There is no doubt that phablets have made smaller tablets lose something of interest to many (as has clearly been seen with the iPhone "plus" and iPad mini) and this trend may only be accentuated now that in 2017 it looks like the star phablets are going to be bigger than ever, but we also have a few examples of compact tablets that can be very worthwhile, depending on what we are looking for. We review the models that we cannot stop taking into account.
The cheapest tablets, for children and occasional users
To begin with, and despite the fact that every time 10-inch mid-range tablets with better quality / price ratio, the cheapest tablets will always be the smallest and, in fact, the basic range It is made up mostly of 7 and 8-inch tablets. The reality, in any case, is that it is quite fortunate that size and price go hand in hand, especially when we think of tablets for children. It is also very convenient for occasional users, who only want them to read, play or browse a bit, because they are perfectly suited to that.
What are the most recommended models if this is our case? First of all, we have to assess the possibility of getting hold of Amazon's Fire 7, whose price is only $60 but these days you can get even cheaper, for only $45. Its features are modest, but it's solid and does the job perfectly. If we do not want to spend a single euro more, it is the perfect option.
La Lenovo Tab3 Essential is another very affordable option and if we can spend a little more we can also consider the Galaxy Tab A 7.0. But if we are not afraid of importation, we cannot fail to recommend that you consider the Mi Pad 2, which is far from being obsolete with the launch of the new model. On the contrary, it is now cheaper than ever and its technical specifications are still much better than those of most entry-level tablets.
High-end tablets, but cheaper and more manageable
Another important reason to continue betting on compact tablets is that we have a few models that allow us to enjoy the characteristics of the high end But for prices that are actually more typical of the mid-range, in addition to that depending on how much we take them out of the house or the type of use we give it, we will be grateful, if not perhaps that the screen is smaller, surely they are significantly lighter.
A great example of this is undoubtedly the Mi Pad 3, especially when it comes to price: even if we like large screens better, it is worth considering sacrificing a couple of inches to get a tablet of that level for just over 200 euros. Nor can we fail to mention the MediaPad M3, which is somewhat more expensive, but which is one of the best tablets that have seen the light in recent months, and which has spectacular characteristics as a multimedia device.
In the case of iPad, the thing is a little different now, because the only model of the iPad mini 4 that has been kept in the catalog is the 128 GB, and that makes, obviously, very cheap can not be. In any case, if we take into account that it is sold for less than 500 euros, with that enormous storage capacity and with great features, it is worth taking it into account. Another option, in any case, you already know is to get hold of one of the refurbished models with 16GB that can still be found for just over 300 euros.
Even more: tablets to play
We end with one last reference to a very specific type of tablets that will probably always remain compact and it is no coincidence that the best tablets for gamers of the moment, Shield K1 and Predator 8, be both 8 inches. The Nintendo Switch it is even a little smaller. And is that although we might think that a larger screen would be more interesting, the weight and manageability are even more important if we are going to spend hours with a game.