Nowadays, most people prefer to buy a tablet due to its easy portability and multiple functionalities. Tablets have simplified a variety of tasks that were previously performed only by laptops or PCs. They are especially preferred for video calling due to their optimal screen size. The provision of video calling has made it possible for long-distance relationships to thrive, old friends to keep in touch, grandparents to see their grandchildren grow from another country, and professionals to conduct meetings with their remote clients and employees.
What is the best tablet for video calls?
The best tablet for video conferencing is Apple iPad Pro 12 based on audio quality, high 128 GB storage, and fast charging 18 W batteries but the high cost of $1100. However, the best budget tablet for video calling is Facebook Portal, with the best quality cost ratio, from $99 (Portal ) to $279 (Portal +). Facebook Portal has a 12MP rear camera along with amazing sound quality.
With a wide range of tablets available in the market, it is not easy to choose the right one for yourself. Besides, different tablets have different kinds of strengths and weaknesses.
After examining the most popular tablets for video calling, we have shortlisted the top three latest tablets. These include Facebook’s Portal, iPad Pro, and Samsung Galaxy Tab A.
This article gives an overview of factors to consider while buying a tablet, along with the description of the best video-calling tablets.
Best Video-Calling Tablets Features
A tablet is undeniably a great investment for fulfilling different kinds of needs. It serves both your entertainment and learning requirements. No doubt, video calls can be held on laptops, desktops, and smartphones as well, yet tablets find favor due to their ability to mimic the picture quality of bigger screens with a relatively smaller size. However, you must look for certain parameters before purchasing the right model for yourself. Given below are the most important things to check while evaluating a tablet’s performance:
- Audio Quality
Audio quality is a crucial factor when it comes to video calling. Hence, it would help if you always chose a tablet with good-quality speakers.
- Picture Resolution
Since the very purpose of video calls is to let you see your loved ones, it is crucial to pay special attention to the picture resolution of the tablet. Just like you wish to see photographs, videos, and movies in high resolution, you would not like to compromise on the picture quality of your video calls.
- Battery Life
Irrespective of the type of electronic device, the significance of battery life cannot be undermined. Prior you buying a tablet, contemplate how long you will need to use it without the facility of charging. In other words, good battery life is determined by your kind of usage and other preferences. In some cases, you may have to do a trade-off between battery life and other factors.
Top 3 Tablets for Video Calling
Here is the complete description of the best video-calling tablets, along with their pros and cons:
Facebook’s Portal
Although not really a tablet, Facebook’s Portal is a great option for people who don’t mind using a stationary device for video calling. Portal requires a cord and offers one of the best video-calling services available in the market. It works through a Facebook account and lets you video chat with anyone across the globe. Besides, it has a smart camera that makes you feel like you are in the same place as the person across the screen. The camera is designed in a way that allows you to move and talk freely without keeping your face in front of the frame.
You can perform any activity, make a meal, show your dance moves, etc., without changing the alignment of the camera. Further, you can also browse the internet, watch the latest happenings on Fox News or CNN, and stream music from Pandora or Spotify via the inbuilt apps. Portal has an excellent sound quality in terms of music as well as video calling service. Listed below are the benefits and drawbacks of Facebook’s Portal:
Pros:
- Landline-level quality in calls along with video functionality
- Option to turn off the speaker/ camera when not making calls
- It appears like a digital picture frame when not in use.
- 12MP rear camera along with amazing sound quality
Cons:
- It can be difficult to use if the person isn’t much familiar with Facebook Messenger.
iPad Pro 12
If you want to have a tablet with top-class performance and the budget isn’t really an issue for you, Apple’s iPad Pro is the best thing to have. With an impressive camera resolution and video quality, the tablet is bound to offer the highest level of clarity. Its range of speakers and microphones enhances the complete audio experience of video calls. Further, iPad Pro is equipped with Apple’s A12Z Bionic chip that lends an exceptionally unmatched speed to the system. Listed below are the advantages and limitations of iPad Pro:
Ipad Pro 12 specification:
| iPad PRo 12 feature | iPad Pro 12 Specification |
|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR |
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Card slot | No |
| Charging | Reverse charging |
| Chipset | Apple A12Z Bionic |
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray |
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.23 in) |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| GPS | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi?Fi + Cellular model only) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Models | A2069, A2232, A2233, A2229, iPad8,11, iPad8,12 |
| NFC | No |
| OS | iPadOS 13.4, upgradable to iPadOS 14.6 |
| Price | About 1000 EUR |
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Radio | No |
| Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer |
| SIM | Nano-SIM, eSIM |
| Single | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Size | 12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ) |
| Type | Li-Po 9720 mAh, non-removable (36.71 Wh) |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1; magnetic connector |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Weight | 641 g (Wi-Fi), 643 g (LTE) (1.41 lb) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
Pros:
- 12MP Camera & 11-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina Display
- 10-hour long battery life
- 4K video option and ultra-wide shots
- 5 microphones and 4 speakers audio system
Cons:
- Some costly Apple add-ons may seem annoying.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A
Galaxy Tab A is another good option among the best video-calling tablets. Similar to the iPad Pro, this tablet has a beautiful screen display and optimum screen space. Galaxy Tab A is light to carry and has a high screen-to-tablet ratio. With the minimum bezel value, the tablet has a stunning display area and decent picture quality. Its Dolby Atmos surround sound system delivers a great experience during video calls. Listed below are the positives and negatives of Samsung Galaxy Tab A:
Pros:
- 1-inch large screen
- 8MP rear camera
- Weight of 1 pound
- Attractive 1920×1200 picture display
- Minimized bezel and maximized screen view
Cons:
- No option for auto-brightness
| Galaxy Tab A7 2020 | Specification |
|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Announced | 2020, September 02 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Card slot | microSDXC |
| Charging | Fast charging 15W |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| Colors | Dark Gray, Silver, Gold |
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 157.4 x 7 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.28 in) |
| GPS | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| GPU | Adreno 610 |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Models | SM-T500, SM-T505 |
| NFC | No |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Price | About 240 EUR |
| Radio | No |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| SAR EU | 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Single | 8 MP, AF |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat13 400/50 Mbps |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, September 11 |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Type | TFT |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| Weight | 476 g (Wi-Fi), 477 g (LTE) (1.05 lb) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
Tips to Remember
In video calls, tablets are a hit-or-miss and vary largely in the quality of service. While the market is flooded with different brands and models of tablets, the above-mentioned ones are considered the best for video calling purposes. Nevertheless, if you are attending a video call in a loud environment, you may find it difficult to hear clearly. In other words, the speakers of your tablet may prove insufficient in such a scenario. So, you may want to own a good pair of headphones with a built-in microphone to overcome the audio issue. For instance, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 works great in mobility, quality, and required functionalities.
Besides, it would help if you took care of your tablet to prevent it from any damage. For example, you can use a good-quality screen guard to protect your screen. Similarly, you should carry it in a sturdy case/cover and avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for long hours.
Final Words
In this era of video conference calls, devices like tablets assume prime importance due to the need for communication in our professional and personal lives. Although some people make do with their mobile phones only, they don’t provide good picture quality in video calls like tablets and laptops. While laptops seem cumbersome to carry around, tablets provide absolute convenience and comfort anywhere you go. Besides, in times of long-distance communication, the quality of your video has a direct impact on your relationships with your loved ones. Hence, it is critical to a good enough tablet for yourself.