Daily read · Choosing the right product
iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab: which to buy for Christmas in the UK?
iPad or Galaxy Tab this Christmas in the UK: an iPad for video calls, a splash-proof Galaxy Tab with its pen included, or a budget Tab with a headphone jack.
Arun · Electronic Guru
Choose by habit, not chip: the iPad for landscape video calls, the S10 FE for pen notes and splashy kitchens, the A11+ for wired headphones on a budget.
The best touchscreen for most UK homes this Christmas is Apple's iPad (A16) if your family already uses iPhones, or a Samsung Galaxy Tab if you want a stylus in the box or a cheaper way in. The deciding detail is rarely the chip; it is how the screen gets used, from video calls with grandparents to recipes in a steamy kitchen.
Best for family video calls: iPad (A16)
The detail most people miss: Apple puts the 12MP front camera on the long, landscape edge, with Centre Stage keeping everyone in frame. Prop the Apple iPad (A16) · 128GB · Wi-Fi · Pink sideways on a stand and Christmas Day calls look natural, not like you are glancing off to one side. Apple also lists Touch ID, landscape stereo speakers and up to 10 hours of browsing or video. The catch: the Apple Pencil is sold separately.
Best for note-taking and the kitchen: Galaxy Tab S10 FE
The clever bit: Samsung rates both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE · 128GB · Wi-Fi · Grey and its included S Pen IP68, based on lab tests in up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for 30 minutes. So you can follow a recipe with damp hands, then jot the shopping list with a pen that comes in the box. Samsung adds microSD support up to 2TB and claims up to 20 hours of video. It does not advise beach or pool use.
Best budget pick for kids and travel: Galaxy Tab A11+
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ · 128Gb · Wi-Fi · Grey keeps something the other two drop: a 3.5mm headphone jack. A child's wired headphones plug straight in, with no adapter to lose and no Bluetooth pairing in the back seat. Samsung lists an 11-inch screen, Dolby-engineered quad speakers and up to 15 hours of video.
Quick questions
Which of these three includes a stylus? The Galaxy Tab S10 FE, which comes with an IP68-rated S Pen.
Which one has a headphone jack? Only the Galaxy Tab A11+, which has a 3.5mm stereo jack.
Do they come with a plug? The iPad (A16) box has a USB-C cable only, and Samsung says the A11+ has no travel adapter.
Save yourself a surprise
Your quick buying checklist
- Check what is in the box: the iPad (A16) and Galaxy Tab A11+ do not include a mains plug.
- Add the stylus to the cost: the Galaxy Tab S10 FE includes its S Pen, while the Apple Pencil is extra.
- If a child uses wired headphones, look for a 3.5mm jack or budget for a USB-C adapter.
Further information
- Apple iPad (A16) · 128GB · Wi-Fi · Pink — View on Amazon*
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE · 128GB · Wi-Fi · Grey — View on Amazon*
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ · 128Gb · Wi-Fi · Grey — View on Amazon*
*Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy.
References & editorial notes
This content is based on the sources listed below.
AI-generated information drawn from public sources. Not to be treated as any form of advice. Check details with the retailer before buying.