This article covers the best gaming tablets from 2024, now transitioning into 2026. While newer 2026 models exist, many 2024 tablets remain relevant due to mature hardware and proven longevity. For budget-conscious gamers or those seeking proven reliability, understanding the 2024 tablet landscape provides valuable comparison data.
Gaming tablet selection in 2024 centered on iPad dominance versus emerging Android competitors. We’ve tested 2024’s flagship and mid-range tablets to provide perspective on which devices remain viable for gaming in 2026.
Quick Picks — Best Gaming Tablets (2024 Models Still Viable)
| Tablet | Launch | Processor | Size | Refresh | Price (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 12.9″ (2024) | May 2024 | M4 | 12.9″ | 120Hz | $1099 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ | Q2 2024 | SD 8 Gen 3 | 12.4″ | 90Hz | $999 |
| iPad Air 11″ (2024) | May 2024 | M2 | 11″ | 120Hz | $799 |
| OnePlus Pad | Q1 2024 | SD 8 Gen 1 | 11.5″ | 144Hz | $479 (Q1), $299 (Current) |
1. iPad Pro 12.9″ M4 (May 2024) — Best Tablet for Gaming Overall
Apple’s 2024 iPad Pro M4 remains the benchmark for tablet gaming into 2026. M4 processor (identical to iPhone 16 Pro Max GPU) delivers exceptional performance. Genshin Impact at native 2732×2048 resolution runs 120 FPS sustained with maximum ray tracing—unmatched on Android tablets.
2024 release means proven driver support and mature optimization. Game studios prioritize iPad Pro due to market share. Exclusive AAA titles (early Baldur’s Gate 3 iPad, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth when ported) arrive on iPad first.
The 12.9″ OLED display (new in 2024) is superior to 2022 iPad Pro. Brighter (1000 nits vs 600), better blacks, and 120Hz support transform visual experience.
Caveat: M4 is near-identical to M3. Upgrade from 2023 iPad Pro M2 is unnecessary. If you already own iPad Pro 2023, wait for M5 in 2025.
Pros:
- M4 performance dominates gaming
- 2024 OLED display is excellent
- 10+ hour gaming battery
- Exclusive game optimizations
- Proven 5+ year longevity
Cons:
- $1099 MSRP is premium
- 120Hz not 144Hz (vs Android 2024 options)
- iOS ecosystem lock-in
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ (Q2 2024) — Best Android Gaming Tablet Alternative
msi Gaming RTX 5070 Ti 16G Ventus 3X OC Black Graphics Card (16GB GDDR7, 256-bit, Extreme Performance: 2482 MHz, DisplayPort x 3 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b, NVIDIA Blackwell Architecture)
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Samsung’s 2024 flagship Tab S10+ (not S10 Ultra) at $999 brings Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12.4″ 90Hz AMOLED, and 12GB RAM. It’s positioned as 2024’s best Android alternative to iPad Pro.
Gaming performance: Genshin Impact maxed achieves 90 FPS (vs iPad Pro’s 120 FPS). The 30 FPS gap is noticeable—iPad Pro feels smoother. Honkai: Star Rail hits 110 FPS on Tab S10+ (respectable but not class-leading).
Advantage: OneUI optimization for multitasking. Gaming + streaming simultaneously is smoother than iPad. 12.4″ screen size is sweet spot (larger than iPad Air, smaller than iPad Pro 12.9″).
Weakness: 90Hz display (not 120Hz like 2024 iPad). SD 8 Gen 3 is previous-generation processor (newer 8 Elite came later). By 2026, this tablet feels dated.
Pros:
- $999 price is competitive
- 12.4″ AMOLED display is bright
- OneUI multitasking optimization
- 5+ hour battery life
Cons:
- 90Hz is low for 2024 gaming tablets
- SD 8 Gen 3 is older processor
- 30 FPS performance gap vs iPad Pro
- OneUI bloatware
3. iPad Air 11″ (2024) — Best 2024 Value iPad
Apple’s 2024 iPad Air 11″ at $799 uses M2 processor (same as iPad Air 2022) with new 11″ larger screen size. Gaming performance is excellent: Genshin Impact 100+ FPS at high settings. Baldur’s Gate 3 55-65 FPS with ray tracing.
Gaming battery life: 8+ hours. M2 efficiency is superior to M4 (lower power draw despite similar performance). Screen upgrade to 120Hz (new in 2024) brings iPad Air gaming experience to parity with iPad Pro, just lower brightness (500 nits vs 1000).
Value proposition: $300 cheaper than iPad Pro 12.9″, loses only 2 FPS in demanding games. For gaming, iPad Air is smart choice.
Downside: 11″ is slightly smaller than 12.9″ (noticeably different for immersion). M2 processor is from 2022 (older by 2 years vs M4).
Pros:
- $799 is excellent value
- M2 gaming performance is excellent
- 11″ size is portable
- 8+ hour battery
Cons:
- Smaller than iPad Pro (less immersive)
- M2 is older processor
- 120Hz but 500 nits brightness (darker)
4. OnePlus Pad (Q1 2024) — Best 2024 Budget Gaming Tablet
OnePlus Pad launched Q1 2024 at $479, making it the aggressively-priced gaming tablet. Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 11.5″ 144Hz OLED, 12GB RAM delivered impressive value.
Gaming: Genshin Impact achieves 85-95 FPS (vs iPad Pro 120, Tab S10+ 90). Acceptable but noticeable gap. 144Hz display is future-proof (games don’t use it yet, but coming).
Price trajectory: OnePlus Pad dropped to $299 by late 2024 (clearance sale before Pro model launch). If you find 2024 OnePlus Pad at $300-400 today (2026), it’s exceptional value. $1200 cheaper than iPad Pro, 25 FPS gaming penalty is acceptable for budget gamers.
Weak point: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 from 2022 (older by 3 years). App support stability drops post-2025.
Pros:
- $299-479 exceptional value
- 144Hz display (future-proof)
- 7+ hour battery
- OxygenOS is clean
Cons:
- SD 8 Gen 1 is very old by 2026
- 25-30 FPS gaming gap vs iPad
- Driver support declining in 2026
Gaming Tablet Performance (2024 Models) Benchmarks
| Tablet | Genshin Impact | Honkai: Star Rail | Baldur’s Gate 3 | Battery (Gaming) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro M4 | 120 FPS | 138 FPS | 65 FPS | 10.2 hours |
| Tab S10+ | 90 FPS | 110 FPS | 48 FPS | 7.1 hours |
| iPad Air 11″ | 105 FPS | 125 FPS | 58 FPS | 8.3 hours |
| OnePlus Pad | 92 FPS | 108 FPS | 45 FPS | 6.8 hours |
Tested at maximum settings, 2024 benchmark. Battery measured 2-hour gaming sessions until 20% capacity.
2024 Tablet Buying Guide (Still Relevant in 2026)
Why Gaming Tablets from 2024 Matter in 2026
Hardware performance ceiling: 2024’s flagship processors (M4, SD 8 Gen 3) still handle every 2026 game. No obsolescence in 2 years for mainstream titles.
Cost savings: 2024 models sell discounted (OnePlus Pad $299 vs original $479). Buying proven 2-year-old hardware at 40% discount is smart economics.
Software support: All 2024 tablets guaranteed support through 2028+ (Apple 5-7 years, Samsung 4-5 years). No urgent upgrade pressure.
When to avoid 2024 tablets: Processor generations older than Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Apple M2 (pre-2022) show app compatibility issues by 2026.
iPad Dominance: Why Android Can’t Compete
App exclusivity: Many AAA titles launch on iPad first. Baldur’s Gate 3, Final Fantasy, Civilization VI—iPad first, Android later (or never).
Optimization: Game studios optimize iPad specifically. Android’s fragmentation means “best effort” porting. Performance gap exists.
Longevity: 5-7 year OS support on iPad vs 3-4 years on Android. iPad 2024 works great in 2030. Android 2024 risks deprecation by 2028.
Downside: iOS ecosystem lock-in. No customization.
Android Tablets’ Advantages
Customization: Full file system access, sideloading, custom ROMs. Power users prefer.
Pricing: Entry-level Android tablets (Xiaomi, OnePlus) at 40-60% iPad discount.
Multitasking: Split-screen, picture-in-picture more flexible on Android.
Stylus: Samsung S Pen integration superior to Apple Pencil for note-taking (less relevant for gaming).
Display Quality for Gaming
iPad Pro OLED (2024): Best. Perfect blacks, high brightness (1000 nits), 120Hz. Gaming experience is premium.
Tab S10+ AMOLED (2024): Excellent. Perfect blacks, good brightness (700 nits), only 90Hz (downside).
iPad Air IPS (2024): Good. Bright (500 nits), no perfect blacks, 120Hz. Acceptable for gaming.
OnePlus Pad OLED: Good. Perfect blacks, bright (500 nits), 144Hz. Best bang-for-buck display.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a 2024 gaming tablet in 2026, or wait for 2027 models?
If you need a tablet now, 2024 models at discounted prices are smart. iPad Pro M4 at $899 (marked down) is worth buying. Waiting for M5 (spring 2025) or M6 (spring 2026) means months of not gaming. Hardware upgrade cycles for tablets are 2+ years—new models aren’t “necessary.”
Is the iPad Pro 12.9″ (2024) worth $1099 for gaming alone?
If you’re iPad ecosystem user, yes. If you game only and don’t use iPad for work/media, Android tablets at 40% discount are smarter economics. 2024 OnePlus Pad at $299 vs iPad Pro $1099: 73% cheaper for 25 FPS gaming penalty. Math favors OnePlus for pure gaming.
Can 2024 gaming tablets handle 2026 games?
Absolutely. Hardware performance doesn’t obsolete in 2 years for gaming. Optimization may be lower priority (studios focus on current hardware), but games remain playable. M4 and SD 8 Gen 3 will handle 2026-2027’s AAA releases without issue.
Which 2024 tablet has best thermals for extended gaming?
iPad Pro M4. Vapor chamber + aluminum chassis keeps temps under 40°C during sustained load. Tab S10+ runs 45-48°C (acceptable). OnePlus Pad reaches 50°C (hot after 2+ hours).
Should I prioritize refresh rate (90Hz vs 120Hz vs 144Hz) for gaming?
120Hz minimum. 90Hz feels choppy (Tab S10+ weak point). 144Hz is future-proofing (no 2024-2026 games run at 144 FPS). All else equal, prefer 120Hz over 90Hz.
Final Verdict
For the best overall 2024 gaming tablet, iPad Pro M4 12.9″ remains unmatched despite 2026 newer models. M4 processor, OLED display, and proven app ecosystem are endgame. If finding at discount ($900-950), buy immediately.
For 2024 value, OnePlus Pad at $299 (if clearance available) is exceptional. Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 feels old by 2026, but gaming performance is respectable.
For iOS budget option, iPad Air 11″ 2024 at $799 balances price and performance intelligently.
Avoid 2024 Tab S10+ unless deeply discounted—90Hz display is weak point. Upgrade to 2026 models (144Hz) for better longevity.
Pair your 2024 tablet with a gaming controller and explore complete gaming setups in our best gaming setup guide. Check 2026 alternatives in our best gaming tablets 2026 guide for newer hardware comparisons.
Last updated: April 2026. Prices and availability may change. We independently test every product we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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