4 key factors that help me choose between an iPad or Android tablet

I’ll confess upfront that, for the most part, I’ve always preferred iPads to Android tablets. I do own a Boox Note Air4C, but the tablet I flip on every day is an iPad Pro. The only other Android tablets I’ve ever snagged were for my son, and even he’s using an iPad now. He spends hours making music and recording his own samples — I could see him becoming a producer when he grows up, but I digress.

Having made my confession, I honestly consider Android tablets legitimate alternatives to iPads, particularly with the rising bar for their hardware and software features. If you know what you’re getting into, an Android tablet can sometimes be the superior choice. Here are a few factors I consider before making any decision for myself or my family. I’m skipping the topic of price, however, outside of one important exception.

1

App support

It’s about more than bare-bones compatibility

The biggest factor for me is whether a tablet can run all the apps I want. People sometimes make the mistake of buying a tablet, then trying to figure out what they can do with it. I’m the exact opposite — I consider which apps I already use for work and entertainment, and which ones I’m liable to download in the future. If a tablet can’t handle one or more of them without an easy alternative, I’m out.

That’s the iPad’s greatest advantage at the moment. If developers are going to target tablets at all, they’re going to prioritize the iPad, simply because the Apple App Store tends to be more lucrative. On an Android tablet, there’s a greater chance you’ll have to use the phone or web version of an app. Thankfully, Google has been taking long strides towards beefing up Android’s tablet infrastructure, including nudging developers into supporting multiple form factors.

2

Android version support

The cutting edge is a must

If it weren’t an e-reader and note-taker first and foremost, one of the deal-killers for the Note Air4C would be its version of Android. It’s limited to Android 13, which is three versions back from the most recent release. It simply doesn’t have access to the latest OS features, and come September 2025, developers wanting their apps to appear on devices with Android 15 or later won’t be allowed to target anything earlier than Android 14 — meaning that without an OS update, the Air4C’s apps will be frozen in time.

Other Android tablets sometimes have similar restrictions, and for a general-purpose device, that’s unacceptable. Conversely, a device that has or is at least slated to get Android 16 or later could actually be more appealing than an iPad. That’s because of Desktop Mode, which can make an Android tablet feel more like a Windows PC when it’s connected to an external display. You’re not actually running Windows software, of course, but Google is arguably ahead in making its tablets feel like real laptop alternatives.

3

The form factor I need

Diversity is a strength

iPads are safe bets in performance and build quality, not just app selection, but one of the trade-offs you make is a limited set of form factors. Aside from the 8.3-inch Mini, iPads only ship in 11-and 13-inch sizes. And for the most part, they differ only in the performance of their components, not their base functionality — a Pro has as many USB ports as any other iPad, for example, it’s simply that it gets USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 instead of slower USB 2.0 or 3.x speeds.

Personally, I’m fine with that, but with more brands to choose from, Android tablets offer a more diverse range of form factors. Samsung alone offers at least eight different tablet sizes. One of the most beloved tablets of all time is the Google Nexus 7, which was nigh-on perfect for reading and streaming on the go, being similar in size to a Kindle. If 8.3 inches is too big for you, it hardly matters how powerful the iPad mini is.

4

Brand quality and accessory support

Another point to Apple

It’s hard to go wrong with an iPad. On top of apps, performance, and build quality, iPads benefit from a vast ecosystem of accessories including cases, stands, keyboards, and more. It’s safe to assume that if you need something, you can buy it from Apple or someone else, even if you might have to spend more time tracking down accessories for older models.

When it comes to Android tablets, the only brand directly comparable to Apple is Samsung. Few people are going to dispute the build quality of something like the Galaxy Tab S10 FE, and there are enough compatible accessories out there to make any recent Galaxy Tab a daily driver. Things get dicier with other companies — while the OnePlus Pad 3 might be quality hardware, it’s just not going to have as many accessory options as an Apple or Samsung product, and you’ll probably have to shop online. I’m willing to deal with that if there’s something unique about a tablet that other brands can’t offer.

Beware of the many no-name Android tablets available on sites like Amazon or Temu. They may be cheap, but expect to find few if any custom accessories for them. And if they break, you’ll be lucky to talk to anyone about support, let alone getting a quick repair or replacement. In the long run, it might actually be cheaper to buy an iPad or Galaxy Tab.