Introduction: Why Bigger Tablets Are Gaining Popularity
Tablets continue getting bigger, with many models now rivaling small laptops in screen size. While 7-10 inch tablets used to be the norm, demand has grown for more expansive displays. Manufacturers are responding with plus-sized tablets designed for productivity, creativity and entertainment.
Who can benefit from a big tablet? Users who:
- Want maximum portability but need ample screen real estate
- Consume a lot of media and game frequently
- Work on complex documents, intricate image edits, 3D modeling
- Take handwritten notes or annotate documents
- Have vision impairments and need larger text/interface elements
Below we review the 5 biggest consumer tablets available today measuring over 11 inches diagonally. We‘ll compare their displays, performance, features and value to help you decide which oversized tablet is right for you.
The 5 Largest Tablets You Can Buy Today
Tablet Display Size Display Type Resolution Processor RAM/Storage Battery Life Front/Rear Cameras Unique Features
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 12.9" Liquid Retina Display 2732 x 2048 Apple M2 Chip 8GB/128GB Up to 10 hours 12MP/12MP LiDAR sensor, ProMotion display, Thunderbolt support, Apple Pencil 2
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ 12.4” Super AMOLED 2800 x 1752 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 8GB/128GB Up to 14 hours 12MP/13MP S Pen included, DeX mode, 120Hz display
Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 12.6" OLED 2560 x 1600 Kirin 9000E 6GB/128GB 7600 mAh 13MP/13MP Reverse wireless charging, M-Pencil stylus included
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13 inches PixelSense Flow 2880 x 1920 11th Gen Intel Core i5 8GB/128GB Up to 16 hours 5MP/10MP Detachable keyboard, Windows 11, Thunderbolt 4
Asus ZenPad 3S 10 9.7 inches IPS 2048 x 1536 Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 4GB/64GB 5870 mAh 8MP/5MP Stylus included, 170-degree wide viewing angles
Important Factors When Choosing an Oversized Tablet
Display Quality
With tablets focused on media consumption and creativity, display quality should be paramount. Look at resolution, brightness, color accuracy and refresh rate. OLED and AMOLED screens offer more vivid images.
Performance Power
A laggy, slow tablet dampens user experience, especially for heavy multitasking and gaming. Processing chip, RAM and benchmark scores determine real-world speed and snappiness.
Software Ecosystem
Android versus iPadOS impacts available apps, syncing with other devices, customizations and more. Cross-platform apps like Microsoft Office run on both.
Battery Life
Choose tablets with over 10 hours of expected usage for all-day reliability. Faster processors and higher brightness diminish battery faster.
Accessories
If you‘ll use a keyboard case or stylus, check for compatibility. Some tablets even include these in the box. Accessories boost functionality but cost extra.
Connectivity
Look for Wi-Fi 6, LTE, Bluetooth 5.0+ and USB-C. Thunderbolt ports are rare but enable faster connections. Side-mounted magnetic connectors provide power/data access.
Cameras
Tablet cameras serve basic video calling/scanning needs, less photography. But creative users may want advanced specs for content creation.
Storage
Base storage runs 32GB-256GB for media files, apps, downloads and more. Plus many tablets allow microSD expansion. Determine your space requirements.
Compare the Top 5 Largest Tablets
We‘ll now dive deeper into the 5 biggest tablet contenders, comparing display technology, performance benchmarks, special features, pros/cons and best use cases.
With powerhouse performance, stellar industrial design and iPadOS versatility, the latest 12.9 inch Apple iPad Pro sits atop premium tablets. Its expansive Liquid Retina XDR touchscreen display delivers exceptional color accuracy and contrast ratios, 500 nits of full-screen brightness and 1600 peak nits for HDR content.
Apple‘s lightning-quick M2 silicon chip outruns most Windows laptops in benchmark tests. Expect instant app launching, fluid multitasking, immersive gaming and complex workflows like 4K video editing. The Thunderbolt port enables rapid data transfers and monitor support.
For creators, the 12MP Wide camera takes sharp photos and 4K videos. Apple‘s LiDAR scanner enables next-level augmented reality apps. The Apple Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard complete a highly portable productivity suite. iPadOS 16 unlocks new collaborative and workflow enhancements.
However high cost prevents casual buyers. And iPadOS still lacks some desktop-class features beyond basic mobile app capabilities and web browsing. But overall the iPad Pro 12.9 stands tall as the premier jumbo tablet.
Best For: Design, video/photo editing, illustration, gaming, enterprise use
Samsung now rivals the iPad Pro with premium Android tablets like the Galaxy Tab S8+. Its 12.4 inch Super AMOLED display renders rich colors and deep blacks thanks to self-emissive pixel technology. The sharp 2800 x 1752 resolution looks brilliant, while a smooth 120Hz refresh rate enhances visualization.
Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 silicon flies through apps and juggles desktop-style multitasking enabled by Samsung DeX mode. Long battery life outruns the average tablet with fast 45W charging replenishment. A versatile S Pen slots right into the Tab S8+ chassis for drawing and precision input.
Four speaker audio by AKG and Dolby Atmos support powerful cinematic sound. Samsung offers extensive accessory options like book covers and keyboard cases. One UI 4.1 interface atop Android 12 OS enables deep customization and control.
Downsides are few but include higher cost than less premium rivals. And some users report software glitches or Bixby assistant failures. Still if you want a big-screen Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S8+ shines bright.
Best For: Media enjoyment, sketching/art, Samsung ecosystem integration
Unique as a tablet running full Windows 11 Pro, the Surface Pro 8 brings desktop productivity and content creation abilities beyond basic apps. Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports enable speedy connections to fast external storage, multiple displays and eGPUs.
The 13-inch touch display renders at 2880 x 1920 resolution with Adaptive Color Technology for vibrant visuals in any lighting. Up to 120Hz dynamic refresh rate smooths animations and transitions. Dolby Vision IQ adjusts HDR scenes on the fly for optimal dynamic range.
11th Gen Intel Core processors like the i5 and i7 drive better laptop-level performance than ARM-based chips in other tablets. Improved battery efficiency also enables over 16 hours of typical usage. The flip-out rear kickstand and detachable keyboard make for a versatile 2-in-1 design.
Downsides center around pricing well above competing tablets. And Windows still lacks touch-optimized apps found on iPadOS/Android platforms. But for those wanting full desktop functionality in a portable tablet, Surface Pro 8 excels.
Best For: Business professionals, content creators needing Photoshop/Premiere Pro, power multitaskers
For shoppers outside the US, Chinese maker Huawei offers the unique MatePad Pro packing a vibrant 12.6 inch OLED HUAWEI FullView touchscreen at 2560 x 1600 resolution and 240Hz touch sampling rate. This creates a silky responsive feel for stylus writing and fingertip control.
The tablet runs Huawei‘s HarmonyOS platform instead of Android, with access to ample productivity apps and mobile games (but no Google services). Processing power comes courtesy of Huawei‘s Kirin 9000E chip delivering smooth operation for office work, multimedia editing and more.
Extended functionality comes from Huawei‘s M-Pencil stylus and Smart Magnetic Keyboard, both included with higher-end MatePad Pro configurations. The large Surface Dock 2 accessory also connects for desktop-like workstation use.
Downsides are limited app selection and substantial price tags, along with lacking US availability. But if you want incredible display immersion from a highly capable tablet minus Google dependence, the MatePad Pro 12.6 delivers.
Best For: Media viewing, graphics design, document annotation, students
FAQs About Jumbo Tablets
What tasks do oversized tablets excel at?
Maximized screen real estate benefits artists, architects and designers needing ample workspace. Battery life reaching 15+ hours allows road warriors to ditch laptops for superior portability. Avid movie/TV watchers enjoy bigger immersive viewing. Gamers appreciate sharper graphics at higher refresh rates. And migraine sufferers use larger interface elements to prevent squinting eye strain.
How much does tablet screen size impact price?
More display area equals higher production costs and retail pricing in general. Small 7-8 inch tablets often sell between $100 and $300. Midsize 9-10 inch models range from $250 to $500 typically. Then 11-12 inch tablets usually start around $500, with premium options passing $1,000. Of course brand, components, accessories also factor in.
Can giant tablets fully replace laptop needs?
For lighter email, document work and web access, a big tablet with keyboard can certainly substitute for a laptop. Complete operating systems like iPadOS, ChromeOS and Windows 11 offer solid productivity support too. But intensive video editing, coding, graphics work and gaming still perform better on more powerful ultraportables. For road warriors aiming to travel extra light, oversized tablets merit consideration as an alternative.
Is reading or web browsing difficult on supersized tablets?
Earlier giant tablets struggled with unwieldy dimensions, making one-handed use trying. But modern premium models have minimized front/top screen bezels for a smaller overall footprint. And smart software dims/deactivates areas of the display for comfortable one-handed reading or browsing when needed. Of course weighing 1-1.5 pounds means tiring arms quicker than smaller counterparts. Using both hands or propping the tablet against raised legs or a stand helps extended viewing sessions.
What‘s the benefit of a 12-13 inch tablet over laptops?
Compared to 13-14 inch mainstream laptops, jumbo tablets offer 25-50% less weight for superior portability. Integrated kickstands allow convenient upright positioning without a desk to rest upon. Many tablets now include keyboard covers, detachable or built-in for versatile typing needs. Lengthy battery life outpaces lower-end laptops while avoiding noisy cooling fans. And touch gestures, swipes and stylus input enable intuitive interaction beyond trackpads and touchpads. With desktop-class operating systems like Windows and iPadOS advancing sophisticated capabilities, modern oversized tablets present an enticing laptop alternative for many.
The Future of Massive Tablets
Global tablet shipments are projected to grow 8.1% year over year into 2023 as demand increases for portable computing devices supporting remote work/learning trends. Part of this comes from larger screen tablets expanding functionality as secondary devices next to traditional PCs.
Analysts observe growing commercial interest in bigger tablets among enterprise customers needing portable terminals for remote field work. Advancements in processor efficiency also enable thinner tablets with smaller bezels while retaining battery capacity. Expect more 12 to 14 inch models packing laptop-grade power.
Conclusion
If you want a tablet delivering desktop-like productivity on an expansive but portable display, today‘s plus-sized options hit the spot. Compare your needs for screen space, sharpness and brightness alongside performance requirements. And be sure to check for critical features like long battery life and accessory support. For many shoppers, going bigger makes the tablet experience more satisfying and capable.
