10 Best Budget Tablets below Php 20,000 in the Philippines 2026 | Buying Guide Reviewed by IT Consultant, Developer, and Instructor

Tablet sizes can go from anything larger than the average mobile phone to ones as close to the dimensions of a laptop. Choosing the right proportions depends mostly on how you want to use your gadget. For light social media browsing or e-book reading, a pocket-size, 8-inch tablet is a great option. This size also makes it lightweight and easy to carry around.

If you prefer to get a tablet for editing or multitasking, options that are 10 inches or higher can get the job done. Do remember that tablet measurements are usually denoted by just one number, which refers to the device’s length when measured diagonally. If you want to know its actual dimensions, look for values written as length x width.

In the tech world, you would often come across the term RAM, which stands for random access memory. It refers to the storage utilized by your tablet when it begins to run any type of application on your device. Once the applications are closed, your RAM storage is cleared. Since RAM is not expandable, choosing a high-capacity one is a great investment. 

Tablet RAMs typically start at 2 GB, but if you wish to use your gadget for activities like gaming, editing, or attending virtual meetings, splurging on 4 GB and above options can save you more money in the long run. In some cases, having inadequate RAM may also lead to a major system crash, on top of its tendency to be laggy. A 4 GB of RAM should be sufficient for your device to steer clear from overloading while in use.

Brands often carry multiple Read-Only Memory or ROM options for the same tablet model. This could easily bump up the price should you go for one with a bigger capacity. However, it would be best to purchase a unit that has expandable memory. Having the feature to insert a MicroSD card as expandable storage is a great alternative to prolong the use of your tablet instead of upgrading to a new one.

These memory cards come in many sizes and are widely available in tech or gadget shops, so you won’t have trouble looking for them. It is also an ideal feature for photographers and digital artists since they can easily transfer files in and out of their tablets. Take note, on the other hand, that the expandable memory capacity of tablets also varies so it's important to check your device specifications first.

Getting a budget-friendly tablet doesn't mean that you can only take low-quality pictures and videos with it. Nowadays, you can get tablets that have HD cameras despite the lower price tag. Just make sure that the gadget you're eyeing has both a front and rear camera. This way, you can easily attend your online meetings, make video calls with your family, or take snapshots.

With a higher megapixel rate, a clearer and crisper image can be seen. In today’s market, a good camera for a mobile device starts at 5 MP. This means there are 5 million pixels taken every time you capture an image. Do note that the front and rear cameras have different MPs, with the latter usually having better quality.

A tablet is a great portable device that is best paired with a large battery capacity. This decreases the need to sit next to a power outlet all day or carry around a heavy battery pack to keep your gadget working.

Make sure to look for tablets that have a 5000 mAh battery capacity or bigger. This should be enough to run strong apps the whole day. You can also look for ones that are fast-charging. This convenient upgrade lets you get a full charge for half the time it would usually take.

Many manufacturers release budget-friendly tablets with 4G, 5G, or LTE compatibility along with the usual Wi-Fi support. However, it's not a guaranteed feature and still widely depends on the brand and model. If you're looking into having a backup internet connection when you're out and about, you should consider getting a tablet with a SIM card slot to access mobile data features.

Having a SIM card-ready tablet allows you to gain cellular connectivity. Enabling this varies on the network brand of your SIM card, but the process remains as straightforward as inserting one on your regular smartphone. After opening the SIM card slot cover, with the notch matching the shape of your SIM card, you should be able to push in on the card until it locks in place.