Why are iPads so much better than Android tablets?

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Key points

  • Apple's Continuity features, like Universal Control and Sidecar, give the iPad an edge over Android.
  • As developers focus more on iPad apps, it's hard for Android tablets to bridge the gap.
  • iPads offer long-term software support, better security, and durability.



Despite major improvements, Android tablets still lag behind iPads by a wide margin. Some of these improvements are due to subjective reasons, but that’s not always the case. Here are some of the main reasons why iPads are so far ahead of their Android counterparts.


1 Apple Continuity Features

One of the reasons I regretted buying an Android tablet instead of an iPad is that the former doesn’t play well with other Apple devices. Continuity is one of the main advantages of owning an iPad if you already own a Mac or iPhone, though I would argue that this is more true of computers than smartphones.

iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac in one place
apple


When you buy an iPad, you get access to Universal Control, which means you can use your devices more seamlessly. You can also take advantage of Sidecar, which lets you effectively use your iPad as a second display. And don’t forget other Continuity features like AirDrop, AirPlay, Universal Clipboard, and more, which make your life easier if you own multiple Apple devices.

2 Developers are putting more effort into iPad apps.

Even if Android tablets were closer to iPads, there wouldn’t be much that manufacturers could do if app developers didn’t step up. For the most part, I feel developers put a lot more effort into iPad apps than they do for Android tablets. You’ll also find a variety of apps available for iPads but not Android tablets, such as DaVinci Resolve and Pixelmator.

Lightroom CC for iPad interface


Companies are likely to devote more resources to developing apps for Android tablets if they continue to improve and more people adopt them. But until that happens, closing the gap will be very difficult.

3 Long-term program support

iPadOS 18 powered by Apple Intelligence
Apple / YouTube

One of the great things about iPads is that they continue to receive software updates long after their initial release date. For example, the 2018 third-generation iPad Pro 12.9 is eligible for the iPadOS 18 update in 2024.

While the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra will have better support options than other Android tablets, it still isn’t on the same level as the top-tier iPad. You’ll get four major generations of One UI/Android OS and five years of security updates, but those security updates won’t give you new features, unlike the latest versions of iPadOS.


It's also worth noting that less expensive iPads typically get updates for about five years, and when your device is no longer compatible with the latest version of iPadOS, you'll typically get security updates for a little longer.

4 Improve security

While I agree that Android tablets are better customizable than iPads, I would argue that iPads offer superior security. You’ll get several software updates between each major release in the fall, many of which contain essential security patches.

Since you can’t customize iPads as much as you can with Android tablets, it’s easier for Apple to make its software more secure. And while you get useful security tools on Android tablets (including a lock mode), iPads can do many of these things and have a stronger foundation.


5 durability

Another reason Android tablets lag behind iPads is that Apple devices are generally much better built and more durable. When I had an Android tablet, it wasn’t long before it was damaged by being dropped a few times. By comparison, iPads have been dropped a few times and are still going strong.

JerryRigEverything on YouTube did a thorough (and entertaining) durability test of the iPad Pro M4 after its launch in 2024. The tablet performed well despite him dropping ice cream on it, holding a lighter, and doing a bunch of other things. It eventually broke in half, but only after some serious effort, which is hard to do accidentally.


6 Apple's silicon chips are much stronger.

iPads have always been good for web browsing, streaming, and gaming, but the higher-priced models with Apple silicon chips take performance a little more seriously. In fact, these are the same chips Apple uses in MacBooks. With the iPad Pro M2 and M4, you can easily edit 4K video projects using pro apps like Final Cut Pro and Capture One.

The latest Android tablets are a huge improvement over the older versions, and they’re definitely worth checking out, but the iPad is still hard to ignore. From better apps and durability to a more powerful chip and long-term software support, I’d still recommend the iPad to anyone interested in tablets—and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

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