Tablets with generously sized displays are becoming increasingly popular for both productivity and entertainment. Models with screens 11-inches or larger truly unlock the potential for replacing laptops, enjoying cinematic video content, intense gaming sessions, and efficient multitasking.
But navigating the many options across operating systems and balancing features with budget can prove challenging. To simplify your buying decision, I evaluated all the top contenders across metrics like screen quality, processing performance, software ecosystem, battery life and extra capabilities.
Here are the 8 best large screen tablets to consider in 2023 based on intended use case:
Overall Best Large Screen Tablet: Apple iPad Pro 12.9” (6th Gen)
- 12.9" Liquid Retina XDR mini‐LED display
- Cutting-edge Apple M2 chip
- Excellent battery life (10 hours)
- Smooth 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate
- Works seamlessly with Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard
- True laptop replacement potential with iPadOS enhancements
With its stunning 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display featuring mini LED backlighting, blazing-fast M2 processor and capability to genuinely replace a laptop for many when paired with the Magic Keyboard (sold separately), the latest iPad Pro represents the pinnacle of tablet computing power.
The key advantages like ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and 1600 nits peak brightness make everything from games to movies look better than competing OLED-based screens. And support for the second-generation Apple Pencil enables advanced drawing and precision input.
While those deeply embedded in the Android ecosystem may still prefer a Samsung device, most should strongly consider paying the premium for Apple’s cutting-edge silicon and industry-leading tablet application ecosystem.
Best Android Large Screen Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus
- Vibrant 12.4" AMOLED screen
- Long battery life (over 13 hours)
- Slim 6.5mm thickness
- Quad Dolby Atmos speakers
- Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
- S Pen included
As the finest Android tablet Samsung has ever produced, the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is the clear pick for those not locked into the Apple side of the walled garden. Combining stunning visuals courtesy of a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with the lightning-fast next-gen Qualcomm Snapdragon processing platform, it’s an entertainment dynamo ideal for gaming or movie watching.
And for getting work done, DeX mode enables a desktop-style experience complete with resizable windows and drag-and-drop functionality between apps. Factor in the included S Pen, an ultra-slim chassis and immersive quad speakers, and you have incredible convertible value – albeit still at flagship pricing.
Best 14”+ Screen: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
- Expansive 14.6" Super AMOLED screen
- DeX desktop-style productivity
- PC-grade performance
- Slim design despite huge display
- Built-in kickstand
Simply put, the stunningly large 14.6-inch AMOLED panel makes consuming any kind of media an absolute pleasure on Samsung’s ultra-premium flagship. The Tab S9 Ultra flaunts silky smooth visuals, lively colors, and impressive brightness to complement heavyweight internal specifications headlined by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform.
Factor in conveniences like the built-in kickstand for hands-free viewing at any angle, dual landscape orientation for increased multitasking capabilities, Dolby Atmos-enhanced quad speakers and an included S Pen for annotating documents or getting creative, and you have incredible versatility within a still relatively portable form factor. Just be prepared to pay up for bleeding-edge innovation.
Best 2-in-1 Tablet: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
- 13” high refresh rate touch display
- Full Windows 11 environment
- Intel 12th-gen Core i7 CPU
- 16GB memory/256GB storage base
- Up to 15.5 hours battery life
- Range of color options
While positioning itself as a laptop with tablet functionality rather than vice versa, the freshly updated Surface Pro 9 still very much belongs in any conversation involving the best large screen tablets currently available. It essentially takes everything we love about full-fledged Windows notebooks and crams it into a super portable 2-in-1 form factor.
Headlined by a superb 13-inch PixelSense touch display with buttery smooth refresh rates and the power of an Intel 12th-gen Core i7 processor with 16GB RAM, the Surface Pro 9 tackles demanding workflows with ease – especially when paired with the Signature Keyboard cover. From spreadsheets to presentations and beyond, few tablets can match this level of productivity.
Best Mid-Range Large Screen Tablet: Google Pixel Tablet
- Vibrant 11” IPS touchscreen display
- Google Tensor G2 processing
- Integrated charging speaker dock
- Runs full Android OS
- Extensive Google ecosystem integration
- Up to 256GB built-in storage
Google generated plenty of buzz by entering the increasingly competitive tablet space with a uniquely charming offering focused on meshing with existing Google hardware products. Centered around an 11-inch IPS panel with an unusual tall orientation factoring in the charging speaker dock, it delivers smooth visuals and solid mid-range power via the new Tensor G2 chip.
But as much as the tablet itself, one of the more compelling aspects is tight integration with other Google devices to enable enhanced functionality. This includes serving as a secondary Nest Hub display for controlling smart home devices or even a Chromecast target when docked.
While unlikely to truly challenge the iPad or Galaxy Tab in terms of premium appeal at launch, tech enthusiasts fond of Google’s AI advancements should keep an eye on this ambitious foundation being laid for the future.
Best Budget Large Screen Tablet: 10th Gen Apple iPad
- Crisp 10.9" Liquid Retina display
- Speedy A14 Bionic processing
- Refined iPadOS software experience
- Great value at under $500 w/cellular
- Supports 1st gen Apple Pencil (sold separately)
- Touch ID fingerprint unlock
Proving you need not pay nearly a grand to enjoy an immersive Apple tablet suited for both play and light work, the entry-level 10th generation iPad brings tremendous value at just $449. Headlined by a sharp 11-inch Liquid Retina panel with True Tone support, the visual prowess combines with Apple’s refined iPadOS platform for a smooth and intuitive experience.
And while not reaching the blistering speeds of the mighty M2, the A14 Bionic chip still breezes through web browsing, video streaming, presentations and even some gaming without issue. When you factor in excellent cameras, long battery life and support for Apple Pencil integration, this remains the budget big screen tablet to beat.
Best For Amazon Ecosystem: Fire HD 11 Pro
- 11” 2K widescreen display w/ laminated touchscreen
- Octa-core CPU + 4GB RAM
- Up to 12 hours mixed-use battery
- Extensive Alexa voice assistant features
- Tons of Amazon subscription perks
- Wireless charging support
As a value-packed entertainment slate deeply integrated with Amazon’s voice assistant technology and various subscription services, the recently refreshed Fire HD 11 Pro brings a lot to like for dedicated Prime ecosystem inhabitants.
Users are treated to an extra sharp 11-inch panel featuring 2K resolution and nice color reproduction by tablet standards. Everything feels snappy courtesy of ample memory allotments and a capable octa-core chipset. And support for both wireless charging coils and reverse charging to use the tablet as a backup battery for phones adds nice versatility.
While more demanding productivity enthusiasts will still likely want a proper 2-in-1 device running full desktop operating systems, casual users just looking to safely browse, shop online or binge streaming shows should feel right at home with Amazon’s formula.
Most Laptop-Replacement Potential: Lenovo Tab Extreme
- 14.5" OLED touchscreen display @ 120Hz
- MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset
- Dolby Vision & Atmos support
- Quad speakers & microphones
- Precision pen support (pen included)
As the heralded spiritual successor to the beloved Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro from nearly a decade ago, the fresh Tab Extreme brings back the built-in kickstand and rotatable soundbar form factor with much more contemporary and polished execution.
It all starts with a stunning cinematic 14.5-inch OLED panel featuring exceptional vibrancy and fluid visuals which lend themselves perfectly to media streaming or gaming. Support for Dolby’s premier Vision and Atmos standards only enhance the sensory experience.
But Lenovo also loads up the Tab Extreme with a desktop-class MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip capable of juggling intensive workloads. Combined with the insane battery capacity exceeding 13,000mAh and keyboard folio case available, this tablet presents arguably the most convincing case yet for leaving smaller Ultrabook notebooks behind altogether when frequent mobility is paramount and you still demand proper PC horsepower.
Best Rugged Large Screen Tablet: Mobile Demand Tuff Slate 11”
- 11" daylight viewable touchscreen
- Intel Core i5/i7 configurations
- MIL-STD-810H and IP65 durability ratings
- Can survive 4’ drops and full water/dust ingress
- Dual hot-swappable batteries
- LTE data connectivity options
While mainstream consumer tablets focus first and foremost on sleek aesthetics even if that comes at the cost of resilience, the ruggedized Tuff Slate from MobileDemand does just the opposite – retaining impressive Windows processing power and generous display real estate while able to withstand decidedly non-delicate handling in the field.
IP65 and military-grade construction allow this heavy-duty slate to shrug off dust, dirt, water exposure and repeated 4-foot drops without issue. It even touts specialized screen enhancements allowing for easy visibility in direct sunlight. Oh, and you can always hot-swap batteries on the fly for unlimited uptime!
If you demand the flexibility of full Windows but need something far tougher than consumer models for extensive outdoor usage or mobility across challenging terrain, this Tuff Slate configuration can get the job done without weighing you down.
Laptop Replacement Potential
While lacking the versatility of full desktop operating systems like MacOS or Windows, the latest iPad Pro and Android flagships have reached impressive levels of capability – especially with their accompanying keyboard covers transforming them into makeshift notebook replacements. Carefully evaluate your must-have computing needs before deciding if you can truly get by with just a tablet.
Display Technology
OLED panels generally offer more vibrant colors and contrast compared to IPS LCD counterparts, but come at a premium price and can sometimes exhibit image retention issues over time. Mini LED backlighting on the newest iPad Pro models also provide stellar picture quality for less risk.
Mobile Operating System
Even with enhancements like Samsung DeX, iPadOS and pure Android still have software limitations relative to MacOS or Windows laptops. But their streamlined interfaces and touch-optimized app ecosystems provide better on-the-go usability for many.
Processor & RAM
Make sure any tablet provides enough memory and the latest flagship mobile chip from Qualcomm, Apple or MediaTek to future proof your purchase with ample multitasking power.
Battery Life
Look for at least 10 hours of expected runtime per charge if planning to use your tablet extensively away from power outlets. For maximum longevity consider those with larger capacity batteries.
Accessories Ecosystem
Tablets like the iPad Pro, Galaxy Tab S9 series or Surface Pro shine brightest when paired with 1st party keyboard covers, styluses and other companion accessories tailored specifically to them. Research availability before buying.
For voracious content consumers and casual computer users alike, today’s high performance tablets with generous displays often satisfy needs without the bulk and complexity of traditional PCs. They enable more comfortable web browsing sessions, provide vastly superior gaming experiences compared to phones, and allow quick edits on office documents or emails in a pinch.
When evaluating if shifting from a laptop to tablet form factor full time makes sense, carefully analyze what specific tasks you must complete on a daily basis and whether more limited mobile operating systems can still properly support those workflows. If relying primarily on cloud-based apps and services however, a tablet just may deliver everything required in a more refined and travel-friendly package.
At the end of the day, tablets will likely never fully replace various productivity-centric notebookcategories. But their ultra sleek designs and touch-first interfaces continue attracting consumers craving maximized entertainment. For many lifestyles emphasizing portability and visual immersion during their computing sessions above all else, these svelte one-piece slates undoubtedly satisfy.
