Best Android tablets for drawing

GenAI apps and tools have made creating artwork and drawings a breeze with simple text prompts. But they are far from perfect and cannot always produce exactly what you may have in mind. In order to achieve your true vision, it's best to pick up that pen and draw it yourself. Digital styli are the best way to bring your ideas to life on a tablet, and there are some pretty great options to choose from.

The best Android tablet for drawing is currently the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. The latest model doesn't reinvent the wheel in any way, but it does get a new processor and an anti-reflective finish for the display. We have more Samsung models if you wish to spend less, and a few good ones from other brands too, so check the full list below. Don't forget to check out the best drawing tablets if you're fine with not having Android.

Andrew Myrick

Andrew Myrick is a senior editor at Android Central. In between figuring out ways to put retro emulators on everything, Andrew thoroughly enjoys exploring what's possible with Android tablets. He's constantly looking for new and different ways to use tablets, such as replacing his laptop or turning tablets into smart home dashboards.

At a glance

Best overall

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra lives up to every bit of its name with some of the most powerful hardware ever packed into an Android tablet. It's the 2025 refresh of the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, and Samsung hasn't changed a lot. We again have a MediaTek chip at the helm, a change Samsung first made with the Tab S10 series. It still costs the same so you might as well get the latest model and an extra year of OS upgrades instead of the Tab S10 Ultra.

There's no question that the Tab S11 Ultra is an expensive tablet, but you end up with a device that can just about replace a laptop in functionality. If you travel a lot, the massive TV-like screen can be great for catching up on YouTube videos or even watching movies. And thanks to Wi-Fi 7 support, you'll have plenty of Wi-Fi speed for high-quality video.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has a Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ SoC with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, depending on the storage you pick. It has a massive 14.6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which allows for plenty of space for an 11,600mAh battery that can be charged at up to 45W.

Naturally, an S Pen is included in the box, so you can start drawing just as soon as the tablet is set up. The stylus is also IP68-rated and has enhanced sensitivity for fewer accidental clicks. It can be magnetically attached to the tablet for charging.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra scorecard

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Best alternative

When comparing the OnePlus Pad 2 to the Pad 3, it might seem like the price jump is a bit steep. But that couldn't be further from the truth when comparing the Pad 3 to the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. The latest OnePlus tablet is $500 cheaper, but since the Stylo 2 isn't included in the box, let's just say it's $400 less.

With that, you're getting a gorgeous 13.2-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate and an LCD panel. This makes it an obvious choice for those who suffer from PWM and can't use OLED tablets but still want a flagship Android tablet.

Thankfully, there are very few issues in that department, with the OnePlus Pad 3 being powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite. It's paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is a bit of a bummer as there's not even a built-in microSD card slot.

Much like the Tab S11 Ultra (and practically every other phone or tablet), OnePlus integrated a bunch of AI features into the Pad 3. These include the usual Gemini-powered suspects, but OnePlus offers a few features of its own to try and help perform various tasks for you.

OnePlus Pad 3 scorecard

Best budget

Amazon has a distinct advantage in pricing hardware since the company makes up much of the cost in in-app sales, subscriptions, and, of course, lock screen ads. As a result, the Fire Max 11 punches well above its weight with a large 11-inch display running at a 2000 x 1200 resolution.

It comes with 4GB of RAM and a MediaTek MTK8188J SoC, so it's not going to have the maximum Genshin Impact, but our Fire Max 11 review notes that it has some of the best performance of any Amazon tablet. The display has a 60Hz refresh rate, which won't feel as smooth under a stylus, but it's an IPS panel, so it's bright with vibrant colors.

This bundle includes a stylus made for the tablet, but you can also use another USI 2.0 stylus if you've already invested or want something with different ergonomics. Amazon includes ads on your lock screen, but if you want them removed, you can pay a bit more for the same tablet. You can also remove lock-screen ads later by paying the difference if you're on a budget.

Amazon Fire Max 11 and Stylus Pen bundle scorecard

Best E Ink display

The market for E Ink tablets has exploded over the past couple of years, largely thanks to the Boox lineup. Our favorite Onyx Boox Note Air 3 tablet received a minor update in 2024 with the new Onyx Boox Note Air4 C. The new model costs the same as the outgoing one, but boasts of a faster processor, more RAM, a lighter design, Android 13, and an improved display with richer colors and quicker response time.

The Note Air4 C is very similar to the Air3 C in other respects. The metal build makes it feel premium and sturdy, while the massive E Ink Carta 1200 display is great for reading and sketching. It ships with a protective case and the Pen Plus, which can attach to the tablet after you're done with it.

While Boox has its own built-in note-taking application, the fact that it is powered by Android 13 and has the Play Store pre-installed means that you can download any drawing app of your liking. The tablet is built for artists at its core, and ships with some interesting AI-driven 'Smart Scribe' tool. There's a new Shape tool for cleaning up artwork, while the Link tool allows designers to attach notes to their creations.

Onyx Boox Note Air4 C scorecard

Best S Pen value

If you don't want to spend a ton of money but still want access to Samsung's excellent S Pen features, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE is a good starting point. This tablet has a 10.9-inch display that runs at 90Hz, so it feels reasonably responsive under the stylus.

You can only get this tablet with Wi-Fi, but if you're willing to spend a bit more, there is a cellular version of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE. It's powered by Samsung's Exynos 1580 SoC, which can keep up with everyday tasks like reading, browsing, or drawing just fine but will struggle with 3D gaming.

Along with upgraded internals, Samsung also took the opportunity to introduce a better display. Its predecessor featured a rather pedestrian (and outdated) TFT LCD panel, but the Tab S10 FE is equipped with an IPS LCD display.

While it's not an OLED display, you still won't be disappointed when it comes to drawing, sketching, writing, notes, or just playing games. And on top of all of that, Samsung is still including the S Pen in the box.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE scorecard

Best add-on display

The Wacom One 12 is a bit of a cheat entry since it's not technically an Android tablet. This dedicated drawing tablet provides a plug-and-play experience across pretty much any device. It's even possible to use it with many of the best Android phones, let alone Windows, macOS, Android tablets, and Chromebooks.

With the Wacom One 12, you get an 11.6-inch display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. In the box, Wacom includes the tablet itself, the Wacom One Standard Pen, a power adapter, two USB-C cables and the quick start guide. So basically, you'll get everything you need to hit the ground running. Plus, pressure-sensitive pen and is designed so that you shouldn't get fatigued as easily as using other stylus options.

It's easy to understand why the Wacom One 12 is our pick for the best drawing tablet overall, especially since the brand has been making some of the best in that market for years. With support for many devices across various platforms, the Wacom One may not run Android. Still, it's a highly compelling option if you're serious about drawing and have other Android devices at home or work.

Wacom One 12 scorecard

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How to choose

These are the best Android tablets for drawing

While Samsung's tablets dominate the list of best Android tablets for drawing, it's for a good reason. With tablets like the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S11 Ultra, you have a stylus in the box, and Samsung continues innovating. Having a latency as low as 2.8ms is absolutely incredible, and when paired with the best drawing apps, these tablets are second to none. They also have some of the best displays with AMOLED panels and 120Hz refresh rates.

However, outside of the stylus-specific features, the gap between Samsung and other Android tablets is getting slightly smaller. For example, the Amazon Fire Max 11 has some incredible hardware for the price. While its Fire OS software won't be to everyone's taste, you can still side-load the Play Store. You can bundle it with a pen or buy it alone and grab a USI 2.0 stylus down the line.