5 Cheaper Android Tablets To Buy Instead Of The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra

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

The selected tablets are cheaper than Samsung's latest flagship, but they can still meet most users' expectations. Each tablet has unique features that could make it a strong replacement for the Tab S12 Ultra, even if it isn't as powerful. Still, as companies like Google have completely dismissed their tablet business and OnePlus has moved away from the U.S. and European markets, Android customers are left with fewer options.

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

Announced in September alongside the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ is the younger sibling of this massive high-end tablet. Priced slightly lower at $1,199, it also remains in the remium tier of the Android tablet ecosystem—which seems dominated by Samsung. Under the hood, this tablet features a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset found in the Ultra model, a minimum of 12GB of RAM, and a huge 10,600mAh battery that can last for up to 21 hours.

The tablet is fairly similar to its older sibling. It features a stunning 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a sharp 2800 by 1752 resolution, which is great for media consumption and for creative people to draw, edit, and multitask. Focused on power users, professional illustrators, and creators, the Galaxy Tab S12+ includes an integrated S Pen, so you don't have to carry a separate device.

Those not willing to pay an extra $200 for the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra can rest assured that the Plus model will deliver most of the features expected for this model, including a fast processor, long software support of at least seven years (unlike a few previous models), and other perks. The only real compromise is trading the Ultra's massive 14.6-inch display for a slightly more manageable 12.6-inch option, which many users might see as a benefit rather than a downgrade.

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

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

For customers unwilling to spend $1,399 on a tablet, the Lenovo Yoga Tab (Gen 2) is a masterclass in value and an alternative premium option. By saving up $600, users still have a beautiful 4K display, exceptional long-lasting software, and great specs, as this tablet features a power-efficient MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor, up to 12GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage, with the possibility of expanding it to up to 2TB via a microSD card.

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

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

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

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

Powered by MediaTek's Helio G100 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, this tablet features an 8,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging. TCL made this tablet for voracious readers, students who often rely on digital textbooks, and users who frequently suffer from eye fatigue when staring at standard reflective displays for long hours.

If you don't want to pay at least $1,399 for a tablet and don't care about the shiniest specs, the TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus can still be a great option for anyone focused on reading, taking notes, or browsing the web. By choosing TCL's tablet, you won't get the fastest tablet or one with an out-of-this-world OLED display, but you will still get a product engineered to protect your eyes and deliver a comfortable reading experience.

Last but not least, those looking for a tablet can find a great option in the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ instead of the pricier Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. This device is the premier entry-level option for customers committed to the Galaxy ecosystem. If you already have a Samsung Galaxy smartwatch, Galaxy Buds, and perhaps a Galaxy Watch, then your next step could be the Tab A11+. Priced around $299.99, it lowers the barrier for those looking for a tablet and Samsung's polished software environment. Featuring an 11-inch LCD and a 90Hz refresh rate, users get smooth navigation during everyday usage.

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

This tablet is the smartest way to stay in the Samsung ecosystem while protecting your wallet. The Galaxy Tab A11+ gets Samsung's full OneUI experience and the company's commitment to seven major Android OS updates. Users also get cross-device synchronization across other Galaxy products without spending over $1,000 to enjoy the company's ecosystem. While this tablet doesn't come with a built-in S Pen, users can improve the experience by getting a generic stylus for drawing, writing, and taking notes.

The Android tablet segment does not seem very enticing. In a market dominated by Apple, which accounted for over 50% of total global sales in the first quarter of 2024, Samsung remains the second-largest vendor, with over 24% of tablets sold. That said, while we could've added a bunch of Samsung tablets to this list as cheaper options for the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra — after all, you could get last year's Tab S11, a Tab S10, and so on –, we also thought it would be interesting to give customers some other options from other brands.

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

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