10 Best Tablets in the Philippines 2026 | Buying Guide Reviewed by IT Specialist

Different operating systems provide different experiences in terms of navigation and interface. Apple's iPadOS is considered by many to be very easy to use and is a great introduction to the Apple ecosystem.

With this, you also get access to the huge library of apps in the App Store. However, getting a tablet with this OS means that you are limited to gadgets that only Apple manufactures.

Many tablet manufacturers, big and small, use Android as their OS. With Android, you get superior customizability and access to Google Play. Unfortunately, not all applications in the App Store are available in Google Play, which can be a pain if you plan to use your favorite iPad apps on your new Android tablet.

Some manufacturers also use the most recent Windows 11, which is ideal for those who are looking for a desktop-like experience. Just like in Microsoft Surface Pro, you are given the ease of having Microsoft Office right on your tablet for productivity purposes.

Finally, there are also less common operating systems that have a special place in the tablet market. For example, Amazon's Kindle OS is perfect for those who'd like to read e-books, newspapers, and other digital media on their tablet.

The processor indicates how fast the tablet can run applications, while RAM dictates how much multitasking it can perform. Having a processor and RAM that aren't up for the task can result in frustrating crashes and lags every time you load apps.

If you plan on doing intensive tasks such as rendering and heavy gaming, then you will benefit from a faster processor and more RAM. Top-of-the-line processors such as Apple's M1 or Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865+, paired with around 8 GB of RAM, will make short work of such demanding tasks.

For light use, such as web browsing, watching movies, and light gaming, you can get away with having a more modest processor and less RAM. Although using the tablet won't be lightning-fast, at least you get to save money, which you could otherwise spend on other important things such as accessories.

Most manufacturers readily advertise the display resolution or the number of pixels that the tablet can display in the product description. However, if you want to compare the sharpness between tablets of different display sizes, make sure to compare the pixels per inch or ppi instead. 

Tablets with at least 200 ppi are very common, but if you want the best of the best, go for those with at least 250 ppi. You'll definitely appreciate the sharpness of these displays while watching movies and reading texts.

Your storage requirements will depend on what you plan to do with your tablet. If you'd like to store a lot of games, movies, and photos offline, then a tablet with larger storage would be suitable for you. Tablet storage options range from 8 GB up to 2 TB, so try to plan out how much you need for your use case.

As you pick the higher storage options for tablets, they tend to get significantly more expensive. Luckily, most tablets nowadays have micro SD card slots. Be on the lookout for this feature, as micro SD cards are a more affordable tool to increase your tablet's storage.

Even though phones generally have better cameras than tablets, the tablet's cameras must not be overlooked. A rear camera with at least 8 MP will be adequate for taking pictures of documents and notes. However, if you plan on doing some portrait photography, you'll definitely want to go for those with at least 12 MP.

As for the front camera, a tablet with at least 5 MP is good enough for most users. However, if you want to look your best at all times when attending video calls and online conferences, then it might be worth it to go for a front camera that has a higher resolution.

Many tablets are offered in either Wi-Fi-only or Wi-Fi + cellular. Wi-Fi-only models are more affordable than those with cellular, so if you plan to use your tablet mostly in areas where Wi-Fi is available, then it would be better to go for this option.

Unfortunately, Wi-Fi isn't available in all areas, which is where Wi-Fi + cellular models come in. With these, you can insert a SIM card in your tablet for cellular data, giving your device access to the internet all the time. However, keep in mind that cellular data consumes battery quicker than Wi-Fi.

Whether you're at home or on the road, nobody wants to get stuck next to a wall socket because their tablet has poor battery life. Grab a tablet with at least 8 hours of battery life, as that would definitely be enough to last you around a day of light use. 

Do take note of the charging time as well. Some tablets come with fast charging features, which could offset their short battery life since it won't take too long to power up the device.

An important consideration when choosing a tablet is the included accessories that make using this gadget much easier. Some tablets might include keyboards, which are great for those who are looking for a replacement for their laptop. On the other hand, styluses are great for artists who'd like to draw on their tablets. 

Aside from the included accessories, even additional accessories should be considered. Make sure that the tablet is compatible with other accessories such as earphones, speakers, cases, and more. This way, you have plenty of options should you want to further enhance your tablet experience.