If you’ve been wanting a new tablet, the October Prime Day event usually brings some of the most aggressive markdowns of the year on Apple, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Lenovo. I’ve combed through price history trends, recent promos, and last year’s performance to spotlight 12 deals that are already shining — and the price targets worth your attention as discounts ramp up.
Early leaders, and price targets to keep an eye on
- Apple iPad (11th gen, 10.9-inch): The best all-rounder for students and families. A very attractive early price is about $299 for the 64GB model, a price level to which we’ve repeatedly seen exceptions this year. Seek bundle add-ons like Apple Pencil (USB-C) to sweeten the value.
- iPad Air (M2, 11-inch): The advanced tablet for creatives and multitaskers. There have been deals that land around $499 for the 128GB model, and they’ve popped up at big retailers; that’s the threshold I’d watch for this time. And if you use a stylus, the pencil-ready laminated display is an important step up from the basic iPad.
- iPad Pro (13-inch, M4): The Pro tends to get more sparing but substantial cuts for when it comes time to do some heavier editing, design and note-taking. A discount from $150–$250 off the regular spec is a strong indicator the sale is legit, particularly on larger-capacity models.
- iPad mini (6th generation): Still unrivaled for portability and gaming. Keep an eye out for prices to fall to around $399 for 64GB. If you read a lot or commute, then the mini’s size-to-performance ratio is awfully tough to beat.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 series: Somewhat similar to the top Android phone for pen input, multitasking and super OLED visuals. Early cuts of $60 to $150 off have already started appearing; larger discounts tend to arrive on higher-capacity or cellular models.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: The sweet spot in Samsung’s lineup of values. We’d expect it to start around the $350–$380 mark for the 128GB model, and with the S Pen in-box that would make this a great play for students or casual sketchers.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+: Budget crowd-pleaser for streaming and light work. So if it does reach the $180–$220 range, expect something substantial. The 128GB version is one to consider if you frequently like to download media for offline access.
- Google Pixel Tablet (with Charging Speaker Dock): Its “table-meet home-hub” design transforms into a smart display while docked. Typical early pricing is often around $330–$350 for the bundle. Good for smart home control, kitchen use and communal spaces.
- Amazon Fire HD 10 (latest): This is traditionally one of the top discounts during Prime Day. The under-$90 price point is par for the course in Amazon’s own device lineup. Perfect as a second screen for travel, ebooks, and streaming.
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro: If you’re putting this tablet in the hands of young users, it makes sense to upgrade to the Kids Pro package (case, parental controls, and a worry-free guarantee) when it drops near $100. The included kid-friendly content subscription adds value for families.
- OnePlus Pad 3: A slim and fast Android choice with long hours off the charger. If you can find a deal nudging it down to the mid-$600s, as we’ve seen in early discounts, that’s worth considering; even better if you can score a bundle with a keyboard or stylus.
- Lenovo Tab P12: A productivity-friendly 12-inch slate that frequently beats rivals on price. Look for $250–$300 on Wi‑Fi configurations, and think about bundling a keyboard offer if there’s something you expect to do lots of typing on.
How to tell if a “real” Prime Day deal is real
Prime events from the past follow predictable behavior: Adobe Digital Insights has found that discounts on electronics tend to hover in the teens overall, while savings on Amazon’s first-party products can spike above 40% during peak hours. Use them to separate the wheat from the “cover your naked torso” minimum markdown.
Price histories matter. You can also find out if a “was” price is inflated using third-party trackers and camel-style price charts. Any tablet that has hit or been below the current sale price — especially if a bundle or extended warranty is thrown in — isn’t a must-buy.
Also weigh the whole package. Pen and keyboard add-ons can swing the value of an Android slate by $100 or more. Regular Apple buyers may want to verify whether purchases of the standalone Apple Pencil or a Smart Keyboard alternative are discounted as well — sometimes the accessory discounts trump bundles.
Who’s the right person for each type of tablet
Students and casual users: The iPad (11th gen), Galaxy Tab S9 FE, or Tab A9+ are performant but reasonably priced devices that are updated for years. The Fire HD 10 is a great budget media machine with mediocre app selection out of the box.
Creators and power users: iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4 stand as the safest bets for pro-grade apps and accessories. For Android, developments like Galaxy Tab S11 and OnePlus Pad 3 mix well with stylus input and multi-window workflows.
Families and shared homes: Pixel Tablet’s docked mode becomes a smart display; Fire Kids editions have strong parental controls and are kid-proof. If toughness matters, consider rugged cases and accidental-damage coverage.
Market context and timing tips for Prime Day
IDC’s worldwide tablet share results always rank Apple and Samsung highest, along with midrange Android models (especially those that come with pens and keyboards). That competition tends to redouble discounting on and around significant retail moments.
If you see your target price early, don’t wait around. Inventory-dependent deals may disappear sooner if a color or specific storage capacity happens to run out. On the other hand, if a sale looks tepid, wait it out — pricier cuts and steeper discounts tend to arrive as an event goes on.
Bottom line: Set realistic price targets, concentrate on the configuration you’ll actually use, and strike when the numbers align. And these are the 12 picks I’ll be following especially closely as the October sale heats up.