Samsung in front in product test: The best new tablets are not iPads

Stiftung Warentest is testing ten current tablets. The new iPad is not one of the three best devices, but the test winners are not cheaper than Apple's entry-level tablet either. Warentest can only recommend other good devices to a limited extent, for which the Trump administration is responsible.

Experience shows that when Christmas approaches, interest in tablets in Germany rises sharply, with alternatives to the expensive iPads in particular in demand. The new issue of the magazine "test" is just right, because in it you will find the reviews of ten current tablets with prices from 110 to 1150 euros. After all, seven of the devices received good ratings, but Warentest can only partially recommend the cheaper candidates among them – which is not the manufacturer's fault.

Double victory for Samsung

In the 11-inch class, only two devices competed against each other. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 + 5G for around 1150 euros the duel decided against the 245 euros cheap Hannspree Hannspad Titan 3 clear to yourself. The South Korean Android tablet received an overall grade of 1.8, while the cheap Taiwanese device received a quality rating of 4.2. The highlight of the Galaxy Tab S7 + is the magnificent AMOLED display, for which it was rated 1.1. Otherwise, the powerful tablet received consistently good or very good ratings.

Alternatively, we recommend buying one iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 – Apple had released both in the spring. In terms of price, they are in the range of the Galaxy Tab 7+ and were rated even better in June with an overall grade of 1.7. You can also expect at least four iOS updates for the iPads, while Android devices usually end after the second version jump at the latest.

Among the eight 10-inch models, the big test winner's little brother is best in class. The Galaxy Tab S7 LTE also received an overall grade of 1.8, but the screen is not quite as excellent as the 7+, and the testers found its versatility only satisfactory. On the other hand, it is one of the most enduring devices among the test candidates and also significantly cheaper with a price of around 750 euros.

Huawei strong but with a handicap

Second place went to the 600 euros cheap Huawei MatePad Pro LTE with the quality rating 1.9. The functions, display, battery and handling are good, only the versatility was not good enough for the testers (2.7). However, Stiftung Warentest can only recommend the device to a limited extent. This is because the manufacturer is on a black list in the USA and therefore, among other things, is not allowed to use Google services. Buyers can therefore not install apps from the Play Store either, but are dependent on the more modest selection in Huawei's AppGallery or have to trust other sources.

The award-winning tablet shares the same fate among the well-rated tablets, the Huawei MatePad Wifi, which only costs around 300 euros. With an overall score of 2.0, it even has an even better display than the test winner Galaxy Tab S7 and can otherwise keep up in all categories. If you don't have too high demands on the variety of apps and can live without Google services at all, the Chinese tablet is clearly the price-performance tip.

Good alternatives from Apple and Amazon

New Apple iPad (10.2 inch, Wi-Fi, 128 GB) – Space Gray (latest model, 8th generation)

*Data protection

Optionally, you can go to Apple's new entry-level iPad (iPad 8), which you can get with 128 gigabytes of memory for almost 470 euros. It has one of the best displays (1.6) and received good grades except for versatility (3.0).

For the small tablets with 8-inch displays, Huawei has introduced the MatePad T8 (around 120 euros) the nose ahead, which got a quality grade of 2.4. The device's endurance, display and handling are good, but functionality and versatility are only satisfactory or sufficient. But that's not to be expected with small tablets. Here, too, the US boycott is more problematic.

If you feel you are in good hands with Amazon, this is it Fire HD 8 Plus a good alternative (2.5) for around 175 euros. Its screen is not quite as good as that of the MatePad T8, but the device offers the best mileage of all tested tablets, for which it was rated 1.