School me on cheap Android tablets

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
06/18/2020 at 21:15 • Filed to: Ask Oppo

My wife has asked for a cheap Android tablet for her birthday. She wants to use it as an e-reader, and to be able to surf the web. She already has a Kindle, but doesn’t want to be tied to the Kindle’s software/library , and she says it sucks at surfing the ultranets. That is why she specifically asked for, “A cheap Android tablet.”

I know jack freaking squat about these things, so techies of Oppo, help a guy out. I don’t even know where to begin.

Squarebody Suburban for your time.

DISCUSSION (63)

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:27

No personal experience outside with new tablet tech as I went the refurbished older ultrabook route for myself and the Mrs, but these is guide may be a good starting point as they are pretty reliable for all things android.

https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-tablets-267136/

facw > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:31

Not much info to provide. I have a Kindle Fire HD 10 with Google Play sideloaded so I can run (most) normal Android apps from the Play Store.

CTSenVy > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:33

Something like this?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-tab-a-latest-model-8-32gb-black/6368084.p?skuId=6368084&ref=212&loc=1&ref=212&loc=1&ds_rl=1262659&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1Jmqkd2M6gIVyEXVCh1KYQFQEAQYAyABEgKF-PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

jminer > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:34

Cheap android tablets have gotten better than they used to be for sure but you still have to be careful to avoid the junk .

Any preference on size? 7/8" or 10" - b udget? Anything other than browse the web/email she wants it to do?

shop-teacher > jminer
06/18/2020 at 21:37

7"/8". I’d like to stay under $100, but that's not a hard cap. Just internet and e-reading.

shop-teacher > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
06/18/2020 at 21:38

Thanks!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:38

I added google play to my kindle and chrome is a much better browser. The kindle is still slow but it works.

shop-teacher > CTSenVy
06/18/2020 at 21:38

I was hoping to go cheaper, but yeah, something like that.

Pat Pfeiffer > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:47

Looks like they have an open box u it available for $124 if that helps at all. Otherwise, just go buy a new $1000 phone, and they’ll throw in a tablet FREE OF CHARGE! Just pay the extra $30/ month for the tablets data plan

CTSenVy > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:48

Usually if I want a cheap android tablet I get a Kindle Fire, but that sounds like a no go.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:48

Are you prone to snapping misbehaving devices over your knee? Because cheap android tablets have a way of making you want to snap them over your knee.

wafflesnfalafel > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:56

W e got my wife one of the 8" Samsungs about a year ago and she loves it - uses it more than her laptop now, music, ereader, games, slings to the TV, etc.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:56

What a coincidence, I have a fully functional, near-new tablet I was about to list on eBay. Runs Android 9, it was mid-range a few years ago so it’ll still smash any sub- $15 0 tablet. It's a Galaxy Tab A (SM-T380). $70 and it's yours.

Kinja'd!!!

smobgirl > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 21:59

I use a galaxy tab a for work, haven’t had any issues or complaints with it and I’ve had it for a year and a half. No idea what they cost though!

shop-teacher > Pat Pfeiffer
06/18/2020 at 22:01

Lol! Pass!

I learned the hard way about open box crap at Best Buy.

shop-teacher > CTSenVy
06/18/2020 at 22:01

Yeah, exactly.

jminer > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:01

Take a look at Lenovo Android tablets. They’re pretty good as Lenovo also owns Motorola now.

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/tablets/android-tablets/lenovo-tab-series/c/lenovo-tab-series

I’d probably recommend the m8 FHD as a good mix of features and performance while only being $130.

The Snowman > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:03

Just put regular old Android on her Kindle for free99?

shop-teacher > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja:
06/18/2020 at 22:03

I am not in that habit actually. And my wife takes remarkably good care of her things.

Under_Score > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:10

My dad was just talking about his and how he doesn’t like the Kindle not being Android.

He has a Nuvision he got from Sam’s Club for Christmas 2014. It’s on Android 4 something, but it still works as an e-reader and for browsing the Internet.

My mom has a newer one, I believe Nuvision, too, from 2017? that’s bigger. Dad’s was less than $100.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:12

Carry on. :)

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:13

I mostly use iPads, but I do have an Amazon Fire 10 that I picked up new 1.5 years ago for $100. It’s OK. Of course, it feels cheap compared to the iPads, but given the price that’s to be expected. I did tweak it to allow me to use apps from Google Play store, an easy mod that makes it considerably more capable. I usually leave it in the kitchen, and it is the tablet I grab when I have to go into the hospital; I’d be less pissed if it disappeared in the night than I would be if an iPad went AWOL.

shop-teacher > The Snowman
06/18/2020 at 22:13

Eh, I gotta buy her something for her birthday, and usually she gives me no help or hints. I'm running with this one.

shop-teacher > jminer
06/18/2020 at 22:14

Oh, I like that option. We've been really happy with our Lenovo Chromebooks.

shop-teacher > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/18/2020 at 22:16

I bought her an iPad years ago, and despite her loving Apple computers, she's always hated that iPad.

shop-teacher > smobgirl
06/18/2020 at 22:17

Looks like about $150. Reviews are all over the map on that one.

jminer > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:19

They’re a really good value option. I rocked Lenovo M otorola phones for a few years and they always performed way better than they should have for the cost. I had to replace it a couple times but that’s all my fault.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:23

Well, if she didn’t like the iPad chances are that she’s going to hate an Android tablet (unless she’s already accustomed to Android). IPads prior to the Air were a bit compromised (my 1st gen took about 10 minutes to reboot, for example), but since the Air they've been vastly more capable.

Jb boin > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:27

There are also some Chinese options, you have some reviews here : https://www.gizchina.com/category/tech/tablets/

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:27

For ebooks I do use a Kindle, one with the backlight on the display, and it’s wonderful - the screen lighting makes all the difference in the world. I’ve been able to load up books from pretty much anywhere via USB. My first ebook reader was a Nook, and I probably would have gotten the Nook with the backlight if I didn’t find the Kindle for $10. The Nook had the advantage of a microSD card slot, but so far I haven’t really missed it on the Kindle.

SmugAardvark > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:29

I’ve had a few cheap-ish Android tablets over the years. More often than not, they’re unfortunately kind of garbage. A few stood out as kinda decent, but the majority went straight to friends and family members after a couple of weeks messing about with them.

Most of them are running ancient versions of Android OS. That, in and of itself, would not be a huge issue. But some apps do not kindly run on versions more than 4 or 5 updates old. On top of that, some don’t even offer the Google Play Store (without running custom roms and sideloaded software) . There are alternatives out there, but there’s a significantly higher risk of malware on some of the sketchier ones.

The best of the bunch for me was the Asus Transformer Pad (specifically the TF103C if I’ m remembering correctly). I got it about 4 years ago for around $150 with the keyboard dock, which was awesome. I do still use it from time to time. It’s good for travelling, since it functions fine as a laptop, and I won’t care too much if it gets lost/broken/stolen. No idea if you can even find one of those now (or if you’d even want to, since it was already 2 or 3 years old when I got mine).

And for what it’s worth, I’ve heard Vankyo tablets are good in the ~$100-$150 Android tablet range. I’ve never had my hands on one though , so I can’t give you any firsthand knowledge on them.

CTSenVy > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:29

Micro center has some Lenovo tablets for less 100. Maybe an option?

https://www.microcenter.com/product/604062/lenovo-tab-e8—-black

shop-teacher > CTSenVy
06/18/2020 at 22:36

That's definitely an option. We've been really happy with our Lenovo Chromebooks.

shop-teacher > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/18/2020 at 22:37

We have Android phones, so she is used to Android. I think her iPad was a 2. Maybe a 3, but I think 2.

SirDrivesAlot (now with hybrid powerrrr) > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:46

I am currently using a Galaxy Tab A I picked up this week. Before that I had a Fire 8, which became very...... annoying. Picked up terminal wifi issues, which is why I now have the Tab A. Should have gone with it in the first place (as the wife is happy to remind me of) I still have an old iPad mini 2 that works ok, if you keep it plugged in. I use it now as a second screen for the computer.

Monkey B > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:48

I avoid Samsung at every corner. Likely the cheapest is a Fire tablet from Amazon. Personally I don’t like the ecosystem as it’s consumer driven, but under $50 for a decent tablet isn’t bad. My Pop uses one still that is around 4 years old. Hisense made a good one a handful of years ago that was damn near stock Android, I’d investigate that option as well.

TheRealBicycleBuck > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:54

I have an older Nook which is an Android tablet made by Samsung. It’s slow, but that’s to be expected. The only thing that really irritates me is the charger. The Nook is really picky about the charger voltage. I bought an inexpensive charging cable which has a bit of voltage drop and the Nook goes into low-power charging mode. I can use a much shorter cable and it works fine. I guess I need to break down and get a thicker cable so I don’t have to prop the Nook up by the outlet when it’s charging.

Monkey B > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:56

Samsung is the VW of consumer electronics. They work well for 60% of people...so tha t’s good enough fo r a co. as large as they are. I avoid the brand at all cost now. For instance, when I installed TV’s the only issues I had with faulty units were Samsung. My friend had a Samsung tv 10 years ago that had issues. He bought one for his office less than 2 years ago and I just confirmed it’s toast a few days ago. How they are a direct competitor to Apple is a mystery to me, I had a Galaxy in 2012 that would forget it as supposed to be a phone at times (one being a very important time ) so yeah...I’d choose to switch to Apple than deal with Samsung again.

Monkey B > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 22:57

those early ones were sloooow!

Monkey B > shop-teacher
06/18/2020 at 23:01

me again...would she consider a convertible touchscreen Chromebook ? I use a Dell and it runs Android apps. If bulk isn’t an issue it’s an option...plus it has a built in stand!

Monkey B > jminer
06/18/2020 at 23:11

the OG Moto X was awesome! Wish the trend continued as they would have been the go to Android device! Lenovo is likely where it’s at in budget Android tablets these days for from a little web search info.

jminer > Monkey B
06/18/2020 at 23:15

That phone was actually made while Motorola was owned and controlled by Google making it akin to a Nexus phone or today’s Pixel phones. Now Lenovo owns them and put out solid hardware at a very good price. Things like specs from a 2 year flagship phones at $200 price.

Monkey B > jminer
06/18/2020 at 23:36

that I knew! T he follow up phone was terrible aside fro m the leather back option . I feel like Lenovo offers similar quality to the new Nokia in Android offerings (which I like) but have less experience with. Still, naked is best and I prefer Google Pixel phones these days...when they owned Motorola I hoped that would be the pure Android experience + good hardware option to iStuff.

jminer > Monkey B
06/18/2020 at 23:47

I rock a Pixel 3a XL now, bought it after a couple years of the Lenovo Moto G phones which were great but I was traveling more and tired of carrying a DSLR with me so I spent ~$400 to upgrade to the pixel and love it. I do miss some of the Moto gestures and controls like the shake for flashlight on.

I never carry a phone long without a case though - I’m way too hard on them. They at least get a silicone sleeve and now my Pixel is in a slim(ish) otterbox that’s been awesome at absorbing damage.

Pat Pfeiffer > shop-teacher
06/19/2020 at 00:10

Oh yeah? What's the deal with the open box units, what issues did you have with that and what was it that you purchased?

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > shop-teacher
06/19/2020 at 01:09

I have an Asus android, they were at the top of the reliability list like Porsche/Lexus sits on top. It’s great, I mostly read on it.

Tristan > shop-teacher
06/19/2020 at 02:28

I don’t know diddly about tablets, I’m just here because I see a squarebody, I click on the squarebody.

Monkey B > jminer
06/19/2020 at 07:32

Pixel 4 and OG Pixel here. I wanted to try Google Fi so I dusted my old one off. Where I live I get poor service from AT&T so I use the Fi phone at home.

I think if I were going to get something else I’d look at OnePlus again. I gave my son one 3 years ago and he daily drives it still. I’ve asked a number of times if he’s ready for a new ph one and he always says no, it works fine. He’s 17...that has to be very uncommon these days.

If you like gesture stuff the Pixel 4 has lots of that action with the radar sensing , but it can be hard on the battery and power users require a mid day charge. It’s a feature that won’t move forward iirc.

shop-teacher > Tristan
06/19/2020 at 08:38

I would have done the same. Here’s the other pic I took.

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > Monkey B
06/19/2020 at 08:39

Yeah. She hated it from the word go. Worst $500 I ever spent.

shop-teacher > Monkey B
06/19/2020 at 08:42

I have heard plenty of Samsung horror stories. The only Samsung thing I have ever owned was a Blue Ray player ... Which wouldn't play Blue Ray's after a couple years. Just DVDs.

shop-teacher > Monkey B
06/19/2020 at 08:45

She just bought herself a Chromebooks not too long ago, and I'm not looking to spend that kind of money for this. Not a bad idea though.

shop-teacher > Pat Pfeiffer
06/19/2020 at 08:47

This was years ago. I bought an open box DVD player that would only put out stereo sound, no surround sound. So I returned it. Went back the next day for something, and they had put the same open box until back up for sale.

I just don't trust them.

shop-teacher > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/19/2020 at 08:49

I appreciate the offer. Of it was for me, I'd jump on it. Since this will be a birthday gift for my wife, the look I get for buying her something used will not be worth the money I save :)

shop-teacher > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
06/19/2020 at 08:49

Thanks!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > shop-teacher
06/19/2020 at 08:56

Okay. In that case, don’t buy from a brand you’ve never heard of. They always have a bysmal screens and struggle to run even simple apps.

pip bip - choose Corrour > shop-teacher
06/19/2020 at 09:13

on tablets, i know nothing.

but good spot with the suburban

jminer > Monkey B
06/19/2020 at 09:51

I just transferred my stuff to Google Fi about 6 weeks ago . I’m home 99% of the time so figured I didn’t need to pay for 2 sprint unlimited phones. So far saving like $60 a month.

shop-teacher > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/19/2020 at 10:17

That makes sense. Thanks!

shop-teacher > pip bip - choose Corrour
06/19/2020 at 10:18

I was pretty happy to see it :)

shop-teacher > jminer
06/19/2020 at 10:23

I went to Google Fi and got us a pair of Pixel 3a phones back in the fall. The service has been great, and I love the phone. My wife is meh on the phone. I love how much less we’re paying. We typically only use about 2-gigs a month. We don't stream anything, and are usually on WiFi. Last month we used like half a gig.

jminer > shop-teacher
06/19/2020 at 10:59

I love my Pixel 3a XL! My wife doesn’t though and she still has an S8.

I used to travel a bunch for work so the unlimited data made sense then but doesn’t now likely won’t again for several more months. I’m definitely happy with it, service better than sprint was and cheap!

shop-teacher > jminer
06/19/2020 at 11:39

I went with the smaller one, because I didn’t enjoy having a huge phone in my pocket. I had a first gen Pixel XL for a while, that I actually bought used off of Oppo. I’m one of the few who wishes I could get a decent phone in a smaller size than even that. I loved my Droid Mini.

My wife has the XL. Before that she still had an iPhone 6s.

Have you noticed the camera on the 3a has a crazy low depth of field? I haven’t tried to mess with the settings to fix that, but I find that annoying. It’s really my only complaint about the phone.

I ended up buying a Lenovo Tab 8FHD. It’s more than she needs, but it was only $30 more than the one down. I figured better to buy too much than too little.