Tablets that have excellent photo editing tools have become an essential purchase for many creative people, whether it is for work or pleasure. It is important that you choose the best tablet for photo editing that works for your unique needs to ensure you are able to create your best work.
There are many factors to consider when looking at the best tablets for photo and video editing. This article will help you determine the perfect option for you that will take your skills and end-results to the next level.
Key Features to Enhance Photo Editing Workflow
A photo editing tablet allows you to make and fine-tune any adjustments and enhances your work with bright and sharp colour-accurate screens. The addition of a compatible stylus will also help to improve the finer details. The best photo editing tablets offer portability and flexibility which have become vital features for all creative workers. Before you buy a tablet, you need to consider these key features which will determine which tablet is most suitable for your needs:
- Screen size and resolution
A high-resolution display is essential for photo editing tablets, with OLED and IPS screen types being the most popular choice. Wide viewing angles are also important for accurate editing and a minimum screen size of 11 inches and up should offer more room to edit with stunning HD image quality.
- Colour accuracy
The colour accuracy must stand out to ensure your photos are displayed correctly with HD clarity and this is hugely important for colour work. Professionals will require accurate colour calibration and brightness to enhance image precision.
- Storage and battery life
The worst thing that can happen during an editing session is the tablet battery running low. So it is essential that you choose the best android tablet for photo editing that is known for its long battery life. You should also consider storage requirements as Apple tablets are quite limited with no expandability. But many others come with a MicroSD slot which enables you to add up to 1TB of storage. The RAM size also helps the tablet to run smoothly with an improved performance.
- Photo editing apps
Not all photo editing apps are available on certain operating systems and so you must first find out if the particular software you like to use is available on the Apple, Android or Windows tablet of your choice. For example, Photoshop is available for all systems but the Android version (Photoshop Express) is seriously scaled back and you will miss out on various features that are readily accessible on iPads and Windows tablets.
- Stylus and pen pressure
A compatible stylus for your tablet will ensure the pinpoint detail and control of your work and enable you to perform all adjustments, retouches and edits with perfect precision. The pen pressure replicates the feeling of pen to paper and high sensitivity levels will really enhance the editing process.
3 Best Tablets for Photo Editing
Once you know which key features to look out for, the next step is to discover which tablets will best fit your needs. Here are 3 of the best tablets currently on the market from the best samsung tablet for photo editing to the latest Apple tablet of choice along with all the information you need to help make a decision.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is one of the best Android tablets for photo editing and is ideal for those who prefer a larger screen with a stunning OLED resolution that is a larger aspect ratio than an iPad. It may be slightly more expensive than others but the S-pen stylus is included in the price and this offers 4096 levels of sensitivity and tilt recognition for impressive editing work. Photoshop Express is available on Android along with other editing apps including Adobe Lightroom and Snapseed.
The S9 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor which ensures a smooth and slick performance that works well with photo editing apps. The large screen provides plenty of room and amazing detail on all your photos and the colour really stands out.
Specifications
- 14.6-inch
- 1848×2960 resolution
- AMOLED screen
- RAM 12GB
- 256GB storage
Pros
- S-pen stylus
- Exceptional image quality
- Expandable storage
- Fast performance
Cons
- Limited editing apps
- Quite expensive option
- Apple iPad Air (M2 2024)
There are many different Apple iPad tablets but the iPad Air M2 2024 is one of the best tablets for photo editing on a budget. The 13-inch screen offers plenty of room to work and edit photos and the LCD screen provides brighter colours and HD images ideal for top quality and precision editing. The M2 chip ensures a fast performance and the iPad is also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro stylus which includes features including hover, barrel roll and haptics but this must be purchased separately. The most popular editing apps on Apple include Photoshop, Lightroom and LumaFusion.
Specifications
- 13-inch
- 2732×2048 resolution
- RAM 8GB
- LED liquid retina display
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB storage
Pros
- Incredibly powerful
- Apple Pencil Pro stylus support
- Bright and sharp display
- Sleek, lightweight design
Cons
- No expandable storage
- No LED screen
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a very popular 2-in-1 device that acts as a tablet and can also be turned into a laptop with the Signature Keyboard additional purchase. It runs on Microsoft software and it has quite a lot of power packed into the sleek design. You will also have full access to editing apps such as Lightroom and Photoshop as well as desktop apps including Luminar to enhance your editing capabilities with various software. The Microsoft tablet uses an intel core i5 or i7 processor for a powerful and fast performance and a long battery life of up to 16 hours for each use. The Surface Slim Pen allows for precise and delicate editing making this one of the best tablets for photo editing.
Specifications
- 13-inch
- 2880×1920 resolution
- 128GB-1TB storage
- RAM 8GB/12GB/32GB
- 120Hz refresh rate
Pros
- Full Windows 11 software
- Surface Slim Pen stylus
- Up to 16 hours battery life
- Can turn into a laptop
Cons
- Expensive
- Stylus and keyboard bought separately
Special Offer: Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) 4K
The XPPen Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) is the best tablet for photo and video editing due to the stunning 4K resolution screen and outstanding colour accuracy that enhances all the finer details. This tablet also comes with two X3 Pro Series styluses that provides 16k ultra-sensitive pressure levels to ensure complete precision and smoothness for all of your editing needs.
The XPPen also runs smoothly with various systems including Windows, Android and MacOS to ensure you have access to all the necessary editing apps. A standout feature is the collaboration with Calman for the creation of X-Color Master technology for incredible colour precision ideal for photo and video editing. The nano etched glass provides anti-glare and the IPS panel offers a 4k ultra-vision display for beautiful clarity and a sharp picture.
Specifications
- 24-inch
- 3840×2160 resolution
- USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort
- IPS screen
Pros
- Large screen
- Stunning 4K image quality
- Precision dual stylus
- Range of editing apps
Cons
- Limited refresh rate
- Slow 6ms response time
Conclusion
There are many different types of tablets currently available but the best tablet for photo and video editing for you will depend on your individual needs. If you need a large screen and stunning colour accuracy the XPPen Artist Pro 24 is the perfect option or if you are looking for a more portable option with a fast performance, the Apple iPad Air may be the right choice. Whether you prefer iOS, Windows or Android software, there is sure to be the perfect tablet for you.
FAQs
Is a tablet or laptop better for photo editing?
A tablet offers a lot more control and precision over your editing especially as the touch screen allows the use of a stylus. Tablets also offer portability and versatility with smaller sizes which are ideal for transportation. Depending on the chosen tablet and supporting apps, a tablet is often the better choice for many creative people.
How much RAM is enough for Photoshop?
Tablets should have a minimum RAM of 8GB with a recommended 16GB to ensure Photoshop runs smoothly with a stutter free experience. If you regularly work on bigger sized documents, 32GB will be more suitable for professional editors.
How many GB does it take to run Photoshop?
Photoshop is able to run with a graphics card minimum of 1.5GPU memory and a recommended 4GB GPU for 4K displays. There should also be a minimum of 4GB hard disk space while 16GB is recommended.
What is the best tablet for photo editing?
The best tablet for you depends on the supported software, display, image quality, stylus compatibility and your budget. There are Apple, Android, Microsoft and XPPen options that all offer a range of key features.
