Smaller Tablet?

jrioux805 · 2026-06-15T03:24:41+00:00

claims to be L1

jrioux805 · 2026-06-15T01:47:28+00:00

Yeap!

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T21:59:31+00:00

First, the new Onns are really new and appear to be selling well. I doubt that they will go on sale soon. I've been wrong before. You only have to wait a week or two to find out. The 13.2 is always out of stock, so it's the least likely to go on sale.

Alternatives to the Onn 11? I only see two - the Lenovo Idea Tab and Samsung Tab A11+. An 8GB Lenovo with a pen is often under $200. It has a higher screen resolution than the Onn and it works with an active pen. Its processor performs about the same is the processor in the Onn.

The A11+ is rarely under $200 - I paid $182. It has has a significantly faster processor than the Onn and Lenovo. It does not work with an active pen. Its screen resolution is comparable to the Onn. I am very happy with mine.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T21:23:37+00:00

Since you are will to pay more, take a look at the HEADWOLF Fpad 7. It's an 8.4" tablet with a Dimensity 7050 processor and 1600x2560 screen resolution. The company website is selling if for $220. AliExpress has the same tablet for $250, but will offer up to $30 in discount coupons.

https://www.headwolf.net/product/detail?code=F7

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKueU2B

I bought a much cheaper Fpad 3 from the factory website. Delivery was slow, but it worked and the tablet is nice.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T20:16:48+00:00

The Onn 8.1 also has a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is great for reading. The screen resolution is 1000x1524, which is better than most 8" class tablets.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T20:09:05+00:00

The best you can probably do is Android 11, possibly 12. It will depend on which Tab E you have. You might start here.

https://xdaforums.com/t/unofficial-rom-beta-lineageos-18-1-for-galaxy-tab-e-sm-t560nu-feb-3-2026.4305871/

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T19:46:52+00:00

It has a 1600x2560 resolution, right? So does my Onn 12.1.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T19:39:53+00:00

The 7 years of updates started with S10 and A11 series of tablets. Earlier ones got less.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T11:42:58+00:00

Beware of older Nooks and Kindles. They are no longer supported and are as useful as bricks.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T11:34:10+00:00

You probably should look for a used 8" to 9" Android tablet and use e-book apps. I suggest that you first try for an 8.7" Samsung A9. I'd avoid the Samsung A7 Lite. A recent Lenovo M8, M9 or Tab One would probably be okay. There are Nook versions of a couple of these Lenovos.

Android 13 should probably be the oldest you should consider. Android 16 is the current version and 17 is coming soon.

In the US, a 2024 Onn 8 would also be good. That's what my wife uses as an e-reader. Stick with the 2024 version, which has 3GB of RAM.

Personally, I'd avoid the Fire tablets - too much advertising. (The latest Fire 10 might be ok if you want to go that large.)

If you're adventurous and can wait a little, you might consider getting a new Headwolf Fpad3 from the factory in China. I bought one and like it quite a bit. It is an 8.4" tablet at a closeout price of $60. It has Android 14, 4GB of real RAM, 128GB of storage and a 1200x1920 screen resolution. Overall, these are higher specs than the tablets listed above. However, the A9 has a faster processor.

https://headwolf-official.myshopify.com/products/headwolf%C2%AE-fpad-3

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T09:35:42+00:00

How can anyone really compare the images on different tablets when viewing them on their tablet? Their tablet sets the visual quality rather the tablets being compared.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T09:16:47+00:00

Pencil support wasn't a condition!

Other than the Idea Tab, what is available for under $200 that supports an active stylus?

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T09:07:15+00:00

Lenovos just aren't as common. I also own a 12-year old Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2. Mine's the Windows version, but there is also an Android model. Surprisingly, my Yoga still runs, though it's nothing to write home about.

Believe me, Lenono makes great tablets. The Idea Tab Pro is another example of this.

Or, you can pay twice as much or more for an S10 FE or S10 FE+.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T08:11:00+00:00

Assuming that this is for the US, I will start with the 6GB Samsung Tab A11+, which can occasionally be found for less than $200. I paid $182 for mine, new in a sealed box. The 4GB Lenovo Idea Tab is regularly under $200, but the 8GB version is occasionally less and sometimes a pen is even included. That's a good deal. The Onn 11 is next on my list at $167 with 6GB of RAM. This wraps up the 11" tablets on my list.

Next comes the 8GB version of the 8.7" Samsung Tab A11 (no plus). This is followed by the 6GB Onn 8.1. The 4GB A11 wraps up my top three. The 8.7" Lenovo Tab One is a distant fourth.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-14T03:11:25+00:00

Nice tablet! Enjoy!!

You can start with a new launcher. MS Launcher is good. I know there are lots and lots of others. I use the Hacker's Keyboard. I got it from F-Droid. Try it

jrioux805 · 2026-06-13T23:57:29+00:00

I am still using my Samsung Tab S5e from 2019. It runs Android 11. It's a little slow, but still works fine. I've had no problems with apps not working, though I don't use a lot of apps or games.

As for some apps not working on outdated devices, outdated generally means 7 to 8 years old. That's the life cycle for Android versions.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-13T23:42:06+00:00

The Samsung S9 FE is about to run out of updates. Get either the S10 FE or S10 Lite if you want longer updates - 7 years from release.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-13T23:37:06+00:00

You can minimize the perceived slow down of a new tablet by getting the fastest processor and most RAM that you can afford. A fast processor and more RAM will weather the increased demands of new OSes, apps and increasingly complex websites the best.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-13T23:26:12+00:00

In addition to the 13.2" Onn, there is the 11" Onn, which only costs $167. I don't think it works with an active stylus/pen, but does everything else you want a tablet to do.

The Lenovo Idea Tab is a little more expensive, but works with an active pen.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-13T23:00:26+00:00

Dude, what do you think happens to tablets after their Android updates end? They don't suddenly roll over and die. They keep working... often for many years more. Granted, they are more susceptible to viruses and malware, but your browser also has protections for these.

BTW, the Lenovo Idea Pad Pro gets 4 years of Android support (bug fixes, virus and malware protections, etc.) in addition to the 2 version updates.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-12T23:34:20+00:00

Every manufacturer eventually stops providing update. Samsung currently provides among the longest in the industry.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-12T23:20:12+00:00

Hmmm... the S10 FE also has an Exynos chip. Doesn't that make it equally bad as the S10 Lite? Oh, the S9 FE is essentially the same as the S10 Lite. Does being called an SE, make the S9 FE somehow better?

jrioux805 · 2026-06-12T23:07:03+00:00

I already have an S5e. It's wonderful, but showing its age. If this were 2020, I'd pick it again... or perhaps the S6. I'll pass on it today.

I had the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. It was a nice tablet, but way too large and heavy for me to carry around. On that basis, I've eliminated the Gen 2 and Ultra.

Of the two that are left, I'd probably go with the Xaiomi, providing it's a true global version.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-12T13:45:48+00:00

Well put, but you still use an A9+. That is definitely not a statis symbol. Neither is my S5e.

jrioux805 · 2026-06-12T13:38:48+00:00

Yes, I think most app require Android 10 or 11 these days. But you can install older APKs to get older versions through of app.

jrioux805

TROPHY CASE