Just a few years ago, it was unthinkable that we might look for a tablet for photo editing. The tablet computer as we know it, led by Apple’s iPad, has only just become a teenager. And although it has always had some editing capability, storage and processing were never up to “proper” photo editing standards.
But not anymore. The current crop of devices make it easy to find a tablet for photo editing. We’ve brought together a collection of top devices that will handle your tweaking and dodging with ease.
What Is the Best Tablet for Photo Editing?
The days are long gone when only a powerful desktop computer would be useful for editing photos. Apart from anything else, modern tablet computers are more powerful than desktop computers of only a few years ago.
Add to that the convenience of being able to carry them everywhere and the ease of using a pen or stylus. And let’s not forget about the quality of screens either. It’s unlikely that you’d choose a tablet as your only photo editing device. But they’re a great choice if you want a device to travel with or to take on client visits.
Let’s take a look at a summary of the best tablets for photo editing.
- Superfast Apple Silicon M2 processor
- Huge 12.9-inch screen
- Up to 2 TB of storage
- Photoshop and Lightroom available for iOS
- Windows software for cross-platform compatibility
- Support for up to two external displays
- Handy kickstand
- 13-inch screen
- OLED screen for great contrast
- 120 Hz refresh rate
- Dolby Vision and HDR10+
- Available with keyboard and Pen 3
- Smart integrated magnetic stand with speaker
- Works as a home hub
- Excellent value
- Bright and clear screen
- Dynamic AMOLED screen
- 120 Hz refresh rate
- Optional backlit keyboard and S Pen
- Fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
- Works with Apple Pencil (1st Gen)
- Bright, crisp screen
- Supports one 4K external monitor
- Excellent operating system
- Immersive 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display
- Advanced M1 chip for speed
- High-quality cameras for crisp shots
- Supports Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil
- PC performance meets tablet portability
- Cinematic viewing with edge-to-edge display
- Redesigned S Pen for effortless control
- Fast-charging for hours of use
Choosing the Best Tablet for Photo Editing
Now we’re going to look in more detail at our recommendations, starting with our top pick.
1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch 2022 M2 Chip
| Brand |
Brand
Apple
|
| Operating System |
Operating System
iOS
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
12.9 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
2732 x 2048 pixels
|
| Maximum Brightness |
Maximum Brightness
1600 nits
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Wide color (P3) display, Apple Silicon M2 chip
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for the most capable tablet computer available
|
The latest Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch is simply the best tablet available. The M2 Apple Silicon chip that runs it caused a stir when it was introduced in Apple laptops. But here it is running a humble iPad. But this iPad has nothing to be humble about.
The top models are faster, have more RAM and ROM, and have faster graphics speeds than my top-of-the-line iMac from six years ago. The iMac only wins on screen size (!) and connectivity. All this is to say the iPad Pro has all the processing power you’ll need to edit photos.
What you get with this (the biggest iPad Apple offers) is a 12.9-inch diagonal screen of exceptional clarity. It is very easy on the eye, with over 10,000 mini LEDs. These are controlled by more than 2,500 local dimming zones. This means that the screen is able to display deep blacks and bright highlights at the same time. In fact, Apple says it achieves a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1.
Using my iMac as a reference point once again, it was praised in 2o15 for its 5K screen with a 1,176:1 contrast ratio. That’s not even close to what you get with this iPad. This all means that you have plenty of processing power and display quality to effectively work on your photos. And with up to 2 TB of storage, there’s plenty of room for your photos as well.
And when it comes to editing those photos, you have a whole range of options. At the most basic, you can use the iPad’s own Photos app. This is fine for everyday users. But our review is aimed at those of you who want to go that little bit further.
There are too many apps to go into detail. But the standout ones are well-known desktop programs with an iPad version. So, if you like Affinity Photo from Serif, then you’ll be pleased to find a full-featured iPad app. It comes free with Affinity Photo for desktop. Or it’s a fairly low price for a one-off purchase. Serif emphasizes they are subscription-free.
That is in contrast, of course, to the market leader Adobe. There are versions of Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator for iPad. They bring lots of creative power to the iPad. How many features and how transferable everything is depends slightly on which versions of the Adobe License you buy. You can read our articles on buying Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator to help you decide. You might also want to look at everything offered by the Adobe Creative Cloud.
All of this means, of course, that this iPad is a great choice for photo editing. With the 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro, you get a powerful portable computer with a touchscreen. You also get access to some of the best photo editing software around. We think it’s the best choice for photo editing on a tablet.
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 9
| Brand |
Brand
Microsoft
|
| Operating System |
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 11
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
13 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
2880 x 1920
|
| Maximum Brightness |
Maximum Brightness
453 nits
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Supports up to two external monitors and runs Windows software
|
| Best For |
Best For
Windows users looking for a powerful hybrid laptop/tablet
|
In the FAQ section for the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, Microsoft asks, “Is the Surface Pro 9 a laptop?” The unambiguous answer they give is a definitive yes. And this perhaps underlines the difference in approach between these two rivals.
Apple’s iPad has always been a tablet computer. That has governed its conception and development. The Microsoft Surface seems to have gone more for a touchscreen laptop where the keyboard is optional. This shows in the presence, from the outset, of the built-in adjustable kickstand. And the presence, of course, of Windows as the OS.
Apple has kept the distinction between MacOS and iOS. And it is only recently that iPads have seen the introduction of laptop processors with the M1 and M2 Apple Silicon. Microsoft has a foot in both courts. They have a Surface Pro 9 with an Arm chip and a version with an Intel processor.
In use, the Surface Pro has always impressed. The hybrid laptop/tablet space that it occupies suits lots of users. And the familiarity of the Windows environment is a big selling point. The question is whether this makes it a great photo editing tablet.
The answer is that the Surface Pro will do a good job of editing your photos. You can use Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom with ease. But the lack of a graphics card will hold it back on more power-hungry jobs.
You can also opt for ACDSee’s Photo Studio or Luminar Neo, for instance. All well-respected applications for getting the best from your images. It took Affinity a while to provide a Windows version of their software. But now their well-liked Affinity Photo is available for the Windows operating system.
If you have the choice, the Intel i7 chip will serve you better for editing photos. It is better for intensive processing than the Arm chip. The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is well worth considering as a tablet for photo editing, especially for Windows users.
3. Lenovo Tablet P11 Pro Gen 2
| Brand |
Brand
Lenovo
|
| Operating System |
Operating System
Android
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
11.2 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
1536 x 2560
|
| Maximum Brightness |
Maximum Brightness
600 nits
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
OLED screen and up to 8 GB RAM
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a budget editing tablet
|
The Lenovo Tablet P11 Pro Gen 2 introduces the third significant operating system in this field—Android. And it is our first “budget” tablet for photo editing. This means that instead of being close to or more than $1000, it is only a few hundred dollars. That’s not insignificant, but it’s not such a huge investment.
Of course, a few hundred dollars spent on poor kit is a few hundred dollars wasted. But this Lenovo delivers, especially considering the price bracket. Some eyebrows were raised on release, as the latest version introduced plastic in the case rather than aluminum. This does have the effect of making the tablet feel cheaper, even if it doesn’t impact the actual quality. And only the years will tell if it’s as durable as the aluminum version.
The screen is key for photo editing, of course. And here is where the Lenovo impresses. The OLED display is bright and clear. The 120 Hz refresh rate is a definite plus, as are Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and DCI-P3 compatibility.
If you want to use a stylus, then Lenovo’s Precision Pen 3 works well. Hover over the screen to see precisely where your input will land. And take advantage of its pressure sensitivity and low-latency operation. If you buy your Lenovo with a keyboard and cover, then the Pen 3 lives in a recessed protective slip on the back cover.
The next thing to explore, as this is our first Android device, is the OS and available software. One love-it-hate-it aspect of Android is what manufacturers do with the OS. You find it in its “purest” form on Google Pixel devices. Other brands impose their own styling on top of Android. I have a friend who is a front-end and UX quality control software engineer who thinks messing with Google’s OS almost always makes it worse.
Lenovo has taken a light-touch approach. What you get is mainly Android (it shipped with Android 12 and will be supported at least up to Android 14). And there are a few Lenovo touches that don’t eat into the Android experience.
As for editing software, there are Android versions of Photoshop and Lightroom. There are also Android options for ACDsee, as well as Google’s own Snapseed. Because the Google Play Store is not as tightly curated as the Apple App Store, you will find more editing apps there. But you’ll also find more variety in quality, so choose wisely.
The performance of the Lenovo Tablet P11 Pro Gen 2 for editing is more than adequate. And for the price, it’s impressive. The quality of the display and the decent processing speeds help with this. And the excellent dynamic range of the OLEDs means you get decent blacks where you want them. If you’re on a tight budget and happy with the Android ecosystem, this is definitely worth a look.
4. Google Pixel Tablet 11 Inch with Stand
| Brand |
Brand
Google
|
| Operating System |
Operating System
Android
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
11 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
2560 x 1600
|
| Maximum Brightness |
Maximum Brightness
500 nits
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Comes with a stand with integrated speaker
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for the cleanest Android experience
|
The Google Pixel Tablet is an unusual beast in this review. True, it is a tablet, just like all the others. But it is also designed to be a home hub. It attaches to an angled stand that doubles as a speaker. It’s a bit similar to placing your tablet on an Amazon Echo.
While this adds to its day-to-day functionality, we also need to check that it doesn’t compromise it as a tablet for photo editing. As we’ve already noted, Android is Google’s baby. This means that with the Pixel, the manufacturer and software developer have worked hand-in-hand. If you think that makes it sound a lot like Apple, you’d be right.
The Android experience is most pure in a Pixel device. As I write this, the Pixel Tablet is in line for an early update to Android 14. So it’s at the front of OS performance. In the real world, it works well. The LCD screen is bright and crisp. And even though it only has a 60 Hz refresh rate, it performs well. And there’s no problem with processing speed.
For photo editing, the same applies to this tablet as to all Android devices. You won’t find Affinity Photo for Android. But you will find a load of editing apps, including the industry-leading Photoshop and Lightroom. The Pixel’s Tensor G2 SoC processor will handle most of what you throw at it.
It seems that the unusual pairing of the tablet with the speaker stand hasn’t had a negative impact on the product. This isn’t a slightly improved Google Nest. Rather, it’s a tablet with added Nest capabilities. And that means the Google Pixel Tablet is an attractive choice for the Android user looking for a tablet for photo editing.
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus 12.4
| Brand |
Brand
Samsung
|
| Operating System |
Operating System
Android
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
12.4 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
2800 x 1752
|
| Maximum Brightness |
Maximum Brightness
650 nits
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Dynamic AMOLED screen, dust- and water-resistant
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for the best Android tablet
|
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is a premium tablet from one of the world leaders in mobile devices. You’d expect it to be chock-full of quality. And it’s unlikely that you’ll be disappointed with the reality. First impressions are good. There’s an attractive blasted aluminum finish in a range of classy colors. And it feels solid and well-balanced in the hand. This is within a couple of hundred bucks of Apple’s flagship iPad Pro, so you are right to expect top quality.
The quality extends to the screen on the Galaxy Tab. The Dynamic AMOLED display gives you deep blacks and vivid colors, with an HDR10+ rating. If you’re editing video or gaming, you’ll like the 120 Hz refresh rate. There’s even some smart auto-adjustment in contrast as well as brightness when you take your tablet outside.
Processing power comes from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. If you like Samsung’s implementation of Android OS, then you’ll like the Galaxy Tab. Samsung is one of the Android families that likes to stamp their own mark on the OS. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but there are millions of users who seem to like it a lot.
You have access, of course, to the Google Play Store. Here you will find the usual photo editing apps, including Photoshop and Lightroom. And Samsung’s S Pen is well suited to creative pursuits as much as note-taking and highlighting. And the optional keyboard provides backlit keys and a trackpad for a more laptop-like experience.
If you like Samsung’s OS, then you will feel very at home with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+. It’s a premium product and will work superbly as a tablet for photo editing. It has the power, display, and capacity to create high-quality images. It’s well worth your consideration.
6. iPad 10th Generation 10.9 inch
| Brand |
Brand
Apple
|
| Operating System |
Operating System
iOS
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
10.9 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
2360 x 1640
|
| Maximum Brightness |
Maximum Brightness
500 nits
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Works with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Portfolio
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a budget iPad
|
The Apple iPad 10.9 inch (10th Generation) is the direct descendant of the tablet that created the genre. It’s well known that Steve Jobs was not as keen on tablet computers as they were before the iPad. But the Cupertino baby brought all the ease of use of the iPhone to the tablet. And things changed forever.
Although it’s the direct descendant, it’s almost unrecognizable in performance. And it’s surprisingly affordable, given that it’s an iPad. You could get two, maybe even three of these for the price of the flagship iPad Pro.
Despite that, the specs and the performance are not at all shabby. The design is sleek and attractive. The screen is excellent. But at 10.9 inches, it’s about the limit for a tablet for editing photos (that’s why we haven’t included the iPad Mini—it’s just too small).
This iPad adds Apple Pencil (1st Gen) functionality and the Smart Keyboard Portfolio. And if you want to make it even more laptop-like, you can run a 4K external monitor. It’s never going to replace a MacBook Pro, but it’s an intriguing proposition for college students or busy professionals.
Where the iPad really comes into its own as a tablet for photo editing is in the range of apps available. As we’ve already seen, this includes Affinity Photo, Photoshop, and Lightroom. If you’re in the Adobe world, the iPad is a natural choice. The Apple iPad 10.9 inch (10th Generation) really offers a good-value entry into editing photos on a tablet.
7. 2022 Apple iPad Air 10.9
| Brand |
Brand
Apple
|
| Operating System |
Operating System
iOS
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
10.9 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
2360 x 1640
|
| Maximum Brightness |
Maximum Brightness
500 nits
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Works with Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a light but fast iPad
|
The Apple iPad Air 10.9 could easily have come above the normal iPad in this review. It’s only really the cost that put it here. In other respects, it’s a better beast. It has Apple Silicon in the form of an M1 chip. And it works with the latest Apple Pencil and the rather lovely Magic Keyboard. But it is quite a bit pricier (but not as much as the iPad Pro).
The M1 chip is especially powerful in a tablet as light as the iPad Air. It means that you’ll have no trouble running photo editing apps. And even video editing will work for you. You always have to remember, of course, that there are limitations. The screen size is one. A 10.9-inch screen is going to limit more detailed photo edits.
On the other hand, the iPad Air supports up to one 6K external monitor. So if you plan to edit on the go but also at home, that is one option. The better tablets become, the more blurred the lines are between them and laptops.
The iPad Air certainly brings a lot of power and versatility to a tablet for photo editing. Not everyone has pockets deep enough to have a dedicated laptop or desktop for editing and a tablet. If you need the latter for your activities, then the Apple iPad Air 10.9 could well satisfy your needs overall.
8. SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7: 12.4- Android Tablet, 128GB, S Pen
| Brand |
Brand
SAMSUNG
|
| Operating System |
Operating System
Android
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
12.4 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
2560 x 1600
|
| Maximum Brightness |
Maximum Brightness
432 nits
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Large screen, includes S Pen
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a cheaper Samsung tablet
|
The SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7: 12.4-inch Android Tablet combines a midrange price with a large screen. Similar in cost to the iPad 10.9-inch tablet, this has a 12.4-inch screen. And it includes Samsung’s very competent S Pen. An Apple Pencil is going to be an additional purchase with the iPad.
The whole package is very nicely put together. The case is available in a range of colors and is made of aluminum. The screen is LCD rather than the AMOLED found on the more expensive Galaxy tablets. And it has a maximum refresh rate of 60 Hz. All of these specs are decent. And if you’re looking for a larger screen from a premium brand, it’s well worth a look.
Many Android tablets support DeX mode, which allows a more desktop-like experience. There are multiple windows and a taskbar. But on smaller tablets, it’s often of limited use simply because the screen size is so limited. But here, you have enough glass real estate for it to come into its own. And the Galaxy S7 could be a great choice as a laptop/tablet compromise.
As for being a tablet for photo editing, there’s enough power in the Snapdragon 750G chip to keep you happy. The range of apps, of course, is the same as for other Android tablets. The SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7: 12.4-inch Android Tablet hits quite a sweet spot between power, size, and price. We think it’s well worth a look.
Buyer’s Guide—Best Tablet for Photo Editing
What Is the Best Operating System for a Tablet?
Tablet computers manage to combine two of the great rivalries of the tech world—Apple vs Microsoft and Apple vs Android. Sometimes you won’t find much rational debate on the topic.
But in general, there’s a broad consensus that for photo editing, the iPad gives you the best experience and capability. That’s not to say that Android and Windows are poor. But the ultimate winner is iOS.
What Are the Most Important Features to Look Out For?
This falls into three main areas: the screen (size and clarity), processing power, and app availability.
-
- Screen: Obviously, the size of the screen affects how easy it is to edit photos on. As does resolution. But we haven’t selected any low-resolution tablets here. The brightness affects how easy it is to see the images in bright light, as well as the scale of contrast between light and dark areas. The refresh rate of the screen will affect how smoothly scrolling and video editing is.
- Processor: You’ll find a number of different names for the processors involved in running your tablet. Even within one company, you will find different naming conventions. All of these tablets have enough processing power to get you editing with ease. One of the reasons for the top spot for the iPad Pro, however, is the M2 chip. It’s impressive in a desktop or a laptop, so to find it in a tablet is quite something.
- Apps: Apple’s iOS is the winner here. There are more high-end apps available for the iPad than for the other tablets. So you won’t lack a powerful solution for editing your photos.
Conclusion: The Best Tablet for Photo Editing
There’s a pretty clear winner here if you are neutral about your tablet’s operating system. The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch is a superb tablet computer. It’s big, but that is perfect for photo editing. If your choice is guided by working across various devices, then the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is perfect for Windows and the Lenovo Tablet P11 Pro Gen 2 for Android. If you’re working with a Samsung Galaxy phone, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is also an excellent machine.
