Choose inexpensive but good. How to choose a smartphone inexpensive, but good and high quality. Dropping all fantasies

Hello to all! Smartphones are in abundance on the market today. The more difficult it becomes to make a choice. Previously, the question of how to choose a mobile phone was easier to solve, stereotypes helped: Nokia - a phone for a businessman or a creative person, SonyEricsson - for a music lover or amateur photographer, Siemens - indestructible, Samsung - glamorous ... Now everything has changed. You have to choose not so much by the name of the manufacturer, but by the properties of a particular model.

Smartphones, by the way, also fell in price. Ten years ago, a person poking a screen with a stylus looked like an alien. Today, touch screens, smart voice assistants and constant Internet access are the norm. And, by the way, it's inexpensive. As a mark of "inexpensive smartphone" let's take the figure of 150 dollars (approximately 9,000 Russian rubles, 4,000 hryvnia, 300 new Belarusian rubles). Let's try to choose a phone by parameters and manufacturer, and also consider several models of this category.

It is important to understand from the very beginning

Before choosing an inexpensive but good phone, let's set the bar realistically: there are no miracles. Competitors to the flagships are not found here - except for the imitation of design. At best, you can expect 2013 flagship level: Full HD display with Gorilla Glass, quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM (or more), solid navigation, metal/polycarbonate body… Wait, that sounds delicious!

We exclude from the list everything that is more expensive than $ 150 (with a small error). We will not consider used "oldies" even as a theoretical option. Only new, only official!

What to look for in a smartphone

By and large, with the price bar we set, there is not much space. However, to choose a smartphone according to the parameters, there is enough space.

• Screen size. The most popular diagonal today is from 5 to 5.5 inches. In our price range, there are miniature 4-inch smartphones and 6-inch giants. However, the screen size itself will not say much: if the flagship models today are practically devoid of frames around the screen, then the “state employees” can increase a few extra millimeters around. Therefore, it is worth trying on a smartphone to your hand and make sure that it lies comfortably in it.
• Screen coverage. It would seem that there is nothing to look for here, except for cheap plexiglass. Nevertheless, there are models with a glass cover - for example, Meizu, Doogee, Asus. We recommend not chasing savings and overpaying a few percent of the cost for good durable glass.
• CPU. As a rule, smartphones with processors from the Taiwanese company Mediatek (MTK) are offered for such money. You should not be afraid of stereotypes that have outlived theirs: everything is stable with their firmware now, and problems with GPS are a thing of the past. A good choice would be a device on the Intel Atom processor - however, this is a relative rarity. It is better to avoid Spreadtrum and Qualcomm processors with a number starting with a deuce. But Qualcomm with a number of 4 or 6 usually performs well.
• RAM. The more, the better - this rule has not been canceled. The required minimum for a budget smartphone is 2 GB.
• Screen resolution. It would seem that the more the better. But not a fact. For example, if the model under consideration has a Mediatek 6753 processor and 2 gigabytes of RAM, then Full HD resolution (1920 * 1080) will only lead to constant delays and freezes. The good old HD (1280 * 720) in such a device would be much more appropriate. Again, this is the case when you need to look at the operation of a smartphone.
• Communication standards. If you need fast 4th generation mobile Internet (LTE) - look for a model with LTE, even for a given price, this is not a problem. For travelers who frequently travel around the world, a smartphone based on the Mediatek platform is preferable: thanks to WorldMode technology, the chipset supports LTE frequencies from all countries in the world. As for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, everything is about the same everywhere with them.
• SIM cards. Two cards no longer surprise anyone. But a separate slot for a memory card (and not combined with a second SIM card) is a serious advantage.
• Camera. In this range (as in others) you should not chase the number of megapixels. Eight or even five megapixels with good optics and algorithms is better than twelve and muddy plastic. And stay away from phones whose manufacturers interpolate the picture to increase the resolution!!!
• Sound. There are no music lovers smartphones for that kind of money. The sound can be divided into bearable and unbearably sucky. Just accept it.
• Body material. As a rule, it is ordinary plastic. However, there are models with a case made of polycarbonate or aluminum, which are better protected and look more stylish. Other things being equal, we recommend taking a metal or polycarbonate smartphone, although, of course, this is also a matter of taste.
• Battery. Nothing can be said in advance. The more, of course, the better. But keep in mind that a powerful processor and a large screen eat up the battery like crazy, but the loss of inches and gigahertz can give a gain in operating time.
• Operating system. Of course, Android, and preferably 6.0 or later. Separate relics on Windows Phone or beaten-up iPhone will not compete with the new Android.

What brands are best?

The eternal question, which company's smartphones are better, is still relevant today. Well, let's consider what manufacturers are generally and what they can offer in the budget segment.

• Category A: Samsung, LG, Nokia (yes, it's back and connects people again), Sony, HTC. In short: do not recommend. The devices that these companies offer are usually not worth the money: the overpayment for the brand is too strong. Lower resolution screens, outdated processors, memory savings, in return - a big name and design with a hint of more expensive models. There are few exceptions (about one of them below).

Apple does not count: at best, for such an amount you can buy a 4-year-old iPhone 5s, badly battered, with a worn out battery and a frayed case. However, if the iPhone is your old sweet dreams, then who am I to disagree?

• Category B: Motorola/Lenovo (now it's one manufacturer, if anyone doesn't know), Xiaomi, Meizu, Huawei, ZTE, Asus, Alcatel, Philips. That's where our happiness is. It is the smartphones of this category - seemingly well-known, but not so pretentious - that will provide maximum quality and functionality for a reasonable price.
• Category C - Doogee, Leagoo, Oukitel, UMI, Prestigio, Micromax, Keneksi, HomTom, Karbonn and other little-known manufacturers from China or India. Buying such devices is pure lottery. For modest money, you can get both a wonderful powerful and beautiful phone, and a piece of problematic plastic. If you like to take risks, you can try it, especially if you decide to order a smartphone from abroad. But before you choose a smartphone in this category, read the reviews of its users well.

Let's put theory into practice? We have selected some interesting inexpensive models that may interest you on their own, or as a sample object of desire.

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X. Almost a reference tablet phone is just beyond our maximum. Metal body, 5.5-inch Full HD display, convincing Snapdragon 625 processor, 4000 mAh battery - beauty! Plus a lot of users who already remember all its cracks.
• Doogee Y6 Max. For those who like bigger: the diagonal of this giant is 6.5 inches! Talking is uncomfortable, but a paradise for videos, photos and the Internet. In other respects, it resembles Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X. The manufacturer hasn't made a good name for itself yet, so if you want a 100% quality guarantee, you'd better refrain.
• Asus Zenfone Selfie. It also approximately corresponds to Redmi Note 4x, only the polycarbonate body and the processor are slightly weaker. But the front camera is upgraded: 5 megapixels, flash, video recording in Full HD! Beauties and video bloggers are recommended.
• Oukitel K10000. The sensational aluminum strongman with a monstrous 10000 mAh battery! The rest of the characteristics are modest: a budget processor, a low-resolution screen, a camera that doesn't shine, and flawed firmware. Pulls a pocket, like all rugged smartphones. The manufacturer is little known and does not inspire much confidence. But from K10000 you can charge other devices!
• Samsung J5 2015. And here is what A-brands offer for such money. The screen diagonal is 5 inches, HD resolution, and it is made using economical and beautiful AMOLED technology. Supported by LTE. Android updates are still arriving to this day, although the smartphone was released back in 2015. There are also many unofficial firmware, including the latest Nougat. The satellite module works with GPS and GLONASS. The front camera is equipped with a flash. These are pluses. The disadvantages are a weak processor, modest amounts of memory (8 GB drive, RAM - strange 1.5 GB), a two-touch screen, mediocre sound even for its price (however, the sound in headphones can be improved by installing ViperFX).

All these models, of course, we cited only as an example. But they can serve as benchmarks in their class, so you can choose something close to you. And enjoy a new smartphone with interesting features at a reasonable price.

How to choose an inexpensive but good tablet? It has long been known that price does not always equal quality. Sometimes the technique is expensive, but in practice it does not offer the best opportunities. Therefore, users do not want to overpay. What tips and tricks can you follow to find a tablet with a reasonable price and quality? What features and characteristics are worth paying attention to? What do experts and buyers themselves think about it? And is it possible to pick up an inexpensive, but good tablet at all? Understanding all this is not as difficult as it seems. Especially if you carefully approach the choice.

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How to choose an inexpensive but good tablet? Customer reviews will help you judge the quality of most devices. After all, manufacturers usually praise even low-quality equipment.

In order not to overpay for a particular tablet, you can make a choice during the period of promotions and discounts. It is noted that sometimes it is possible to purchase even an expensive device at low prices. Do not neglect discounts and promotions. This advice will not allow you to answer how to choose an inexpensive but good tablet. Rather, it will help you find something to your liking and at reasonable prices.

Matrix type

And now you can pay attention to some tips for choosing specific devices. For a tablet, the type of matrix plays a huge role. The most common models with IPS or TN-matrices.

The first type of components is distinguished by quality, color reproduction and viewing angle. But on inexpensive tablets, as a rule, the second type is installed. TN-matrices are practically in no way inferior to IPS, but they significantly reduce the cost of the device.

Some tablets have their own types installed. For example, Samsung has Super Amoled. It is somewhat reminiscent of IPS. Retina is a branded product from Apple. Therefore, devices with such matrices will not be so cheap.

If a person is thinking about how to choose an inexpensive but good tablet, then you should pay attention to reviews about specific device models. And pay special attention to the matrix. Otherwise, you may be disappointed in the quality of the screen.

How to use

How to choose the right tablet inexpensive, but good? Modern devices have a huge number of different characteristics. Therefore, the first step, even before studying the matrix installed on the technique, will be to determine the purposes of using the gadget.

For example, for reading books, you can pay attention to outdated models. Working with electronic books does not require any special power from the devices. It is enough that the tablet has a good matrix with a large viewing angle.

The same goes for watching movies, videos, and listening to music. In fact, if you plan to use the tablet as a player or player, you should also pay attention to outdated device models. Even those that were released about 5 years ago will do. The cost of such tablets is almost always low.

But if you plan to work with applications and programs, as well as graphic files and the Internet, you will have to give preference to models with large screens. It is advisable to choose not the newest devices, but not outdated.

Gaming tablets tend to be expensive. Therefore, if a person is thinking about how to choose an inexpensive tablet with good characteristics, most gaming models can be excluded. In this case, it is advisable to give preference to devices with a large screen and a good amount of memory.

Operating system

How to choose the right tablet inexpensive, but good? An important role is played by the operating system installed on a particular device. Sometimes it raises or lowers the cost of the tablet.

There are several operating systems used in the mentioned devices. Namely:

1. Android. The most common scenario. Such an operating system is installed both on expensive tablets and on cheap ones. Easy to use, especially because of the Google Play service. With it, you can get a lot of programs, games and applications.
2. Windows. Recently, this operating system has also been found on phones and tablets. Its main advantage is compatibility with a large number of programs and games. Windows-based tablets easily sync with your computer. The cost of devices is not too noticeable, but increases if Windows is installed on them.
3. Apple iOS. The latest operating system that can only be found on phones and tablets. It is an Apple branded product. Typically, devices with such an operating system are distinguished by their high cost. Saving money with this OS will not work - most programs need to be bought. Therefore, models with Apple iOS can be excluded if you want to figure out how to choose an inexpensive but good tablet.

Depending on the requests and preferences of the user, you can choose one or another model of the tablet. Most often, budget models are found with the Android operating system. They should be prioritized.

Tablet dimensions

What else should you pay attention to? How to choose an inexpensive but good tablet (2016 or any other - it's not so important)? The next important nuance is the selection of the device according to the size of the screen, as well as the tablet itself.

There are only 2 size standards in the world - this is the aspect ratio of 16:10 and 3:4. The second model is almost square. The first aspect ratio of the device is ideal for widescreen videos and movies, and at 3:4 it is convenient to surf the Internet and play games.

Office applications are more convenient to use on square tablets than on rectangular ones. This fact should be taken into account by each buyer before choosing one or another model.

Diagonal

How to choose an inexpensive but good tablet? Reviews indicate that the screen size of the device plays a huge role. It doesn't matter how much it will be. The main thing is that tablets with a diagonal of 7 inches are considered universal models. This size is sufficient for most tasks.

As a rule, the cost does not depend too much on the diagonal of the device. You can even find budget models with a 10-inch screen. It is perfect for surfing the Internet, and for reading, and for working with games and applications. How to choose an inexpensive but good tablet (2016 or any other year of release)? You should pay attention to other components of the devices.

Camera

For example, on peripheral devices. The cost of tablets and phones is significantly affected by the camera. It has high quality settings on most modern devices. And therefore, even not the most powerful tablets, but with a good camera, will be expensive.

On average, the camera can offer a shooting quality of 3.2-5 megapixels. But this is not at all necessary. For budget tablets, 2 megapixels is enough. If the device was not originally planned to be used as a camera, then not the most powerful parameter is enough.

CPU

An important point is the processor of the device. He is responsible for the speed of the tablet, as well as for its power. How to choose the right tablet inexpensive, but good? For this, it is important to pay attention to the processor of the device.

Usually preference is given to models with 2-4 cores. A couple of cores does not provide much power. Typically, such processors are used on tablets with low performance. Don't expect anything special from them.

But processors with 4 cores are the most common products in 2016. Devices with such components are ideal both in terms of user requests and in terms of cost. It is processors with 4 cores that are used in inexpensive, but high-quality tablet models.

Recently, more and more often there are devices with 6-8 cores. These are extremely powerful tablets and phones. Such processors are enough even for novelties among games. But the cost of devices because of this increases significantly.

Relatively recently, tablets with a 10-core processor appeared on the technology market. We can say that these are the most powerful and fastest devices. They are, accordingly, very expensive. Therefore, if you want to choose the right inexpensive tablet with good parameters, it is better to give preference to models with a 4-core processor.

Memory

Of course, every characteristic for a tablet is important. And it affects the cost of the device. The next parameter to pay attention to is memory. Need a tablet? Today you can choose an inexpensive and high-quality (2016 or any other year of manufacture - it’s important to carry) a gadget, but still you should not neglect the device’s memory.

It is of two types. The first is operational. Acts as a link between the processor and the operating system. Stores all the files and documents necessary for the operation of the tablet.

In cheap devices, 1 GB of RAM is now most often installed. You can even find tablets with 512 MB. In the first case, you can still pay attention to a particular device. But in the second it is better to refrain from buying. Tablets with 512 MB of RAM are suitable for children who have just begun to get acquainted with technology.

Ideal use of models with 2-4 GB of RAM. To date, you can find a lot of budget tablets that have 2 gigabytes of "RAM". If you plan to play games, it is better to give preference to models with 4 GB. All other tablets are more expensive due to the fact that they have more capacious RAM. But that's not all.

It is also worth paying attention to the memory allocated for storing user data. Not the most important component, but it significantly affects the cost of tablets and phones. What should every buyer know? How to choose a good tablet that does not have the highest price?

To do this, remember that today the minimum space available on the tablet for user data is 8 GB. You can pay attention to models with 4 GB, but in this case, you should remember that a lot of data cannot be downloaded to the device. Many recommend giving preference to tablets with 16 GB of memory. If you want to play games, you will have to look at models with 32 GB, but in this case you can’t count on the low cost of the device.

Having a memory card

How to choose an inexpensive but good tablet? Before buying, each buyer must pay attention to the presence or absence of the ability to connect a memory card to the device. It allows you to increase the amount of space allocated for user data for little money.

As a rule, the micro-SD port is found on most modern tablets. It does not increase their cost, which is a significant plus for the user. You can give preference to tablets with a small internal memory and the ability to connect an additional card to expand the space on the device.

An important point is also the limit on the amount of connected memory. In tablets, it is best to choose models with 32-64 GB. However, it all depends on the needs of the buyer.

Battery

Choosing an inexpensive tablet for a child or an adult is not as difficult as it seems. Modern devices have many characteristics, pros and cons. Buyers are ready to put up with some shortcomings, but one point requires special attention. We are talking about the battery that is installed in the tablet.

The device should work for a long time and stably. That's what a good battery does. Unfortunately, most tablets in this area do not differ from each other.

It is worth considering that the battery capacity of a budget device should be approximately at the level of 4,000 mAh. It is these tablets that are suitable for normal work. Some models offer batteries with 10,000 mAh. We will have to take into account that manufacturers often embellish this indicator. After all, the cost of the tablet often depends on the battery power.

You can notice a simple pattern: the more actively the device is used, the faster the battery will run down. And this is regardless of how good a battery it is equipped with. Therefore, if you want to figure out how to choose an inexpensive but good tablet, it is recommended to simply give preference to models whose battery "endurance" is at the level of about 3000-4000 mAh. It's enough. And if we are talking about a children's tablet, then you can look at devices with less performance. Often children use tablets to play at home. You can simply connect the device to the network, and it will not be discharged.

Manufacturer

Which brand of tablet to choose? An inexpensive and high-quality gadget will often be made in China. This is not a reason to refuse a purchase. However, often the price depends on the manufacturer. Therefore, this feature is worth paying attention to.

How to choose the right tablet inexpensive, but good? Among the main manufacturers of such devices are:

1. Acer. A company that has long been famous for its devices. It manufactures tablets, phones and computers. The perfect combination of quality and price.
2. Apple. The most famous brand in America and in Russia. Offers quality devices, but such tablets stand out for their cost. Only some models from this manufacturer can be called budget, and even then it is very conditional.
3. Asus. A manufacturer specializing in computer components. More recently, it has started producing tablets. They are not yet on the leaderboard, but they stand out for their quality. Tablets from Asus have different prices.
4. Lenovo. A company that was founded in China. For a long time, she has been producing affordable equipment. Often budget smartphones can be found from this manufacturer.
5. Samsung. It is the most popular manufacturer of tablets and phones. It stands out for the quality of devices, offers a variety of prices. Among the budget tablets, you can find a lot of models from Samsung.
6. Microsoft. Almost every resident of developed countries is familiar with this organization. Produces high quality tablets, but they are not affordable. Finding a budget device from Microsoft is almost impossible.
7. Xiaomi. Chinese tablet manufacturer. In Russia, it has gained popularity thanks to inexpensive smartphones. It also offers many budget tablets, but buyers do not trust the manufacturer too much.
8. Chuwi. It is far from the most popular manufacturer operating in China. It produces good budget smartphones and tablets. Among the shortcomings, one can single out the fact that it is problematic to find Chuwi in Russia. Therefore, tablets have to be ordered through online stores.

How to choose an inexpensive tablet for the Internet in this case? Elementary. Almost all manufacturers have some kind of budget tablets that will suit many.

For 7 inch

Now some specifics. It is already clear how to choose an inexpensive tablet with good performance. To do this, you will have to take into account many features and parameters. What budget models of devices are recommended to pay attention to first of all? Which company to choose a tablet inexpensive, but good, with a screen diagonal of 7 inches? There is a huge selection, but it is recommended to look at specific options.

Among the most common models are:

1. Asus ZenPad. Pay attention to the model with 8 GB of memory. The cost of the device is about 6,000 rubles. The tablet allows you to run 3D games, watch videos in FullHD. You can expand the amount of space for user data using a microSD card. The Asus ZenPad is very comfortable to hold.
2. Lenovo Idea Tab 2. It costs about 7-7.5 thousand rubles. The capabilities of the device, according to reviews, are impressive. The buyer gets 16GB of storage space as well as 1GB of RAM. Additional memory expansion is not provided, but it is noted that it will not be required. There are 2 cameras. The front shoots with a quality of 0.3 megapixels, the rear one - with 2 megapixels. Standard indicators of most budget tablets.
3. Acer Icon Tab. Don't know which tablet brand to choose? Inexpensive, but a good option is Ikona Tab from Eiser. The cost of the tablet is about 5,000 rubles. The model is equipped with a 2-core processor that works great with 3D graphics and an Internet browser. The downside is the lack of 3G.

In fact, there are still a lot of models. But these devices are recommended most often if you want to buy a universal budget tablet with a 7-inch screen. Which option to choose? It depends on the preferences of the buyer.

10 inches

Looking for an affordable 10" tablet? This is not as big a problem as it might seem. It is recommended to pay attention to:

1. Prology Evolution Tab-970. Its cost is about 6.5-7 thousand rubles. A relatively inexpensive device with a 2-core processor with a frequency of 1.5 GHz. There is no 3G, but there are 2 cameras with 2 MP shooting quality.
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. This model can not be called completely budget, but it offers good opportunities. The tablet has 2 cameras - the front one shoots with a quality of 2 megapixels, the rear one - with 8 megapixels. 16 GB for user data, as well as 3 GB of RAM, allow many to dwell on this particular model.
3. Sony Experia Tablet Z. Excellent tablet from Sony. It offers its owners excellent cameras, as well as excellent screen resolution (1920 by 1200 pixels). Equipped with a 4-core processor. A distinctive feature of the device is its water resistance.

It is very difficult to unequivocally answer which tablet to choose is inexpensive, but good. After all, all buyers have their own concept of low prices. Yes, the requests are different. From now on, it is clear which features and characteristics should be paid attention to in the first place. We also managed to get acquainted with some budget models of devices. The rest is up to the buyer.

When buying any equipment, you want it to perform the functions assigned to it for as long as possible, meet all the requirements and at the same time be affordable. Let's figure out together how to choose an inexpensive, but good tablet, so that the purchased model in 2019-2020 is of high quality, attractive in terms of design and functionality.

Before purchasing a device, you need to decide which tablet is better to buy, and for this you should objectively assess your needs and capabilities. It is also important to carefully study the technical component of the device, because a beautiful shell is not everything.

Budget

The first step in choosing a new and good tablet begins with budgeting for this purchase. Naturally, the lower the cost of the device, the less high-end parameters and technologies can be found in it. However, this does not mean at all that a budget tablet cannot be reliable. If you are not going to make an expensive purchase, pay attention to the devices of the middle price segment from well-known manufacturers. They are inexpensive and do the job just fine.

What will the tablet be used for?

In many ways, the choice also depends on the purpose of the gadget, because it is hardly necessary for a child to buy a flagship of the most current model, and a device with a minimum of functions and capabilities will not suit an adult.

An inexpensive tablet is suitable for a student - at a low price of a budget device, the child will have access to all the functions he needs: reading books, watching videos, the Internet, undemanding applications and games.
If you are looking for a tablet for reading and watching movies in good quality, then it should have a display of at least 8 inches with a high resolution, a good video accelerator and ample storage.

When choosing a tablet model for games and the Internet, you should understand that the gaming device must have a powerful processor, a powerful video accelerator, a large amount of RAM, and devices for Internet surfing must have a good Wi-Fi module, a high-quality display, and a capacious battery. 3G, 4G modules are also welcome.

If you plan to use the tablet for work - typing, using graphics programs, etc. It is worth choosing a device on the appropriate OS, preferably Windows, as it has more optimized programs for work. Accordingly, it is not worth saving on the cost of the device.

From all this, we can draw the main conclusion: do not overpay for functions that you will never use - determine in advance the purpose of buying a gadget and its estimated cost!

What to look for when choosing a tablet

The main criterion for choosing a device, of course, will be its technical indicators. It depends on them whether the device can meet your needs. There are usually no tricks with branded devices. If you still decide to choose a Chinese tablet, then in this case, especially carefully look at the following parameters:

Operating system

If earlier Android actively competed with iOS, now Windows has risen almost to the same level with them. Each platform has strengths and weaknesses. But first of all, keep in mind that they are aimed at different user audiences.

Windows

Windows 10 and older are designed primarily for work activities. The same office suite as in the PC version is now available on your mobile device. Management is designed very simply and clearly, the menu is beautifully designed in the form of tiles. The system is always well protected thanks to anti-virus programs. However, if you are used to the Android interface, it will not be easy to adapt to this OS on a tablet, since it is not very similar to the computer version, and has little in common with mobile platforms.

• free access to standard programs for work
• interesting tile design
• simple control
• customizable security system

• developers create few gaming applications
• hard to get used to the proprietary interface
• requires good device performance

When buying a device with this OS, you should understand that the device should not be budgetary, since when using the system, it requires decent indicators of both internal and RAM.

iOS

Apple tablets (and smartphones) use the iOS mobile operating system. It is the second most popular platform after Android. Its distinctive feature is that the user's capabilities are limited. For example, the device does not have a file manager, there are problems with data exchange between devices, and it is also impossible to install third-party programs. However, there is an extensive content store with many free applications. If you are satisfied with the features offered by the platform, and the device is purchased mainly for gaming, then this is the right option.

• simple and nice interface
• own content store
• increased level of data protection
• high quality gadgets

• difficult to install programs from other sources
• it is impossible to personalize the interface
• difficulties in data exchange
• high cost of gadgets

Android

There are a lot more tablets on Android than on other operating systems. They are equally well suited for entertainment and for work. There is also an app store with a large assortment. You can customize the appearance of the platform at your discretion. You can install applications from other sources. It is worth noting that the Android content in the store is not checked for quality too meticulously, so it is not uncommon to find applications that do not work or give errors (even among paid ones). If the tablet is bought for entertainment, the Android platform is the best option.

• open interface
• a wide range of applications and games in the store
• Apps from unofficial sources install without problems
• low cost devices

• content quality is lower (for example, than in iOS)
• low level of protection
• annoying ads

Display

The screen is what we pay attention to when we first look at the gadget. To choose a good tablet in terms of screen size and other indicators, you need to know the main characteristics that you should be guided by:

Diagonal

Displays with a diagonal of 7-8 inches are considered the smallest. As a rule, they are present in the cheapest and not very productive devices, although there are exceptions. Differ in mobility, convenience and small weight.
The most common tablets are 8, 10 inches. Such models can be both budget and flagship. They are universal in the field of use and, of course, more expensive.

If you want to buy a tablet larger than 10 inches, be prepared for a high price, since, in fact, this is already practically a laptop. Manufacturers often supply such models with additional devices (keyboard, docking station, etc.). On a large device, it is also comfortable to perform various tasks, but transportation is difficult.

To understand what screen size is best for a tablet, think about how you will use it. The best option is a diagonal of 8-10 inches. Small details are clearly visible on such a screen, and it takes up little space.

Matrix types

The matrix occupies a very important place in the main characteristics of a tablet computer, because image formation and its quality depend on it. Nowadays, there are 4 main technologies for manufacturing a display matrix, which we will now analyze:

1. IPS is not perfect, but a good matrix, the most common among gadgets. Perfectly conveys the saturation, brightness, clarity of the image. Provides true color reproduction in perfect whites and good viewing angles.
2. TFT is the simplest and cheapest matrix, characterized by weak viewing angles and insufficiently accurate color reproduction. One thing can be said about it, it is the technology of the "last century".
3. Retina is a type of matrix used only in Apple gadgets. One of the best in quality and color rendering.
4. Super Amoled - Most often found on Samsung tablets. It has good color reproduction, clarity, saturation. This technology does not require general backlighting, individual pixels glow in them, which does not always convey colors with high quality, this applies to budget models on flagship devices, there are basically no such lags.

When choosing the best tablet for yourself, be sure to check the viewing angle, as some manufacturers put a modified version of TFT IPS in their devices, passing it off as an IPS matrix.

Display resolution is the size of the resulting image, which is measured in pixels. This is a very important indicator that affects the comfortable operation of the device, its battery life and cost. The higher this indicator, the better. It is best to give preference to the format 1920 by 1200 pixels (Full HD), although high-quality expensive models have such characteristics. In less expensive devices, there are indicators of 1280 by 800 or 1024 by 600. For everyday use of the tablet, a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels will be enough, taking into account the diagonal not exceeding 10 inches.

Sensor

All modern devices are equipped with touch screens. The sensor can be capacitive or resistive. The second type is very rare, as it has long been outdated. Although many older models can still be found, buying them is not recommended. The sensor does not always correctly respond to touch, its actions depend on the force of pressing the screen.

Capacitive devices of good quality respond instantly to pressing, regardless of the applied force. They are equipped with a multi-touch function, that is, they recognize several clicks at the same time. To surf the Internet and use the tablet as a multimedia player, two simultaneous clicks are enough. The optimal number of simultaneous touches is 5-10 if you want to play games.

CPU

If you want to keep your tablet running smoothly, then a powerful processor is a must. The chipset affects whether the device can cope with the launch and normal operation of demanding programs, games, etc. When choosing a good gaming tablet, look at the number of cores and processor speed. To play average quality and good games, choose models with at least 4-core processors and a frequency of 1.6 GHz. You will definitely avoid disappointment if you check the performance of the processor with special benchmarks, such as Antutu, and compare it with other chipsets. You can find the test results online. The most popular and productive processors:

1. Intel Atom x7 1600 MHz
2. Samsung Exynos 1600 MHz
3. Apple A9X
4. Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 1800 MHz
5. HiSilicon Kirin 930 2000 MHz
6. MediaTek MT8165 1700 MHz

video accelerator

When choosing a tablet in relation to price and quality, be sure to check which graphics adapter is installed in the device. While the main processor is responsible for the performance of the device as a whole, the video accelerator refers to the processing of graphic data. This is especially important for those who buy a tablet for gaming purposes. Video accelerators have proven themselves well: Tegra 3, Mali (T760 MP8, T860 MP2), Adreno (405, 330).

Memory

The device memory is divided into internal and operational. Internal memory is designed to store various data, both user and system. Even if you purchase a micro-SD card, you still need free space in the storage to install applications, etc. Reviews of tablets on the forums indicate that the internal memory should be at least 8 GB. In this case, part of this volume will be occupied by the operating system. It is best to look at models with 16 GB or more.

As for RAM, it is necessary for the speed of programs and the system as a whole. On the cheapest tablets, you can see RAM in the amount of 512 MB or 1 GB. It is worth noting that this figure is unacceptable if you want to play games, watch widescreen videos, and more. The tablet will simply “slow down”, fail to cope with tasks, give errors, not to mention the lack of a multitasking mode of operation. RAM should be at least 2 GB to perform normal tasks and 3-4 GB to run very powerful modern toys.

Camera

The camera is one of the weakest points of almost every tablet model. Only in the products of some manufacturers can you find high-quality camera modules that provide good photo and video shooting. In other cases, you will have to be content with 8 megapixels of the main camera and 2-5 megapixels of the front one. Such indicators of the main camera provide the ability to shoot acceptable photos and videos. The presence of the front module allows you to communicate using video. The low performance of the device's camera is due to the inconvenience during video and photo shooting. Despite this, manufacturers will improve their gadgets and today for a higher price you can buy the best tablet with a good camera.

Battery

A weak battery is a significant drawback of the gadget, because in this case it will have to be kept on the charger all the time. If in the medium activity mode the devices hold a charge even a little longer, then during the game or video playback it lasts for a couple of hours. Which tablet is better to choose in terms of battery capacity depends on the size and performance of the model.

In budget devices with a small diagonal, you can find parameters of 3000-4000 mAh. For higher quality devices, 7000 mAh or more is considered normal capacity. The tablet is quickly discharged mainly due to the operation of the display - it consumes the most energy. Then comes the hardware component. To comfortably work with the device, choose models with a battery capacity of 5000 mAh.

In general, it is worth noting that even flagship models have problems with autonomy. Ideally, you want to optimize the operation of the gadget in active mode and while waiting. To save battery power yourself, it is recommended to turn off unnecessary functions, reduce screen brightness, etc.

Connection

Without the presence of wireless network modules, the tablet ceases to be useful and functional. Every device is now equipped with Wi-Fi technology, but since the coverage area is not everywhere, it has become simply impossible to imagine a modern high-quality tablet without a 4G or 3G module. This criterion is important for those who constantly like to be on the Internet without any boundaries, because the coverage area of ​​modern GSM networks is almost unlimited.

With GPS, the device can be transformed into a navigation system: get directions, track the location of various objects, and so on. According to expert advice, a GPS-enabled tablet is best suited for taxi work, as it makes it easy to use the tablet as a navigator. If you plan to use the device only at home, then this option is not so important.

Which company is better to choose a tablet

There are a lot of tablet companies, including Chinese ones. For an inexperienced user, this greatly complicates the choice. Which company is better to choose a tablet depends on the preferred price segment of the performance indicators that you need. In the budget and medium categories, manufacturers Prestigio, Huawei, Acer, Lenovo, Chuwi have proven themselves well. Among the expensive models, it is worth highlighting Apple, Samsung, Asus, HP. Many companies are engaged in the manufacture of models of different cost.

Rating of the best tablets of 2017

If you have already decided on the functions you need and still do not know which tablet to choose in terms of price and quality, then we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rating of the best tablets priced at 10,000 - 20,000 rubles, which was compiled by our experts based on positive reviews from thematic forums. This list includes the most purchased devices of 2017.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 SM-T713 Wi-Fi 32Gb
• Lenovo Tab 3 Plus 8703X 16Gb
• ASUS Transformer Book T101HA 4Gb 64Gb dock
• Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4 32Gb LTE
• Acer Aspire Switch 10E z8300 4Gb 64Gb
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 SM-T580 16Gb
• Huawei Mediapad T2 7.0 Pro LTE 16Gb
• Xiaomi MiPad 2 64Gb
• Xiaomi MiPad 16GB
• Prestigio MultiPad PMT3118