Top 5 tablets between Rs 10k and Rs 20k

Select the best Android tablet to read books, watch movies and do some work, for a limited budget of Rs 20,000.

Google Nexus 7 tablet certainly reigns in the affordable tablet segment, but other device makers have taken up the challenge of competing with it. Several tablet models have been made available in the mid-tier segment; while LG has no plans to introduce an affordable device.

Apart from the new Nexus 7 there are some tablets worth checking out if your budget is around Rs 20,000. We have focused on decent performance and expandable storage while Android update availability is still ambiguous. Nevertheless, these tablets promise a decent multimedia experience.

Google Nexus 7 (2013)

Google introduced the new Nexus 7 (2013) tablet a couple of weeks ago and the tablet runs Android 4.4 KitKat update. Nexus 7 (2013) features a 7-inch IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution. This high resolution display is made using scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass technology.

The Nexus 7 (2013) is powered by a quad core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro mobile processor with Adreno 320 GPU and 2 GB RAM. The first model supports 16 GB RAM and is priced just around Rs 20,000 if you can manage to use a coupon or specific bank's credit card.

Made by Asus, the Nexus 7 (2013) has a 5 megapixel camera at the back with auto focus for imaging, and a 1.2 megapixel camera in the front for video calls.

Since this is a Wi-Fi only model, it does not support SIM based voice calling. Though it packs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out of the box, the Android 4.4 Jelly Bean update can be downloaded by connecting the tablet to a Wi-Fi network.

Nexus 7 (2013) has dual stereo surround sound speakers by Fraunhofer. There is a standard audio connector to hook your favourite pair of headphones. The Nexus 7 (2013) packs a 3950 mAh battery to offer about 9 hours of multimedia entertainment.

The reason this tablet tops our list is because it offers a pure Nexus experience without much custom skin.

Xolo Play Tegra Note

Xolo along with Nvidia introduced the 7-inch tablet Play Tegra Note with an active Directstylus. The Play Tegra Note has a 7-inch IPS LCD display with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. This tablet is powered by a quad core 1.8 GHz Nvidia Tegra 4 mobile chipset with ULP GeForce GPU and 1 GB RAM.

Nvidia has just pushed Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for this tablet to package more improvements and bug fixes.

At the rear is a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus that can perform HDR shots and panorama as well. There is a front facing VGA camera for video calls. For connectivity, the tablet offers Wi-Fi to enjoy fast mobile internet.

The Play Tegra Note packs a 4100 mAh battery that promises up to 10 hours of run time. We are currently testing this tablet and so far our experience with the stylus on this tablet is quite pleasant.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

Samsung had introduced the third generation Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 last year. The Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 T311 tablet has an 8-inch LCD display with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. Weighing 314 grams, the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 is powered by a dual core 1.5 GHz Samsung Exynos 4 4212 mobile chipset with 1.5 GB RAM and 16 GB on-board storage.

By default, this tablet runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and handles most modern games comfortably. Samsung has packed a 5 megapixel camera at the back with autofocus. This camera can record 720p HD video and there is a front facing 1.3 megapixel camera for video calls.

Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and there is GPS with A-GPS and Glonass support. The tablet is offered in white colour mostly and packs a 4450 mAh battery to promise about 11 hours of run time. Also, this tablet allows a USB host feature to connect USB on-the-go cables for attaching storage or pointing devices with it.

Supporting a wide variety of audio-video formats, this tablet is a great multimedia entertainment device.

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Lenovo IdeaTab Yoga 8 16 GB

Lenovo recently introduced its IdeaTab Yoga 8 tablet in India at an attractive price point. The IdeaTab has a unique industrial design that will remind you that all other tablets look similar. Lenovo packs an 8-inch display with 1280 x 800 pixel native resolution and is powered by a quad core 1.2 GHz Mediatek MT8125 mobile processor with 1 GB RAM, and 16 GB on-board storage.

There is a memory card slot to hold up to a 64 GB micro SD card. At the back it has a 5 megapixel camera and there is a 1.6 megapixel camera in the front. It offers Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi support for wireless connectivity.

Lenovo has packed Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update and the device is powered by a two cell 6000 mAh battery to offer decent run time. The table offers dual front facing speakers and supports Dolby Digital Plus DS1 for better sound output. The tablet has a built-in kickstand and seems like a fresh design break from other tablets.

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Micromax Canvas Tab P650

Micromax announced the Canvas Tab P650 three months ago, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display and rounded corners. The Canvas Tab P650 has 1024 x 768 pixel native resolution. Micromax has powered this tablet with a quad core 1.2 GHz mobile processor paired with 1 GB RAM and 16 GB on-board storage. There is a memory card slot that can hold up to a 32 GB micro SD card.

Micromax has implemented Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with a few customisations and it supports voice-calling support a 3G network SIM. Faster mobile internet can be enjoyed over Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 3.0 promises faster file transfers. At the back is a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus to record decent quality video, and in the front there lies a 2 megapixel camera for video calls.

This tablet packs a 4800 mAh battery to promise up to 10 hours of run time.

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