Depending on how long you’ve been editing photos, you may remember a time when darkrooms and foul-smelling chemicals were how any photo processing or even editing got done.
Thankfully this isn’t the dark ages anymore and unless you like doing that kind of thing, most photo editing is done digitally.
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This means that if you’re looking to do some photo editing at home, the best way to do so is with a handy tablet and we want to help you buy your next one.
Join us won’t you, to take a look at the best tablets for photo editing and create results that would make Ansel Adams jealous.
10+ Best Tablets for Photo Editing in 2023
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (2022) — The best tablet for photo editing overall (Editor’s Choice)
- Microsoft Surface Go 3 — The best two-in-one tablet for photo editing
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7 — The best Windows tablet for photo editing
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+— The best Android tablet for photo editing
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro — The latest Android tablet for editing
- XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro — The best tablet for photo editing in Adobe Lightroom
- iPad Air (2022) — The latest iPad for editing photos
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 — The best heavy-duty Android tablet for photo editing
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 — The best heavy-duty tablet for photo editing
- Amazon Fire HD 10— The best Amazon tablet for photo editing
- Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen — The best FHD Android tablet for editing photos
You may also be interested in our features on the best portable monitors, the best photo editing monitors, and the best photo editing computers.
What is the best tablet for photo editing?
While there are a lot of different options to help you edit your photos like a pro, we have to admit that the iPad Pro 12.9” (2021) from Apple is the best tablet you can buy for photo editing. While not everyone loves the iPad, we encourage you to take a look at our top items below.
Looking for other tablets? Check out our list of the best drawing tablets with a screen, the best standalone tablets, or even the best drawing tablets for kids.
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10+ Best Tablets for Photo Editing in 2023
1. iPad Pro 12.9″ (2022) (Editor’s Choice)
The best tablet for photo editing overall
Screen size: 12.9-inch | Resolution: 2732 x 2048pixels | CPU: Apple M2 chip | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB | OS: iPad OS 16
The biggest draw when it comes to the newest iPad Pro is the inclusion of Apple’s brand new M2 chip.
The M2 chip is a 8 core and 10 core GPU that delivers 4x high-performance and 4x high-efficiency. This chip has 50% more memory bandwidth than the previous (M1) chipset.
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The iPad Pro 2022 version also comes with a liquid Retina XDR display, ultrafast network connectivity, True Tone, Promotion 120Hz refresh rate, and high contrast ratio.
You can detach yourself from desktops, and edit photos using Adobe Photoshop on your iPad Pro 2022.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Superfast M2 chip | ➖ Accessories are still expensive |
| ➕ UP to 2TB of storage | ➖ No microSD slot |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Brilliant 11-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
- M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU
- 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide back camera, and LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR
- 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi 6E
2. Microsoft Surface Go 3
The best two-in-one tablet for photo editing
Screen size: 10.51 Inches | Resolution: 1920×1280 Pixels | CPU: Intel Core processor | Storage: 64GB, 128GB | OS: Windows 11
If you are searching for the most portable surface touchscreen tablet, Microsoft Surface Go 3 is an ideal choice that is perfect for your everyday tasks, homework, and play. It helps in note-taking, sketching, and touch with Windows 11. The device is two-in-one as it adds value that can replace both your tablet and laptop.
It comes with LTE Advanced1 to help you with hassle-free connectivity. It also comes with a battery that lasts up to 11 hours it also offers Fast Charging. It also includes 1080p HD cameras, plus dual Studio Mics.
With portable Microsoft Surface Go 3, you can go anywhere with this tablet that has laptop productivity with a high-res 10.5” 220ppi touchscreen, adjustable Kickstand, Surface Pen, and Type Cover.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Runs Windows 11 | ➖ Pen and keyboard costs extra |
| ➕ Great battery life | |
| ➕ Compatible with Surface Pen |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- The most portable Surface touchscreen 2-in-1. Perfect for your everyday tasks, homework, and play.
- Go-anywhere tablet with laptop productivity for the whole family. Starting at just 1.2 pounds,(4) with high-res 10.5” 220ppi touchscreen, adjustable Kickstand, Surface Pen, and Type Cover.
- All-day battery life. Get up to 11 hours (1) of on-the-go power, plus Fast Charging to take you from low to full when you do need to plug in.
- The new, more intuitive Windows. Work, play, and create in the way most natural to you with Windows 11.
- Plug in the accessories you use today with included USB-C port, headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.0, and MicroSDXC Card Reader.
Surface Go 3 Review
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Want to know more about this impressive tablet? Check out this surface go 3 review video:
Video Credit:Brad Colbow/ YouTube
3. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The best Windows tablet for photo editing
Not everyone on the planet is a fan of Apple products for one reason or another, preferring to use Windows. Many see the Surface Pro 7 from Microsoft as the anti-iPad. With the processing power of a laptop, the Surface Pro 7 features a gorgeous 12.3-inch PixelSense display plus a battery life that outshines many of its competitors.
Easily one of the best photo editing tablets available, the Surface Pro 7 features the latest multicore processors, which is very fancy language meaning there are no limitations on the software that you use, unlike Apple’s tablet.
To add to the Surface Pro 7’s abundant features, Microsoft offers many different accessories including an illuminated keyboard and an accurate pressure-sensitive stylus. While they are sold separately, as a whole, it provides photo editors with everything they need to do high-quality photo editing.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Long battery life | ➖ Accessories aren’t budget-friendly |
| ➕ High precision | ➖ |
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Latest Price on Amazon:
- Next-gen, best-in-class laptop with the versatility of a studio and tablet, so you can type, touch, draw, write, work, and play more naturally
- Faster than Surface Pro 6, with a 10th Gen Intel Core Processor – redefining what’s possible in a thin and light computer. Wireless : Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible. Bluetooth Wireless 5.0...
- More ways to connect, with both USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging
- Standout design that won’t weigh you down — ultra-slim and light Surface Pro 7 starts at just 1.70 pounds.Aspect ratio: 3:2
- All-day battery life upto 10.5 hours, plus the ability to go from empty to full faster — about 80% in just over an hour
4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
The best Android tablet for photo editing
While Windows and macOS may get a lot of attention, those in the know realize that the Android platform is more than simply for a phone. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the Galaxy Tab S7+ from Samsung. Easily the best Android-based tablet for photo editing, in terms of power, it’s like having a laptop in your hand which results in the tablet is a great tool for photo-editing and productivity overall.
With an included stylus, the S-Pen, starting on all of your editing projects becomes much easier from the start. Designed with a beautiful, 12.4-inch screen that features a 120Hz refresh rate that makes using the tablet enjoyable and smooth whether you’re doing a quick edit or going through a long editing session.
While it may cost a bit extra, picking up the Samsung Book Cover Keyboard is a great option, especially if you’re fond of using hotkeys.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Beautiful, high-quality screen | ➖ Android apps aren’t always optimized for tablets |
| ➕ S-Pen included |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- PC PERFORMANCE. TABLET PORTABILITY: Transform your tablet into a PC experience with DeX mode and the optional keyboard with expanded trackpad (Keyboard sold separately)
- REDESIGNED S PEN INCLUDED: With improved 9ms pen latency, the redesigned S Pen can control presentations and take notes effortlessly
- ENTERTAINMENT, UPGRADED: Experience cinematic viewing with larger edge-to-edge displays, TFT LCD screen,** and AKG quad speakers with Dolby Atmos surround sound
- CHARGE FAST, POWER FOR HOURS: Go for hours on a single charge and back to 100% with the fast-charging USB-C port
- SYNC AND SEND FROM ANY SPACE: With One UI 3.1, you can copy text or an image from your phone and paste it on your tablet, and vice versa
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro
The latest Android tablet for editing
Screen size: 10.1-inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 | CPU: Qualcomm SM 735 Snapdragon | Storage: 64/128GB | OS: Android 12
When it comes to UI and UX, Samsung never fails to deliver high-end performance on its devices. The Active 4 Pro tablet has a 10.1 inch rugged display, IP68 waterproof certificate, and long lasting battery that never interrupts your workflow.
With 5G and WiFi 6E connectivity, your device is safe and reliable to carry out tasks anywhere and at any time. A key feature is that the Active 4 Pro is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures which helps edit photos during your extreme adventures.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Beautiful rugged design, high-quality screen | ➖ Storage is not ideal |
| ➕ Withstand Extreme temperatures |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- PC PERFORMANCE. TABLET PORTABILITY: Transform your tablet into a PC experience with DeX mode and the optional keyboard with expanded trackpad (Keyboard sold separately)
- REDESIGNED S PEN INCLUDED: With improved 9ms pen latency, the redesigned S Pen can control presentations and take notes effortlessly
- ENTERTAINMENT, UPGRADED: Experience cinematic viewing with larger edge-to-edge displays, TFT LCD screen,** and AKG quad speakers with Dolby Atmos surround sound
- CHARGE FAST, POWER FOR HOURS: Go for hours on a single charge and back to 100% with the fast-charging USB-C port
- SYNC AND SEND FROM ANY SPACE: With One UI 3.1, you can copy text or an image from your phone and paste it on your tablet, and vice versa
6. XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro
The best tablet for photo editing in Adobe Lightroom
It can be tough for any new photo editor to pick a tablet solely based on the name of the brand that a tablet has on it. That’s why choosing a tablet that not only stands on its own when compared to the other options out there is so important and that’s why we like the Artist 15.6 Pro from XP-Pen so much.
With its beautiful 15.6-inch screen that’s not only lightweight, but also offers pressure and tilt sensitivity, and includes a battery-free stylus, the Artist tablet is one of the best options out there. While it may have one or two things that keep it from truly competing with the big guns in the digital tablet space, anyone looking for a great tablet to use with Adobe Lightroom will not be disappointed.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Affordable | ➖ Can have pressure and tilt issues |
| ➕ Eight shortcut keys and red dial | ➖ Could use a color calibration |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 【Outstanding Visuals】 the immersive 15.6 inch large screen with 1920x1080p full HD resolution presents your creation in the depth of detail, provides you with clarity to see every detail of your...
- 【8 customized express keys】the Artist 15.6 Pro monitor features 8 fully customizable shortcut keys and puts more customization options at your fingertips to suit you preferred work style, allowing...
- 【Full-laminated Technology】XPPen Artist15.6 Pro art tablet is adopting full-laminated technology, seamlessly combines the glass and the screen, to create a distraction-free working environment...
- 【Advanced Pen Performance】With up to 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, the PA2 Battery-free Stylus provides you with increased accuracy and enhanced performance to create the finest sketches...
- 【Brilliant Color】The 15.6 inch full-laminated IPS Display pairs a superb color accuracy of 88% NTSC（120% sRGB ) with 178 degrees of visual angle and delivers rich colors, vivid images, and...
7. iPad Air (2022)
The latest iPad for editing photos
Screen size: 10.9 inch | Resolution: 2360×1640 | Storage: 256 GB | OS: iPad OS 15.4 (upgradable up to 16.1)
With the latest Liquid Retina IPS LCD display you can edit photos with high-precision. The M1 Octa core chip from Apple provides blazing fast performance while you’re editing, and with a ten hour battery life, you can easily get the most of working experience with this device.
Apple iPad Air (2022) is equipped with smart input device technology such as the Smart keyboard Folio, and Magic keyboard. With high-quality camera installed on this device, you can capture photos instantly and edit them at once, without the need for any professional camera equipments.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ 10.9 inch Liquid Retina display | ➖ battery life could be improved |
| ➕ Apple M1 chip, Octa core graphics |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, P3 wide color, and an antireflective coating
- Apple M1 chip with Neural Engine
- 12MP Wide camera
- 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Up to 256GB of storage
8. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
The best heavy-duty Android tablet for photo editing
Screen size: 10.5-inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 | CPU: Octacore Cortex A75 | Storage: 128 GB | OS: Android 11
You may get an immersive editing experience with the 10.5 inch TFT LCD display along with high refresh rates and contrast ratio. The Tab A8 has expandable memory of up to 1TB, so you can never run out of storage with this device.
It comes with a massive 7000+mAh battery lets you perform tasks seamlessly all day long, with fast charging support. This device comes with Mali G52 MP2 GPU operating under the Unisoc Tiger T618 nm chipset. Overall, the Galaxy Tab A8 offers optimum editing experience at any given instance.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Immersive TFT LCD Display | ➖ Higher device storage costs more |
| ➕ Powerful Chipset and processor |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 32GB internal Storage, 3GB RAM, MicroSD card slot to allow you easily expand your tablet's memory, 128GB MicroSD Card, Type-C charging cable, Stylus Pen, Cleaning Cloth, Stand Cover Case included
- 10.5-inch TFT Display 1920 x 1200 Screen Resolution, high-resolution screen is ideal for gaming and streaming HD content, Whether your family is streaming or video chatting with friends, bring out the...
- Octa-core 2 x 2.0GHz + 6 x 2.0GHz Processor with The right combination of fast performance and power efficiency, It allows rapid multitasking, delivers smooth response and unleashes stunning graphics
- 5MP front camera and 8MP rear camera dual cameras for photos and face-to-face chat, Ultra fast 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth enabled, 1 x USB-C
- Android 11 OS, Up to 13 hours Battery life, long-lasting battery lets you go unplugged for hours to keep the family fun going
9. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3
The best heavy-duty tablet for photo editing
Not every great photo is taken in someone’s backyard or studio. When you’re taking pictures in the elements, having a tablet to do some photo editing right there is important and the Galaxy Tab Active3 from Samsung is up to the task.
With an IP68 water-resistant rating as well as being drop-proof up to four and a half feet, the tablet also includes a replaceable battery. Even better, like other Samsung tablets, the Active3 also comes with an S-Pen saving you money. The overall build is designed so you can use the touch screen, even with gloves on. The Galaxy Tab Active3 gives you the tools to do your photo editing anywhere you need to.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Water-resistant | ➖ The overall speed could be better |
| ➕ Drop-proof |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- UNLOCKED ON THE GO —Compatible with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile Networks
- MILITARY-GRADE DESIGN (MIL STD 810H, IP68 S Pen + Anti Shock): Conquer the elements and don’t sweat the accidents. Dust, dirt, sand and water won’t get in your way with the IP681 rated Galaxy Tab...
- LONG-LASTING, FAST-CHARGING and REPLACEABLE BATTERY plus NO BATTERY MODE: Power through any project thanks to a long-lasting battery that won’t stop until your day does. Need to work even longer,...
- WIRELESS DeX: Do more with a single device. With Samsung Wireless DeX, you can boost productivity and use your Galaxy Tab Active3 like a PC — that way you save money and your team can bring...
- ENHANCED TOUCH CAPABILITY : The gloves don’t have to come off, so your team stays safe and dry while they get more done. With enhanced touch capabilities settings, they can take advantage of an...
10. Amazon Fire HD 10
The best Amazon tablet for photo editing
We know that seeing the Fire HD 10 tablet from Amazon may be a surprising choice to see on our list but hear us out. The Fire HD 10 is a great, affordable tablet that is a great option for light photo editing work as well as being just lightweight and portable enough for you to showcase your work.
With storage options of 32 or 64GB available, you can expand the memory up to 256GB thanks to the MicroSD slot on the tablet. As a member of Amazon’s line of products, it comes with the company’s proprietary Alexa voice-assistant system.
While this means that any apps outside of Amazon’s system, like Google apps, aren’t available, the ever-growing stable of options provides you with quality apps for lightweight photo editing.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Incredibly affordable | ➖ Apps can be limited |
| ➕ Quality hardware |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Fast and responsive - powerful octa-core processor and 3 GB RAM. 50% more RAM than previous generation.
- Long-lasting 12-hour battery and 32 or 64 GB internal storage. Add up to 1 TB with microSD (sold separately).
- Brighter display - Vivid 10.1" 1080p Full HD display is 10% brighter than previous generation, with more than 2 million pixels. Fire HD 10 is almost 20% brighter than Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2022).
- Enjoy your favorite apps like Netflix, Facebook, Hulu, Instagram, TikTok, and more through Amazon’s Appstore (Google Play not supported. Subscription for some apps required).
- Stay connected - Download apps like Zoom, or ask Alexa to make video calls to friends and family.
11. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen
The best FHD Android tablet for editing photos
Screen size: 10.6-inch | Resolution: 2000 x 1200 | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon SM6225 | Storage: 128 GB | OS: Android 12
Lenovo Tab M10 plus is available in two variants, the Qualcomm chipset and the Mediatek processor. Both variants offer high-end performance when it comes to gaming and multi-tasking. The device comes with a 7700mAh battery that keeps you on the move throughout the day.
It is highly portable and lightweight, so you can get the job done with its heavy performance. The Tab M10 plus is equipped with the Adreno 610 GPU that comes in handy while editing your photos. The overall build quality and performance of the Tab M10 Plus makes it the best budget friendly Android tablet for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ IPS LCD Display, Octacore chipset | ➖ lack of 4K video recording |
| ➕ Stylus support, expandable memory | ➖ few color options |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- The dazzling, 10.6" FHD IPS display on this Android tablet lets you stream your video services at up to 1080p, while the quad speaker system optimized for Dolby Atmos envelops you with sound
- A lightweight, portable tablet like the Tab M10 Plus Gen 3 is great for student research and projects, working with the Lenovo Instant Memo app to make on-screen input a breeze
- Keep focused with Immersive Reading Mode, which makes long screen sessions easier on the eyes with enhanced readability, so it's more like reading on paper
- The Tab M10 Plus Gen 3 tablet includes Android 12 for all of the latest features and three years of security and other updates
- Stream, study, and multitask for hours with great processing power and a battery that can run the whole day so you can use it just about anywhere
How to Choose the Best Tablet for Photo Editing to Fit Your Needs
Tablets these days are a dime a dozen, so figuring out exactly what to look for you to take your already amazing photos and make them gallery worth can be tough. Luckily, we like to go shopping and have done the hard work for you.
Display
Whether your tablet has a display or not, having a tablet that can render your photo accurately on whatever screen you choose is important. For tablets with a screen, pay attention to the color gamut (a wider color gamut is always better), the contrast ratio, and the brightness.
For tablets without a screen, make sure that the tablet is optimized for the touching you’ll be doing with a stylus so that you don’t run into issues with accidental touches or edits.
Storage
Any photo files, especially large hi-res files can take up a lot of room. You want to make sure you’re tablet not only comes with a lot of storage space or, if it can, the ability to expand its storage using a microSD card.
Operating System
The three main operating systems are iOS, Android, and Windows, so you must check for the OS before you buy according to your requirements. Operating systems like iOS and Android will allow you to run only software with mobile versions.
If you are choosing Windows tablets, then they can run Windows to help you work with the full desktop version of whichever software you like.
Processor
If you want to edit your photos, the software that helps in editing requires a lot of power, especially when you are working with high-resolution pictures, so you must check for a powerful CPU that can run the software and cope with large files.
Screen Size and Quality
It is best to work with a large screen that works best for photo editing software. The screen should be bright with an exceptional degree of color accuracy.
The key features to pay concentration to while buying a tablet for photo editing are screen size, brightness, color, and contrast ratio.
Battery Life
While photo editing, the device uses a lot of power so you must make sure that the tablet can work for at least 10 hours. Having poor battery performance may disturb your workflow, so battery performance is crucial.
App Availability
Tablets come with varying processors and operating systems, so you must make sure that the photo editing apps you want are available for your tablet.
For example, Photoshop runs only on Windows but not on iOS and Android. The Android version of this application is Photoshop Express which is more scaled-down. The mobile version for the M1 iPad is still available but lacks some key features.
However, if you are using Affinity, then it can run on both iOS and Windows which is impossible on Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the features of Wacom Intuos Pro Medium which makes it a best choice for Photo Editing?
Wacom Intuos Pro Medium has features such as Multi-touch support, Comfortable for both wireless or wired connection, pressure sensitivity of 8,192 level and supports both macOS and Windows.
What is the recommended GB I need for photo editing?
A minimum of 12 GB DDR4 2400MHZ is required for photo editing. It is recommended to have 16 – 64 GB DDR4 2400MHZ.
10+ Best Tablets for Photo Editing in 2023
Editing your photos, regardless of whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional can be a tough process without the right tools. Our list of the best tablets for photo editing presents you with many different options, each of them a high-quality choice for any skill level.
No matter which you choose, any of these tablets will handle any task you ask of them.
