There was a time when compact tablets reached such prominence that even Apple was forced to contradict Steve Jobs and launch a smaller iPad, but in recent times the trend seems to have been completely reversed. What is the best option today? In which cases is it still worth betting on the smallest ones? We revisit the debate of 8-inch vs 10-inch tablets in 2018.
Five reasons to go for an 8-inch tablet
Although they have lost prominence, 8-inch tablets continue to fill some key gaps and there are a few cases where they may be the best option.
Price
The most obvious reason to go for a compact tablet is the price because, as a general rule, tablets cheaper they will always be cheaper in comparison. Unfortunately, some of the best tablets are no longer released in smaller versions, but we also find that the high-end ones that bet more on the quality / price ratio (such as those of Xiaomi and the best of Huawei), on the contrary, they arrive only with 8 inches.
Cheap tablets
In relation to the above, if we are looking for low-cost tablets, our best option is the 7 and 8-inch tablets. It's not that there aren't 10-inch tablets around 100 euros or less, but the normal thing is that they are quite old models or that they are quite fair in quality, and it is no longer a question of whether they are of more or less level, but of reliability. It's worth settling for a slightly smaller screen and winning at wearing experience and durability.
Tablets for kids
Also related to the above, because normally we do not want to make too high an investment in tablets for the little ones, who are going to use them to watch videos, some games and little else, but it is not only a question of price, because logically, for their size also make them more comfortable handle them. And since in general we bet more on them in this case, we will also find much easier accessories and covers.
Tablets to read
A larger one may be more comfortable for browsing in general, but specifically for reading, whether they are websites (in reading mode) or electronic books, most will agree that the ideal size is compact tablets, much more similar to those of the e-readers. You have to think that in this case it is very appreciated that they are lighter, enough to compensate for losing an inch of screen.
Tablets to play
If we are looking for tablets to play there are other factors to which perhaps we should prioritize, but size is also important and that is why tablets for gamers par excellence, the Shield Tablet and the Predator, bet on the 8 inches. It is a matter of weight and manageability, although it is true that it is more noticeable in some types of games (let's think for example in racing games) than in others.
Five reasons to go for an 10-inch tablet
No doubt the success of the 10-inch has a lot to do with that of the larger phablets, but there is no denying that they have some clear advantages at the moment.
Quality
We do not mean that there are no quality 8-inch tablets, since some of them are excellent, but we have already said that we see less and less "mini" versions of high-end tablets and, right now, the best tablets are only 10-inch, with the iPad Pro 10.5 and Galaxy Tab S3 to the head. If we want the best of the best, for today and still to see what 2018 brings us, we must look for it among the largest tablets.
Variety
The regained prominence of 10-inch tablets not only means that more tablets of this size are being launched, but that they are also of more types, with many options in all ranges of Prices and for all OS, including Windows (whose supply of 8-inch tablets is becoming more and more marginal). Whatever we are looking for, it is easier for us to find it in this area.
Equilibrio
Contrary to what happens with 8-inch tablets, which shine in more specific sections and uses, 10-inch tablets may not be the optimal solution for certain activities, but they are more versatile and they adapt to very different types of user: if you are not very clear about what you need most, if you are going to share in family or if it is for give, this size is the safest bet.
Tablets to watch movies and series
Going to the activities with which we are going to appreciate the most having a 10-inch screen, obviously one of the main ones is for watch movies and series, an activity so that it does not matter so much that we have to use both hands to hold it and where every inch we gain is appreciated. An important feature because it is a very common use for almost everyone.
Tablets to work
Not only is a wide screen appreciated when it comes to consume content, but it is even more important to create them. That is why they are better tablets to work with, and not only thinking about writing more comfortably, but also about taking notes or drawing, managing several apps at the same time, editing photos or videos ... If you can't or don't dare to give the jump at 12 inches, at least it is advisable to bet on 10.
Some final notes
Size is a key factor, but not the only one in all cases, and the reasons we give you to bet on one or the other have to do with others, in fact, such as the budget we have or the use that we are going to give them. If your doubts go further, with broader reflections on what we need in a tablet according to the type of use that we are going to give it or questions to take into account when setting a budget, in any case, we invite you to take a look. to our last guide to buy tablet.
In this guide, you also have some recommendations, which may be of interest to you beyond the selections with the best tablets of 2017Because older models sometimes it can be a good option (in the 8 inches, for example, the Galaxy Tab S2 and iPad mini 4, they are worth continuing to be taken into account. Or if you want to know if it may be worth the wait, you can browse a little the tablets that we hope to arrive next year, including the MediaPad M5 and 2018 new Samsung tablets.
And before finishing, an important point, for those who are thinking of opting for the 8 inches simply for a matter of priceAlthough it is true that compact tablets are cheaper, the reality is that they do not usually enter as much in the promotions of the distributors, so it is relatively easy, especially in the mid-range-entry (The high-end 8-inch ones do come at a discount from time to time), we find that the 10-inch models are cheaper than the 8-inch ones, even from the same range, if we are attentive to the tablets on offer.
I have been debating all afternoon about which tablet to choose, but thanks to this article I have solved my doubts. Thank you very much for being so concise and clear!