iPhone 13 Pro is optimised, too. Apple claims the iPhone 13 Pro will last up to 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 Pro, and this doesn’t do it justice. You can read more about why the iPhone 13 Pro battery life is so good in the Battery section below. The 12MP camera setup on the rear now comes with an improved Telephoto lens, which offers greater optical and digital zoom options and makes videos and images look steady thanks to more advanced sensor-shift optical image stabilisation. Both front and rear-facing cameras support Apple’s new Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles, bringing professional and automatic focusing and editing tools to your videos and photos. We explain more about these additions in the iPhone 13 Pro camera section below. Security-wise, there is a FaceID sensor embedded into the True Depth camera on the front of the device, and this camera and sensor now sit on a slightly smaller, redesigned notch at the top of the display. The iPhone 13 Pro comes with a number of pre-installed apps. In fact, there are so many, they take up a total of 15.1GB of storage space alongside the iOS. These apps include Camera, Photos, Health, Messages, Mail, Music, Wallet, Safari, Maps, Siri, Calendar, iTunes Store, App Store, Notes, News, Weather, Reminders, Stocks, Calculator, Voice Memos and more. Plus free apps including iMovie, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, GarageBand, Apple Store, iTunes Remote, and Clips. Apple softens this blow a little by giving you 5GB of this storage back when you sign up to iCloud, but it’s still a pain. As with all Apple products, it’s not possible to physically expand the storage on the iPhone 13 Pro, and the entry-level storage options are the same as last year’s, starting at 128GB. However, for the first time, you can buy an iPhone Pro with 1TB, taking the total number of storage options to four – 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. You can remove any or all of the pre-installed apps if they take up too much room. You can also pay extra for iCloud storage, which starts at 79p a month for an extra 50GB up to £6.99 for 2TB. But that will be on top of paying for a phone that is already expensive as it is. iPhone 13 design The biggest difference between the cheaper iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini handsets and their Pro equivalents is the fact the more expensive models are housed in aluminium rather than glass. This not only makes them feel more premium to the touch, but it also makes them feel more sturdy and robust. As with those seen on the cheaper models, the notch on the iPhone 13 Pro is 20% smaller than on previous models and, seeing as the iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 Pro have the same size display, the impact (or lack thereof) of this smaller notch is the same. The iPhone 13 Pro is a tad thicker and heavier than last year’s iPhone 12 Pro. The aluminium design gives it a more luxurious feel and, with that, it gives the illusion of being more sturdy and therefore heavy. However, in reality, the differences in thickness and weight are barely tangible. What’s more, this extra heft is a small sacrifice to make for having a more powerful battery, processor and additional 5G components inside. The improved camera modules on the rear are positioned in the same way they always have been on Pro phones – two sensors on the left with a third sensor mid-right, below the flash. This high-tech setup does take up a fair chunk of room and protrudes enough to stop the phone from sitting flat on a surface even when it’s in a case. Port-wise, it has a Lightning connector – sadly, there’s still no sign of the iPhone range getting USB-C ports like the latest iPads. Then there is a power button, which can also be used to enable Siri, on the right-hand side of the handset, opposite the volume buttons on the left. The speakers sit on either side of the charging port. iPhone 13 screen quality The iPhone 13 Pro has the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display seen on last year’s iPhone 12 Pro with the same 2532 x 1170-pixel resolution at 460 PPI. Contrast ratio and support for the P3 wide colour gamut remain, as does the use of True Tone technology that adjusts the white balance on screen based on the lighting conditions you’re in. Yet, there are two noteworthy upgrades. The first is relatively minor – the iPhone 13 Pro has pushed the typical maximum brightness levels to 1,000 nits up from 800 nits. This makes it easier to read in direct sunlight and can help make colours more vibrant. The second upgrade is more significant. The iPhone 13 Pro’s display comes with a new feature called ProMotion, designed to automatically choose the optimal refresh rate – between 10Hz and 120Hz – to suit whatever you’re doing. For reference, the displays on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini handsets only go up to 60Hz. If you’re simply moving between apps or scrolling, ProMotion drops the refresh rate lower. If you’re gaming or drawing, ProMotion automatically increases it to make it more responsive. It was difficult to discern the differences during our testing, but the iPhone 13 Pro felt much faster and responsive across the board. It also seemingly brought battery benefits. By not running at a higher refresh rate than is needed, the iPhone 13 Pro used less energy on everyday tasks, saving it for the more energy-intense ones. In terms of colours and clarity, the OLED panel on the iPhone 13 Pro really shines. Games and HD content look particularly great, and colours are vibrant and black tones look deep and dark. All of which improves contrast and adds a high level of detail. Elsewhere, the display has native support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. To protect this display, Apple has coated it with Ceramic Shield technology. As was the case with the Ceramic Shield on the iPhone 12 – and as it is now across the entire iPhone 13 range – Apple promises this shield gives the iPhone 13 Pro four times better protection and durability when dropped. iPhone 13 camera Apple calls the new camera setup found on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max its “biggest camera advancement ever.” On the rear is an improved telephoto lens, alongside a Wide and Ultra Wide sensor. The latter has a 120° field of view, a larger ƒ/1.8 aperture and a new sensor with autofocus which enables the addition of Macro Mode on the iPhone 13 Pro – the first time macro shots have been possible on an iPhone without the need for an attachment. In particular, the new autofocus system works with a new 2cm minimum focus distance to let you capture images, as well as videos, much closer than before. The new ƒ/1.5 aperture Wide camera is described as Apple’s largest sensor ever, capable of capturing 2.2x more light than the iPhone 12 Pro. While the new Telephoto camera has a 77mm focal length and 3x optical zoom. What these improvements mean in practice is that the cameras capture better photos, even in low light and indoors, and from a larger range of distances than before. Macro Mode, in particular, has been a game-changer when photographing food, for instance, or capturing the detail in close-up scenes. We have also relied far less on Night Mode with the iPhone 13 Pro camera setup. We’re big fans of Night Mode, but because you often need to apply a delay for the sensors on older models to capture the best shot, and this requires your subject to remain still, it wasn’t always suitable for capturing action shots. The new setup is much more capable of doing this, supported by the sensor-shift OIS technology. This camera setup and iOS 15 also allow for two new features – Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles. Cinematic Mode uses a technique used by cinematographers in feature films known as rack focus to switch attention between subjects, while adding a depth-of-field effect. This is available on both the latest iPhone Pro models, and it helps create superb, professional-looking footage even if you have limited experience or skill, like us. Photographic Styles allows you to switch up the appearance of your photos to one of four new styles – Vibrant, Rich Contrast, Warm, and Cool. Beyond just applying a filter, Photographic Styles uses “deep semantic understanding” to make nuanced adjustments to light, brightness, contrast and more, all while taking each individual person’s skin tone into account. This makes a subtle yet highly impactful difference to images, particularly group shots. In addition to Night Mode, the iPhone 13 Pro continues to support Deep Fusion and HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, and the latter now supports 4K at 60 fps on all cameras (up from 4K at 30 fps on the iPhone 12 Pro). The True Depth camera on the front, which also houses the FaceID sensor, has had fewer upgrades and tweaks, but it does support Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles, as well as Dolby Vision HDR recording up to 4K at 60 fps. A boon for vloggers. iPhone 13 battery and performance Apple claims its new 6-core CPU, found across the entire iPhone 13 range, is up to 50 per cent faster than the competition. Yet on the iPhone 13 Pro, this CPU is also joined by a new 5-core Apple-designed GPU, said to deliver the same percentage speed upgrades. During everyday tasks, these speed boosts aren’t discernible. Even when we ran our iPhone 12 Pro Max alongside the iPhone Pro 13, we didn’t notice differences in responsiveness. As in that’s to say, they were both incredibly fast, and we never experienced any lag that affected whatever we were trying to do. That said, when we switched to playing graphic-heavy games, like Fornite, or streaming high-quality content from Netflix, the refresh rate on the iPhone 13 Pro coupled with the processor speed increases did make for a super-smooth super-fast experience, and we couldn’t fault it. Over both 4G and Wi-Fi. In terms of battery life, Apple promises an extra 1.5-hours of usage when using the iPhone 13 Pro, compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, making it capable of lasting up to 22 hours when watching videos and up 75 hours when listening to audio. We found the iPhone 13 Pro to surpass both of these Apple estimates. In our tests – in which we used the phone to stream at least one episode of Married at First Sight, send WhatsApp messages, play Sim City, and watch TikTok alongside a couple of audio calls – we averaged a highly impressive 32 hours. iPhone 13 set-up Setting up an iPhone is always straightforward, thanks to an on-screen, step-by-step guide. If you’re an Apple customer, you can get the phone setup in minutes. If you’re moving from Android, the process is a little longer but still easy enough to navigate via the Move to iOS app. With the iPhone 13 range, though, Apple has taken this a step further. Firstly, if you don’t have enough space on your current handset to back everything up, Apple now lets you use as much iCloud Backup space you need while you’re moving data to your new device. Meanwhile, Apple has also made it easier to move Photo albums, files and folders, and Accessibility settings to your new iPhone. If you’re not already an Apple customer, you’ll need to create an Apple ID and manually download the apps you want, but you can get through the setup process and do this later, should you need to. Our verdict: should you buy the iPhone 13 Pro? The iPhone 13 Pro represents the best option of the entire iPhone 13 range because it combines next-level hardware with optimised software, all within a form factor that will suit most people. The display is clear, bright and crisp but not so large, it can’t be controlled one-handed. The design is sturdy and robust. It brings performance and battery upgrades that elevate it about anything that’s come before, and the camera advancements alone are highly impressive. The price will likely be a sticking point for many people, but if your budget can extend to it, you won’t be disappointed. Rating: Features: 5/5 Screen quality: 5/5 Design: 5/5 Camera: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Overall rating: 5/5 Where to buy the iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro off-contract Currys John Lewis AO Very Latest Deals iPhone 13 Pro on contract Available from Sky for £33 a month and £0 upfront (36-month contract) Available from EE for £57 a month and £100 upfront Available from Vodafone for £57 a month and £49 upfront Available from O2 for £60.50 a month and £30 upfront Available from Tesco Mobile for £56.99 a month and £0 upfront Can’t decide which is the best iPhone for you? We’ve put the iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 head-to-head to help you choose.
iPhone 13 review: is there still room for the original handset in 2021?
We put the iPhone 13 through its paces to find out if there's still room for the mid-range offering in Apple's smartphone series.
There was a time when Apple would release one, maybe two handsets at its annual Autumn event and fans would either opt for the high-end model or a lesser equivalent. In recent years, however, the Cupertino tech giant has been increasingly adding variations to the range in order to appeal to a broader range of buyers. This year's September 14 event included four different handsets with the moniker iPhone 13. At the lower end of the specification and price spectrum is the iPhone 13 mini, which starts at £679. At the top end is the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which, when bought with the maximum 1TB of storage, will set you back £1,549. Then there are the mid-range handsets, including the iPhone 13 (from £779) – the subject of this review – and the iPhone 13 Pro (from £949). Although these four handsets technically fall within the same iPhone 13 range, the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 13 are a tad inferior in terms of design and features versus the more expensive, "professional" 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. In this iPhone 13 review, we put the original handset, from which the others' names stem, to the test to see if there is still a place for such a mid-range phone in the iPhone series in 2021. Jump to: iPhone 13 review: summary What is the iPhone 13? How much is the iPhone 13? iPhone 13 features iPhone 13 design iPhone 13 screen quality iPhone 13 camera iPhone 13 battery life and performance iPhone 13 set-up Our verdict Where to buy iPhone 13 review: summary Key features: £779 (128GB); £879 (256GB); £1,079 (512GB) 6.1-inch, Super Retina XDR display with Ceramic Shield protection IP68 (waterproof for 30 mins up to 6 metres) iOS 15 5G connectivity Apple A15 Bionic Chip with 16-core Neural Engine 12MP dual‑camera system on the rear, with Wide and Ultra-Wide sensors 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front with support for FaceID Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles 19-hour battery life (video playback), 75-hour battery life (audio playback) MagSafe and Qi wireless charging up to 15W Pros: Clear and vibrant display; makes content and games shine Takes professional-looking photos, especially in low light Great battery life Cons: Lacks the power, performance, and camera advancements of the Pro range 60Hz refresh rate may not suit hardcore gamers The iPhone 13 is available to buy SIM-free with prices starting at £779. Latest Deals What is the iPhone 13? The iPhone 13 is Apple's latest mid-range handset, released alongside three other models – the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max – at a virtual launch event in September 2021. It is the successor to the iPhone 12, released in September 2020, and it comes with the same 6.1-inch, True Tone, Ceramic Shield display, and the same IP68 waterproof rating. However, it also comes with a number of upgrades. Most notably, an improved 12MP dual-camera setup, the addition of Apple's "fastest, most efficient processor ever", and improved battery life. Plus, new storage options, new video and photography modes, and a host of new software features in iOS 15. Under the hood, the iPhone 13 is powered by the A15 Bionic Chip with a 16-core Neural Engine – alongside a 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU – in a system designed to make the handset better equipped at handling more intense tasks such as machine learning and AI programs, high-end games, and streaming high-quality video. This setup is also said to have been optimised to help the larger battery last longer than on previous models – up to 2.5 hours longer each day than the iPhone 12. There is a wide and ultra-wide sensor on the rear in the 12MP dual-camera system, accompanied by a 12MP True Depth sensor on the front. All of which have been optimised to work with iOS 15 and support new modes, including Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles. These new software additions help you take better and more professional looking photos and films. What does the iPhone 13 do? Takes professional-style photos and up to 4K video thanks to improved dual-camera setup and the new Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles Supports biometric security with FaceID, used to unlock the hardware as well as apps and online accounts iOS 15 brings spatial audio, a new Portrait mode, and new Focus features to help users reduce distractions when working, driving or sleeping, as well as Live Text, which allows users to copy text from images Media streaming with the Apple TV app installed by default. This app acts as a remote control for Apple TV streaming boxes; a library for video content purchased from the iTunes store; and a hub to find and watch Apple TV Plus shows (for subscribers) Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ are available from the Apple App Store, as are millions of apps A full charge lasts up to 19 hours when watching videos, or up to 75 hours over audio MagSafe compatible, offering peak power wireless charging, up to 15W, alongside support for standard Qi wireless charging hardware Support for 5G (when available) Smart Data mode saves battery life by automatically shifting iPhone to 4G when 5G speeds aren't needed The iPhone 13 can be used to control and manage smart home devices via HomeKit iCloud support means you can sync content, purchases, and downloads across multiple Apple devices, including Macs, other iPhones and iPads Available in off-white, black, red, blue and pink How much is the iPhone 13? The Apple iPhone 13 has an RRP of £779 and is available at a number of retailers off-contract. Latest Deals Skip to view the pay monthly (contract) prices Is the iPhone 13 good value for money? Apple made a significant step-change in hardware when it launched the iPhone 12, and many of these improvements have carried over onto the iPhone 13. Suppose you're already using an iPhone 12. In that case, the advances in camera technology and software features – many of which are available on iOS 15, regardless of which handset you're running – may not warrant spending another £800. Plus, unless you're after a new colourway, you won't be upgrading to the iPhone 13 for its design changes. However, if you're running older handsets or are due for an upgrade, the iPhone 13 hits a sweet spot. It's powerful, durable, its cameras are great and, now with double the storage compared to before, its price point makes it good value. We can't say it's cheap, because it's not, but if you're looking for a lot of bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with the iPhone 13. iPhone 13 features The iPhone 13 takes the features of the iPhone 12 and, largely, raises them to the next level. It runs on the latest version of Apple's mobile software – iOS 15 – and, as is the case with every new Apple release, the hardware onboard the handset has been designed to work as efficiently and effectively as possible with this new operating system. Most importantly, this means that the battery life on the iPhone 13 is superior to all like-for-like iPhones that have come before. Apple claims the combination of the optimised hardware and new software, as well as a larger battery, means the iPhone 13 will last up to 2.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12. You can read more about this in the iPhone 13 battery section below. It also means that the improved 12MP dual-camera hardware on the rear and the True Depth camera on the front of the iPhone 13 can take full advantage of the new Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles software found across the iPhone 13 range. We explain more about these additions in the iPhone 13 camera section below. Elsewhere, iOS 15 includes what Apple describes as "new ways to stay connected." A number of existing features have been redesigned – namely how notifications look and appear, the way the Weather app showcases air pollution, rain levels and the hourly forecast, and how Apple Maps displays routes and walking directions with 3D and AR features. Wallet now adds support for home keys, and there are new privacy controls in Siri and Mail to protect them both from unauthorised use. There are also new Focus features designed to reduce distractions. In addition to the existing Do Not Disturb options, you can enable Personal Focus, Sleep Focus and Work Focus settings. Each one lets you disable notifications at certain times. You can set it so that only certain people can contact you when Focus is enabled, and you can ask Siri to send a message to people who contact you during this time, telling them that Focus has been switched on. This also comes with the option to share these Focus settings across all connected devices. However, the most useful additions include the ability to search for photos directly from the Search bar at the top of the screen instead of going via the Photos app and the new Live Text tool. This uses the neural engine in the A15 Bionic Chip to recognise writing in a photo or image and allows you to cut, copy and share this text as if you were copying from a document. There's also a small feature that Apple introduced in iOS 14 that works perfectly with Live Text. This allows you to copy text from a photo on your phone and automatically paste it onto your MacBook or iPad from a shared clipboard. This may seem insignificant, but it's been a game-changer in terms of productivity. The phone itself comes with a whole host of pre-installed apps including Camera, Photos, Health, Messages, Mail, Music, Wallet, Safari, Maps, Siri, Calendar, iTunes Store, App Store, Notes, News, Weather, Reminders, Stocks, Calculator, Voice Memos and many more. That's not to mention the free apps iMovie, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, GarageBand, Apple Store, iTunes Remote, and Clips. The new App Library storage feature from iOS 14 means that these apps aren't too unwieldy, but manually removing those we don't want is a little tedious. Another downside to having all of these pre-installed apps, plus the operating system, is that they eat into your device's storage. 15.1GB of storage, to be precise. Plus – as with all Apple products – it's not possible to physically expand the storage on the iPhone 13. Thankfully, storage options are much improved, by default, on the iPhone 13. The entry-level handset now has twice as much storage than on the iPhone 12, at 128GB, and this now rises to 512GB. You can remove any or all of these apps or pay for up to 2TB of iCloud storage for an additional cost should you need to, but it's an ongoing pain. Security-wise, there is a FaceID sensor embedded into the True Depth camera on the front of the device, and this camera and sensor now sit on a slightly smaller, redesigned notch at the top of the display. Despite its smaller form, we didn't notice any discernible delays in unlocking the phone with this sensor. iPhone 13 design Very little, visually, has separated iPhones for some time. From a glance, it's difficult to determine between the different models but look closely, and you will see some upgrades and tweaks. As mentioned, the notch on the iPhone 13 is smaller – by around 20% – than that seen on the iPhone 12. This doesn't make a huge difference to 6.1-inch screen real estate as videos and games still have to fit around it, but it is a noticeable tweak. The iPhone 13 is marginally thicker and heavier than previous iPhones, but it's barely tangible, and we'll take that hit for the improved battery life, more powerful processor and the increased number of 5G bands needed to make this phone super fast. On the rear, the new camera modules are positioned diagonally rather than one above the other. The iPhone comes in new colours – starlight, midnight, blue, pink and red, the latter being from the PRODUCT(RED) partnership, which raises money for AIDS charities. Every other measurement is identical to the iPhone 12, including the IP68 water-resistant rating. It has a Lightning port, and there's still no sign of the iPhone range getting USB-C ports like the latest iPads; the power button, which can also be used to enable Siri, is found on the right-hand side of the handset, opposite the volume buttons on the left. The speakers sit on either side of the charging port. Latest Deals iPhone 13 screen quality Just as the design of the iPhone 13 has remained largely the same, so too has the screen and sound quality. It has the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, with the same resolution that was first seen on the iPhone 12. It's also toughened by the same Ceramic Shield. As was the case with its predecessor, Apple promises that this shield gives the iPhone 13 four times better protection and durability when dropped. The back glass has also been strengthened through what Apple calls a dual ion-exchange process, making it "the toughest glass on a smartphone" – we haven't put this through any rigorous tests, but anecdotally the iPhone 13 does feel sturdier than previous models. All that said, we'd still not feel comfortable using it without a case. The iPhone 13's OLED display is crisp and clear. Support for the P3 wide colour gamut means colours look vibrant and realistic, particularly when the phone is the highest brightness setting, which itself has been boosted 28% to 800 nits for SDR and 1,200 nits for HDR content. This makes games and HD content shine, almost literally. Plus, because each OLED pixel has its individual light source, it helps make blacks look deeper and darker and helps improve contrast. Elsewhere, the display has native support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. For the lower price point, you do get a lower 60Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 13 display versus the 120Hz seen on the Pro models. For everyday tasks, you'll barely notice this. However, if you're a keen gamer, it will present a point of difference that might see you needing to move to a Pro model. iPhone 13 camera As has been the case for as long as we can remember, the camera improvements that come with each iteration of the iPhone are usually a major – and in some cases, the main – reason to upgrade to the latest model. The iPhone 13 range and its new camera technologies are no exception. Despite, on paper, the hardware looking near-on identical to that seen on the iPhone 12 – a 12MP dual-camera Wide and Ultra Wide system on the rear and a 12MP True Depth camera on the front – Apple has taken it to another level through a number of software and sensor upgrades. Firstly, the Wide rear camera sensor is larger, meaning it captures 47 per cent more light. This improves the detail and contrast of images taken in low light, while a new sensor on the Ultra Wide Camera helps reveal more of the dark areas of a shot with less noise. This makes it better for us indoors, especially as the winter nights come in and the weather takes a turn. The Neural Engine inside the phone and an advanced image signal processor in the A15 Bionic Chip help enhance images and videos further, making shots more steady. Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini have Night mode, Deep Fusion, and HDR video recording with Dolby Vision seen on the iPhone 12. However, the latter has been upgraded to support 4K at 60 fps on all cameras (up from 4K at 30 fps on the iPhone 12). Night mode helps take even better photos at night, while Deep Fusion captures multiple shots at multiple exposures and "fuses" them together to present the best possible image. As a result of the sensor upgrades, we found ourselves using the Night mode feature less often because the low-light performance was more than good enough in a large number of scenarios. Secondly, Apple has added some great new features, including Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles. The former uses what's known as "rack focus" – a technique used by cinematographers in feature films. It's used to guide the viewers' attention by switching focus between subjects and adding a depth-of-field effect. Users can mirror this effect on the iPhone 13 in Cinematic Mode and create professional-looking videos, with the same focus options seen in films and TV shows. We didn't find this feature quite as easy to use as the demonstrations would suggest, but our videos looked incredible when we did master it. We almost couldn't believe we'd filmed them. The new Photographic Styles feature is decent, albeit not quite as impressive or impactful as Cinematic Mode. Each time you take a photo, the iPhone will show you the balanced, true-to-life image alongside four alternative styles – vibrant, rich contrast, warm, and cool. As you cycle through these styles, iPhone 13 uses a "deep semantic understanding" to apply different adjustments to different parts of the photos and change their overall appearance. In many respects, it's similar to adding a filter to the photo; however, Photographic Styles is more intelligent because it makes these adjustments while taking each individual person's skin tone into account. This may not sound like a big deal, but adjusting the warmth of a photo and treating each person's tone the same results in an overall "washed-out" appearance. It also doesn't represent their skin in a realistic way, which can mess with the overall balance of a photo. At face value (excuse the pun), the differences may not be huge, but having the option to boost our photos with minimal effort is always welcomed. The True Depth camera on the front, which also houses the FaceID sensor, has had fewer upgrades and tweaks, but it does support Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles, so you can snap and film selfies using these new tools, and it supports the same Night mode, Deep Fusion and Dolby Vision HDR recording, up to 4K at 60 fps. The latter will be of particular interest to vloggers looking to produce professional-quality content. Latest Deals iPhone 13 battery and performance When it comes to performance, Apple made a lot of the power and capabilities of its new A15 Bionic Chip during its launch event. It claims its new 6-core CPU is up to 50 per cent faster than the competition, "the fastest in any smartphone", while the new 4-core GPU is up to 30 per cent faster. In everyday use, it's hard to discern these speed increases and confirm just how much faster they are, but we never once had any problems with lag on the iPhone 13. Switching between apps and tasks is instantaneous, and we are yet to experience any slowdowns, even when streaming high-quality content from the likes of Netflix. This power boost, combined with the Super Retina Display and support for Dolby Vision, also makes gaming quick, responsive and immersive. As previously mentioned, the 60Hz refresh rate is lacking in comparison to the more expensive iPhone models, and it was detectable when playing Fortnite – not enough to affect our performance, but enough for us to notice. When it comes to battery life, though, the iPhone 13 comes into its own. According to Apple, you'll get an extra 2.5 hours of battery life when using the iPhone 13, compared to the iPhone 12. This means the phone will last up to 19-hours when watching videos and up 75 hours when listening to audio. Of course, day-to-day use combines a mixture of video, audio and other tasks, so while these numbers are a good guide, they don't reflect real-world use. They also seemingly don't do the iPhone 13 justice. In our tests – in which we used the phone as we would normally do over the course of a week and recorded how long the phone lasted in between charges – we averaged an impressive 29 hours. Our daily use typically includes streaming at least one episode of Married at First Sight, sending WhatsApp messages, playing Sim City, watching TikTok and a couple of audio calls. Not only is this impressive on its own, and is undoubtedly because of the way the software and hardware have been optimised to work perfectly with one another, but it's impressive when you take the other advancements into consideration. Namely, the improved brightness and the extra behind-the-scenes work being done by the Neural Engine when filming video and taking photos. iPhone 13 set-up Setting up the iPhone 13 – as with all Apple products – is straightforward. Especially if you're an existing Apple customer, you simply sign in to your account and let the phone do the hard work for you, pulling in your existing settings, app downloads and syncing all relevant data from your latest backup. You can additionally set up or disable FaceID, Siri and sharing settings via the step-by-step guide. Or choose to manually update the tablet if you want to limit which apps are installed on the iPhone 13. However, Apple has added a couple of new features to make this process easier. The first allows you to temporarily use iCloud Backup to move your data to the new device, even if you're low on storage. Currently, if you don't have sufficient storage either on the handset itself or in the cloud, you have to delete apps, remove content and so on to make sure everything is backed up. With this new feature, Apple now gives you as much iCloud space as you need to complete a temporary backup, free of charge – additional iCloud space usually comes with a fee – and for up to three weeks from when you buy the iPhone. Plus, if you're moving from an Android phone to iOS, Apple has added some new tools to its Move to iOS app. It's now easier to move Photo albums, files and folders, and Accessibility settings over. If you're not already an Apple customer, you'll need to create an Apple ID and manually download the apps you want. Our verdict: should you upgrade to the iPhone 13? Out of all of the new handsets released by Apple at its September 2021 event, the iPhone 13 makes the least sense on paper. If you can afford to buy a handset outright, it makes more sense to stretch slightly and buy the entry-level Pro model. Similarly, if you want a mid-sized phone, the iPhone 13 Pro offers much more in the same form. In reality, however, the iPhone 13 makes a lot of sense. It has a number of "pro" features without the need to spend "pro" prices. It's fast enough to do everyday tasks and play everyday games, its screen is high-quality enough to play high-quality content, and it now comes with double the storage. Not to mention the fact it's a relatively affordable way to get Apple's new Cinematic Mode, which is worth a chunk of money on its own if you're into shooting videos. You don't get all the bells and whistles seen on the Pro range, so there are some sacrifices to be made, but it's very clear why Apple has continued with its four-way handset release – the iPhone 13 offers the most appeal to the widest group possible. Rating: Features: 5/5 Screen quality: 4/5 Design: 4/5 Camera: 4/5 Battery life and performance: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Overall rating: 4.5/5 Where to buy the iPhone 13 iPhone 13 off-contract Latest Deals Currys John Lewis Amazon AO Very Argos iPhone 13 on contract Available from Sky for £27 a month and £0 upfront (36-month contract) Available from iD Mobile for £40.99 and £29 upfront Available from EE for £49 a month and £80 upfront Available from Vodafone for £43 a month and £29 upfront Available from O2 for £48.98 a month and £30 upfront Available from Three for £52 a month and £29 upfront Available from Tesco Mobile for £49.49 a month and £0 upfront Not sure which is the best iPhone for you? We've compared the iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 to help you decide.
Apple iPad Pro (2021) vs iPad Air (2020): which should you buy?
Two high-end iPads go head to head, but does the iPad Pro or the iPad Air come out on top?
Apple undoubtedly makes some of the best tablets around; it’s why iPads top the bestseller lists time and again. Yet knowing which iPad to choose can be a little tricky, especially when the prices often overlap as you move through the different lines. For example, the cheapest iPad Air costs £579. The cheapest iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) review comes in at £200 dearer. If you want an Air with Wi-Fi and mobile data and want to bump the storage up to 256GB, the lower-spec iPad’s price soars to £859. That’s before you factor in whether or not you want an Apple Pencil or a keyboard. And before you consider that a MacBook Air is only a relatively small amount extra. With this in mind, we’ve pitted the two high-end iPads head-to-head for this iPad Pro vs iPad Air review. Not only to see which is worth your time and money, but which has the better displays, performance, battery life and portability. Hopefully, to help you determine which is best and which type of users will best suit which model of iPad. Looking for the latest Apple products? Head to our iPad mini pre-order page and the Apple Watch 7 pre-order page to see when you can get your hands on them. Jump to: Key differences at a glance Specs and features Price and storage Battery life Performance Display Design Apple iPad Pro vs iPad Air: which should you buy? Where to buy Apple iPad Pro vs iPad Air: key differences at a glance The iPad Air has a 10.9-inch display, while the iPad Pro offers two screen sizes – 11-inch, and 12.9-inch Both the 2020 iPad Air and the 2021 iPad Pro run iPad OS. This is a tablet-friendly version of Apple’s iOS software and, as a result, syncs with any and all existing Apple products. Including MacBooks and iMacs. This means if you’re already an existing Apple customer, you can access all of your apps, settings, purchases and downloads via iCloud on whichever iPad model you choose This also means iPads have access to the full catalogue of Apple apps via the App Store The 11-inch iPad Pro has the same Liquid Retina display as the iPad Air. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a Liquid Retina XDR display. They all have the same PPI (pixel per inch) The iPad Pro models run on Apple’s flagship M1 chip, with 8GB or 16GB RAM. The iPad Air is powered by the lower-spec A14 Bionic chip Both models can be bought with Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi + cellular, with the iPad Air supporting up to 4G and the iPad Pro supporting up to 5G speeds The iPad Air comes with either 64GB or 256GB built-in storage The iPad Pro is available with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB of storage. Neither tablet can be expanded via microSD All three models ditch the Lightning connector for a USB-C port, with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro support the superfast Thunderbolt 4 protocol The Apple iPad Air is the lighter of the two – 50% lighter in fact – and is also thinner, measuring 6.1mm versus the iPad Pro’s 6.4mm. A small but noticeable difference Both have 12MP Wide cameras on the rear with 5x digital zoom and Smart HDR 3 for photos. The iPad Pro also has a 10MP on the back, and a 12MP on the front while the iPad Air’s front-facing camera is 8MP Apple’s iPad Air is available in silver, grey, rose gold, green, and sky blue. The iPad Pro only comes in silver and grey Both are compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and both are compatible with the Magic Keyboard Don't miss our full iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) review and iPad Air review. Apple iPad Pro vs iPad Air in detail Specs and features The iPad Air is the smaller, thinner and cheaper of the two high-end models. There is only one screen size to choose from, measuring 10.9 inches, and this display has an LED Liquid Retina panel with a resolution of 2360 x 1640, which gives it a PPI of 264. PPI stands for pixel per inch, and the higher the number, the more pixels there are in each inch of a display, which typically results in a higher quality image. The iPad Pro offers two screen sizes – 11-inch and 12.9-inch. The smaller model has the same LED Liquid Retina display seen on the iPad Air. The larger model has a Liquid Retina XDR display that borrows technology seen on Apple’s £4,599 Pro Display XDR monitor. Like all iPads, both the iPad Air and iPad Pro runs on the latest version of iPad OS – iPad OS 14.5. (This is soon to be replaced by iPadOS 15, due to launch in beta in July). The majority of apps and services have been rendered to work on both the smaller iPad Air screen as well as both iPad Pro displays. However, you may come across some rendering and window size issues on the larger model. This largely applies to apps that don’t need to be optimised for large screens – we noticed it on Stitch Fix, for instance – so it’s likely a minor inconvenience. It will depend on which apps you use on a regular basis. Both models offer the same setup process, and you can put an existing Apple device near each device to sync your settings, photos, videos, apps, downloads and more, on every device linked to the same ID. If you don’t already have an Apple ID, you’ll need to create one and manually configure the tablet(s). Apple’s App Store on iPad OS comes with the same range of apps seen on iOS, and the tablet and both tablets have a number of Apple apps installed by default. These include Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, Books, GarageBand, News, Clips, iMovie, Fitness, Health, Voice Memos, Reminders, Notes, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Files, and a university app called iTunes U. Security-wise, the iPad Air has a Touch ID sensor embedded into the Power button on the side, which can be used alongside a PIN or passcode. The iPad Pro, instead, uses FaceID technology alongside a six-digit PIN or passcode. Cameras on tablets tend to fall down the ranks of importance when we discuss specs and features in reviews because, aside from video calls, they’re not used all that much. With the improvements made to phone cameras in recent years, fewer of us now use large tablets to take photos or film videos. Unless, of course, you’re in one of those industries. To make sure they cover both casual and these pro users, Apple remains committed to offering great camera technology across its tablet range. On the iPad Air, this includes a wide 12MP camera on the rear, joined by an 8MP front-facing snapper. On the iPad Pro models, Apple goes a step further. Both sizes have 12MP Wide and 10MP ultra-wide cameras on the rear, with 12MP TrueDepth cameras on the front. To add to this professional setup further, the iPad Pro additionally comes with five studio‑quality microphones. The camera setup on the iPad Air and the iPad Pro is designed to increase the versatility of these sensors as well as work more effectively with AR technologies and apps. This is particularly true with the iPad Pro, which additionally has a LiDAR Scanner. This measures how long it takes light to reflect back from objects to make AR experiences more accurate and lifelike. One major difference between the iPad Air and iPad Pro – and one which explains the addition of the ultra-wide camera on the latter tablet models – is the addition of Centre Stage. This feature, seen only on the iPad Pro, works akin to the moving cameras seen on the Facebook Portal or Echo Show devices by always keeping you in the shot and in focus during video calls. This means the iPad Pro can follow you around a room, even if you’re writing on a whiteboard, moving around the kitchen, or are switching between sitting and standing. To power all of these various hardware and software features, the iPad Air runs on the 64-bit A14 Bionic chip with Apple’s neural engine. The neural engine is what powers the machine learning capabilities of Apple’s devices. This is particularly useful for Siri commands, biometric technologies (like FaceID), and AR. Both iPad Pro models run on the flagship 64-bit M1 chip, borrowed from Apple’s Macs. This comes with an 8-core CPU, an 8-core GPU, an advanced neural engine and comes with either 8GB or 16GB RAM. Although you have to pay extra for them, both tablets support the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. These elevate them above the entry-level iPad Mini and the regular iPad further into the realm of laptop replacements. The second-generation Pencil comes with some standout features, including gesture controls as well as the ability to handwrite in any type box, known as Scribble to iPad. Another small but useful feature of the Apple Pencil is that it can be stored magnetically on the tablet's side (or top), depending on whether it’s in portrait or landscape mode. The Magic Keyboard, in both instances, doubles up as a case and features a full keyboard with a trackpad. Price and storage The iPad Air starts at £579 and rises to £859, depending on the specification you choose. It’s available with Wi-Fi or with Wi-Fi and cellular and offers two storage sizes – 64GB or 256GB. The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at £749, rising to £1,899, and the 12.9-inch model starts at £999 and increases to £2,149. Both iPad Pro models come with the choice of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB of storage. This not only represents the first time it’s been possible to get 2TB of built-in storage on an iPad, but it’s the widest selection of storage options seen on a single Apple tablet. None of Apple’s tablets can be physically expanded. Instead, Apple sells iCloud storage. The first 5GB is free, or you can increase this up to 2TB for £6.99 a month. The prices for the different combinations of each iPad Pro and iPad Air models are as follows. Bear in mind that if you opt for a cellular model, you’ll also need to pay separately for a mobile data contract. The iPad Pro is the first and only tablet in the range to support 5G. iPad Air Latest Deals You can also buy the iPad Air from the following places: Currys Amazon John Lewis Argos AO.com Very iPad Pro 11-inch Latest Deals You can also buy the iPad Pro 11-inch from the following places: Currys Amazon John Lewis Argos AO.com iPad Pro 12.9-inch Latest Deals You can also buy the iPad Pro 12.9-inch from the following places: Currys Amazon John Lewis Argos AO.com Battery life In the battle of the batteries, the iPad Pro snatched the crown, lasting for four hours longer than what Apple promises. During our looping video test, in which we play an HD video on repeat at 70% brightness and with aeroplane mode enabled, the iPad Pro lasted 14 hours. Apple promises it will last 10 hours streaming video on Wi-Fi and nine hours on mobile data. By comparison, Apple similarly promises up to ten hours of surfing the web or watching video over Wi-Fi on the iPad Air, which drops to nine hours when connected to a mobile network. In our looping video test, the iPad Air went from full to flat in nine hours 57 minutes. When using both tablets for more every day, less power-hungry tasks – playing SimCity, watching TikTok, making Zoom calls and working with the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard attached – both lasted for days. The iPad Air died mid-way through the third day; the iPad Pro held out until the afternoon of the fourth day. Display While many of the features and more general specs on the iPad Air vs the iPad Pro have been similar, up till now, the displays and performance are where the devices begin to pull away from each other. The displays on the iPad Air and the iPad Pro 11-inch are almost identical. They share the same Liquid Retina technology, the same resolution and the same PPI. The only difference is that the latter is 0.1-inch bigger than the former, but for all intents and purposes, they’re the same screen. This means they offer the same bright, vibrant and detailed content when looked at with the naked eye. Retina is an Apple display technology that works to cram a greater number of pixels into a smaller frame compared to regular ISP/OLED panels. The result is that pixels are less visible, and this makes colours brighter and text sharper. Liquid Retina offers the same benefits as Retina but does so via an LCD panel rather than an OLED one. This enhances the brightness further, but contrast is sometimes a tad lacking on these Liquid Retina models. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro advances things again by being the first iPad display to use an XDR version of Liquid Retina XDR. This display panel borrows from the display technology seen on Apple’s Pro Display XDR – the tech giant’s £4,599 desktop monitor. It offers true-to-life detail, great for viewing and editing HDR photos and videos or watching movies and TV shows, and colour and contrast are superb. It’s hard to discern the difference between a standard panel, a Liquid Retina one, and the Liquid Retina XDR seen on the larger iPad Pro when viewed on their own. Especially not for everyday tasks, websites and apps. It’s not until you place them side-by-side and then open HDR photos on Photoshop, for instance, that the differences really make themselves clear. This is because the panel includes 10,000 mini‑LEDs grouped together into more than 2,500 local dimming zones. Depending on the content, the brightness in each zone can be individually adjusted to vastly improve the contrast ratio. Even the most detailed HDR content – like galaxies and action movie explosions — are immersive and more true-to-life than ever. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s display is absolutely superb. The only screen we’ve ever seen that marginally surpasses the quality of Apple’s flagship model is the one on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. Yet Apple gets credit for the fact its displays are anti-glare, and they don’t pick up smudges and fingerprints in the way Samsungs’ do. All three displays, on the Air and the two Pro tablets, use Apple’s TrueTone technology and a P3 colour gamut. TrueTone adjusts the on-screen colours and brightness based on ambient light, and this adds to make content look true-to-life. The iPad Pro’s additionally add ProMotion technology with a 120Hz refresh rate. This comes into its own when gaming but helps improve how well the screen can handle any fast-moving content. The three displays are also bright – measuring 500 nits on the Air, 600 nits on the 11-inch Pro, and up to a staggering 1,600 nits on the 12.9 model in peak brightness for HDR. This makes a substantial difference to how colours appear, the level of contrast seen on images and videos, and how sharp text is. It also makes it easier to view in direct sunlight. Performance Apple tablets have a long history of being powerful and highly efficient machines. The hardware and software typically work in the most optimal way possible, and we’re always impressed with how well any mobile device – iPhone or iPad – works. This now includes the iPad Air and both iPad Pro models. Apple claims the iPad Air is the fastest Air model ever made, and the iPad Pro’s M1 chip setup is said to be 50% faster, with 40% faster graphics. We saw either zero or minimal lags when making Zoom calls, sharing screens, attaching external monitors, switching between apps and collaborating on Google Docs across the devices. These tasks barely made a dent in the speed or efficiency of any of the tablets tested for this head-to-head. For more power-hungry tasks, however, such as rendering Full HD videos or editing large photos on Photoshop, the iPad Air did tend to slow down ever so slightly in comparison to the 12.9-inch Pro. This isn’t something you’d likely notice if using the iPad Air on its own, but side-by-side, the difference is noticeable. Small but noticeable. We pushed both the iPad Air and the iPad Pro as far as we could, power-wise, and have very few complaints. We’d imagine that the Air may start to lag a little among creatives who carry out much more intense activities that require large amounts of power, but we have no doubt the iPad Pro would handle these with ease. Based on just how effortlessly it manages mid-range tasks. Design If you’ve had or used an iPad Air before, you’ll be instantly familiar with the design of the most recent model. It’s almost identical to its predecessors in terms of size and design. It’s the same thickness, and there are only a handful of millimetres separating their respective width and height. They also weigh a similar amount – 458g for the iPad Air 4 vs 456g for the iPad Air 3. The biggest difference is the addition of a USB-C port rather than a Lightning connector. By moving the TouchID sensor to the power button, the latest generations of iPad Air take full advantage of the screen real-estate, even if the bezels are a little on the large side. This means it's easier to hold the iPad Air without knocking the screen, but it detracts a little from the overall elegance of the device. The tablet itself is well-balanced and easy to hold and feels lightweight enough to be portable but heavy enough to feel like a premium product. In our iPad Air review, we commented on the fact it only really starts to feel overly heavy when it's in a keyboard folio case. However, having since trialled the iPad Pro, we now know the Air isn’t all that chunky at all. The iPad Pro is 50% heavier than the Air and almost three times the weight of the Mini. And it feels it. On paper, it’s not significantly thicker than its two siblings – 6.4mm vs 6.1mm – but in reality, it feels much larger. None of this is a criticism. To get a tablet with this level of power, performance, battery life and display quality, it needs to contain a vast number of components, and this is bound to add weight. This also plays into the fact the iPad Pro is made for more professional tasks and use cases than for casual use or on-the-go streaming. It’s likely that the iPad Pro will remain in one or two places and won’t be the device of choice when on holiday or travelling. This means it doesn’t need to be as lightweight or as portable as the Air. The overall design of the iPad Pro is more square and more industrial-looking than the sleeker, rounded design of the iPad Air, and it has also opted for a USB-C port. The main difference in the USB-C port on the Pro versus the Air is that it supports Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4. Thunderbolt is another technology Apple has borrowed from its MacBook range, and Thunderbolt 4 is the most recent, advanced iteration of this technology. This makes the iPad Pro’s USB-C connector “the fastest, most versatile port ever on an iPad,” capable of supporting four times more bandwidth for wired connections, faster external storage, and means the tablet can support higher resolution external displays, up to 6K. This is another nod to its suitability for pro users and helps add to its high-end performance further. Apple is selling the iPad Air in five colours – silver, space grey, rose gold, green, and sky blue. By comparison, the iPad Pro is only available in silver and grey. Apple iPad Pro vs iPad Air: which should you buy? Of all the tablet reviews and head-to-head comparison guides we’ve written over the years, this is the hardest to call. On the one hand, the iPad Air offers a lot of the same, or similar, features and specs seen on the more expensive iPad Pro. All while being more streamlined, more portable and more consumer-friendly. On the other hand, the iPad Pro is the best tablet we’ve ever used. Its power, aesthetic, capabilities, and incredible camera setup (and all the benefits that come from this, including Centre Stage) elevate the Pro to a different plane. The iPad Pro supports 5G, whereas the Air doesn’t, which means if you're looking for a cellular model, you’re futureproofing your device. The reason it’s difficult to call a clear winner is that the Pro is so expensive and, if you’re not in a creative or professional industry, it’s hard to justify buying it when the iPad Air performs so admirably. If we had to make a recommendation, all things considered, it would have to be for the iPad Air. The power is more than enough for everyday tasks, plus it can handle more intense activities should you need it to. What’s more, you can get around the storage limitations by signing up for iCloud storage. To put this into perspective, you’d need to sign up for 2TB iCloud storage for almost 12 years at £6.99 a month before you’d have spent the £1,000 price difference between the cheapest iPad Air (£749) and the cheapest 2TB iPad Pro (£1,749). If you’re a pro tablet user, of course, buy the iPad Pro, but for everyone else, the iPad Air is a more than worthy alternative. Where to buy the iPad Air You can also buy the iPad Air from the following places: Currys Amazon John Lewis Argos AO.com Very Where to buy iPad Pro iPad Pro 11-inch You can also buy the iPad Pro 11-inch from the following places: Currys Amazon John Lewis Argos AO.com iPad Pro 12.9-inch For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 You can also buy the iPad Pro 12.9-inch from the following places: Currys Amazon John Lewis Argos AO.com Apple fan? Don't miss our take on the best iPhone to buy and our comparison of the iPhone 12 vs Mini vs Pro vs Pro Max. After a cheaper tablet? Read our best budget tablets guide.
It’s pretty, powerful and pricey as hell but the new iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) just can’t be beaten.
For years, Apple’s iPad range has bucked the global tablet trend. While tablet sales generally have waxed and waned, Apple’s collection has remained consistently popular, outselling its Android rivals and continuing to make up a substantial amount of Apple’s earnings. At the heart of this success – outside of the fact iPads are beautifully made, powerful machines – is that Apple offers something for everyone. From its entry-level iPad to its compact iPad Mini, its mid-range iPad Air and its premium, flagship iPad Pro. The latter is the most expensive iPad in the range. It also stands out because whereas other iPads are entertainment-focused machines with the added bonus of being able to work on, the iPad Pro is a productivity powerhouse dedicated to being a laptop alternative first and an entertainment hub second. In our iPad Pro 2021 review, we look at just how viable an alternative it really is. We put its performance, power, and productivity to the test while comparing it to other flagship models to see who this tablet is best suited to. And to see how it compares to another iPad, read our Apple iPad Pro vs iPad Air article. Jump to: iPad Pro review: summary What is the iPad Pro? How much is the iPad Pro? iPad Pro features iPad Pro screen and sound quality iPad Pro design iPad Pro set-up iPad Pro battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy iPad Pro 2021 review: summary Price: from £749 Key features: Available with an 11-inch Liquid Retina display or a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display Both models are powered by Apple’s iPad OS Front-facing camera supports FaceID Support for the second-generation Apple Pencil (£119, sold separately) Built-in Siri voice controls 12MP wide and 10MP ultra-wide cameras on the rear, 12MP TrueDepth and ultra-wide camera Apple App Store gives access to millions of entertainment and productivity tools, games, TV shows, music, podcasts, books, notes, reminders and more Can be used for browsing, streaming, games, drawing, and note taking (when used with the Apple Pencil) and as a monitor (when used with an Apple keyboard, sold separately) HomeKit app allows you to control compatible smart devices via the tablet Pros: Lightning fast Built for working and creative tasks Bright, sharp and vibrant display Easy to set up and use, especially for existing Apple customers Beautiful design with easy-to-use controls Apple Pencil adds serious productivity credentials Cons: Expensive, especially if you want decent storage Chunky – which dents its portability somewhat What is the iPad Pro 2021? At an event in September 2020, when the latest iPad and iPad Air made their debut, the iPad Pro was notable by its absence. Many questioned whether we’d see the flagship iPad this event season at all until Apple came out swinging at its Spring showcase in April. The release of two models – a third-generation version of the £749 11-inch iPad Pro and the fifth-generation, £999 12.9-inch iPad Pro – takes the total number of tablets available from Apple to five. They join the £329 iPad, £399 iPad Mini, and £579 iPad Air. All other models have been discontinued (but may be on sale via third-party websites.) To justify the £749+ price tag, the 2021 iPad Pro is the fastest, most powerful iPad ever made, thanks to the introduction of the M1 chip. A chip that’s only ever been seen in Apple’s Mac products up till now. This has been optimised to work with the new iPad OS 14.5 and complement the other high-end hardware on board. Hardware that includes a 16-core Apple Neural Engine, an advanced image signal processor (ISP), up to 16GB of memory, and up to 2TB capacity. On the front of the tablet is an upgraded, ultra-wide 12MP front-facing FaceTime HD camera, and the iPad Pro now has a 12MP wide and 10MP ultra-wide camera setup on the rear. The reason we’ve stressed the fact these cameras are wide and ultra-wide is because they allow the introduction of a brand new feature to the iPad Pro called Centre Stage. When you’re making video calls, a combination of machine learning in the M1 chip and the wide field of view afforded by the cameras mean you’re always in shot and in focus. Even as you walk around a room or as people enter the frame. If you’ve got an Echo Show 10, or a Facebook Portal, you’ll be familiar with the technology on play with Centre Stage, and it has undoubtedly been launched to address the increase in remote working and video conferencing. Two stereo speakers are positioned on each side of the tablet, in landscape mode, to improve the sound quality when watching shows or films, and the iPad Pro features a USB-C port. Instead of a physical Home button, the iPad Pro supports FaceID alongside PIN entry. To coincide with the launch, Apple has also released a white version of its Magic Keyboard to go with the black model, and this keyboard and the second-generation Apple Pencil are both sold separately. What does iPad Pro 2021 do? As its name suggests, the iPad Pro has been designed with pro users in mind, and it puts power, performance and productivity front and centre. Support for millions of productivity, entertainment and gaming apps via the Apple App Store. This includes Slack, Teams, Zoom, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ Media streaming with the Apple TV app installed by default. This app acts as a remote control for Apple TV streaming boxes; a library for video content purchased from the iTunes store; and a hub to find and watch Apple TV Plus shows (for subscribers) Apple Books and Podcasts have their own apps, as does the iTunes Store GarageBand, iMovie, Numbers, Keynote, Pages and Files are pre-installed. The latter four apps are Apple’s equivalent to Microsoft Office, or Google Drive’s suite of productivity and work-focused apps The iPad Pro can be used to control and manage smart home devices via HomeKit iCloud support means you can sync content, purchases, and downloads across multiple Apple devices, including Macs, other iPads and iPhones Centre Stage helps enhance the experience on video calls Support for the Apple Pencil (sold separately, £119) and the Magic Keyboard (sold separately, £279) Available in grey and silver How much is the iPad Pro 2021? The iPad Pro comes in two sizes, a choice of five storage options – 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB – and is available with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular. The iPad Pro is the only tablet in Apple’s range to support 5G. iPad Pro 11-inch You can also buy the iPad Pro 11-inch from the following places: Currys: From £749 Amazon: From £749 John Lewis: From £749 Argos: From £749 AO.com: From £749 iPad Pro 12.9-inch You can also buy the iPad Pro 12.9-inch from the following places: Currys: From £999 Amazon: From £999 John Lewis: From £999 Argos: From £999 AO.com: From £999 Is the iPad Pro good value for money? Unless you’re planning to ditch your laptop and work exclusively on the iPad Pro, it’s hard to see how many of us could justify paying £749 at the lower end and a staggering £2,149 at the higher. But that’s the point. Apple already sells a range of iPads for more casual users at more affordable prices. The iPad Pro is not such a device and is not for the masses. With the Pro, the tech giant has thrown all of its very best technology at the device to appeal to a smaller yet highly discerning audience. An audience that will truly appreciate the increase in power, speed and functionality that accompanies the high price tag. For this group of people, a group that lives and breathes creativity, remote working and collaboration, the iPad Pro represents good value for money in its own right and fantastic value for money when used with the keyboard and Pencil. For everyone else, this will be an extravagance and one that will be hard to see where all the extra money has gone. iPad Pro features Like all iPads, the iPad Pro runs on iPad OS, and specifically the newly released iPadOS 14.5 (from July, Apple will be rolling out iPadOS 15, which will replace this version.) This operating system is a slightly redesigned version of the iOS software seen on iPhones and, on the iPad Pro, looks and works similarly to the software seen on MacBooks. The biggest difference is that iPad OS has support for touchscreens and has been tweaked to make sure apps and features render better on the larger display. By connecting the iPad Pro to an existing iCloud account during setup, it means you’ll get full access to all the settings, photos, videos, downloads and more, on every device linked to the same Apple ID. You can also copy something on one device and paste it to another on the same account. This may seem like a small feature, but it hugely boosts productivity because you don’t have to email or message links to yourself. Apple’s App Store on iPadOS comes with the same range of apps seen on iOS, and the tablet comes with a number of Apple apps installed by default. These include Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, Books, GarageBand, News, Clips, iMovie, Fitness, Health, Voice Memos, Reminders, Notes, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Files, and a university app called iTunes U. The iTunes Store app is where you’ll find any previously purchased content stored in your iCloud account. Apple doesn’t let you physically expand the storage on any of its products and usually offers a range of relatively small built-in options. The iPad Pro is an exception and, due to the type of people and professions it’s appealing to, Apple offers 128GB up to 2TB built-in sizes. Granted, you do have to pay for the privilege to get all this extra space, and it’s a premium that many may baulk at, considering you can pay £6.99 a month to get up to 2TB of iCloud storage. However, it depends on how much on-device storage you need. Security-wise, Apple has brought its FaceID technology to this latest round of iPad Pros, which is used alongside a six-digit PIN or passcode. This technology, despite being built into the housing of the front-facing camera at the top of the device, works perfectly well when the tablet is in landscape mode. Other hardware features include a LiDAR Scanner, which measures how long it takes light to reflect back from objects to make AR experiences more accurate and lifelike, as well as a 12MP ultra-wide, front-facing FaceTime HD camera, and wide and ultra-wide 10MP and 12MP rear cameras. This camera setup not only allows creators to film high-resolution footage – alongside five studio‑quality microphones – and make high-quality video calls, but the ultra-wide front-facing design enables the Centre Stage feature; a feature that always keeps you in shot and in focus during a video call even if you’re writing on a whiteboard, moving around the kitchen, or are switching between sitting and standing. Although you have to pay extra for them, having support for the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil elevates the iPad Pro even further into the realm of a laptop replacement. The second-generation Pencil comes with some standout features, including gesture controls and the ability to handwrite in any type box, known as Scribble to iPad. Another small but useful feature of the Apple Pencil is that it can be stored magnetically on the side of the tablet. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus store the pen on the rear, which prevents you from placing them flat on a surface. The Magic Keyboard doubles up as a case to protect the device and features a full keyboard with a trackpad. The keys are somewhat cramped but still useful, and it makes the iPad Pro feel like a MacBook. iPad Pro screen and sound quality Very little separates the 11-inch iPad Pro from the 12.9-inch version (other than their respective sizes, of course) but one significant difference is in the display technology used. The smaller of the two devices features a Liquid Retina display. We’ve previously outlined the benefits of the Retina display in our iPad Mini review, but to summarise – Retina is an Apple display technology that crams a greater number of pixels into a smaller frame to make colours brighter and text sharper. Liquid Retina offers the same benefits as Retina but does so via an LCD panel rather than an OLED one. On the iPad Pro 11-inch, Apple has added TrueTone technology, a ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate, and a P3 colour gamut, with 600 nits peak brightness. This is all a little technical, but, put simply, it makes graphics look sharp, accurate and vibrant by analysing the ambient light and automatically adjusting the on-screen content to match. Its brightness level also means the display is easier to see in direct sunlight. The 12.9-inch model takes things a step further and is the first iPad display to use what’s called a Liquid Retina XDR panel. It takes the technology seen on Apple’s Pro Display XDR – a monitor that will set you back a minimum of £4,599 – and brings it to its tablet collection. The Liquid Retina XDR is superb. It offers true-to-life detail, great for viewing and editing HDR photos and videos or watching movies and TV shows in the way they were meant to be viewed. It ups the total number of nits to 1,600 for peak brightness. All with the same P3 wide colour, True Tone and ProMotion technologies seen on the smaller model. We reviewed the latter of these two displays, and it really is next-level. It makes Full HD content and our HDR photos taken on our DSLR absolutely shine. Colours are accurate, bright and have a lot of depth, and text is clear and sharp. The areas where there were marginal drops in contrast on the iPad Air’s Liquid Retina display are non-existent on the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro screen doesn’t quite live up to the striking impact seen on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus’ display. The latter remains the best display we’ve seen on a mobile device, but the iPad Pro’s offering is an extremely close second. In the iPad Pro’s favour, though, is the fact it comes with an anti-reflective coating. You don’t get the same glare or reflections when watching content on the iPad as you do on Samsung’s models, and this helps add a depth of colour regardless of what light the display is being viewed in. The touchscreen on the iPad Pro also features Apple’s Tap to Wake feature. This allows you to tap the screen to bring it to life, rather than having to find the power button, which is the case on the Samsung range. A small but really frustrating omission. Onto sound, Apple has taken the layout of the stereo speakers seen on the iPad Air and put two on each side of the iPad Pro when viewed in landscape mode. The sound is immersive, rich and well-rounded when watching videos or on conference calls. An experience that is elevated further when listened via headphones. You only get the full benefit of this layout and sound if you’re using the tablet in a case, stand or via the Magic Keyboard, though, because your hands tend to block the speakers somewhat if you’re holding the device. iPad Pro design The iPad Pro looks and feels like a beast of a device when placed alongside the iPad Air, and particularly the iPad Mini. Not only because of its larger screen and overall dimensions but because it’s 50% heavier than the Air and almost three times the weight of the Mini. On paper, it’s not significantly thicker than its two siblings – 6.4mm vs 6.1mm – but in reality, it feels much chunkier. This isn’t a criticism of the iPad Pro. We’d expect a tablet that’s full of laptop-level components to be weighty and large. Instead, we’re using this comparison to further highlight how the iPad Pro and the iPad Air and Mini have different use cases and different audiences. Whereas the latter two models are perfect for on-the-go streaming, gaming or working, the iPad Pro’s design makes it more suited to being a permanent fixture on a desk or table. That’s not to say it’s not portable, but it’s just not *as* portable as the other two. Or any other tablet we’ve reviewed, for that matter. The overall design is more square and more industrial-looking than its siblings, another positive and adds to its premium status. The tablet itself is well-balanced and easy to hold, despite its large size. Although, realistically, you’re unlikely to hold it for any length of time if you’re using it for work. As is the case with most iPads, the bezels are larger than those seen on many rivals, but because of the super bright, mammoth screen, they’re much less noticeable the larger the devices get. In terms of ports, the iPad Pro has a USB-C charging port, rather than a Lightning connector, with support for Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4. Thunderbolt is another technology that has migrated over from Apple’s MacBook range – it was first seen on the MacBook Pro in 2011 – and it adds extra features to standard USB. Thunderbolt 4 is the most recent and advanced iteration of this technology, and on the iPad Pro, it means the USB-C connector is “the fastest, most versatile port ever on an iPad.” It supports four times more bandwidth for wired connections, allows for faster external storage and means the tablet can support higher resolution external displays, including the £4,599 Pro Display XDR we mentioned earlier, with all of its full 6K resolution. iPad Pro set-up Setting up the iPad Pro – as with all Apple products – is a doddle. If you’re an existing Apple customer, you can simply put your current device in the vicinity of the iPad Pro and copy all your data and settings over. With this mode, the tablet will do all the hard work for you, pulling in your existing settings, app downloads and syncing all relevant data from your latest backup. You can alternatively choose to set it up manually if you’re going to be using it for work or want to effectively start from scratch with app downloads etc. You can then choose to set up or disable, FaceID, Siri and sharing settings via the on-screen step-by-step guide that follows the data sync. If you’re not already an Apple customer, you’ll need to create an Apple ID and manually download the apps you want. Apple has created an Android switching feature, though, which helps you switch from one software to another with ease, and you can access this simply by selecting the option from the opening screen. iPad Pro battery life and performance Apple promises up to ten hours of surfing the web or watching video over Wi-Fi, which drops to nine hours when doing the same via a mobile network. This is exactly the same estimated timeframes seen on the iPad Air and the iPad Mini. From our experience, this massively underplays the iPad Pro’s battery capabilities. Firstly during our looping video test in which we play an HD video on repeat until the battery dies, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch went from full to flat in 14 hours. That’s four hours more than Apple states. When using the iPad Pro intermittently to play SimCity, watch TikTok, make a couple of Zoom calls and work with the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, this battery lasted well into the fourth day. This is incredibly impressive. The same can be said for the iPad Pro’s performance. A lot was made of the M1 Chip and its myriad cores, high RAM and support for Apple’s neural engine during the Spring launch event and, having spent weeks pushing it as hard as we can, we can’t fault it. Applications that have been known to cause problems on even more souped-up hardware, such as our 2020 MacBook Pro – namely Photoshop – opened as quickly and worked as well on the iPad Pro as apps as lightweight as Mail or WhatsApp. There is zero lag with the Magic Keyboard, and the Apple Pencil works almost as smoothly as a regular pen on paper. The only thing that’s missing is the slight resistance you get from the real thing. Another feature that Apple waxed lyrical about during the event, and which has also lived up to the hype, is Centre Stage. It gives a freedom that has only previously been possible via the likes of the Echo Show and Facebook Portal, yet it does so in a device that is infinitely more useful and which is portable. It’s become a bit of a party trick during both work and personal video calls to show off how it follows us around the room and, once you’ve used it, you’ll realise how restrictive normal camera setups are. Our verdict: should you buy the iPad Pro? Some very minor criticisms aside, we’ve been completely blown away by the iPad Pro. We’ve been in the tech reviewing game for more than a decade, and this has made us both highly cynical and intolerant to hyperbole. With the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, though, we have to admit defeat. We’ve tried to push it to various limits, we’ve actively gone looking for faults, and the only one we can really point to is its price. Even then, though, the amount of premium technology on board this tablet goes a very long way towards justifying paying so much for it. It’s not an everyday tablet for everyday people. During our testing, we only really scratched the surface of what it’s capable of, and we have no doubt that it would perform just as well for even the most intense tasks. We run the risk of sounding like Apple fanboys, but this is the best tablet we’ve ever used, and it’s almost a shame that its price means it won’t be experienced by large numbers of people. Rating: Features: 5/5 Screen and sound quality: 5/5 Design: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 5/5 Overall rating: 5/5 Where to buy iPad Pro iPad Pro 11-inch undefined You can also buy the iPad Pro 11-inch from the following places: Currys: From £749 Amazon: From £749 John Lewis: From £749 Argos: From £749 AO.com: From £749 iPad Pro 12.9-inch undefined You can also buy the iPad Pro 12.9-inch from the following places: Currys: From £999 Amazon: From £999 John Lewis: From £999 Argos: From £999 AO.com: From £999 Apple fan? Don't miss our best iPhone round-up or our iPhone 12 vs Mini vs Pro vs Pro Max and iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 comparisons. Still comparing tablets? Read our best tablet and best tablet for kids guides.
Looking for a decent tablet to stream shows and play lite games? The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab might be for you.
Leaning on its legacy in the laptop and PC space, Lenovo has occupied a huge section of the Android tablet market, offering devices of varying sizes at various price points for years. The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab sits at the lower end of this spectrum while offering what we consider to be more mid-range specs. The Android tablet doesn’t have the latest and greatest software, nor are its internals up to some of its flagship rivals, but its display and price definitely make it a decent piece of kit. In our Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab review, we look at whether or not it’s worth buying a tablet that runs on slightly outdated software and hardware – no matter how affordable it is – and who this tablet will suit best. And if you want to compare the Yoga Smart Tab to other models, don't miss our best budget tablet, best tablet and best tablet for kids round-ups. Jump to: Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab summary What is the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab? How much is the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab? Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab features Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab screen and sound quality Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab design Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab set-up Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab review: summary Price: The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is available at Lenovo for £249.99. Key features: 10.1 inch Android tablet Powered by the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor Kickstand doubles up as a handle or hanger Two JBL speakers with Dolby Atmos Up to 4GB RAM and 64GB built-in storage Up to 11 hours battery life An 8MP camera on the rear, with a 5MP on the front Only available in “iron” grey Pros Impressive display for this price Good battery life Well-rounded sound from well-positioned speakers Cons A little sluggish at times Unnecessarily crowded software What is the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab? Borrowing from the name of Lenovo’s award-winning Yoga laptop range, the Yoga Smart Tab is a tablet equivalent that comes in at a lot cheaper but with some of the standout features of its premium siblings. It builds on the Yoga Tab 3’s multimode kickstand design, which offers two stand positions and a handle. A pair of JBL stereo speakers are built into this stand, and these provide sound compatible with Dolby Atmos tech. It runs Android Pie, the previous version of the current Android software, and it's powered by a relatively low-spec Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 Processor. This is backed up by 3GB or 4GB RAM, depending on whether you choose the 32GB or 64GB models. Due to the fact they come with relatively low built-in storage, you can expand them both up to 256GB via microSD card. The display is a 10.1 inch Full HD panel, there is a 5MP camera on the front and an 8MP on the rear, and Lenovo promises that the 7,000mAh battery will last 10 hours. What does Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab do? By positioning itself as a tablet for all seasons, Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab covers streaming, gaming, working, and more. Media streaming with the Netflix app installed by default BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ available from the Google Play Store The full suite of Google apps are pre-installed, including Chrome, Play, Gmail, Maps, Google Home, Google Drive, and YouTube Google Assistant is embedded within the operating system, which turns the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab into a lower-spec alternative to the Google Home Nest Hub The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab can be used to control and manage compatible smart home devices via the Google Home app You can sign in with a Google account, as well as set up a separate Lenovo account to make it easier to access files and settings from the cloud Available in one shade of “iron” grey How much is Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab? The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab comes in two versions – one with 32GB of built-in storage and 3GB RAM and a 64GB model with 4GB RAM. It’s available with Wi-Fi only. The price, when bought directly from Lenovo, is as follows: Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab 64GB storage with Wi-Fi: £249.99 You can also buy the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab from the following places: Amazon: From £149.99 (32GB and 64GB models) John Lewis: £249.99 (64GB only) Currys: £249.99 (64GB only) Argos: £199.99 (32GB only) Is the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab good value for money? Lenovo has put a load of its tablet and laptop pedigree into the Yoga Smart Tab, and it shows. It’s a well-built, full-featured device with a number of standout features that are worth paying for – namely, the fact it has Google Assistant embedded into the software and the multimodal kickstand. The former, when used in Ambient mode, is a superb alternative to buying a Google Nest Hub Max, while the latter gives a level of versatility and comfort to the Yoga Smart Tab that we’ve not experienced on other tablets to this extent. Not even when a case has been attached. It’s not perfect. Performance-wise, it can be a little lacking, and it’s not the most stylish tablet we’ve ever used, but as an overall package, it ticks a lot of boxes – all for a relatively cheap £250. Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab features The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab has a 10.1-inch display and runs on Android Pie, which is the previous ninth generation of Android. Flagship models run Android 10. On top of this software is a Lenovo skin which is relatively unobtrusive but is noticeable every now and then, with the odd Lenovo colour scheme on windows or pre-installed Lenovo apps. Being an Android device, the Yoga Smart Tab comes preloaded with Google apps, including YouTube, Drive, Chrome, and Gmail. While many Android tablets come with the Google Assistant app, the Yoga Smart Tab takes things a step further and has the voice assistant embedded within the software. In reality, the difference feels relatively minimal, but with the Yoga Smart Tab, it’s slightly easier to control the device with your voice; it works in the same way it does on the Google Home Nest range. Plus, being embedded within the software means it’s easier to control system settings and so on, compared with Google Assistant via the standalone app. The Yoga Smart Tab comes with a single storage option of 64GB, but this can be expanded to 256GB via microSD. You’ll also get cloud storage via Google Drive. Hardware-wise, the Smart Yoga Tab is powered by a relatively low-spec Qualcomm Snapdragon 439GB processor, backed up by 4GB RAM, and Lenovo promises an 11-hour battery life. On the front of the device is a 5MP camera, while on the rear is an 8MP sensor. There are then two JBL speakers with support for Dolby Atmos on either side of the device (two on each side when held in landscape mode). Unlike the majority of tablets we’ve tried and tested over the years, the Smart Yoga Tab has a stand built into the frame, as opposed to having to buy a separate case stand. This is accessed via a button on the rear, which, when pressed, releases the small kickstand. The Yoga gets its name from the fact it can be used in different positions, and this can be used as a stand, a handle when in portrait mode, to tilt the device rather than keep it upright, and you can hang it from a hook or similar. Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab screen and sound quality The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab's 10.1-inch screen just about qualifies as Full HD with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. When you’ve become accustomed to 4K/UHD screens, or even screens that come in a little lower like those on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and S7 Plus, the Yoga Smart Tab’s display will feel a little lacking. For a tablet of this spec and price, however, the screen is impressive. Colours are vibrant and bright. Depending on the content being watched, the blacks can sometimes look a little muted and faded, but on the whole, the screen is impressive. As mentioned, the Yoga Smart Tab comes with a pair of JBL speakers with Dolby Atmos. These speakers are fitted into either end of the tablet’s handles, and this means that no matter what position you place the tablet, the sound is clear. There is a decent level of surround sound that is loud enough to fill a room, and for a tablet of this price, it’s well-rounded with only a few tinny moments at high levels. Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab design With all the praise we’ve placed on the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab, thus far, there was bound to be a catch, and it’s in the Yoga Smart Tab’s design. For all the benefits you get from having the shape-shifting handle-cum-kickstand, it does make the tablet look and feel bulky. It’s reminiscent of the chunky industrial designs seen on flip phones of yore, and this cheapens the overall effect. Despite the fact you can use this stand as a handle when viewing in portrait mode, you’d think that the bezels would be smaller because you don’t need as much on-screen space for your hands. In fact, the bezels are thick and noticeable, and this both cheapens things further and doesn’t take advantage of making more of the impressive screen. In terms of ports, the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab has remained true to the 3.5mm headphone jack. It has two speakers on each shorter side and a USB-C charging port. Due to the cheaper price, there isn’t a fingerprint scanner, but you can set up face unlock using the front-facing camera. Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab set-up Just like its more expensive sibling – the Lenovo P11 Pro – the Yoga Smart Tab is a confusing tablet to set up. It has a step-by-step tutorial, but there are far too many steps and menus and settings to accept and wade through. Once you’re in, downloading apps is straightforward via the Google Play Store. If you sign in to your Google account, you can get access to your purchased content, previously downloaded apps and Settings. Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab battery life and performance Performance-wise, the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is no powerhouse, but it’s a decent tablet that can handle everyday tasks. At times, switching between apps felt a tad sluggish, as did scrolling through the web on pages that had a lot of images and ads. This is because it’s powered by a lower-spec Qualcomm Snapdragon processor compared to other tablets we’ve tested. If you’re a power user/gamer, it’s unlikely you’ll be spending £200 on a tablet, so this might be a moot point but one worth making. Lenovo claims the tablet's battery will give you up to 10 hours of video playback. In our looping video test, in which we stream HD video over Wi-Fi at 70% brightness, we managed to get a little over eight and a half hours. For everyday tasks – watching the odd YouTube video, playing a couple of games of SimCity, two video calls with our parents and everyday browsing – this battery lasted a day and a half. Our verdict: should you buy the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab? If you’re after a decent tablet for streaming shows and playing lite games, the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab ticks a lot of boxes for an affordable price. It’s a little more pricey than the Amazon Fire HD 10 – between £50 and £100 depending on where and when you buy it – but we feel you get a lot more bang for your buck. It’s better designed, more robust, and even though Lenovo’s skin is a little obtrusive sometimes, it’s nowhere near as bad as Amazon’s ads and apps. Plus, you get the full catalogue of Android apps on the Lenovo, which can’t be said for the Amazon range. The versatility afforded by the Yoga Smart Tab’s stand elevates this tablet above many others in the same price range and, while it may seem unnecessary, you’ll soon realise just how much you use it. The addition of Google Assistant embedded into the software takes things up a notch. On the whole, this is a well-rounded, well-considered and well-designed tablet for casual users and families. Rating: Features: 5 Screen and sound quality: 4 Design: 5 Set-up: 5 Battery life and performance: 4 Where to buy Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab Lenovo Amazon John Lewis Currys Argos Still not sure what tablet to buy? Read our expert take in our iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) review, iPad Air (2020) review, Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review, Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 review, Amazon Fire HD 10 review and our iPad Mini review.
The MatePad Pro has a bright display and elegant hardware design – but can it overcome Huawei's software woes? Find out in our review.
China’s Huawei has had a turbulent few years following a ban in May 2019 in the US. Not only were Huawei’s phones not allowed to be sold in the country, but the company was also initially told it couldn’t sign licence agreements with US-based companies, and this included Google. Since this point, a few of the restrictions have been lifted to varying degrees, but the ban still largely remains, and this means Huawei’s phones and tablets don’t look like traditional Android devices. The biggest being that they don’t have the Google Play Store by default. This means that Huawei devices don’t support any Google apps – including Chrome, YouTube, Google Drive and more – and that you can’t get the full catalogue of Android apps available on rival devices. In our Huawei MatePad Pro review, we look at whether the hardware and design can make up for these software shortfalls and how well Huawei’s proprietary alternatives for US services and chips stand up on their own. To compare this tablet with more options, don't miss our best budget tablet, best tablet and best tablet for kids articles. Jump to: Huawei MatePad Pro summary What is the Huawei MatePad Pro? How much is the Huawei MatePad Pro? Features Screen and sound quality Design Set-up Battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Huawei MatePad Pro review: summary Price: £499.99 (RRP) Key features 10.8 inch Huawei Mobile Services tablet Powered by the octa-core Huawei Kirin 990 processor Four speakers tuned by Harman Kardon that feature Histen 6.0 sound effects 6GB RAM and 128GB built-in storage Up to 12 hours battery life A 13MP camera on the rear, with an 8MP on the front Free cover (worth £29.99) and keyboard (£129.99) when the tablet is bought via Huawei Wireless charging plate can be used to charge the tablet, but also share battery charge with compatible Huawei devices Support for Huawei MatePad M-Pen (£99, sold separately) Only available in “midnight” grey Pros Bright, pixel-packed display Elegant and streamlined design Loud, impressive sound Superb battery life Cons Software is a mess Limited apps The Huawei MatePad Pro is available at Huawei for £499.99 (Wi-Fi) or £549.99 (Wi-Fi and LTE). It is also available at select UK retailers. What is the Huawei MatePad Pro? What does Huawei MatePad Pro do? Huawei MatePad Pro covers streaming, gaming, working, and more but the selection of apps from which to do all of these activities are limited. Unlike other regular Android tablets, the MatePad Pro has very few pre-installed apps and those which it does preload only include its own productivity and entertainment apps – Video, Tips, Kids Corner and various tools like a calculator and voice recorder. Google Assistant is embedded within the operating system, which turns the Huawei MatePad Pro into a lower-spec alternative to the Google Home Nest Hub. The Huawei MatePad Pro can be used to control and manage compatible smart home devices via the Google Home app. Available in one shade of “iron” grey. How much is Huawei MatePad Pro? The Huawei MatePad Pro comes in only one storage size – 128GB – and is available with Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi+cellular. The price, when bought directly from Huawei, is as follows: Huawei MatePad Pro 128GB storage with Wi-Fi: £499.99 Huawei MatePad Pro 128GB storage with Wi-Fi+cellular: £549.99 You can also buy the Huawei MatePad Pro from the following places: undefined Is the Huawei MatePad Pro good value for money? The Huawei MatePad Pro’s price puts it on par with the Lenovo P11 Pro and the Apple iPad Air. Yet, while it easily competes in terms of hardware, it lags behind in software terms. Everything that’s missing can, in one form or another, be accessed via a browser and bookmarks or by what’s known as sideloading apps. You can also jailbreak the device to take control of its software – we don’t advise doing either of the latter, but you have options. The hardware afforded by the Huawei MatePad Pro is a major selling point. It’s an attractive, super-fast tablet with superb battery life. The wireless charging feature is great. However, none of these features are so revolutionary that they’re worth the software hassle. If the price was lower, it would be worth the sacrifice, but sadly it’s not. The way you’ll get the most value for money with the Huawei MatePad Pro is if you already have a Huawei phone. If you’re not, it could be a struggle. Huawei MatePad Pro features The Huawei MatePad Pro has a 10.8-inch display with a resolution that puts it at the 2K mark. Unlike the vast majority of tablets on the market, it doesn’t run Android or iOS. It runs on Huawei’s own operating system called EMUI, which is built using open-source Android files but isn’t a pure, pre-loaded version of it. This means that Huawei’s tablet isn’t compatible with Google Play, so you can’t get access to the full catalogue of traditional Android apps out of the box. Instead, Huawei has built its own App Gallery store. It is possible to get popular apps, like Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and more, by downloading the APK (Android Package) files via the App Gallery, but it’s not as straightforward as using the original Play Store. Other software features include support for Multi-screen Collaboration, as long as you have a Huawei phone running EMUI 10.0 or later. Once connected, the two devices are effectively merged into one, and this allows you to make calls, send messages and check photos from your phone on the tablet screen. You can also drag and drop files between the two devices and edit them. The latter is a small yet highly effective tool that helps when using the MatePad Pro as a laptop alternative. It can also help you better control your storage on either device. Speaking of storage, the Huawei MatePad Pro comes in only one storage size – 128GB. This can be expanded to 256GB via microSD, but neither offers huge space for files and apps. Hardware-wise, the MatePad Pro is powered by the Kirin 990 processor, backed up by 6GB RAM. This flagship setup has been designed to make the tablet super fast and power-efficient, and Huawei promises a 12-hour battery life when streaming Full HD video. You can charge this battery via USB-C or on a wireless charger. This charging plate on the rear of the tablet can also be used to share charge with Huawei phones when placed on top of each other. On the front of the MatePad Pro is a 13MP camera, while on the rear is an 8MP sensor. There are then four speakers, tuned by Harman Kardon, on either side of the device (two on each side when held in landscape mode). These speakers feature so-called Hirsten 6 3D stereo sound effects designed to offer a rich, immersive sound. We tested a Huawei MatePad Pro with a keyboard. This, along with the M-Pen, don’t come as standard and cost £129.99 and £99, respectively, but they elevate the tablet considerably. Out of the many, many tablets we’ve tested, the keyboard on the MatePad Pro was the most comfortable and easy to use, making us more productive. It’s also a great stand when watching content. If we had to pick out one flaw, though, it would be that the tablet wobbles and shakes as you use the touchscreen when it’s attached to the keyboard. Plus, if you’re using this tablet for work or as a laptop alternative, Huawei’s operating system comes with a PC Mode which can be easily enabled with just one touch. This is similar to the Productivity Mode on the P11 Pro and allows you to zoom, drag and arrange your application windows how you would on a desktop. Some files can be saved directly on the desktop too. It’s not perfect – without the full touchpad and mouse controls seen on PCs and laptops, we don’t think a tablet can ever truly mimic the desktop experience – but it’s not as poor as Lenovo’s Productivity Mode. Huawei MatePad Pro screen and sound quality With a resolution of 2560 x 1600, the MatePad Pro’s screen quality is highly impressive and comes in at 2K. It falls short of the quality, vibrancy and brightness of the Samsung Tab S7 range, but we prefer it to Apple’s Liquid Retina Display. Colours are bright, blacks are inky, lines are sharp, and the overall experience makes Full HD content absolutely shine. The bezels on the display are the thinnest we’ve seen on a tablet for a very long time, and this gives the MatePad Pro a 90% screen-to-body ratio. This screen real-estate does the impressive display technology even more justice and is perfect for everything from working, gaming or streaming. The sound that comes from this device is equally impressive. The four speakers manage to highlight subtleties in voices when listening to podcasts while also providing booming bass when you’re playing music or watching shows. The quad-speaker setup performs very well at full volume, but because the sound quality is so sharp, you never feel like you have to whack the speakers up to get the best out of them. Thanks to the addition of Huawei’s Histen sound effects, this sound experience is even better through headphones. This software tweak adds 3D surround sound support and delivers vibrant, crisp sounds. This is ideal when watching shows and particularly when gaming. There isn’t a headphone jack on this tablet, but there is an adapter included in the box that allows you to use any existing 3.5mm headphones. Huawei MatePad Pro design In addition to extending the viewing angle, MatePad Pro’s super-thin bezels give this tablet a huge screen-to-body ratio. This makes the device look and feel more premium than its mid-to-high-range price tag, as does the use of the sturdy yet lightweight magnesium alloy frame around this glass display. Instead of hiding the camera in this frame, Huawei has put the front-facing camera within the display itself, in a small punch-hole cutout in the corner. This is barely noticeable other than when it very occasionally gets in the way of on-screen buttons that happen to be in the top corner. The MatePad Pro has rounded corners, and the rear is made of plastic to make it possible to use with a wireless charger. This use of plastic does lessen the premium feeling somewhat, but we’ll take this hit for the addition of wireless charging. The Huawei MatePad Pro has two speakers on each shorter side and a USB-C charging port. Huawei MatePad Pro set-up The fact the MatePad Pro runs on an Android-derived operating system means it’s not quite as straightforward to sign in to your Google account and have your Settings copied over. It’s not difficult, but it’s not quite as seamless as on standard Android tablets. There is a step-by-step tutorial that guides you through the process, and Huawei doesn’t overwhelm things with many, many menus and choices as seen on the likes of the Lenovo devices. It still takes a fair amount of time. If you already have a Huawei phone or account, the process is much more simple. You can sign in to the device, or you can use Huawei’s Phone Clone tool, which pulls over files, settings and data from one device to another with ease. Huawei MatePad Pro battery life and performance For all of our software criticisms about the MatePad Pro, its hardware is fantastic, and this means its performance is built to match. The processor and high RAM makes the MatePad Pro lightning fast. Opening apps, streaming videos and playing games were instant, and we didn’t experience any lag. It’s the fastest tablet we’ve ever used. Another boon in Huawei’s favour is its battery life. Huawei promises up to 12 hours of video playback, and in our looping video test, in which we stream HD video over Wi-Fi at 70% brightness, we exceeded this. It lasted almost 14 hours. For everyday tasks – watching the odd YouTube video, playing a couple of games of SimCity, two video calls with our parents and everyday browsing – this battery lasted three days. For a device with such a high-quality screen and so much power, this was a very pleasant surprise. Having support for wireless charging also makes it a doddle to charge up between uses. Simply lay it on the charger, give it a boost, and you’re good to go again. This would easily prevent you from ever having to charge the device from flat to full. Our verdict: should you buy the Huawei MatePad Pro? It’s such a shame, almost frustratingly so, that the Huawei MatePad Pro has its software woes because it’s a great tablet; fast, powerful, practical, AND attractive. We’re big fans of the keyboard, but you have to pay extra for it. You’ll also need to pay extra for a wireless charging plate if you don’t already have one. These both add not insignificant costs to a device that was already relatively pricey. If you don’t mind the software shortfall, or if you’re a Huawei user already, this is (and should be) the tablet you go for. However, unless you fall into these two camps, the lack of familiar apps and software will likely be a dealbreaker. Rating: Features: 3/5 Screen and sound quality: 5/5 Design: 5/5 Set-up: 3/5 Battery life and performance: 5/5 Overall rating: 4/5 Where to buy Huawei MatePad Pro Available via Huawei Available at AO.com Available at Currys Available at Very undefined Still looking for the perfect tablet? Check out our expert reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, Apple iPad Air (2020) and the Amazon Fire HD 10.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus almost perfectly combines elegance, functionality, power and performance – yet it comes at a price.
It’s become common for brands to release multiple devices at the same time that are remarkably similar but different enough to warrant different prices. Usually with a “Plus” moniker as a way of differentiating between the two. In the summer of 2020, it was Samsung’s turn with the introduction of the Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus. The two tablets offer many of the same features. They run the same Android software, with the same Samsung features on top; they both ship with the S Pen; the camera setup is identical; and the refresh rate, which determines how smooth scrolling and video playback are, is the same across both. Yet, the Plus is positioned as the flagship model. A larger, more powerful tablet said to be worthy of replacing a laptop, and one that warrants adding almost £200 to the starting price. In our Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus review, we take a look at how well the tablet handles everything from streaming to playing games, remote working and letting our toddler get their hands on it. We give its S Pen stylus a test run, and we look at whether this tablet could actually replace your laptop or PC. You can also take a look at our Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 review, and for another Samsung device that comes with the S Pen, there's our Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra review. To compare this device with other tablets, check out our best budget tablet, best tablet and best tablet for kids guides. What is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus? How much is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus - Plus? Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus features Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus screen and sound quality Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus design Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus set-up Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus review: summary There's no denying the Galaxy Tab S7 is a hugely capable and impressive device and performs fantastically well as both a large-screen tablet and an alternate to a computer. We loved the AMOLED display and the hugely powerful flagship Snapdragon processor. But with these high specs come high prices, and they're likely to deter lots of casual users. However, for those who are willing to pay for such high-powered tech, the Galaxy Tab S7 is exceptional. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is available at Samsung for £799. What is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is the larger, more powerful, more expensive sibling of the Galaxy Tab S7. Released during the same event, in August 2020, the Tab S7 Plus has a 12.4inch display (up from the Tab S7’s 11inch screen) and sits at the very top end of Samsung’s tablet price range. It’s powered by Android 10, with a Samsung skin, and can be bought with Wi-Fi only or with Wi-Fi+5G. You can then choose between 128GB or 256GB built-in storage (both expandable to 1TB via microSD), 6GB or 8GB or RAM, and whether you want it in navy, black, bronze or silver. The Wi-Fi-only, 128GB model is the cheapest of the lot at £799. This price then goes up to £1,000 for the 128GB, 5G version. Be mindful of the fact that if you buy a cellular version of the Tab S7 Plus, you’ll need to pay extra for a mobile contract. Samsung does sell a 256GB, 5G tablet, but at the time of writing, it’s listed as “currently unavailable” on Samsung’s own, as well as its partner sites. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus additionally ships with the brand’s S Pen Stylus by default. What does Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus do? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is designed to be a tablet for all seasons – an entertainment hub, a powerhouse for remote working, and a design tool for creatives. Plus much more. Google Play Store gives full access to the full Android app catalogue This includes Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ for streaming, all Google Drive apps, Microsoft apps including OneNote, Excel and Word, plus millions of games, browsers, and the full range of design, notebook and sketch pad apps for use with the S Pen, You can control the Tab S7 Plus with your hands, voice (via Bixby), S Pen, and gestures (via the S Pen) 4K video recording – but not 4K playback Split View allows you to run two apps side-by-side AKG tuned quad speakers come with Dolby Atmos technology Compatible with the Samsung Keyboard Cover keyboard (£219, sold separately) Available in black, bronze, navy and silver How much is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus? There are a number of ways you can switch up your Galaxy Tab S7 Plus configuration, depending on what specifications best suit your needs. This includes four colours, two storage sizes, two RAM options, and whether you want Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi plus 5G. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus price, when bought directly from Samsung, is as follows: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus 128GB + 6GB RAM: £799 (Wi-Fi only) Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus 128GB + 6GB RAM: £999 (Wi-Fi + 5G) Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus 256GB + 8GB RAM: £869 (Wi-Fi only) Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus 256GB + 8GB RAM: (Wi-Fi + 5G) - This is currently unavailable in the UK, and we have contacted Samsung to find out more You can also buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus from the following places: Amazon: From £799 John Lewis: From £619 Argos: From £799 AO.com: £799 Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus good value for money? There’s no denying you get a lot of bang for your buck with the Samsung Tab S7 Plus. It ticks a lot of boxes as a standalone, large-screen tablet as well as a viable laptop alternative. The problem is its price aims it high; more towards power users than casual tablet fans. The only real way you’ll get value for money with the Tab S7 Plus is if you use it for everything from working to designing to entertaining and browsing. If you’re looking to use it as a replacement for your laptop, it’s more than worth the £800 starting price. Yet, if you’re looking for just a decent tablet to watch shows on or are more of a casual sketcher than a full-on illustrator, you’d be better off buying the Samsung Tab S7. Or even something cheaper. The differences in screen size, display quality, power and battery life are noticeable between the Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus, but not enough to warrant the extra money, in our view. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus features With both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus, Samsung has thrown almost the full weight of its display technology prowess behind it. We thought the display on the Tab S7 couldn’t be beaten until we saw the display on the Plus model. It’s the best screen we’ve ever seen on a mobile device, without a doubt. The tablet takes the power and performance of its smaller Tab S7 sibling and turns it up a notch, and we’re borderline obsessed with how great the S Pen is. The Tab S7 Plus runs Android 10 with a lightweight Samsung skin over the top. This means you get access to the full catalogue of Android apps, games, films, TV shows and books via Google’s Play Store. Like Tab S7, the Tab S7 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 octa-core processor, which proved to be lightning-fast on the model we trialled. Even though the Tab S7 Plus is available with two storage options – 128GB and 256GB – they can both be expanded to 1TB via microSD. The only real difference with the 256GB model is that it runs on 8GB RAM rather than 6GB. If you’re planning to be a power user, this could prove useful, but unless you’re going all out with apps, graphic designing, high-end gaming or similar, this extra boost will barely be noticeable. 6GB RAM with the Snapdragon 865 is more than enough power to get most tasks done with ease. The fingerprint scanner is located under the display and can be used on its own, alongside facial recognition and/or a PIN for maximum security. The fingerprint scanner on the Tab S7 was a little temperamental if we didn’t place our finger in exactly the right position, it was located on the power button, but we never had a problem with the scanner on the Tab S7 Plus. Elsewhere, you can use the Tab S7 Plus to control any Bluetooth devices compatible with Samsung’s SmartThings platform. Use it hands-free with Samsung’s built-in voice assistant, Bixby, or via the S Pen – the pièce de résistance of Samsung’s flagship tablet range. Aside from being great for making handwritten notes, sketching and designing, the S Pen can also be used to unlock your tablet with the press of a button on its side. It will translate text simply by hovering it over a word, and you can control on-screen pages and scrolling using gestures, and much more. Our toddler is a huge fan of this pen – much more than the Apple Pencil, for instance – and despite the fact the Tab S7 Plus is not aimed at kids, this proved an unexpected added bonus. Our one small complaint is that the S Pen we trialled for this review was the rose gold one, and it looks, and feels, cheaper than the black model we tried with the Tab S7. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus screen and sound quality As with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, the screen on the Tab S7 Plus really needs to be seen to be believed. It’s stunning and, as we said before, it’s the best display we’ve ever seen on a mobile device. Aside from the difference in size, compared to the Tab S7, the Tab S7 Plus replaces the LCD panel on its cheaper sibling for a super AMOLED one. The OLED in AMOLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. This is a display technology in which each pixel can self-illuminate. The result is bright, highly accurate colours and deep blacks without any light bleeding through. The AM in AMOLED stands for Active Matrix and refers to an extra layer of transistors that give greater control of the pixels and their colours. It’s all quite technical, so all you need to remember is that the display is absolutely superb. The bezel is thinner than we would expect for such a large display – larger tablets typically need more space upon which to grip the device – and this both maximises the Tab S7 Plus’ screen size and elevates its elegance. It has a resolution of 1752 x 2800 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio. This isn’t quite a UHD/4K display, but it does offer HDR+, meaning Full HD content absolutely shines on this display. There are a couple of smaller downsides. The 16:10 aspect ratio, while great for viewing content on Netflix and YouTube, can lead to apps not always being displayed properly. A small yet significant complaint we made when reviewing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 was its lack of a Tap to Wake feature. This is missing on the Tab S7 Plus, too. Tap to Wake is a feature seen on Apple and other rival devices in which you simply touch the screen to bring it to life and access the on-screen security controls. To wake the Tab S7 Plus screen, you have to press the power button or enable it as an option in the S Pen. The latter means that when you tap the button on the side of the pen, the screen “wakes up”. The Tab S7 Plus copies the speaker layout of the Tab S7, and there are four speakers – two on each side – to create impressive stereo sound. Particularly for a tablet. We did notice that the sound did get a tad distorted on the highest volume, but it’s unlikely you’ll ever really listen to music cranked right up via this tablet. Plus, the distortion is minimal. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus design Apple still very much holds the design crown when it comes to phones and tablets, in our view, but the Galaxy Tab S7 tablet range is up there with the best. The Tab S7 Plus is the epitome of luxury from its sleek aluminium back, buttons that sit almost flush with the edge of the tablet, the large, bright display and thin casing. Only the camera module on the rear, which protrudes slightly, detracts from the overall elegant and streamlined design. Despite its large size, the tablet is thin, and its components are well-balanced. This makes it comfortable to hold with two hands. However, one hand will start to ache after a while. The Tab S7 Plus adds a 10,090mAh battery, up from the 7,040mAh seen on the Tab S7, yet the larger model doesn’t feel noticeably larger beyond the increase in dimensions. It is heavier, by around 100g, but in reality, this barely registers and (if anything) just adds to its luxurious feel. When it comes to ports, the Samsung Tab S7 Plus has a USB-C connector, a magnetic pin connector used to charge the Laptop Cover keyboard, and a smooth magnetic strip along the back. This strip is used to keep your S Pen in place and doubles up as a pen charger. The only thing missing is a headphone jack. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus set-up The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus offers the same, easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorial as its cheaper, smaller sibling. If you need to return to a previous menu or exit, it’s straightforward and clear how to do so at every stage. Instead of having Samsung apps thrust upon you, as has been the case with previous Samsung devices we’ve tested, the set-up process on the Tab S7 Plus is more customisable. It lets you select which of its apps and services you want – including whether you want to enable Bixby or not – at the touch of a button. It even puts your browser choice and security settings front and centre. For some, this may be overwhelming, but Samsung helps guide you through to make it as simple as possible. That’s not to say you don’t get any Samsung apps pre-installed, but it’s limited to those which Samsung clearly deems the most useful – Samsung Notes, the Galaxy Store (an alternative to the Play Store), Tips, and Devices. Because the Tab S7 Plus runs on Android, you do get Google’s suite of apps pre-installed. These can be easily removed if you don’t want or need them. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus battery life and performance Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is an absolute powerhouse, thanks to the flagship Snapdragon processor and up to 8GB RAM. Not once did the Tab S7 Plus fail to do what we needed it to. When playing games or watching Full HD content, the graphics and scenes rendered brilliantly. Apps opened with minimal lag, and there was never a delay when switching between apps. The issues we had with Side View crashing on the Tab S7 were never a problem on the Tab S7 Plus. Samsung claims the battery life on the Tab S7 will last 15 hours. We managed to push it to just shy of this – 14 hours 45 minutes – in our looping video test, which involves playing an HD video on repeat with the brightness set to 70% and aeroplane mode enabled. On standby, it lasted well into the fifth day. For more everyday tasks – making video calls, browsing the web, playing SimCity, catching up on Netflix and listening to podcasts – we got just over a day and a half. All are improvements on the Tab S7 and, given the Tab S7 Plus’ impressive display, are surprising. Our verdict: should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus? If budget wasn’t an issue, we’d buy the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus in a heartbeat. It is almost flawless, and once you’ve seen how great the display is, it makes it harder to switch to any tablet that doesn’t offer such richness, vibrancy and accuracy. What’s more, Samsung hasn’t rested on its laurels with this display. The entire package is powerful, well designed, intuitive, and a joy to use. However, budget is – and will be – an issue for a vast majority. And this puts the Tab S7 Plus and all of its wonders out of the reach of most of us. If you can’t quite stretch to the Tab S7 Plus, the Tab S7 is a more than worthy alternative for £619. You can also save a few quid by not feeling obliged to buy the more expensive versions of the Tab S7 Plus. We recommend opting for the Wi-Fi only model and hot-spotting off your phone as and when you need to. We also don’t think the 256GB model is worth paying extra for. If you’re a heavy Google user or any cloud-based services for that matter, you’ll have plenty of online storage to cover the shortfall with the cheaper, 128GB version. Plus, a 128GB microSD card costs around £19.99, giving you the storage of the larger tablet for less. You can then put the money you’ve saved on storage towards buying the £219 Keyboard Cover. Give scores out of 5 for: Features: 5/5 Screen and sound quality: 5/5 Design: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 5/5 Where to buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is available from the following retailers online. Further down, you'll find the best offers out there. Amazon John Lewis Argos AO.com Still comparing tablets? Read our iPad Air (2020) review or, if you're set on an Android tablet, check out our review of the Amazon Fire HD 10 or our Lenovo P11 Pro review.
The Lenovo P11 Pro has a sharp display and excellent battery life, but is it worth your money?
There are countless tablets that promise to replace your laptop. Some believe that simply adding a keyboard is enough to tick this box, while others add a keyboard, a smattering of software tweaks and market themselves as a 2-in-1. The Lenovo P11 Pro attempts to go a step further, adding an entire Productivity Mode. Designed to more explicitly separate the casual from the business features, it makes the Android tablet behave more like a desktop monitor when connected to the Lenovo keyboard. Given the fact that you get all this for a relatively affordable £500, and it’s powered by a lower-spec processor than those seen on Samsung devices – Lenovo’s main rival in the tablet computer space – should tell you it’s not quite the full, high-end package. But is it still worth investing in? In our Lenovo P11 Pro review, we take a look at how its power, battery life and display stand up to streaming, browsing and working from home. We also see how the P11 Pro compares to the likes of the Samsung Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus, as well as the iPad Air. If you're looking for more reviews, read our best budget tablet, best tablet and best tablet for kids round-ups. Jump to: Lenovo P11 Pro review summary What is the Lenovo P11 Pro? How much is the Lenovo P11 Pro? Lenovo P11 Pro features Lenovo P11 Pro screen and sound quality Lenovo P11 Pro design Lenovo P11 Pro set-up Lenovo P11 Pro battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Lenovo P11 Pro review: summary Price: The Lenovo P11 Pro is available at Lenovo from £449.99. Key features: 11.5-inch Android 10 tablet Powered by the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 730GB processor Productivity Mode adds desktop-style multitasking features when used with a keyboard and Lenovo Precision Pen (available as a bundle or sold separately) Four JBL speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos Up to 6GB RAM and 128GB built-in storage Fingerprint reader, face unlock and PIN security features Up to 15 hours battery life A dual 13MP and 5MP camera on the rear, with an 8MP on the front Available in “slate” or “platinum” grey Pros Bright, sharp display Excellent battery life Well-rounded sound from impressive speakers Cons Confusing and temperamental software Productivity Mode promises a lot but delivers very little What is the Lenovo P11 Pro? Lenovo is a laptop and PC giant. It consistently makes what are considered the best laptops around, and it has a long legacy in this field, having first become the world’s top PC maker in 2013. In 2011, it entered the Android and Windows tablet game and has since released more than 50 models in various formats and designs, powered by Windows, Android and Chrome OS. The £500 Lenovo Tab P11 Pro sits at the top end of its Android range. Positioned as an all-in-one tablet, it’s said to be perfect for gaming, streaming, browsing, working and creativity. It’s a long way off the brand’s flagship Windows-powered ThinkPad X1 tablet, which starts at a whopping £1,824, and is twice the price of Lenovo’s entry-level Tab collection. A collection that includes the Tab 3, Tab M8, Tab M10, Smart Tab, Yoga Smart Tab, and the standard Tab P11. This price point puts the Tab P11 Pro just about on par with Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 (which starts at £619) and the Apple iPad Air (£579). What does the Lenovo P11 Pro do? By positioning itself as a tablet for all seasons, Lenovo P11 Pro covers streaming, gaming, working, and more. Media streaming with the Netflix app installed by default BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ are available from the Google Play Store, as are millions of apps, plus TV shows, films and books available to purchase All Google apps are preloaded, including Chrome, Play, Gmail, Kids Space, Fit, Maps, Google One, Google Home, Google Assistant, Podcasts, Google Drive, Calendar, Files and Google and YouTube Other pre-installed apps include Microsoft Office, OneNote, Squid, and Bamboo Paper The Lenovo P11 Pro can be used to control and manage compatible smart home devices via the Google Home app or the apps from individual device manufacturers You can sign in with a Google account, as well as set up a separate Lenovo account to make it easier to access files, search history and settings from the cloud Support for the Lenovo Precision Pen (sold separately) turns Lenovo P11 Pro into a notebook and sketch pad. It can also be used to write in any entry field on browsers, apps and more – read more about this in the Performance section Can be used like a Google Nest Hub Max when in Ambient Mode Available in two shades of grey – “slate” and “platinum” How much is the Lenovo P11 Pro? The Lenovo P11 Pro comes in two storage sizes – 64GB and 256GB – and is available with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular. The prices, when bought directly from Lenovo, are as follows: Lenovo P11 Pro 128GB storage with Wi-Fi: £499.99 Lenovo P11 Pro 128GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular: £539.99 Lenovo P11 Pro 128GB storage with Wi-Fi, keyboard and stylus: £599.99 Lenovo P11 Pro 256GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular, keyboard and stylus: £629.99 If you don’t want the keyboard but do want the stylus, or vice versa, you can buy these accessories separately from the tablet. The keyboard costs £84.99, and the Lenovo Precision Pen is £89.99. You can also buy the Lenovo P11 Pro from the following places: Amazon: From £599.99 AO.com: From £599 Very: From £599.99 Is the Lenovo P11 Pro good value for money? The Lenovo P11 Pro occupies the higher end of the mid-range tablet market, sitting alongside the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (starting at £619) and the £579 iPad Air. It’s a tad cheaper than both of these rivals when bought as a standalone tablet, but this price creeps up when you start adding the keyboard and pen. It fails to quite live up to either in terms of performance and design, though. The screen is great, but nowhere near that on the Tab S7. The overall design falls short of the stylish iPad Air. The software is overly complicated and is frustrating compared to both of its rivals. In Lenovo’s favour, the tablet can be turned into a Google Nest Hub Max alternative by switching on Ambient mode. For us, this makes it the most value for money when you consider a Google Nest Hub costs £179 on its own. Of course, the Lenovo tablet doesn’t come with all the features of the original Google Nest Hub, but it’s a worthy substitute should you want one. All things considered, the Lenovo P11 Pro is priced as it should be – it’s not good value for money, but nor is it poor value either. Even if you don’t think you’ll use the Lenovo model for work, the keyboard and pen do elevate the P11 Pro above just an Android tablet, and they add a relatively small amount to the price when bought as a bundle. Lenovo P11 Pro features The Lenovo P11 Pro has an 11.5-inch OLED display and runs on Android 10, with a Lenovo skin on top. Being an Android device means it comes pre-loaded with the full suite of Google products, and having a skin means that there are a few Lenovo apps thrown in, too. You can then choose from millions of apps in the Google Play Store depending on what you want to use the tablet for. All versions of the P11 Pro come with just 128GB built-in storage – and the pre-installed apps take up almost 20% of this storage – but this can be physically expanded up to 1TB if you find space getting a little tight. Plus, with the Google apps all offering cloud storage, this may not be an issue. The tablet is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730GB processor, backed up by 6GB RAM, and Lenovo promises a 15-hour battery life. On the front of the device is an 8MP camera, while on the rear is a dual-camera setup consisting of a 13MP sensor alongside a 5MP snapper. There are then four JBL speakers with support for Dolby Atmos fitted on either side of the device (two on each side when held in landscape mode). Software-wise, the Lenovo skin adds a couple of standout features. The Productivity Mode, as previously mentioned, makes apps look and feel more like desktop windows. You can tap to expand and shrink the frames, as well as drag and drop the windows side-by-side like you would with a mouse and a monitor on a PC. Its Notification-free mode is similar to Apple’s Do Not Disturb in that it stops notifications from appearing when you’re working, watching a film or playing games. Elsewhere, because it supports Google Assistant, you can turn the tablet into a Google Nest Hub Max alternative. A Google Nest Hub, like the Echo Show from Amazon, is a smart speaker with a screen. Putting the Lenovo P11 Pro into Ambient mode allows it to look and work more like a Google Nest, showcasing relevant information in a full-screen mode that can be controlled via your voice. Lenovo P11 Pro screen and sound quality Despite the addition of various productivity tools on the software side of things, the hardware on the Lenovo P11 Pro positions the tablet more towards an entertainment device. Particularly its bright, colourful screen. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro's 11.5-inch 2K OLED screen has a resolution of 2560 x 1600. This on its own makes colours look accurate and vivid and makes blacks look inky and rich, but when combined with Dolby Vision, the effect is elevated. It’s a superb screen for watching TV shows, films and playing games, and words look sharp and clean on ebooks. All of this is bolstered by the fact the screen has a 16:10 ratio. This ratio is less than ideal when working because documents end up being a little cut off, but this is a minor complaint. Sound quality is equally impressive; another nod towards this tablet being a great, on-the-go way to watch video. The use of four stereo speakers, built and tuned by audio giants JBL and Dolby Atmos, creates an immersive sound experience that we’ve not experienced on other devices. This may have something to do with algorithms that change the direction and “flow” of audio to make sure the sound is always being directed in the best possible way. Lenovo calls it a “360-degree curtain of sound”, and while this is heavy marketing speech and isn’t something we can scientifically attest to, the overall sound quality is very impressive. Lenovo P11 Pro design The first thing that struck us about the design of the Lenovo P11 Pro is that it feels robust and sturdy. Thanks to its full aluminium unibody casing, it’s a relatively hefty tablet that feels more luxurious than some more expensive models without feeling overly bulky. This makes it appealing as both a mobile workstation, as well as a portable streaming device. Not once did we worry that our toddler would break this device, nor did we worry about taking it out of the house to work on the go. A portability point that was bolstered by the fact this tablet is just 5.8mm thick. By comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is 0.1mm thinner; the iPad Air is 0.3mm thicker. The edges are curved, but much less so than on the likes of the Apple iPad Air, for instance, and the bezel is thick without being imposing. Both give this tablet an industrial appearance not too dissimilar to the Microsoft Surface range. In terms of ports, the Lenovo P11 Pro has followed the trend of removing the 3.5mm headphone jack. It has two speakers on each shorter side and a USB-C charging port. There is also a magnetic connector on the longer side used to connect to the Lenovo keyboard. The dual-camera setup, which sits in the top corner of the rear, is less obtrusive than on rivals. As a note, the Productivity Mode only works when the keyboard is correctly attached to this magnetic connector. Speaking of the Lenovo keyboard and case, this is a continuation of the overall aesthetic. The case is made of fabric and has a kickstand built-in. It doesn’t add a huge amount of weight to the device, which is impressive given the fact it has a 75% form factor with a touchpad. This means it mimics the kind of keyboard layout you’d expect on a laptop. A touchpad may feel unnecessary given the fact this tablet has a touchscreen, but we feel it’s welcomed and improves usability. Security-wise, there is a facial recognition scanner to unlock the device or a fingerprint scanner on the power button. Both are a tad temperamental, the face scanner in particular, and we often resorted to the good-old-reliable PIN entry. Lenovo P11 Pro set-up Of all the tablets we’ve set up, the Lenovo P11 Pro was the most confusing. It has a similar step-by-step tutorial seen on other devices, but there are too many steps. Too many hoops to jump through. Too many accounts to sign into. Lenovo wants to showcase all of its many benefits and modes from the get-go, and this just ends up being overwhelming. That’s before you even get to the home screen. Once you’re in, downloading apps is straightforward. Plus, if you sign in to your Google account, many of your settings are carried over. If you struggle to take in all of Lenovo’s messages during the setup process, you can find them in the pre-installed Tips app. This is a much easier way to get to grips with the tablet and its settings leaving you free to skip through most of the setup steps. Lenovo P11 Pro battery life and performance Another nod towards the Lenovo P11 Pro being aimed more towards entertainment than purely for work is the use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G mobile platform. The 730G was Qualcomm’s first gaming-focused processor designed for mid-range phones and tablets. As a result, it contains many features tuned to make gaming easier – a Wi-Fi latency manager, support for high-end displays (up to a resolution of 3360 x 1440 pixels), and support for HDR graphics in games with 10-bit colour depth. Beyond games, these features help boost video quality on the already-superb screen, and the chip is said to have a “new power-efficient architecture” that allows the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro to run for 15 hours on a full charge. During our looping video test, in which an HD video is played on repeat until the battery dies, the Lenovo P11 Pro lasted a little over 13 hours. Considering 15 hours is the top end of the battery life for “normal productivity use”, this was impressive. When used less frequently – the odd game of SimCity, watching Disney+, writing this review via the Productivity Mode, a couple of video calls with our parents – the battery lasted for a day and a half. Given the brightness of this tablet’s screen, we had expected the battery life to be average, so we were very pleasantly surprised. The tablet itself is fast; there was minimal lag when opening apps or browsing through screens, and, as promised, graphics and videos render as you’d expect. The downside when it comes to the performance of the tablet, though – and it’s a big one – is that its software tries to be too many things to too many people. On paper, being able to use tablet windows as you would on a laptop when in Productivity Mode sounds fantastic, but in reality, it’s temperamental, tricky and annoying. We can’t recall how many times we tutted, sighed and got frustrated when trying to move and resize windows. The keyboard and trackpad help to an extent, but it doesn’t feel like the finished article. We found we were a lot less productive with the P11 Pro than we have been when using standard Android or iOS on the Samsung and Apple rivals. Our verdict: should you buy the Lenovo P11 Pro? In the battle for Android tablet supremacy, Samsung still very much reigns supreme, but the Lenovo P11 Pro puts up a good fight. It’s well-built, attractive, sturdy and versatile. It can also be confusing, overwhelming and frustrating. If you’re looking for a premium tablet on which to play games, stream TV shows and films, or use for the odd work task, the Lenovo P11 Pro’s screen and speaker setup are superb. It almost justifies the price tag on its own. However, if you’re looking for a tablet to act as a laptop replacement, the Lenovo P11 Pro is not the one. It holds a lot of promise but doesn’t live up to it, which is a real shame. Rating: Features: 4/5 Screen and sound quality: 5 Design: 4/5 Set-up: 2/5 Battery life and performance: 4/5 Overall rating: 3.8/5 Where to buy the Lenovo P11 Pro Lenovo Amazon AO.com Very undefined Still not sure what tablet to buy? Read our expert reviews of the Apple iPad Air (2020), Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, Amazon Fire HD 10 review and the Apple iPad Mini.
The iPad Air (2020) occupies a middle-ground that will appeal to many people. But is it the model for you?
iPad Mini. iPad. iPad Air. iPad Pro. There is no shortage of iPad models to choose from, ranging in price from £399 all the way up to a staggering £2,149. While tablet sales generally have slumped in recent years, Apple’s iPad range has consistently performed better than the market. So why are iPads so special and still so revered? We recently published our iPad Mini review, looking at the smallest model in the range, and for this review, we’re focusing on the iPad Air. It’s not the most expensive iPad – that award goes to the iPad Pro – but unlike the iPad Pro, which is more geared towards pro users, the iPad Air is aimed at a wider audience. One that wants some features that could rival a laptop but also wants a portable tablet for games, browsing and streaming on the go. All without paying through the nose for it. In our iPad Air review, we take a look at how well the 10.9-inch tablet performs various tasks, from streaming to gaming and as a replacement for our MacBook. We put the second-generation Apple Pencil to the test, and we compare the tablet’s specs to its siblings, as well as those seen on rivals – namely the Samsung Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus. Don't miss our iPad Pro vs iPad Air comparison, too. Jump to: Apple iPad Air review: summary What is the iPad Air? How much is the iPad Air? iPad Air features iPad Air screen and sound quality iPad Air design iPad Air set-up iPad Air battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy iPad Air review: summary Price: The iPad Air is available from £579. Key features: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display iPad powered by Apple’s iPad OS. TouchID sensor built into the Power button. Support for the second-generation Apple Pencil (£119, sold separately). Built-in Siri voice controls. A 12MP main camera on the rear and a 7MP on the front – the same as on the iPad Pro. Apple App Store gives access to millions of entertainment and productivity tools, games, TV shows, music, podcasts, books, notes, reminders and more Can be used for browsing, streaming, games, drawing, and note taking (when used with the Apple Pencil) and as a laptop monitor (when used with an Apple keyboard, sold separately). HomeKit app allows you to control compatible smart devices via the tablet. Pros: Fast and responsive. Bright, sharp and vibrant display. Easy to set up and use, especially for existing Apple customers. Beautiful, slim design with easy-to-use controls. Apple Pencil is a gamechanger – and not just for notetaking or drawing. Cons: Speaker layout and technology dulls the sound. What is the iPad Air? The iPad Air was one of a host of Apple products announced at the brand’s virtual keynote in September 2020, alongside a new Apple Watch and a cheaper, smaller iPad. It’s the fourth time Apple has refreshed the iPad Air since the first model was unveiled in 2013, and it followed in relatively quick succession to the third-generation announced in March 2019. The most recent model is powered by Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which Apple claims is its “most advanced” chip ever. This chip is said to make the fourth-generation iPad Air 40% faster than its predecessor. The A14 Bionic is also the first chip to include Apple’s latest Neural Engine technology, capable of making 11 trillion computations a second. This helps make machine learning apps, in particular, 10 times faster at calculations. It also helps make Siri more accurate, improves tracking on augmented reality apps, and provides better facial recognition. On the front of the tablet is a 7MP front-facing FaceTime HD camera, and the iPad Air now has the same 12MP rear camera used in iPad Pro for taking higher resolution photos and 4K videos. The stereo speakers are positioned in landscape mode to improve the sound quality when watching shows or films, and the iPad Air now features a USB-C port. Instead of a physical Home button, the iPad Air has embedded the TouchID sensor into the power button, and this can be combined with a passcode. Software-wise, the launch of the fourth-generation iPad Air coincided with the release of iPad OS 14 – a tablet-friendly version of the standard iOS mobile software. What does the iPad Air do? It might be easier to list what the iPad Air doesn’t do because it’s a highly versatile, portable device that can easily be used for streaming and gaming before switching into work mode with a keyboard and Apple Pencil attached. Media streaming with the Apple TV app installed by default. This app acts as a remote control for Apple TV streaming boxes, a library for video content purchased from the iTunes store, and a hub to find and watch Apple TV Plus shows (for subscribers). Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ are available from the Apple App Store, as are millions of apps. Apple Books and Podcasts have their own apps, as does the iTunes Store. Plus, GarageBand, iMovie, Numbers, Keynote, Pages and Files are pre-installed. The latter four apps are Apple’s equivalent to Microsoft Office or Google Drive’s suite of apps. The iPad Air can be used to control and manage smart home devices via HomeKit. iCloud support means you can sync content, purchases, and downloads across multiple Apple devices, including Macs, other iPads and iPhones. Support for the second-generation Apple Pencil (sold separately for £119) turns the iPad Air into a notebook and sketch pad. It can also be used to write in any entry field on browsers, apps and more – read more about this in the Performance section. Available in grey, silver, rose gold, green and blue. How much is the iPad Air? The iPad Air comes in two storage sizes – 64GB and 256GB – and is available with Wi-Fi only, or Wi-Fi and cellular. The prices are as follows: You can also buy the iPad Air from the following places: Currys: From £579 Amazon: From £579 John Lewis: From £579 Argos: From £579 AO.com: From £579 Very: From £579 Is the iPad Air good value for money? With iPhones ringing in at around the £1,000+ mark, it can be a little tricky to determine whether an iPad that costs almost £600 is good value for money. It almost seems “cheap” by comparison, which can be a little misleading. Firstly, chances are – if you’re an Apple fan – you’ll likely be shelling out for both, so it’s not quite a like-for-like comparison. Secondly, £579 is still a substantial amount of money to spend on any gadget, let alone one that may only ever be used for streaming and browsing the web, especially when you can use your phone for these tasks. That said, there are few tablets in this price range that offer such a package of design, features and power. The downside is that to get the full benefits of this tablet; you do need to pay extra for the Apple Pencil and a keyboard. As a result, we’d say the iPad Air is good – albeit not great – value for money; it’s just maybe not quite the bargain it might first seem. iPad Air features Like all iPads, the iPad Air runs on iPad OS. This is a slightly redesigned version of the iOS software seen on iPhones. It largely looks and works in the same way, but iPad OS has been tweaked to make sure apps and features render better on the larger display. This includes a new compact design for incoming FaceTime and phone calls, Siri interactions, and Search to make these less distracting when you’re working. Universal Search lets you search for a phrase or information, and Apple will scour everything from apps to contacts, files, and the web, to locate what you’re looking for. Then there are new sidebars for many apps, including Photos and Files, and streamlined toolbars that put all of your controls in one place. Apple’s App Store on iPadOS comes with the same huge range of apps seen on iOS. The tablet also comes with a number of Apple apps installed by default, including Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, Books, GarageBand, News, Clips, iMovie, Fitness, Health, Voice Memos, Reminders, Notes, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Files, and a university app called iTunes U. Speaking of iTunes, you also get access to millions of TV shows, films, and songs via the iTunes Store. This is where you’ll find any previously purchased content stored in your iCloud account. You can choose to keep it stored in iCloud or download it onto your device. By connecting the iPad Air to an existing iCloud account means you’ll also get full access to all your settings, photos, videos, downloads and more on every device linked to the same account. We find this particularly useful when switching from our MacBook at home to our iPad when working out of the house. There’s also a small yet game-changing feature with Apple products that makes a big difference. When you copy a paragraph of text on your iPhone, for instance, you can paste it directly on your tablet or Mac because it’s stored in a shared clipboard. This may not seem like a big deal, but it saves so much time. The downside to all of these pre-installed apps is that they eat into your device’s storage, and Apple doesn’t let you physically expand the storage on any of its products. However, you can remove any or all of these apps, so this is more an FYI than a major issue. Plus, you can pay for up to 2TB of iCloud storage, so built-in memory becomes less important. Yet this is another cost. Security-wise, there is a Touch ID sensor embedded into the Power button. This allows Apple to remove the physical home button and stretch the screen without making the overall tablet much bigger. Other hardware features include a 7MP front-facing FaceTime HD camera and the same 12MP rear camera used in iPad Pro for higher resolution photos and 4K video capture. Although you have to pay extra for it, a standout feature of the iPad Air is support for the Apple Pencil. The second-generation Pencil is head and shoulders above the original model and – when used with iPad OS 14 – comes with some brilliant features, including gesture controls as well as the ability to handwrite in any type box, known as Scribble to iPad. This means that if you don’t want to fiddle with the on-screen keyboard or a physical one for that matter, you can simply handwrite Google searches, fill in forms and more using the Pencil. The software then converts it to text. This completely elevates the iPad Air as a notebook and makes working and switching between tasks faster and easier. Another small but useful feature of the Apple Pencil is that it can be stored magnetically on the side of the tablet. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and S7 Plus both store the tablet on the rear which prevents you from being able to place it flat on a surface. The iPad Air is also compatible with Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, and new Smart Folio covers. iPad Air screen and sound quality We previously discussed the benefits of the Retina display in our iPad Mini review, but to recap, Retina is an Apple display technology that crams a greater number of pixels into a smaller frame to make colours brighter and text sharper. The iPad Air takes this technology in a slightly different direction, and its 10.9-inch screen uses what’s known as Liquid Retina. At its core, Liquid Retina offers the same benefits as Retina displays, but it uses an LCD panel rather than an OLED one. The “Liquid” actually comes from the fact LCD stands for “Liquid Crystal Display”. LCD screens are typically brighter than OLED, but contrast isn’t as good. We could write a whole separate article about the pros and cons of both technologies, but for this iPad Air review, we’ll keep it simple; its display is bright, sharp and colourful and works wonders for Full HD content. This display additionally uses True Tone technology to measure the ambient light colour and brightness. It then automatically adjusts its display, so whites and colours are shown more accurately. Despite all of Apple’s marketing claims and terms, the iPad Air screen pales into comparison next to the Samsung Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus displays. It’s nowhere near as striking and immersive, but you also pay less for Apple’s model, so is expected, to an extent. In the iPad Air’s favour is an anti-reflective coating. You don’t get the glare or reflections when watching content on the iPad as you do on Samsung’s models. It also features Tap to Wake, which allows you to tap the screen to bring it to life, rather than having to find the power button. You can read more about Samsung's rival in our Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 review. Onto sound, Apple has redesigned the layout of the stereo speakers on the iPad Air to put them on each side when viewed in landscape mode. This creates more immersive, wider stereo sound that is rich and well-rounded when watching videos or on conference calls. However, you only get the full benefit of this layout and sound if you’re using the tablet in a case or stand. If you’re holding the device, then your hands block these speakers, which mutes the sound. iPad Air design The iPad Air design is almost identical to the previous model in terms of size and design. It’s the same thickness, and there are only a handful of millimetres separating their respective width and height. They also weigh similar (458g for the iPad Air 4 vs 456g for the iPad Air 3) For the latest model, Apple is offering five finishes – silver, space grey, rose gold, green, and sky blue and they’re all subtle and attractive. We always feel that offering a wider range of colours is largely a moot point because if you’re adding a case or keyboard folio, then the colour is covered. It’s nice to have a choice, though. The tablet itself is well-balanced and easy to hold. It has a heft to it that makes it feel robust and expensive but isn’t overly heavy unless you add the keyboard folio. The combination of the LCD panel and the removal of the physical Home button means that the iPad Air makes great use of the design to give as much screen real-estate as possible. As is the case with most iPads, the bezels are larger than those seen on rivals, but they’re less noticeable on this model of the Air, which also means it’s easier to hold when not in a case. In terms of ports, the iPad Air now features a USB-C charging port rather than a Lightning connector. In the long-term, this is great because almost all devices, from various manufacturers, are switching to USB-C. This means you won’t need to have multiple chargers for different devices. In the short-term, however, until this switch becomes universal, you may find the extra charger a tad annoying. iPad Air set-up Setting up the iPad Air – as with all Apple products – is straightforward. Especially if you’re an existing Apple customer, as by simply signing into your account, the tablet will do all the hard work for you, pulling in your existing settings, app downloads and syncing all relevant data from your latest backup. You can additionally set up or disable, TouchID, Siri and sharing settings via the step-by-step guide. Or choose to manually update the tablet if you want to limit which apps are installed on the iPad Air. If you’re not already an Apple customer, you’ll need to create an Apple ID and manually download the apps you want. Apple has created an Android switching feature, though, which helps you switch from one software to another with ease. iPad Air battery life and performance Apple promises up to ten hours of surfing the web or watching video over Wi-Fi, which drops to nine hours when you’re connected to a mobile network. This was almost spot-on in our looping video test, in which we play an HD video on repeat until the battery dies. The iPad Air went from full to flat in nine hours 57 minutes. It’s quite a chunk lower than the 13 hours on the Lenovo P11 Pro, however. By comparison, when using the iPad Air intermittently, to play SimCity, watch the odd TikTok clip, make a couple of Zoom calls and work with the Apple Pencil on Google Docs for half an hour at a time, this battery lasted almost three days – twice that of the Lenovo. Power-wise, Apple claims the iPad Air is its most powerful tablet, and while we can’t quantify this, it certainly is a beast of a multitasking device. Being able to make a Zoom call while switching between apps and collaborating on Google Docs barely made a dent in the speed or efficiency of the tablet. We never experienced any noticeable lags when opening or moving between apps and toolbars, calls never dropped out, and the Apple Pencil worked effortlessly. Our verdict: should you buy the iPad Air? In the wider iPad ecosystem, the iPad Air is the goldilocks of the bunch. It’s not too big, not too small, not too expensive, and you don’t need to sacrifice on features or performance. If the iPad Mini is a worthy family tablet, and the iPad Pro is for power users, the iPad Air occupies a middle-ground that will appeal to many people. When compared to rivals, namely the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus, the iPad Air does fall a little short in terms of its display technology. It’s also a shame that one of the best features of the Air – support for Apple Pencil – requires a separate purchase. But it’s one that’s worth the investment. Apple has done a superb job of hitting a sweet spot between entertainment and productivity, all housed in an attractive, well-built device. If you’re in the market for an iPad, the iPad Air is the one we’d recommend. The larger, brighter screen, the battery life, the fast power and notably the support for the second-generation Apple Pencil makes it the most cost-effective way to get your hands on an Apple tablet, relatively compromise-free. Our rating: Features: 4/5 Screen and sound quality: 4/5 Design: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 4/5 Overall rating: 4.4/5 Where to buy the iPad Air Currys Amazon John Lewis Argos AO.com Very Still comparing tablets? Read our best budget tablet, best tablet and best tablet for kids guides. Think the iPad Air might be a little big? Check out our Apple iPad Mini review or read our iPad mini 6 release date page to find out more about the new 2021 model.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is packed full of features, but can you justify the cost?
It’s been a bit of a mixed bag for Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 lately. Thanks to phones getting larger and laptops becoming cheaper, tablets, on the whole, have been seemingly dying a slow death, with the exception of Apple’s iPad. Yet after years of falling out of favour, sales across the board in 2020 hit levels not seen for years. This was likely caused by the pandemic forcing us all to spend months on end at home. Tablets are a great way to binge on Netflix shows, especially if you and your flatmates or family can’t agree on what to watch. They’re good alternatives for working from home, too, compared to buying a full-blown laptop or trying to type on your phone. Yet while cheaper devices, such as the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus or HD 10, are good enough to scratch your entertainment itch, you need something substantially more powerful and versatile for work. Something like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. In our Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 review, we look at how well it performs in various tasks from streaming to playing games, remote working and letting our toddler get their hands on it. We give its S Pen stylus a whirl designing fitted wardrobes, and we assess whether this tablet could actually replace a laptop or PC. Jump to: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 summary What is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7? How much is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7? Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 features Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 screen and sound quality Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 design Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 set-up Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 review: summary Price: £619 £529.99 Key features: 11-inch Quad HD tablet powered by Android 10.0 Three storage and RAM options: 128GB + 6GB RAM, 256GB + 8GB RAM, 512GB + 8GB RAM, all extendable to 1TB via microSD Dual cameras on the rear (13MP and 5MP) with an 8MP front-facing camera Fingerprint scanner Four speakers tuned by AKG 4K video recording Fast charging technology and a 14-hour battery life Pros: Superb screen Fast and responsive the majority of the time Great build quality Comes with the S Pen Stylus as standard Cons: Temperamental fingerprint scanner Occasionally prone to app and service crashes The amount of features can feel overwhelming at first The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is available at Amazon for £619 £529.99. What is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is an 11-inch Android tablet, released in the summer of 2020, which forms part of the South Korean firm’s wider Galaxy tablet range. After a few years selling a Pro range of Galaxy Tab devices, alongside more mid-range and entry-level tablets in the Galaxy Tab A and Tab E ranges, Samsung streamlined its offering last year. At an event in August 2020, Samsung unveiled just two flagship tablets – the Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy Tab S7+. As you’d expect from the brand’s flagship devices, they both come with premium specs at high-end prices. The Galaxy Tab S7 is the smaller, cheaper of the two, with prices starting at £619 (now £529.99). The Tab S7+ comes with a 12.4-inch display and starts at £799 (now £699). You can buy the Android 10-powered Tab S7 with Wi-Fi only, or you can add a 4G SIM card for an extra £100 (plus the price of the mobile contract). There are then two storage options to choose from – 128GB, or 256GB, both of which are expandable to 1TB via microSD card and two RAM options – 6GB or 8GB. Regardless of which option you choose, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 ships with its S Pen Stylus by default. By comparison, Apple makes you buy its Apple Pencil separately for £89. What does Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 do? Samsung is taking direct aim at the likes of the iPad Air, iPad Pro and the Microsoft Surface with its Tab S7 and Tab S7+. It wants customers to get the best of all worlds when it comes to browsing, streaming, working and creating and it’s thrown a lot of tech at the tablet to do so. Google Play Store pre-installed gives you full access to the full Android app catalogue Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ all available from the store Four ways to control the device – hands, voice (via Bixby), S Pen, and gestures (via the S Pen). Bixby can also be used to identify objects from images S Pen turns the Tab S7 into a notebook or sketch pad (with compatible apps) 4K video recording – but not 4K playback Split View allows you to run two apps side-by-side AKG tuned quad speakers come with Dolby Atmos technology Compatible with the Samsung Book Cover keyboard (£189, sold separately) Available in black, bronze, navy and silver How much is Samsung Galaxy Tab S7? There are four colours, two RAM, and two storage options to choose from when selecting a Samsung Tab S7. In addition to selecting whether you want Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and 4G. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 price, when bought directly from Samsung, is as follows: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 128GB + 6GB RAM: £619 £539 (Wi-Fi only) Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 128GB + 6GB RAM: £719 £639 (Wi-Fi + 4G) Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 256GB + 8GB RAM: £689 £609 (Wi-Fi only) Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 256GB + 8GB RAM: £799 From £639 (Wi-Fi + 4G) You can also buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 from the following places: Latest Deals Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 good value for money? Samsung’s Tab S7 is most certainly a premium device, but it’s crammed with a whole host of features to justify its high price tag. No matter what you’re into, the Tab S7 fits the bill. If you’re looking to buy this tablet for entertainment, its display is ideal for streaming, its processor is powerful enough for gaming, and it offers plenty of storage for downloads. If you’re looking to buy it for work, its high RAM makes multitasking a doddle, while all of Google’s productivity apps (Docs, Sheets, Drive, and so on) are installed by default. You can also download a vast selection of work-based Android apps directly from the Play Store. If art or graphic design is more your thing, the large screen and S Pen included by default makes sketching, CAD design, Photoshop and more feel effortless. Or, if you’re more into photography or video editing, the cameras and playback options of the bright and vibrant screen are ideal. Its most direct rival, besides its own Tab S7+ sibling, is the iPad Pro. While the latter appears to offer better value for money, at £579, it only offers half the storage with no physical way of expanding this storage. Plus you’ll need to pay extra for an Apple Pencil, with prices starting at £89. All things considered, not only do we feel the Tab S7 is great value for money in its own right. If you can afford it, we’d say it was the best tablet money can buy. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 features The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 stands out for a number of reasons. Firstly, its display is stunning. We were completely blown away, and you can read more about this in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 screen and sound quality section below. Secondly, it’s incredibly fast, which just adds to its versatility, and thirdly, the S Pen is a joy to behold. Because it runs Android 10, albeit, with a lightweight Samsung skin on top, you get access to the full catalogue of Android apps and games, plus the Play Store’s vast collection of films, TV shows and books, and the Samsung equivalent, Galaxy Store. The tablet is powered by the flagship octa-core processor from Qualcomm, called the Snapdragon 865. As a baseline storage, 128GB is decent but being able to expand via microSD to 1TB is even better. This means that even if you’re a heavy user, you shouldn’t struggle for space for all your creative projects, film downloads, games and apps. The fingerprint scanner built into the power button – which can be combined with or used instead of facial recognition and a PIN – is a nice touch. It is a little fussy and can be temperamental if you don’t place your finger on exactly how it wants. It’s also not quite as rapid as the readers we’ve used on smartphones, but the delay between pressing the button and unlocking the screen is minimal. Similarly, face recognition is accurate and fast, just maybe not as quick as on smaller devices. Elsewhere, you can use the tablet to control Bluetooth devices, namely those compatible with Samsung’s SmartThings platform. You can also use Samsung’s built-in voice assistant, Bixby, to use the tablet hands-free. Yet the S Pen is what we get most excited about. It comes as standard and works out of the box. Many tablets we’ve tried require you to charge the Pen before use and jump through hoops to pair it. Samsung’s version recognises its own device and just works. Effortlessly. We’re so enamoured of the S Pen we could write an entire, glowing review of its features, design and ease of use. At its core, it’s great for writing notes, sketching and designing, but it offers so much more. It can be used to unlock your tablet simply by pressing the small button on the side. Live Write lets you take photos and videos, and place text or stickers over the top. Smart Select allows you to draw round shapes on anything shown on the screen, annotate it and share. Then there’s the superb translate function that translates any words the pen is hovered over in real-time. Our toddler is also a huge fan. Although this tablet isn’t aimed at children, access to kids apps from the Google Play Store, the sturdy design and the bright screen all lend themselves well for this tablet being a family investment. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 screen and sound quality Having tested a wide range of tablets, all with different screen sizes, the 11-inch display on the Tab S7 hits a sweet spot. It’s not so large that it becomes unwieldy, but it’s not so small it becomes restrictive. It’s practical while being portable. As mentioned above, we were physically taken aback at how impressive the screen is. In terms of vibrancy, in terms of sharpness, in terms of colour depth, and in terms of brightness. It’s one of the best displays we’ve ever seen on a tablet, only just losing out to the Tab S7 Plus. It has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, placing it around the 2K image quality mark, so while you won’t be able to watch 4K UHD content in the way it was intended, in reality, you don’t miss out too much. Full HD content absolutely shines on this display. Plus, the viewing aspect ratio and vibrancy combine to make you almost forgive this lack of 4K support when streaming. There are a couple of smaller downsides. The 16:10 aspect ratio, while great for viewing content on Netflix and YouTube, can lead to apps not always being displayed properly. On the whole, this is rare, but when you do come across it, it’s frustrating and makes a small dent in our overall opinion of the tablet. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 doesn’t have Tap to Wake by default. This feature is seen on Apple (and other rival) devices in which you can tap the screen to wake it up. From here, it’s easy to swipe up to unlock. To wake the screen on the Tab S7, you either have to press the power button – not always easy to locate if you’ve rotated the tablet without realising – or enable the option in the S Pen. The latter means that when you tap the button on the side of the pen, the screen comes to life. This may seem like a small complaint, but if you’re used to Tap to Wake, you’ll be surprised how often this slows you down. The addition of four speakers – two on each side – creates an impressive stereo sound, especially for a tablet. Their AKG technology makes sure this sound is rich and well-rounded, and it’s great for watching TV shows or playing games. At high volumes, this sound does tend to get a little distorted. Plus, the position of the speakers can mean you end up blocking the sounds with your hand as you hold the device. A problem easily solved with a stand, or by propping the tablet up against something, but another small flaw in an otherwise superb tablet. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 design Everything about the Galaxy Tab S7 screams premium. It’s incredibly sleek, cased in aluminium and glass. There’s very little real-estate in terms of protruding buttons, with almost everything sitting flush with the tablet’s edges. The exception is the camera module on the back, which stops the Tab S7 from sitting flat on a surface. In most circumstances, this barely registers. However, when using the tablet with the S Pen for drawing or note-taking, the little wobble you get as the tablet rocks is a little distracting. Despite its relatively large size, the tablet is thin, and its components are well-balanced, which makes it comfortable to hold. Albeit, with two hands. It’s not a particularly heavy tablet, but it will make your wrist ache if you hold it in one hand for too long. Also, given its luxury feel and materials, it feels robust. This may come from the extra heft given to the Tab S7 by the large 8,000mAh battery. It may also come from the fact the aluminium case is not slippery. At no point did we feel we would drop the device, and we felt confident that it would stand up to the challenge if we did. In terms of ports, the Samsung Tab S7 – has four speakers positioned in stereo along the sides, tuned by AKG; a USB-C connector, a magnetic pin connector used to charge the Book Cover keyboard; and a smooth magnetic strip along the back. This strip is used to keep your S Pen in place and doubles up as a pen charger. The only thing missing is a headphone jack. You’ll have to use Bluetooth headphones with the Tab S7 if you want to listen to audio on the go. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 set-up We’ve used and reviewed countless Samsung devices in our time, and the setup has always been smooth. That is until you get to the homepage and see that it’s stuffed full of Samsung apps. In older devices, it wasn’t possible to remove these apps even though they ate into the device’s storage. This is not the case with the Galaxy Tab S7. The tablet guides you through its setup process with an easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorial. If you need to go back a step, or exit, it’s straightforward and clear how to do so. As you move through the screens, you’re given the explicit option to install Samsung’s apps or continue without adding them. The same goes for enabling various Samsung software features, including Bixby. You get to pick which browser you want as default and choose which security features are enabled. That’s not to say you won’t get any Samsung apps pre-installed, but it reserves these for its most useful apps – Samsung Notes, the Galaxy Store (an alternative to the Play Store), Tips and Devices. By default, you do get Google’s suite of apps pre-installed and ready to go. As a heavy Google user, this was welcomed, but it may seem like overkill if you’re not. The only things you’ll need to hand during setup are your Google account login details and Wi-Fi password. You can then choose to set up as many or as few settings and features as you like. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 battery life and performance Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 is as powerful as it is pretty. The premium Snapdragon processor, when coupled with 6GB RAM, means the Tab S7 renders graphics brilliantly, opens and switches apps with minimal lag, and it was able to handle almost everything we threw at it. At times, the Side View crashed, or if we opened too many apps, the tablet felt a little slower. Even at its slowest, the Tab S7 was fast, but it’s worth noting. To test tablet batteries, we play an HD video on repeat with the brightness set to 70% and aeroplane mode enabled. The video loops from full charge until the battery goes flat. Samsung claims the battery life on the Tab S7 will last 15 hours. We managed to push it to a little over 10 in our looping video test. On standby, it lasted much longer, at more than three days. When using the tablet as an everyday device – to make the odd video call, browse the web, play SimCity, catch up on Netflix and listen to podcasts – we got just shy of a day’s use out of it. On the one hand, we’re disappointed that we have to charge our tablet the same amount as our smartphone, but on the other, when you consider the quality of the display and the huge range of features on offer, this battery life is decent. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Our verdict: should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7? No matter how you look at it, paying £619 (now £529.99) for a tablet isn’t cheap. It does offer a lot of bang for your buck, but you’ll only see the true value of the Tab S7 if you’re more of a pro-user and want all the bells and whistles. That’s not to say more casual users won’t get a lot of this tablet; it’s just that the price may seem a tad excessive for casual users. In our view, the Galaxy Tab S7 is the best all-around tablet we’ve ever used. Yes, you get a higher-quality screen and even more power on the Tab S7 Plus, but at the price point, the Tab S7 takes the crown for us. Existing Android users will find it instantly familiar, while Apple users will quickly get to grips with it and will welcome the huge array of features. For us, the S Pen further elevates the Tab S7 above all of its rivals, and we can’t recommend it enough. Rating: Features: 5 /5 Screen and sound quality: 5/5 Design: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 5/5 Overall rating: 5/5 Where to buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Available at Amazon Available at John Lewis Available at Argos Available at AO.com Latest Deals Still comparing tablets? Read our Apple iPad Air (2020) review, or if you're set on an Android tablet, take a look at our review of the Amazon Fire HD 10 or our Lenovo P11 Pro review.
Despite the various larger, more expensive, more powerful iPads, Apple has remained committed to its iPad mini, and we’re very glad it has.
When Apple first launched the iPad mini in 2012, it received a mixed reaction. Critics said a smaller iPad would never last. Fans praised Apple for offering a wider option of tablets to suit different needs and budgets. Almost a decade later, the iPad mini has been refreshed a handful of times – 2013, 2014, 2015 and then not until 2019. By the time the latest, fifth-generation model was released, many analysts thought the days of the 7.9-inch tablet were finally over. In our iPad mini review, we look at whether there is still a place for a smaller iPad, especially one that costs as much as it does when similarly sized tablets are available for a lot less. We look at how suitable it is for children and see where it fits in within the wider iPad range. Jump to: Apple iPad mini review: summary What is the Apple iPad mini? How much is the Apple iPad mini? Apple iPad mini features Apple iPad mini screen and sound quality Apple iPad mini design Apple iPad mini set-up Apple iPad mini battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Apple iPad mini review: summary Price: £399 Key features: 7.9-inch Retina display iPad powered by Apple’s iPad OS TouchID sensor built into the physical Home button Support for the first-generation Apple Pencil (sold separately) Built-in Siri voice controls Pre-installed apps and the Apple App Store give you access to a host of entertainment and productivity tools, including games, TV shows, music, podcasts, books, notes, reminders and more Can be used for browsing, streaming, games, drawing, and note taking HomeKit app allows you to control compatible smart devices via the tablet Pros: Impressive performance and battery life for a smaller tablet Bright, sharp and vibrant display Easy to set up and use Beautiful design with easy-to-use controls Support for Apple Pencil Cons: Expensive Feels fragile/not very robust No microSD support Oddly placed speakers dull the sound What is the Apple iPad mini? The fifth-generation iPad mini – or as it’s often referred to as iPad mini 5 or iPad mini (2019) – had a relatively muted launch in March 2019. Instead of being revealed at a live event, as has been the tradition for more than a decade, Apple chose to email the announcement. The launch was also lumped in with the release of a then-new iPad Air. On the same day, Apple discontinued the previous fourth-generation iPad Mini/iPad Mini 4. Hardware-wise, little separates the iPad mini 4 and the iPad mini 5. They share the same 7.9-inch Retina display, same dimensions and same colourways. The rear camera on the iPad mini 5 has an 8MP sensor, copied over from the iPad mini 4, and – on face value – they look identical side-by-side. The iPad mini 5 does come with some upgrades, of course. It has a souped-up processor, called the A12 Bionic chip, backed by 3GB RAM. The front-facing camera leapt from 1.2MP on the iPad mini 4 to an impressive 7MP. Well, impressive for such a small, relatively cheap Apple device. You can buy the iPad mini 5 with Wi-Fi only or with Wi-Fi and cellular. The latter not only costs more for the tablet itself, but you’ll also need to pay separately for a mobile contract. This may be the preferred option if you want to use the iPad mini on the go, yet we’d recommend buying the Wi-Fi option and then hot-spotting off your phone when in the car or out of the house. The iPad mini 5 is only available with 64GB or 256GB storage – previous mini models offered a wider range, including 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB – and there is no option to expand this storage via microSD. You can upgrade this storage virtually via iCloud for an extra monthly fee. Notably, the biggest change with the iPad mini 5 is that it’s the first 7.9-inch iPad to support the Apple Pencil. Update: Pre What does iPad mini do? The smaller form factor of the iPad mini positions it more as an entertainment-focused device than its larger iPad siblings. You can use it for work or similar, but its display and size means it excels at being a portable way to play games and watch shows. Media streaming with the Apple TV app installed by default. This app acts as a remote control for Apple TV streaming boxes; a library for any video content purchased from the iTunes store; and a hub to find and watch Apple TV Plus shows (for subscribers) Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ available from the Apple App Store, as are thousands of mobile gaming apps Apple Books and Podcasts have their own apps, as does the iTunes Store iPad mini additionally comes with Apple’s productivity apps (Numbers/Keynote/Pages/Files) pre-installed. Plus GarageBand, iMovie and more The iPad mini can be used to control and manage smart home devices via HomeKit iCloud support means you can sync all content, purchases, and downloads across multiple Apple devices, including Macs, other iPads and iPhones Support for the first-generation Apple Pencil (sold separately for £89) turns the iPad mini into a notebook and sketchpad How much is iPad mini? The iPad mini comes in two storage sizes – 64GB and 256GB – and is available with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular. The prices are as follows: iPad mini 64GB storage with Wi-Fi: £399 £369.97 iPad mini 64GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular: £519 £499 iPad mini 256GB storage with Wi-Fi: £549 £499 iPad mini 256GB storage with Wi-Fi + cellular: £669 £549 Skip to the deals Is the Apple iPad mini good value for money? Apple products are expensive. Even when the company has branched out into “cheaper” devices – the iPhone SE, for instance – they are still beyond the reach of many budgets. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said, time and again, that the vast array of features, their premium design, and the wider ecosystem of hardware and software justifies these prices. Yet the fact remains; spending £400 on a 7.9-inch tablet when Amazon’s 8-inch devices retail for as little as £90 may seem both excessive and unnecessary. In the case of the iPad mini, however, you really do get what you pay for. The iPad mini ticks a huge number of boxes from the design to its features, battery life, and performance. The fact it now works with the Apple Pencil elevates its appeal and versatility further. You’ll get the most value for money if you’re an existing Apple customer, but even if you’re not, there is enough here to hit the sweet spot of functionality and portability. Apple iPad mini 5 features The iPad mini 5 runs on iPad OS, the tablet version of the regular mobile iOS. This means it can do anything an iPhone can do, albeit with a number of tweaks that mean apps render better on the larger screen. It offers the full catalogue of apps via the Apple App Store. If you’re an existing Apple customer, the iPad mini can be connected to your iCloud account, meaning you get full access to all your settings, downloads, shows, games, purchases and more on every device. You don’t need to be an existing Apple customer, but this is just one of the benefits if you are. As you’d imagine, Apple loads up its products with its various apps and services. This includes Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, Books, GarageBand and News on the entertainment and hobby side of things. It has Clips and iMovie video creation and editing tools; Fitness and Health apps to keep track of all things exercise, health and wellbeing; plus a host of productivity apps including Voice Memos, Reminders, Notes, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and Files. There is also an Apple app aimed at helping university students organise their notes, view courses, manage assignments and more called iTunes U. On the downside, these pre-installed apps automatically eat into your device’s storage. On the plus side, there is seemingly an Apple app for anything you need or want to do on the iPad mini. Plus, you can remove as many or as few of these apps as you like. Security-wise, there is a Touch ID sensor embedded into the physical Home button. Apple has largely done away with physical buttons on its other devices, instead opting for FaceID and screen gestures. This makes the iPad mini 5’s button unique and welcomed. There’s little danger of accidentally swiping an app away, and it makes the tablet much easier to control for our toddler. The standout feature for us with the iPad mini, compared to both its predecessors as well as its rivals, is support for the Apple Pencil. The first-generation Pencil lacks some of the smarter gesture controls as seen on the latest, second-gen model, but it’s still a fantastic addition. Being able to use a stylus on a smaller screen makes a lot of sense. It gives you more precision when selecting apps, when typing, or writing notes. It also elevates the iPad mini 5 beyond just a casual streaming device. If you work in a creative job or have a creative hobby (as just one example), the tablet's portability means you can easily create on the go. If you then have a Mac or larger iPad (or even iPhone), syncing your account across devices means you can design on one screen before switching to the smaller one when you’re out of the house. Apple iPad mini screen and sound quality Although the iPad mini 5 has the same 7.9-inch display seen on its predecessor, the screen quality is better. It’s also head and shoulders above the displays found on rival 8-inch tablets, particularly those from Amazon. This is due to a number of reasons. The first is that the screen is what’s classed as a Retina display. This is an Apple display technology that crams a greater number of pixels into a smaller frame. The result is brighter colours and sharper text. The screen on the iPad mini 5 additionally uses something called True Tone. True Tone technology uses sensors that measure the ambient light colour and brightness. The iPad Mini uses this to automatically adjust its display, so whites and colours are shown more accurately. Desktop monitors have had such a feature for a while, but having it on such a relatively affordable, compact device makes a big difference. The balancing of whites and colours also helps visibility in bright sunlight, although only marginally, so this is more of a nice-to-have than a dealbreaker. In reality, all of this means that no matter what you’re doing on the iPad mini 5 – watching videos, playing games, taking notes, reading and so on – you’ll find crisp, sharp lines and vibrant colours. We don’t think the display lives up to that found on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, but the iPad mini 5 is also half the price. Onto sound quality. The iPad mini has stereo speakers along its bottom edge. When held in Portrait mode, sound is somewhat muted as it's directed towards your body. If you flip the tablet around the other way, the sound is dulled by the fact it’s broadcasting away from you. In landscape mode, sound only comes out of one edge. There is no ideal position from which to listen to the mini , which impacts our overall impression of its sound quality. As a result, you end up turning the speakers louder to get better audio, but, thankfully, they handle raised volume well. The sound is crisp and well-rounded, and voices are clear. This sound quality shines through best when connected via decent headphones, and the addition of the 3.5mm headphone socket – a rarity these days – is welcomed. Apple iPad mini design For all of the criticisms sometimes thrown at Apple for its pricing choices, or the fact it “ties” people into its ecosystem etc. – you can never fault the design of its products. This is as true for the iPad mini as it is for its devices that cost five times as much. Apple always makes well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing products. The iPad mini is comfortable to hold. It’s lightweight enough to be portable and to be held for long periods but is heavy enough to make it feel luxurious and expensive. As with all Apple products, we recommend you buy a case or stand as it feels a tad fragile, as if it would smash easily if dropped on a hard surface. The bezels are large, which cheapens its appearance slightly, but the plus side is that you don’t end up knocking the display by accident, which improves your grip and adds to the comfort. As mentioned, the speakers are oddly placed. The other ports include a headphone jack and a Lightning cable charging point. You can buy the iPad mini 5 in grey, silver and rose gold. Apple iPad mini set-up Setting up the iPad mini – as with all Apple products – is simple and quick. A step-by-step guide takes you through the process of connecting the tablet to your Wi-Fi, adding TouchID fingerprints, setting up Siri voice controls and enabling various Privacy settings. You can choose to set the iPad up manually or use a backup. If you’re an existing Apple customer, it’s incredibly easy to sign in to your account and get access to all your downloaded apps, past purchases, photos, and more. This saves a huge amount of time. If you’re not an existing Apple customer, you’ll need to create an Apple ID and manually download the apps you want. This can take some time but may be a preferred option if you’re looking to buy the tablet for a child and you don’t want them having access to all of your iCloud data. Apple iPad mini battery life and performance Apple claims the mini will last up to 10 hours when surﬁng the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music. This drops to nine hours when using mobile data. In our looping video test, in which we play an HD video on repeat at 70% brightness and with aeroplane mode enabled, the iPad mini took a little under 8 hours to go from full charge to flat. Quite a bit below the promised time. However, when the tablet was used less intensely and more as we would in everyday life – this included a couple of YouTube videos, a couple of hours of browsing, half an hour playing SimCity and three hours of Spotify – the iPad mini lasted all day. We didn’t have to plug it in to charge until we went to bed. This does fall short slightly short of the battery life we got out of the Amazon Fire HD 8 and Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus – both of which lasted well into the second day. Yet the iPad mini's bright display will play a major factor here, and we’ll take that sacrifice for the more vibrant screen. The iPad mini 5 also performs much better than its rivals. We experienced very few lags when scrolling through pages, opening apps, streaming videos and general browsing. If we had too many apps open or were trying to switch quickly between various tasks, the speed suffered ever so slightly. Yet, it never crashed or ground to a halt like the Amazon rivals tend to do. The high-quality front-facing camera is great for video calls, and our toddler uses it to take selfies. We can’t remember the last time we used a tablet for a standalone camera, especially not since cameras on phones improved considerably. However, it’s a nice touch to have an 8MP on the rear, even if it’s largely redundant. Something that Apple seemingly knows, judging by the fact it has consistently improved the selfie camera while leaving the rear camera how it is. Our verdict: should you buy the Apple iPad mini 5? When Apple launched the iPad mini 5, many questioned whether there was still a place for a smaller tablet from the tech giant. Not just because tablet sales have been on the decline, but because the increasing size of Apple’s iPhones is blurring the boundaries between the two. From our experience, we can confirm there is very much a place for a smaller iPad for both adults and children. It’s a place aimed more towards entertainment than the work and powerhouses of the larger iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro. We have regularly caught up on Ru Paul’s Drag Race and GlowUp on it while cooking dinner or used it to play SimCity. We also used the Apple Pencil to sketch out how we wanted a fitted wardrobe in our loft conversion to look. When given a choice between the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition in its colourful case and the iPad mini, our toddler opts for the latter every time and switches between YouTube Kids and Disney+ with ease. The screen size may not be significantly larger than the screen on the iPhone – the iPhone 12 Pro Max comes in at 6.68-inches – but those couple of inches do make a big difference. Especially when watching shows or playing games. As does the iPad OS. An operating system that feels incredibly familiar if you’re an Apple customer already but has enough little tweaks and back-end design changes to create a different experience on the iPad mini. Performance-wise, this tablet can do almost anything you want it to do. Hardware-wise, it’s easy-to-hold, easy-to-use and versatile. The price is the only real sticking point, but if you can afford it, you – and/or your kids – will be getting a lot of bang for your buck. Rating: Features: 5/5 Screen and sound quality: 4/5 Design: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 4/5 Overall rating: 4.5/5 Where to buy Apple iPad mini Currys Amazon John Lewis Argos AO.com Looking for something bigger? Take a look at our Apple iPad Air (2020) review. You can also check out our review of the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus or our Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 review.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 has become the lesser of Amazon’s two 8-inch tablets, with the release of the Fire HD 8 Plus, but at £89.99 it still represents great value for money.
When eyeing up an Amazon tablet, the choice has, historically, been relatively limited. You either paid very little for the Amazon Fire 7 and forwent the HD screen, or you had the choice of paying two to three times more for either the 8-inch or 10-inch versions. Last year, however, Amazon threw us a curveball with the release of the Fire HD 8 Plus. It offers everything the Fire HD 8 does, outperforms the HD 10 in a number of ways, and comes with the addition of wireless charging. An addition that costs just £20 above the original Fire HD 8’s £90 price tag. With such a small price increase, the Fire HD 8 Plus seems like the obvious choice, but is it? Is there still a place for the original Fire HD 8 in 2021? In our Amazon Fire HD 8 review, we compare the cheaper model with its more expensive sibling; we look to see if there are any performance differences and help you decide which 8-inch Amazon tablet is best for you and your needs. And if you're thinking of getting the 8 Plus, don't miss our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus vs Amazon Fire HD 10 explainer. Jump to: Amazon Fire HD 8 review: summary What is the Amazon Fire HD 8? How much is the Amazon Fire HD 8? Amazon Fire HD 8 features Amazon Fire HD 8 screen and sound quality Amazon Fire HD 8 design Amazon Fire HD 8 set-up Amazon Fire HD 8 battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 8 review: summary Price: £89.99 Key features: 8-inch HD tablet powered by Amazon’s take on Android – Fire OS Built-in Alexa voice controls Pre-installed Amazon apps allow you to control Echo devices from your tablet Can be used for browsing, media streaming, games, and reading Doubles up as an alternative to the Echo Show Pros: Great value for money Easy to set up and use Great battery life Cons: Average display and cameras Basic design Sluggish No Google apps – including Google Drive and Google Docs The Amazon Fire HD 8 is available at Amazon for £89.99. What is the Amazon Fire HD 8? The Amazon Fire HD 8 is a mid-range tablet offering a handful of the advanced features of the Fire HD 8 Plus and 10 while being closer in price to the Fire 7. It has an 8-inch HD screen, runs on 2GB of RAM, and comes with a minimum of 32GB expandable storage. On both, the front and rear is a 2MP camera, and Amazon promises a 12-hour battery life. If you’ve read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review, a lot of this will sound strikingly familiar. In fact, the only differences between the two models – other than their price – is that the more Fire HD 8 Plus has wireless charging, an extra GB of RAM, and charges a tad faster (four hours vs five). Both are powered by Amazon’s take on Android, called Fire OS. Both come with Alexa built-in, and both are designed for streaming, gaming and surfing the web. They’re the same size, shape and have the same cameras, display resolution, storage options, speakers, and battery life. Compared to the cheaper, £50 entry-level Amazon Fire 7, the Fire HD 8 has dual speakers, tuned by Dolby Atmos, and it’s much faster thanks to having three times the RAM and twice the power. Compared to the £150 Amazon Fire HD 10, the Fire HD 8 actually outperforms when it comes to expandable storage. Offering up to 1TB for the Fire HD 10’s 512GB. They share the same amount of RAM, but the Fire HD 10’s processor is more advanced. The Fire HD 10’s display is also higher quality. What does Amazon Fire HD 8 do? All of Amazon’s tablets put entertainment front and centre, largely as a route to plug its own services. Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible and Kindle are all pre-installed and promoted heavily during the setup, on lock screen ads and from the homepage, by default. The tablet additionally comes with a host of games and streaming services via the Amazon App Store. Media streaming with Amazon Prime Video installed by default Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ available from the Amazon App Store Kindle e-reader and access to the Kindle Store, plus Kindle Unlimited (for an extra fee) Audible audiobooks Show Mode turns the Fire HD 8 into an Echo Show, complete with Alexa Skills Alexa built-in means you can use the Fire HD 8 to control Echo, plus other Alexa compatible devices, using your voice or the Alexa app How much is Amazon Fire HD 8? The Amazon Fire HD 8 comes in two storage sizes – 32GB and 64GB – and you can expand both up to 1TB. As with all Amazon Fire tablets, you can choose to buy with Amazon ads on the lock screen and pay less as a result. Or you can pay extra for the tablet with the adverts removed. The prices, when bought directly from Amazon, are as follows: Amazon Fire HD 8 32GB storage with home screen ads: £89.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 32GB storage without ads: £99.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 64GB storage and ads: £119.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 64GB storage without ads: £129.99 You can also buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 from the following places: Currys: £110 for 32GB, or £140 for 64GB AO.com: £109 for 32GB, or £139 for 64GB Is the Amazon Fire HD 8 good value for money? Paying £90 for an HD tablet, especially one with the versatility of the Amazon Fire HD 8, is always going to be a good investment, especially if you’re already an Amazon customer and have Echo devices in your home. When you throw in the fact that for this price, you also effectively get an Echo Show and a Kindle in the same device, £90 feels like a steal. The issue here isn’t whether the Fire HD 8 offers good value for money, but whether it’s better value for money to pay £20 more and get the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus instead. We’d personally opt for the latter, and if you can stretch to it, we highly recommend it. The wireless charging is a gamechanger. If you can’t, though, you can’t go all that wrong with the Fire HD 8. Especially not at this price. Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 features Before diving into the Amazon Fire HD 8 features and what it can do, we want to highlight what it can’t. There is always a catch when you get this amount of hardware for a relatively low price, and in this case, it’s the Amazon App Store. None of the Amazon tablets on Fire OS supports Google’s suite of apps. If you're an avid Google user (Drive and its range of productivity apps, Gmail, and YouTube), you won’t be able to use these services like you normally would on any other Android or iOS tablet. It is possible to access them all via the mobile browser, but not as standalone apps. For example, YouTube is available but only as an optimised mobile site accessed via a bookmark from the App Store. For some people, this won’t be a problem, but it’s worth noting because, for us, it feels like a big deal. Speaking of Fire OS. It’s what’s known as an Android Skin in that it takes the original Android software and adds layers on top to make it look and work more like Amazon wants it to. This means, on the whole, it looks and feels much like Android. If you’re used to Google’s operating system, Amazon’s version won’t feel too tricky to get to grips with. The only real differences are just how many Amazon ads and apps and options are all over the software. All Fire tablets come with Amazon’s bespoke Silk Browser pre-installed, alongside Amazon’s array of services – Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, Kindle and, of course, the Amazon Shopping app. The standout feature for us in the Fire HD 8 is the introduction of Show Mode. Rather than paying extra for an Echo Show 8, simply ask Alexa to enable Show Mode on your Fire HD 8, and you have a fully-fledged alternative. Show Mode gives you the full-screen Alexa experience. It removes all the normal menus and app icons with a simple screen you control with your voice. This means you can prop it up in your kitchen and get step-by-step recipes, see weather and news headlines from a distance, catch up on your favourite shows hands-free, make video calls and add to your Amazon shopping list. You then disable it by saying: “Alexa, turn off Show Mode.” There’s also an on/off switch in the control centre, accessed by swiping from the top of the screen. We’ve been reluctant to buy an Echo Show because our small network of Echo speakers largely does what we need it to do. With the Fire HD 8 Plus, we get all the benefits and portability of a tablet, with all the benefits of an Echo Show. For a single lower price. We’d even go as far as to say the Fire HD 8 in Show Mode is better than a standard Echo Show because it’s more portable. You don’t need to keep it plugged into the mains. Just be aware that if you’re using multiple Alexa-enabled devices in the same vicinity, they’ll all spring into action when you call their name. Amazon Fire HD 8 screen and sound quality Like its Plus sibling, the “HD” in the name of the Fire HD 8 could be slightly misconstrued. The tablet does have a high-definition display, but it’s not Full HD. Technically, any image that contains around 921,000 pixels or more is classed as HD (or high-definition). Full HD screens sit above the 2 million pixel mark. The Amazon Fire HD 8 and HD 8 Plus both come in at 1 million pixels. Slightly above the bare minimum, but half the quality of Full HD. In reality, the difference is slight between HD and Full HD. Especially on a screen of this size. It becomes more noticeable as you move to bigger tablets, laptops or TVs. And only then is the difference truly highlighted when you put two different resolution screens next to each other. Given that the HD 8 and HD 8 Plus share the same size screen and resolution, the overall colour and definitions are the same. You’ll notice slightly blurry graphics in certain games, and colours across the board look a little more muted than in real life. The biggest impact is on smaller icons and text. These don’t have the sharp edges seen on better-quality displays, and they end up looking pixelated. The screen is highly reflective, which can create some problems with reflections and glare. You can just about get away with dropping the brightness on the screen to around 50% in direct sunlight. At this level, you can largely see what’s going on, but dropping it lower will cause issues. These aren’t deal-breakers. Certainly not on a tablet of this price, and they don’t really get in the way of watching TV shows or films. Unless you’re opting for the likes of Avatar or Godzilla vs Kong et al.; films made to be watched with full surround sound and super high definition displays. Speaking of sound. Thanks to the partnership with Dolby Atmos, the quality of music that comes out of the Fire HD 8’s dual speakers is decent. It’s not super loud, but it does do a good job of making voices stand out in podcasts and makes drum beats and bass feel immersive when wearing headphones. Unsurprisingly, given Amazon’s credentials with voice recognition and beaming technology, the tablet picks up our commands clearly. This also makes video calls clear, without sounding tinny, and without distortion. Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 design In terms of design, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is basic, to say the least. Its large bezel, chunky shape and size, and plastic casing all remind you that this is a cheap tablet. However, this cheap, basic design not only makes it feel robust, but it can take a few whacks, spills and knocks before it even starts to show signs of wear and tear. If you want an 8-inch tablet for the whole family and not just one that your kids will use, we recommend you go for this version and set up parental controls and profiles. The tablet’s balance was a complaint we had with the Fire HD 8, and the same applies here. When reading a book, hence holding the tablet in portrait mode, the tablet feels extremely top-heavy. As if it would tip out of our hands at any moment. This is because the battery and components appear to be better positioned to suit the tablet being held in landscape mode. When held in this way, the Fire HD 8 is both well-balanced and the perfect size to hold for long periods. Moving onto the ports on the Fire HD 8, there’s a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, a USB-C charging port and a microphone. The Fire HD 8 comes in black, blue, purple or white. If you’re going to use a case with the tablet, this is largely moot, but you may not need a case given how robust this tablet feels. Amazon Fire HD 8 set-up Amazon knows that the people buying its tablets may be new to technology or want simple pieces of kit that just work without too much fuss. This plays out in its tablets’ setup processes. The step-by-step guide on the Fire HD 8, followed by a brief video tutorial, makes setting up the tablet a doddle. All you need to hand is your Wi-Fi password and your Amazon login details. If you've been bought the tablet as a gift and don’t already have an Amazon account, you’ll need to set one up, but even this can be done via the guide. If you don’t want an Amazon account, unfortunately, this tablet isn’t for you. You won’t get very far through the setup without one, and the whole Fire HD 8 experience is centred around this account. You do need to wade through a series of promotional messages and notices for Amazon’s services, but they’re quick to dismiss. Annoyingly, you can’t delete the Amazon apps on the tablet, which will make a dent in your storage capacity, but you can disable them in Settings. This will stop you from using data or extra cache space unwittingly, at least. Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 battery life and performance Amazon promises a battery life of 12 hours and, in our looping video test (in which we play an HD video on repeat at 70% brightness and with aeroplane mode enabled), it took 9 hours 3 minutes to go from full charge to flat. It also felt hot at the end of the test. Its battery life is lower than what Amazon promises and three hours lower than the battery life on the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus. This is surprising. Yes, the HD 8 has 1GB less RAM, but the processors, and components, are seemingly the same. Consequently, we’d expected a closer result. When using the Amazon Fire HD 8 for everyday tasks – playing SimCity, watching TikTok, scrolling through social media, a video call and occasional Alexa commands – the tablet lasted more than 27 hours. Even better, when used in the same way as we’d use our Kindle – reading for an hour or so a day – this battery life extended to almost three days. This impressed and surprised us. Sadly, we can’t say the same about the Fire HD 8’s performance. The HD 8 Plus was noticeably sluggish at times, and the Fire HD 8 is even worse. Scrolling through a page on a browser lags almost every time. Not by much, but enough to notice. Apps take longer to load, and videos take longer to buffer. Pressing any menu generates a slight delay which, when it happens once or twice, isn’t that big a deal, but if you’re using the tablet for long periods is tedious. We were also disappointed by the cameras. We can’t remember the last time we actually used our everyday tablet (the iPad Mini 5) to take photos, so this may not even be a factor for many people, but 2MP is poor. Even at this price, when we’re used to so much better. Our family would often complain that the picture quality wasn’t great on video calls, which – when coupled with the general lag and performance delays – soon became frustrating. Our verdict: should you buy the Amazon Fire HD 8? We began this Amazon Fire HD 8 review by asking the question: Is there still a place for this tablet in 2021? The answer is no. If you’re looking for a versatile tablet that won’t break the bank, it’s worth spending £20 more to get the Amazon Fire HD Plus. Not only does it come with wireless charging, it brings all the features and design elements of the HD 8 but with more power and better battery life. We can’t think who would benefit from buying the Amazon Fire HD 8 over the 8 Plus. Unless you can’t stretch to the extra money, or you want a choice of colours. The latter could be key if you have multiple children and need to identify whose tablet is whose. If you are limited by budget, the Fire HD 8 is a good tablet that does what a good, entertainment-led tablet should – plays games and streams videos. You don’t get any bells and whistles, but you also don’t get any drama or hassle. Effectively getting an Echo Show and a Kindle for this single price is also very appealing. As with all Amazon tablets, we don’t think you need to pay extra to remove the Amazon ads. They’re really not that bad. Plus, if you only have the money to pay for an upgrade on the Fire HD 8 or removing the ads, the former is the best option. Rating: Features: 4/5 Screen and sound quality: 3/5 Design: 2/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 2/5 Overall rating: 3.5/5 Where to buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Amazon Currys AO.com Want to know more about the latest 8-inch tablet model? Check out our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus may not be perfect, but it’s a whole load of kit bundled into a not-too-shabby price.
Compared to the rest of the Amazon tablet range – past and present – the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is it the first of its name, but it’s also Amazon’s first foray into the world of wireless charging. Amazon tends to refresh its Fire tablet and Echo lineups at least once a year, and there are rarely any real surprises. We usually see a slightly upgraded Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10, followed by relatively minor hardware updates to the Echo Dot and Echo Show ranges. Last summer, however, Amazon threw us this curveball. In addition to all of the above, the Amazon Fire HD 8 was joined by a slightly more expensive, slightly more powerful Fire HD 8 Plus. This mid-range, 8-inch tablet (£110) does everything the cheaper Fire HD 8 (£90) can do, with a couple of standout features thrown in for good measure. In this Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review, we put these new features – wireless charging, increased RAM and better-quality display – to the test. We also look at its camera quality, how easy it is to set up, its design, battery life, and software features to discover if this is the best tablet for you. To compare the Fire HD 8 Plus with other affordable devices, don't miss our best budget tablet round-up. And to see how it compares to its big brother, you can check out our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus vs Amazon Fire HD 10 article. Jump to: Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review: summary What is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus? How much is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus? Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus features Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus screen and sound quality Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus design Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus set-up Amazon Fire HD Plus battery Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review: summary Price: The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is available at Amazon for £109.99. Key features 8-inch HD tablet powered by Amazon’s take on Android – Fire OS Wireless charging (charger sold separately) Built-in Alexa voice controls Comes with Amazon apps pre-installed, allowing you to automatically add them to, and control, your existing Echo network of devices Can be used for media streaming, games, reading (as an alternative to the Kindle), phone calls (via the Alexa App) and as an alternative to the Echo Show Pros Great value for money Easy to set up and use – especially if you’re an Amazon customer Wireless charging Impressive battery life Cons Mediocre display and cameras Basic, cheap design Sluggish at times No Google apps – including Google Drive and Google Docs What is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus? The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is a Fire OS-powered, Alexa-enabled tablet designed for streaming, gaming and surfing the web. In the wider Fire tablet family, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus sits at the higher end of the range. As its name suggests, it has an 8-inch HD screen with 3GB of RAM, a minimum 32GB expandable storage, and 12-hour battery life. It doesn’t come with the higher-resolution screen and faster processor of its larger sibling, the Amazon Fire HD 10. But it’s also £40 cheaper. It has exactly the same dimensions, display, camera, storage, speakers, and battery life as the £90 Fire HD 8, yet comes with added wireless charging and an extra GB of RAM. Its Dolby Atmos dual speakers are superior to the mono speaker found on the entry-level Amazon Fire 7, and it’s much faster thanks to having three times the RAM and almost twice the power. What does the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus do? Amazon describes the Fire HD 8 Plus as its “best 8-inch portable tablet for entertainment”. This shows how Amazon wants you to view this device – for keeping yourself and others entertained. As a result, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, and Kindle services are front and centre. And the tablet comes with a host of games and streaming services via the Amazon App Store. Media streaming with Amazon Prime Video installed by default, plus Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ apps available from the Amazon App Store. YouTube is available but only as an optimised mobile site accessed via a bookmark from the App Store Kindle e-reader and access to the Kindle Store Audible audiobooks Turn your Fire HD 8 Plus into an Echo Show with Show Mode and use voice controls to get the full Alexa Skills experience Control all other Echo and compatible smart devices on the same network using your voice, or the built-in Alexa app How much is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus? The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus comes in two storage sizes – 32GB and 64GB – and you can choose to buy with lock screen Amazon ads or with the adverts removed. Both devices are expandable up to 1TB. The prices, when bought directly from Amazon, are as follows: Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, 32GB storage with home screen ads: £109.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, 32GB storage without ads: £119.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, 64GB storage and ads: £139.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, 64GB storage without ads: £149.99 If you want to add a charging dock, you’ll pay an additional £39.99 on top of each of these options. You can also buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus from the following places: Currys: £110 for 32GB, or £140 for 64GB AO.com: £109 for 32GB, or £139 for 64GB Is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus good value for money? Amazon’s Fire tablet range is renowned for offering portable entertainment at an affordable price, and the Fire HD 8 Plus is no exception. Not only do you get a decent 8-inch tablet and all the various streaming and gaming apps that come with such devices, but you’re also getting an Echo Show and a Kindle effectively thrown in. For the relatively bargain price of £110. If you were to buy all three devices separately – the HD 8, the Echo Show 8 and a basic Kindle – you’d end up paying in excess of £280. In fact, this means you could buy two of the 64GB Fire HD 8 Plus for the same price. Plus, you get the added benefit of wireless charging. This makes the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus superb value for money. Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus features All Fire tablets, regardless of size or price, run Amazon’s take on Android. A software called Fire OS. It looks and feels much like Android, so if you’re used to Google’s operating system, Amazon’s version won’t feel too strange. However, because it’s what’s classed as an Android skin, it means Fire OS doesn’t come with the full selection of apps or menus available on standard Android systems. The one notable omission being Google’s suite of apps, namely Google Drive and its related apps, Gmail, and YouTube. It is possible to access all of these via the mobile browser, but not as standalone apps. All Fire tablets come with Amazon’s bespoke Silk Browser pre-installed, alongside Amazon’s array of services – Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, Kindle and, of course, the Amazon Shopping app – and they all come with 2MP cameras on the front and rear. If you opt for one of the three Fire HD models, you get dual Dolby Atmos-powered speakers and the option to use the tablet in Show Mode. This effectively turns the Fire HD 8, HD 8 Plus and the HD 10 tablets into Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10 alternatives. Show Mode gives you the full-screen Alexa experience without forking out for an extra device. This makes it easier to make video calls while cooking dinner, for example, or seeing Alexa updates such as shopping alerts or weather reports from a distance on your Fire HD 8 Plus. If you pay extra for the Amazon wireless charging dock, you can enable Show Mode on the Fire HD 8 Plus simply by placing the tablet into this dock. Alternatively, just say: “Alexa, enable Show Mode,” and your tablet’s lock and the home screen will switch from the standard view to the view seen across Amazon’s range of Show devices. This unlocks the full list of Alexa Skills, all of which can be controlled via your voice and all shown in an easy-to-understand way. You then disable it by saying: “Alexa, turn off Show Mode.” There’s also an on/off switch in the control centre, accessed by swiping from the top of the screen. It’s this feature that stood out most for us during testing. We already have a small network of Echo devices around our home and, while they’re great for simple commands, we do find them a little restrictive. Yet, because we already own Echos, and because they largely do what we need them to do, buying an Echo Show seemed excessive. With the Fire HD 8 Plus, you get the best of both worlds. You can use it as a tablet, or an Echo Show, as and when you need to and can switch between the two when you see fit. In fact, we’d go a step further and say we feel it’s more convenient than a standard Echo Show because it’s more portable. You don’t need to keep it plugged into the mains, meaning you can switch between a tablet and a Show wherever and whenever you like. The only real feature, though, that distinguishes the Fire HD 8 Plus from the HD 8 is the introduction of wireless charging. Once you go wireless, it’s very difficult to go back to scrambling for the cable and plugging it in. We’re big fans of the convenience, and we’d happily pay £20 extra for it (or £50 if you factor in a charging dock), but it depends on your needs and budget. Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus screen and sound quality Despite its name, the Fire HD 8 Plus does not come with a Full HD screen. The term HD stands for high definition, and it refers to any image resolution higher than 720 x 1,280 pixels. When you multiply these numbers together, you get a total pixel count of 921,600. This is the lowest image resolution considered high definition. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus has an image resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels (around 1 million pixels in total). This puts it a tad above regular HD, but not quite Full HD. The latter of which requires a minimum of 1,920 x 1,080, or approximately 2 million, pixels. This is a little complex, and for most tasks – especially browsing the web, playing simple games and using social media – this difference in quality is barely noticeable. To be honest, the only way you can see a discernible difference on a screen of this size is when you put a higher quality screen next to it. There are a few areas where the lower screen quality can make a difference. If you’re playing games with detailed graphics or that require a large amount of computing power, you’ll definitely notice lags, glitches, pixelation and muted colours. Some of the smaller icons, such as the notification icons that appear along the top of the screen, look a bit blurry. Small lines of text on Amazon Prime Video thumbnails do, too. You won’t get to see films such as Godzilla vs Kong as vibrantly or as detailed as was intended, but on the whole, the screen quality is OK. Especially at this price point. One downside is that the screen is highly reflective. This means you need to whack the brightness up to avoid a lot of glare in highly lit environments. For instance, in direct sunlight, you can get away with dropping the brightness to around 50% and still see what’s on the screen. Anything lower than that, and you’ll be struggling. Amazon does have an option to automatically adjust the brightness based on light, so this is a minor complaint. As is the fact having the device brightly lit a lot of the time can cause the battery to lose charge faster. In terms of sound quality, the partnership with Dolby Atmos makes the output much more well-rounded and less tinny than on previous versions of the Fire HD and Fire tablets that weren’t tuned by Dolby. Even at full volume. Voices are clear on podcasts, and you can distinguish between different instruments in classical music. We were pleasantly surprised not only in how well we could hear music and loved ones on video calls but that it didn’t become distorted. The dual speakers aren’t super loud, but they do the job well, especially for this price. Plus, if you have Echo speakers, chances are you’d use those to fill entire rooms with audio and use your tablet for more personal listening. Unsurprisingly, given Amazon’s credentials when it comes to voice recognition, the tablet picks up commands well. Even in noisy environments – such as over two children watching TikTok and YouTube on separate devices at the same time... Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus design While the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus punches above its weight in terms of features, versatility and sound quality, its design well and truly reminds you that it sits at the cheaper end of the tablet spectrum. The smooth plastic back, large bezel, rounded edges and thick casing (almost 10mm compared to the iPad and Samsung’s 7mm tablets) make the Fire HD 8 Plus feel like an entry-level tablet. There’s little finesse or luxury. On the plus side, it’s not overly weighty yet is heavy enough to make it feel robust. We feel confident we could drop this tablet, and it would survive the odd knock here and there, which is fortunate because the plastic can be slippy. We don’t feel confident, however, in the tablet’s balance. If you hold it too far down, when using it to read a book on the Kindle app in portrait mode, the tablet feels top-heavy. It has a tendency to either tip out of our hands, or you’ll end up with a wrist ache propping it up. By contrast, when held in landscape mode, the Fire HD 8 Plus is a comfortable size and weight to hold for long periods. The positioning of the power and volume buttons on the top right side of the device (when it’s being held in landscape with the camera at the top) suggests this landscape positioning is how Amazon intends people to use the tablet. Other ports include: 3.5mm stereo headphone jack USB-C charging port Microphone The front-facing camera sits in the middle of the device, on the top bezel (if you’re holding the tablet in landscape mode). The rear-facing camera sits in the top-right hand corner on the back. Both are pretty inconspicuous and equally as underwhelming. Granted, tablets aren’t designed to replace your DSLR or souped-up smartphone camera, yet 2MP is mediocre at best. Even at this price point, and especially when Amazon sells it largely on the fact you can make video calls in Show Mode. You’ll have the convenience of taking and making these calls, yet the quality for your loved ones will be poor, to say the least. The tablet is only available in black, or Slate as Amazon calls it. By comparison, the Fire HD 8 comes in black, blue, purple or white. Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus set-up There are numerous online reviews bemoaning the fact the Amazon Fire HD 8 and 8 Plus are complicated and long-winded to set up. This was not our experience. It took us less than two minutes to get the tablet set up for this Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review. And a large part of that was finding our Wi-Fi password and scrolling through Amazon’s promotional videos and messages to get to the homepage. If you’ve ever owned a smartphone or tablet, you’ll be very familiar with the setup process – connect to a Wi-Fi network, sign in to your account, download any relevant apps. Nothing tripped us up, and all menus are clear. The only time-consuming thing was waiting for the apps to download and trying to remember our passwords, which isn’t Amazon’s fault. The tablet also makes it very easy to enable parental controls from the get-go. The menus in Settings are well labelled if you want to make any changes to notifications, Alexa, manage your app permissions more. Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus battery life and performance Amazon promises a battery life of 12 hours and, in our looping video test (in which we played an HD video on repeat at 70% brightness and with aeroplane mode enabled), it took 12 hours 17 minutes to go from full charge to flat. When using the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus for everyday tasks – the odd game of SimCity, an hour or so of TikTok, social media scrolling and occasional voice commands – the tablet lasted well into the second day. Even better, when used purely as an e-reader, reading for an hour a day, we got almost three days’ battery life from this tablet. This was beyond impressive. Part of this may come down to the fact that, performance-wise, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus isn’t anything to write home about. There is a slight, yet noticeable, delay between pressing an icon and an app loading or a page scrolling. When we unlock the device, the sound occurs shortly after the screen has been unlocked. It doesn’t appear to be doing anything at any pace, certainly not to warrant significant use of the battery. We’d prefer a bit more oomph and power for a little less battery life. Our verdict: should you buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus? If you’re looking for a versatile tablet that won’t break the bank, you’ve found it. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is far from perfect – the screen and sound quality fall flat in a few places, its design is basic, some of the hardware is mediocre, and its somewhat sluggish performance counteracts its impressive battery life. Yet we’d still recommend this device, particularly over the Fire HD 8. Being able to charge the device wirelessly is a significant improvement, and Show Mode elevates this beyond just any old Android-based tablet. We’d even go as far as to say you don’t need to pay extra to remove the ads. They’re largely unobtrusive and if you only have the budget for one upgrade, go for the bigger storage. Features: 4/5 Screen and sound quality: 3/5 Design: 2/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 3/5 Overall: 3.5/5 Where to buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus Amazon Currys AO.com For the latest news, guides and reviews head over to the RadioTimes.com Technology section.