Best Tablets For Photo Editing – Editing photos on a tablet is easy, enjoyable, and the ideal option for light travel. Tablets for picture editing provide an exciting alternative to a desktop or laptop computer, thanks to high-performance tablet CPUs and increased screen color accuracy and resolution.
The best tablets for photo editing have enough capability to handle your photographs easily. They can readily run editing software like Photoshop, so you won’t have trouble processing your images when traveling. Here is a list of the top 10 best tablets for photo editing.
What Are The Bests Tablets For Photo Editing
- Apple iPad Pro 12.9
- iPad Air 2020
- Samsung Galaxy S8 Tab Ultra
- Apple iPad Mini
- Wacom Cintiq Pro 24
- Lenovo Flex 5 14
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Galaxy Tab S7+
- Google Pixel Slate 12.3
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3
1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9
If you want to be productive while on the go, Apple’s iPad Pro 12.9-inch is your buddy right now. Undoubtedly, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a stunningly beautiful and very powerful piece of technology. The newest iPad Pro versions have a strong M1 CPU, a Thunderbolt connector, an enhanced front-facing camera, a bigger variant with a Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display, and up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of storage.
The iPad Pro has a TrueDepth camera system with Face ID for biometric verification, but it now has an updated 12-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies. The metal shell of the iPad Pro models, available in Silver or Space Gray, wraps around the Liquid Retina display.
The 12.9-inch variant has a new Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display with exceptional dynamic range, bringing it to the iPad Pro for the first time. The Liquid Retina XDR employs over 10,000 LEDs across the back of the display to give up to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness, 1,600 nits of peak brightness, a one million-to-1 contrast ratio, and true-to-life HDR to boost creative processes for a “stunning” visual experience.
The iPad has two cameras: a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 10-megapixel ultra wide-angle camera that can zoom out twice for a larger field of vision as a LiDAR Scanner for AR experiences. The 2021 iPad Pro has a Thunderbolt connection, enabling substantially quicker data transmission and compatibility with Thunderbolt accessories.
The M1 chip allows the 2021 iPad Pro models to have all-day battery life on a single charge. WiFi 6 capability, Gigabit-class LTE for cellular versions, and storage choices ranging from 128GB to 2TB are all included in the iPad Pro. The inclusion of a less restricted version of Photoshop for iPad makes this device ideal not just for picture editing but also for mobile digital painting. The iPad comes with lots of amazing features, making it one of the best tablets for editing.
Features
- Thunderbolt port
- 12.9-inch 2732 x 2048 display
- Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch model
- 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide rear cameras with LiDAR scanner
- TrueDepth Camera with Face ID and upgraded 12MP camera
Pros
- Excellent storage
- High performance
- Great display
- Solid battery life
- Great for editing
Cons
- Expensive
Pricing
- $1099
2. iPad Air 2020
If the iPad Pro is out of your price range, the smaller but great iPad Air is the next best thing. The iPad Air is one of the best tablets for photo editing, and it is tailored to creative professionals like designers and photographers. The iPad Air operates well and is far less expensive than the Pro variant and the Surface Pro.
The iPad Air has the same M1 processor as the iPad Pro, so that it will have more than adequate power for even the most demanding picture editing software. It doesn’t have as much internal capacity as the iPad Pro, but if you’re saving your photos on the cloud, 256GB should be enough.
A 10.9-inch premium retina LCD screen, 5G connection, an ultra-wide front camera with Center Stage, 4K video, and a battery that lasts up to 10 hours are all included. As expected, the iPad Air is compatible with all the top Apple tablet accessories, including the Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio.
Because Apple incorporates all the specifications required for picture processing on a tablet, the iPad Air is a photographer’s first choice. The iPad Air tablet is light, portable, and powerful, particularly for Lightroom and picture editing. (While maintaining a display size suitable for creative professions)
The iPad Air is capable of processing raw photos. As a result, this gadget enables photographers to edit huge photographs in the incredible iPadOS version of Lightroom without latency. The iPad Air boasts a beautiful laminated screen with Apple’s newest accurate display color technology to help you adjust the colors in your images more correctly.
The iPad Air is our top budget selection for both novice and professional photographers since it is ideal for picture editing apps like Lightroom.
Features
- 10.9-inch retina LCD screen
- 12MP back camera & 7MP front camera
- True Tone and P3 wide color
- A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Touch ID
Pros
- Great color
- Excellent picture quality
- Good for editing
- High performance
- Good battery life
Cons
- None
Pricing
- $756.00
3. Samsung Galaxy S8 Tab Ultra
This capable newcomer, an improvement over the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, is one of the best tablets for photo editing. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a large tablet. This tablet commands attention with a 14.6-inch display and dimensions of 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm.
That balance is helped by the unibody all-metal structure and sleek silhouette. The fit and quality are superb. It feels every bit the high-end tablet that you’d expect. Because of its huge footprint and 726g weight, using it one-handed, especially with the S Pen, might be scary.
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is equipped with the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU, as well as up to 512GB of internal storage. That’s more than most laptops in this price range provide. On some levels, it seems like Samsung intended the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra to be a laptop replacement.
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra can handle anything from intensive editing, and gaming to intense multitasking without a sweat. The program is nicely tuned, and the UI is rather appealing. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra rear has a 13-megapixel main sensor, a 6-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and an LED flash. They take high-quality photos with superb color reproduction.
Two 12-megapixel front-facing cameras distinguish the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra in the notch. When you’re on a video chat, these wide and ultra-wide sensors with auto-framing technology come in useful. It pans the camera automatically to keep you in the picture.
The S Pen is essential for making the most of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. It’s fantastic that the stylus comes with the tablet and that we don’t have to purchase it separately. The S Pen feels solid in hand, more like a pencil than a stylus.
The objective has always been to mimic a real pen-to-paper sensation, and Samsung has gotten very close. When writing or painting, every stroke seems easy and flowing. Navigating across the user interface is also made easier using Air activities.
Features
- S Pen included
- 14.6-inch display
- 512GB of internal storage
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU
Pros
- Good battery life
- High performance
- Larger display screen
- Excellent color
- Great for editing
Cons
- None
Pricing
- $999.99
4. Apple iPad Mini
The Apple Mini is an excellent travel companion for photographers. It combines a small form factor with enough power to operate the Lightroom mobile app. Because you can now synchronize the developed preset collections across all of your devices, you can utilize preset-based editing for a quick and simple workflow.
The iPad mini now has an all-screen design, squared-off corners, and a Touch ID fingerprint reader in the top power button, similar to the iPad Air. The biggest differences between it and the iPad Air are the absence of a Smart Connector on the back and the relocation of the volume buttons to the device’s top edge.
The iPad mini has a bigger, 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2266×1488 resolution. The display retains True Tone and P3 broad color, as well as up to 500 nits of brightness. It is outfitted with Apple’s newest A-series processor from the iPhone 13, the A15 Bionic chip, offering up to 80% higher performance than the previous iPad mini. For the first time, cellular iPad mini devices can connect to 5G.
The front-facing camera is also much improved, with a 12MP Ultra Wide camera and Center Stage for video conversations. The sixth-generation iPad mini is also compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which magnetically connects to the side of the device for storage, pairing, and charging.
It has the same long-lasting battery life as previous iPads, lasting up to 10 hours. In addition to the Space Gray hue from prior years, the iPad mini comes in three additional colors: Pink, Starlight, and Purple. We recommend the Apple iPad Mini to anyone looking to buy one of the best tablets for photo editing.
Features
- 8.3-inch (2,266 x 1,488) Liquid Retina LED
- Apple A15 Bionic
- 4GB RAM (estimated) / 64GB, 256GB storage
- 12MP main camera
- Stereo speakers
Pros
- Sleek design
- High performance
- Good for editing
- Sturdy build
- Good battery life
Cons
- Quite expensive
Pricing
- $499
5. Wacom Cintiq Pro 24
Wacom’s newest large-screen display is the Cintiq Pro 24. The Cintiq Pro 24 is a graphic tablet designed specifically for graphic designers, professional artists, photographers, and anyone looking for one of the best tablets for photo editing. It features a large canvas, incredible clarity, and the highest color accuracy on the market.
Wacom offers touch and non-touch models, although both include 16:9 aspect ratio, IPS, and UHD resolution displays. The screen will have a good 1000:1 contrast ratio, a maximum brightness of 350 nits, and will cover an amazing 99% of the Adobe RGB color gamut preferred by artists.
The sleek gadget is designed specifically for creatives and, believe it or not, is the lesser choice in Wacom’s next-generation series of Cintiqs, sitting below the 32-inch variant due to appear later this year. The Pro 24 is an artist’s dream, with a brilliant screen, industry-leading pen, and compatibility with Wacom’s Pro Engine, which converts it into a standalone PC.
The only complaint is that Wacom continues to charge exorbitant prices for all of the optional add-ons that creatives will need to use the new Cintiq properly. The Cintiq includes the same Wacom Pro Pen 2 stylus as the MobileStudio Pro. The pen, which has an astounding 8192 pressure sensitivity levels, remains a strong selling feature. In contrast, the Surface Pen on the Surface Book has a meager 1024.
As previously said, the pen provides the greatest sketching experience possible. It’s precise and compatible with various software applications, from renowned commercial suites like Photoshop and ZBrush to freebies like Krita and Blender.
If money is no problem and you’re a professional artist, designer, or 3D modeler, the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 is hard to beat. The massive screen provides outstanding color spectrum coverage and accuracy right out of the box, and the bundled pen and remote are among the finest on the market.
Features
- Wacom Cintiq Pro Engine support
- Express Key Remote
- Wacom Pro Pen 2 stylus
- 24-inch, 16:9, IPS, UHD screen
- RAM 16GB DDR-2400
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Great performance
- Easy to use
- Great for editing
- High quality color
Cons
- Expensive add-ons
Pricing
- $2,499.95
6. Lenovo Flex 5 14
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 is more of a 2-in-1 than a tablet, yet it performs like one, has the capability of a laptop, and is an excellent bargain. The Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 works, looks, and feels like a quality laptop despite its low price tag, thanks to an AMD Ryzen CPU.
Lenovo got a lot of things right with this convertible, from the design, flexibility, and performance to the addition of a pen. The Lenovo Flex 5 is arguably one of the finest 14-inch laptops available on the market, combining superb performance with a price tag that won’t break the bank.
The Flex 5 has an excellent battery life, thermals, keyboard, and performance, in addition to a fantastic construction and abundant port availability. The laptop’s Ryzen 5 4500U Hexa-core CPU, which converts this convertible into a super-powered gadget capable of handling everything thrown at it, deserves a lot of credit for its superb performance.
Power and performance aren’t usually the most intriguing aspects of a 2-in-1. However, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 deviates from the norm. The inbuilt AMD Ryzen 5 CPU runs creative tools like Photoshop with ease. A hex-core AMD Ryzen 5 CPU pushes this laptop’s performance beyond the usual while also increasing its attractiveness. The Lenovo Flex 5 resembles luxury laptops in terms of features and does it at a far lower price.
The Lenovo Flex 5 14 comes with various connection choices, which isn’t usually the case with 2-in-1s. This laptop contains a power connector, HDMI, two USB type A connections, and a full-size SD card reader.
Furthermore, the USB C connector, as does the dedicated power port, enables charging. Hobbyist creatives should be able to use the Lenovo Flex 5 14 for film and picture editing, thanks to all of these connection possibilities. If you are looking for one of the best tablets for photo editing, we suggest you buy the Lenovo Flex 5 14.
Features
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Mobile Processor
- 16GB RAm & 512GB SSD PCIe M.2
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Dolby Audio
- HD 720p fixed focus
Pros
- Great value
- Robust performance
- Great for editing
- Easy to use
- Two USB Type-A ports
Cons
- It’s a bit bulky
Pricing
- $645.00
7. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
If you’re looking for a tablet that runs Microsoft’s operating system, the Surface Pro 7 is hard to beat. The Surface Pro 7 is a respectable generation of Microsoft’s flagship Windows tablet 2-in-1, improved this time by deserved enhancements like a USB-C connector and powerful “Ice Lake” CPUs.
This is, without a doubt, one of the best picture editing tablets available today, with the processing capability of a laptop, a gorgeous 12.3-inch PixelSense display, and longer battery life than competitors. The Surface Pro 7 display is as bright, sharp, and brilliant to touch as the prior generation.
While the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 fails in aesthetics, its processing set is the greatest of its class, using modern Intel 10-nanometer (nm) processors (CPUs). With that in mind, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is quicker than we could have imagined, handling both ordinary and high-demand jobs quickly. In addition, Intel Iris Plus graphics are more efficient than the standard UHD graphics processor.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is powered by a 1.1GHz Intel Core i5-1035G4 CPU and RAM that may be upgraded to 16GB, depending on your chosen model. The Surface Pro 7’s inbuilt Iris Xe graphics allow it to play and edit 3D modeling applications and games at a high frame rate. The Surface Pro 7, like every previous Surface Pro before, uses the newest Windows 10 operating system.
Because this device has the most recent multicore CPUs, you are not confined to mobile versions of anything, even the operating system. Because the Pro 7 can run the entire Windows OS, you may download the full version of Photoshop.
The Surface Pro 7 also has a full-size backlit keyboard, a touchpad, and a precision pressure-sensitive pen (all sold separately). Thus, this bundled package gives photographers everything they need for high-precision picture editing.
Features
- 12.3-inch PixelSense display
- 10th Gen Intel Core processor
- Core i5-1035G4 CPU
- 8 GB RAM & 128GB Storage
- USB Type-C
Pros
- Easy to use
- Excellent performance
- Sharp display
- Sturdy build
- Solid battery life
Cons
- Not the sleekest design
Pricing
- $623.99
8. Galaxy Tab S7+
While Windows and macOS get a lot of attention, people in the know understand that the Android platform is more than just a phone platform. The 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2800×1752 pixels is excellent. It’s impossible to criticize Samsung’s OLED screens since they’re so fantastic. The popular 16:10 aspect ratio has been preserved, making for an excellent media viewing experience.
Colors are vibrant and vivid, with deep, rich blacks and wide viewing angles. The panel is exceptionally bright, and Samsung has ensured comfort by ensuring that it produces the least amount of blue light on a tablet display. The panel has a fingerprint sensor that works quite well.
The Galaxy Tab S7+ is one of the best tablets for photo editing. Its full-metal construction makes it feel as luxurious as you’d expect from a flagship tablet. The brushed metal sides, in particular, add to its gorgeous appearance. In recent years, the no-nonsense style that Samsung has used for its high-end tablets has been tweaked. Everything, from the controls to the speakers and ports, seems to belong precisely where it is.
Since last year, Samsung has sold its flagship tablets with the most recent chipsets. This suggests that the Galaxy Tab S7+ will be equipped with Qualcomm’s upgraded Snapdragon 865+ processor. The basic model offers 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which is identical to the Galaxy Tab S6. There is also a microSD card slot. Those ready to pay a little extra may obtain the 8GB + 256GB combination.
This tablet is a powerhouse. Whatever you throw at it, the chipset is more than capable of handling it. It is unaffected by resource-intensive games, quick program switching, multitasking, or running many windows in DeX. The UI seems lightning fast, thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, and the Adreno 650 GPU lets you edit your pictures.
In any case, Samsung has fitted its newest tablet with a twin camera arrangement. The 13-megapixel main camera with a 5-megapixel ultra-wide sensor is unremarkable. It is, in fact, the same as the Galaxy Tab S6. Shots have reasonable detail, and color reproduction is often adequate.
The front-facing 8-megapixel camera has been relocated to the right bezel rather than the top. The location has been selected for landscape mode, the orientation in which your tablet will be for making video calls. It makes video chats seem more natural, and at a more pleasing angle for you.
Features
- Adreno 650 GPU
- 8 MP front camera & 13 MP back camera
- 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display
- 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage
Pros
- Great storage
- Great for editing
- Solid battery life
- Large screen
- Great display
Cons
- Lacks an IP rating
Pricing
- $664.36
9. Google Pixel Slate 12.3
This is yet one of the best tablets for photo editing. The Pixel Slate from Google is a more economical tablet than the iPad Pro, yet it still performs miracles in Photoshop. The Pixel Slate features the same 12.3-inch screen size and 3:2 aspect ratio as Google’s last tablet-laptop hybrid, the Pixelbook, but the resolution is substantially higher.
The Pixel Slate’s LCD display is very crisp, with a resolution of 3,000 x 2,000. Google names the screen a “Molecular Display,” which seems like a marketing ploy to compete with Apple’s Retina display. The 12.3-inch screen is big and comfortable for both a tablet and a laptop. It’s a delight to edit pictures, watch movies, play games, or browse the web on Slate’s brilliant, vibrant, and contrasty display.
This panel’s dark levels are so excellent that you may mistake it for an AMOLED display. If you wish to take your productivity or enjoyment outdoors for the day, the screen becomes bright enough to read comfortably. The Pixel Slate’s performance will vary depending on the model. The Pixel Slate is available in five different configurations, each with its RAM, storage, and Intel CPU.
Like other Google gear, Pixel Slate’s design is kept basic. The Pixel Slate’s body is composed of anodized metal that has been covered in a dark midnight blue finish. There are no additional color possibilities, so if you want something a bit brighter, you’re out of luck for the time being.
The Pixel Slate boasts a relatively clean design on the back, with nothing but Google’s G logo in the top left corner and the rear-facing camera in the upper right. The Pixel Slate’s metal construction is solid, and at 1.6lbs, it doesn’t seem too heavy or too light. The tablet is slim, at just 7mm thick, with rounded edges, curved sides, and curved edge glass that make it exceptionally pleasant to handle.
Features
- Intel Core m3
- 8 GB RAM
- Resolution of 3,000 x 2,000
- 12.3 Inches Molecular Display
Pros
- Great battery life
- Sharp color
- Great for editing
- High performance
Cons
- Kinda Bulky
Pricing
- $499.00
10. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3
The last tablet on our list of the best tablets for photo editing is the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3. Not every excellent photograph is shot in someone’s garden or a studio. When capturing images outside the elements, having a tablet to perform photo editing is essential, and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Active3 is up to the job.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 is a tough tablet built for mobile workers. It retains many of the Tab Active 2’s core features, such as its military-grade build, improved touch for usage with gloves, and a changeable battery, while also introducing new features like a programmable key, Wi-Fi 6/MIMO networking, and Samsung wireless DeX compatibility.
The gadget has a protective casing that can resist falls of up to 1.5 meters. It also includes an S Pen, which, like the tablet, is IP68 approved for water and dust resistance. The third iteration of the Galaxy Tab Active series improves on its predecessor in a few crucial areas. It has an octa-core Exynos 9810 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 1,920 x 1,200 LCD display. It also now comes with 64GB of storage out of the box, with the ability to expand storage with a microSD card.
The Galaxy Tab Active 3 continues to excel in durability and productivity, the hallmarks of the Samsung Tab Active line. The increased military-grade protection, programmable key, and ability to operate without a charge added to the device’s flexibility and usefulness.
Even if its specifications are becoming obsolete by the day, the Galaxy Tab Active 3 has enough power to do most of the day-to-day chores you might throw at it. Compared to other tablets in its class, it provides excellent value for money, particularly if purchased in quantity or at a discount.
Features
- Samsung Exynos 9810
- Octa-core 2.7GHz + 1.7GHz
- RAM 4GB / 64GB Storage
- 5,050mAh battery capacity
- IP68 Water and Dust Resistance
Pros
- Great quality
- Sharp display
- Easy to use
- Great battery life
Cons
- Might slow down after long usage
Pricing
- $500
Conclusion
Finally, the best tablets for photo editing allow you to maintain your favorite photo editing process while giving a true-color, brilliant display, and great performance. They should also have a long battery life, double as a drawing pad, be easily portable, and have a screen size that allows you to edit images to the best of your abilities. That’s a lot to ask, and even the greatest tablets have restrictions, but we hope you find this list of the best tablets for photo editing useful in your search for the tablet that’s right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Tablets Can Edit Photos With Photoshop Or Lightroom?
Photoshop is compatible with Apple iPads, Android, and Microsoft Windows for photo editing. These are also beneficial in Photoshop. Because of their interoperability with other creative tools, Microsoft and Apple are the best for editing images in Lightroom.
Can iPad Run Lightroom?
Yes, both the iPad Air and Pro are capable of running Lightroom. Remember that most photographers and photo editors prefer to save their photographs in the creative cloud (Adobe) or another cloud of their choice because tablets don’t usually have a lot of capacity.
Can You Use Photoshop And Lightroom On Android?
Yes, Photoshop and Lightroom are compatible with Android smartphones and tablets. Photoshop is also accessible to Android users. Other picture editing software not part of the Adobe suite may not be compatible, so reviewing the system requirements is a good idea for individuals looking for their next gadget.
References
- https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-tablets-for-photo-editing
- https://www.popphoto.com/gear-reviews/best-tablets-for-photo-editing/
- https://proactivecreative.com/15-best-tablets-for-photo-editing/
- https://justcreative.com/best-tablets-for-photo-editing/
- https://www.culturedkiwi.com/best-tablet-for-photo-editing/
