Best Android tablets to buy in 2013

Posted on 10 May 2013 at 12:03, by Seth Barton

Discover what are the best Android tablets to buy in 2013 and read our in-depth tablet reviews, as rated by our team of expert reviewers. Not sure if an Android tablet is right for you? We've got something for everyone here, from 7in budget bargains to the latest flagship models from all the major brands. Our always up-to-date list will help you make the right choice.

Asus FonePad

3G-equipped, Intel-powered sibling of the Nexus 7

Our Expert Opinion Asus is keen to experiment with its mobile device range and its latest success is the rather odd Fonepad - not to be confused with the smartphone-and-dock PadFone. The Fonepad looks a lot like the (Asus-made) Google Nexus 7 at first glance, and it shares that device's excellent 7in display and low pricing.

The Fonepad is a different beast though, with built-in 3G allowing for ease-of-use on the go. It even has phone components, so you can make calls on it (though we'd suggest a Bluetooth headset to avoid looking rather silly) and send and receive texts. Inside it uses a fast Intel chipset, so there's no worry about performance either.

It's a great all-round tablet and should be your first choice if you're looking for a small, 3G-capable device to carry day-to-day.

Read our full Asus FonePad review

SPECS
CPU 1.2GHz Intel Atom Z2420
RAM 1GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
DISPLAY 7in 1,280x800 LCD
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.1
DIMENSIONS 196x120x10mm, 340g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE FonePad

BUY IT FROM £179 for the 16GB model from the Carphone Warehouse
 

Google Nexus 7

Still the best budget Android tablet to buy

Our Expert Opinion If you're looking for an Android tablet then Google's own devices should be top of your list. The company's first own-brand tablet was this Asus-manufactured Nexus 7. At just £159 it slotted in alongside other budget devices in price, but the build quality is far better.

The 1,280x800 display remains the best you can find on a budget tablet. It's a bright and vibrant screen and it uses the latest technology to reduce reflections and get your fingers as close as possible to the screen layer itself.

Its Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset is still among the fastest about, with Android 4.2 running slickly. That new version of the operating system is only found on Google devices at present, and it provides handy extras - most notably multiple user accounts, so your whole family can share the device.

Google has upgraded the Nexus 7 since its launch and the basic model now comes with 16GB of internal storage, enough for moist uses. 32GB models, with and without 3G for mobile data, are also available.

If you're looking for an inexpensive Android tablet to complement a typical smartphone then the Nexus 7 is the one to buy. If you already have a big screen handset - such as a Samsung Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note 2. Then its 7in screen may not make enough of a difference, though, so check out the Nexus 10.

Read our full Google Nexus 7 review

SPECS
CPU 1.3GHz Nvidia Tegra 3
RAM 1GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
DISPLAY 7in 1,280x800 LCD
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.2
DIMENSIONS 199x120x10mm, 340g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE ASUS-1B16-CB

BUY IT FROM £159 for the 16GB model from the Google Play Store
 
 

Google Nexus 10

The best display on any tablet, ever

Our Expert Opinion While the Nexus 7, above, aimed at the lower-end of the tablet market - attempting to undercut its rivals; the Google Nexus 10 is a flagship device that takes on the Apple iPad head-to-head.

The 10in display has a massive 2,560x1,600 screen resolution. That's even higher than the iPad's much-respected Retina Display. This makes everything incredibly sharp, with super-crisp text. Images look incredible, and it's impossible to see the pixels unless you push your face right up to the screen. Even if you do, the screen is protected by Gorilla Glass and so is scratch resistant.

Build quality is good, but it doesn't quite have that extra something. The soft-touch plastic underside makes it easy to keep hold of, but it's not quite up to the iPad's aluminium body in terms of class.

Android doesn't have quite teh same range of tablet-specific apps as iOS. However it does have a number of advantages of its own. First, you can simply drag and drop video files to and from a PC or laptop, without any faffing with iTunes. Second, Android 4.2 support multiple user accounts, so you can share the device and have your own apps, email, browser favourites etc.

Made by Samsung, the Google Nexus 10 is the first tablet to provide a genuine alternative to the Apple iPad. And best of all it does that for £80 less than its rival - just £319 for the 16GB, Wi-Fi model.

Read our full Google Nexus 10 review

SPECS
CPU 1.7 GHz Samsung Exynos 5
RAM 2GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
GRAPHICS Mali-T604
DISPLAY 10in 2,560x1,600 IPS
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.2
DIMENSIONS 178x264x8.9mm, 603g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE Nexus 10

BUY IT FROM £319 for the 16GB model from the Google Play Store

Amazon Kindle Fire HD

Amazon's content library makes this hard to beat for film fans

Our Expert Opinion The first Android tablet from Amazon, the Kindle Fire wasn't available in the UK. By the time the updated Fire was launched, this HD version was also available, making the cheaper tablet practically redundant.

Like the Nexus 7, above, this is another 7in budget tablet. That said it comes a close second to the Nexus 7 in terms of design and build quality. The screen is good, but it's a little chunkier than the Nexus 7. On the plus side it has better speakers for watching movies on.

This may be an Android device, but you wouldn't know it based on the interface. Amazon has heavily modified the usual Android UI, replacing it with a series of task-specific screens for various content types - books, video, music etc.

It's OK if you've never used Android but annoying if you're fmailiar with at operating system as this is so different. It also uses Amazon's own app store, so you may not be able to find all the apps you want. On the plus side, there is support for sstraming video from the LoveFilm service.

With the Kindle app being available on Android, there's little reason to buy this device to read your books on a tablet. LoveFilm subscribers may want to snap one up though.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Fire HD review

SPECS
CPU 1.2GHz TI OMAP4460
RAM 1GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
GRAPHICS PowerVR SGX540
DISPLAY 7in 1,280x800 IPS
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.0 (customised)
DIMENSIONS 137x10x193mm, 394g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE Kindle Fire HD

BUY IT FROM £159 directly from Amazon

Sony Xperia Tablet S

A truly family-friendly tablet

Our Expert Opinion The Xperia Tablet S was delayed due to problems with its waterproofing, but that's all fixed now and that very feature earns it a space here.

Having a waterproof tablet is very useful around the home, as you can use it fuss-free in the kitchen while cooking - without having to worry about it getting wet or mucky - just rinse it off! It also means you can give it to your kids without too much concern, and because of this Sony has also included limited user accounts for them, so you can lockout the Play store, email and even the browser if desired, leaving them only able to access the apps you choose. It's a very different feature to Android 4.2's multiple user accounts, which have no such controls.

Otherwise the tablet is slim and very stylish, without being bland-looking. The screen only has a 1,280x800 reolsution, so it's not as pin-sharp as the iPad's or Nexus 10's, but it's still bright and colourful.

The Tablet S isn't for everyone, but if the waterproofing and limited user accounts appeal to you then you won't be disappointed.

Read our full Sony Xperia Tablet S review

SPECS
CPU 1.3GHz Nvidia Tegra 3
RAM 1GB
STORAGE 16GB
GRAPHICS Nvidia Tegra 3
DISPLAY 9.4in IPS (1,280x800)
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.0.3
DIMENSIONS 174x240x9mm, 570g
PART CODE SGPT121GB

BUY IT FROM £317 from www.amazon.co.uk