We need an iPad Mini running Android

Over the past 10 to 15 years, we’ve seen the slow decline of smaller devices in favor of those with larger screens. “Bigger is better” is the motto many businesses now live by, and the same sentiment applies to tablets too. There are a few exceptions, like Apple’s iPad Mini, but for the most part, if you want the best tablet experience, especially on Android, it’s big screen or bust.

One might assume that the desire to use tablets to replace laptops has led to larger, more obnoxious screen sizes. Unfortunately, there are still compromises to be found, even with the best tablets. I mean, it’s absurd to me that Samsung doesn’t offer the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra with cellular connectivity. It’s reserved for the Tab S9 Plus, which is fine, but the Ultra is easily more of a laptop replacement than the Plus.

For the most part, if a tablet is released and is less than ten inches, it probably has poor or laughable specs. This wasn’t always the case, as 2013’s Nexus 7 and 2017’s Galaxy Tab S3 were both flagship tablets with screens smaller than 10 inches.

These days, a tablet larger than 10 inches usually means it’s a flagship tablet with more power and better screens. There are obvious exceptions to this rule, like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE Plus, both of which are above my size threshold when using Exynos chips.

I’ve often wondered why this is the case, especially as flagship processors continue to become more efficient while still delivering plenty of power. Take the Lenovo Y700, For example. It was released in China last year and features an 8.8-inch display and 2560 x 1600 resolution. The Y700 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, paired with 12GB or 16GB of RAM.

Lenovo recently announced an updated model (Legion Tab) that retains the same internals but replaces the glossy screen with “micro-nano etched” glass. From everything I’ve seen, it looks quite similar to the etched glass found on higher end models. Steam bridge configurations. For what it’s worth, this aims to minimize glare without compromising display quality.

Yes, I’m also aware that the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 is an outdated chip, as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 now powers many of the best Android phones. But I’d say there’s still room in the market for tablets that bridge the gap between budget and flagship.

For reference, the Legion Tab is priced at €599, which translates to almost $640. Without considering any trade-in deals or promotions, the Tab S9 FE Plus costs $600 but isn’t exactly the ideal tablet for couch surfing. For $40 more, I’d rather go with the Legion Tab, even though it doesn’t have the software features and additional features found in One UI.

You might be wondering why I’m complaining about this as a staunch believer in foldable phones. But, the recent launch of the Razer Kishi Ultra and its marketed compatibility with the 8.3-inch iPad Mini made me realize that there was no real equivalent on the Android side.

I also understand that the iPad Mini is not technically a flagship tablet and hasn’t been updated in over two years. However, it still sets the bar for tablets in this form factor, even offering 5G connectivity to complement the reliability of iPadOS, and I think we need a similar device in the Android space.

One thing that surprises me is that Samsung hasn’t tried to do this. The company seems content to refresh its flagship lineup every year or two, then sprinkle a few random mid-range and budget devices in between. And for some reason, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite continues to undergo technical improvements every two years.

I’ve come to realize that while foldable phones are amazing, there are situations where a dedicated device simply works better. This is partly why Samsung DeX hasn’t replaced all of my computing needs, although it’s quite handy when the situation arises. Another example is when I use a dedicated gaming handheld instead of just launching Steam Link or Moonlight on the OnePlus Open and streaming games from my PC.

I hope more companies explore a small tablet that can come close to, or even match, the performance of my phone. I mean, let’s be honest here. The tablet market is already extremely fragmented, so why not throw another wrench into it?

Unfortunately, I don’t think Samsung or any other company will end up venturing down this path. Lenovo’s Y700 was only available in China and the Legion Tab is only expected to launch in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We haven’t heard anything regarding a potential North American release, but fingers crossed.