Pen-enabled mobile device recommendations

Before you purchase:

If you want to see the full set recommendations go here: Drawing tablet recommendations

Overview

The choices for standalone mobile devices essentially come down to Apple iPads vs Android tablets. Each has their advantages.

For drawing

These are for when you want a GREAT drawing experience. Especially if you are already used to drawing tablets or Wacom professional tablets and pens.

EXCELLENT

OK

  • XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad 2024 - I don't have any experience with this tablet.

  • XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad 2025 (MDP1221) - my notes on this tablet

For general usage

This is when you want a general-purpose mobile device, but also want decent pen support for things like sketching, notetaking, whiteboarding, etc.

  • Apple iPads + the Apple Pencil - My notes on using Apple iPads

    • Apple iPads can play the role of a drawing tablet very well. Do keep in mind, the Apple Pencil does not come with an iPad so you will have to purchase the pencil separately.

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S devices - My notes on Samsung Galaxy Tab S Series

    • As an alternative to the Apple ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S series of tablets is compelling. One great advantage of the Galaxy Tab S series is that they come with the Samsung S pen. So that keeps the cost down.

    • There are lots of models. Here are the

Avoid

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A Series - NOT RECOMMENDED of tablets. More here: Samsung Galaxy Tab A

  • Huion Slate - Huion Kamvas Slate 10 NOT RECOMMENDED

Budget Android choices

Resources

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