Well, it’s Black Friday tablet sale time, because depending on where you live it is, or nearly is, November 26, the day of the deal. Loads of different types of slate are reduced thanks to various retailers’ Black Friday shenanigans.
We’re already seeing price cuts on Fire tablets, Galaxy Tabs, Lenovo slates and the odd iPad, though the Black Friday iPad deals aren’t exactly setting the world on fire right now. They may improve, but in the meantime, the other tablet deals are only getting better.
The tablet deals for Black Friday 2021 could actually be great this year because plenty of tech companies decided to launch debut slates this year to hit the home-working demand, so the selection will be even better than other years.
Tablets can often be pretty expensive, especially since they’re not as essential to everyday duties as phones. But they’re useful extras for productivity, entertainment and creativity, so it can be useful to have one, especially on the go. The Black Friday deals will make them easier to pick up.
We probably won’t see a lot of savings on the latest, most premium tablets – as previously mentioned, we rarely see ‘knock-your-socks-off’ bargains on iPads, which sometimes get discounts of less than 10%. But Amazon’s own tablets will probably match Prime Day prices (some might go lower). And even a penny off the price, is a penny saved for you.
Early Black Friday tablet deals: quick links
Quick links US
- Amazon: big savings on Fire Tabs, and rare iPad deals
- Best Buy: discounts on tablets of all shapes and sizes
- Target: all the biggest slates are in stock
- Walmart: discounts on tablets not sold elsewhere
Quick links UK
- Amazon: early deals have already started
- Argos: special offers on already-cheap tablets
- John Lewis: trade-in deals, extra gifts and some reductions
- Currys: money off a big range of tablets
Today’s best tablet deals in the US
iPads
Apple iPad Air 4 (2020, 64GB): $599.99 $539 at Walmart
Save $60 – Walmart has dropped the price of the 2020 iPad Air 4 to just $539. This is a significant price cut and it’s just a touch more than the cheapest price we have ever seen for the iPad Air 4. Don’t miss out on this great saving – head to Walmart where you’ll find the Green, Rose Gold and Space Gray color variants on sale. This isn’t an option for the Silver or Sky Blue, which are still the normal price.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 (128GB, Wi-Fi): $1,099 $999 at Amazon
Save $100 – Amazon has the all-new 12.9-inch iPad Pro on sale for $999. That’s a $100 discount and the lowest price we’ve seen for the 2021 tablet. The Apple iPad Pro delivers laptop-like power and speed thanks to Apple’s M1 chip. This Black Friday deal has been flashing in and out of stock so we’d snag today’s discount before it’s too late.
256GB: $1,199 $1,099 at Amazon
512GB: $1,399 $1,249 at Amazon
1TB: $1,799 $1,649.99 at Amazon
2TB: $2,199 $2,049 at Amazon
iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) | Wi-Fi | 256GB: $1100 $1000 (save $100) at Walmart
This isn’t even 10% off the tablet, but it’s Apple’s newest Pro model so we thought it worth including. This is a giant powerful tablet which is a great workstation.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 (128GB, Wi-Fi + cellular): $1,299 $1,199 at Amazon
Save $100 – Want cellular storage on your iPad Pro 12.9-inch? With 128GB of storage this comes with a discount of $100, but we’ve spotted even bigger discounts on the larger storage variants. These are much more expensive than the models above, but if you’re after a top-end model this could be perfect for you.
256GB: $1,399 $1,299 at Amazon
512GB: $1,599 $1,449.99 at Amazon
1TB: $1,999 $1,899 at Amazon
2TB: $2,399 $2,249.99 at Amazon
Apple iPad Pro 11 2021 (128GB, Wi-Fi): $799 $749.99 at Best Buy
Save $50 – It’s not a huge price cut, but this discount from Best Buy is the cheapest price around for the iPad Pro 11. Similar discounts have already sold out at Walmart and Amazon so we’d definitely pick this one up sooner rather than later if you’re interested. If you’re looking for a powerful tablet for design work you won’t beat this model – although some would say it’s overkill for the majority of casual applications.
256GB: $899.99 $849.99 at Best Buy
512GB: $1,099.99 $979 at Walmart
1TB: $1,499 $1,429 at Amazon
2TB: $1,899 $1,648.99 at Amazon
Apple iPad Pro 11 2021 (128GB, Wi-Fi + cellular): $999.99 $949.99 at Best Buy
Save $50 – If you need mobile connectivity on your iPad, you can also get the same $50 discount on your tablet here. Everything else is the same as the product above, but it allows you to install a SIM card to make the most of mobile internet.
256GB: $1,099.99 $1,049.99 at Best Buy
512GB: $1,299.99 $1,249.99 at Best Buy
iPad Pro 11 (2018) | Wi-Fi | 256GB: $900 $750 (save $150) at Best Buy
Don’t be fooled – Best Buy is using the image of the 2020 iPad, but the name, and specs, show this is the 2018 version. $150 is a nice reduction, though there have been two generations of iPad Pro since then.
Samsung Tab
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 128GB: $699.99 $499.99 at Amazon (save $200)
There’s $200 off Samsung’s latest tablet, whether you want the 128GB version or the 256GB version, though that costs $30 more. There’s also money off the book cover and keyboard bundles:
Tablet (128GB) and book cover: $769.98 $562.98 at Amazon (save $207)
Tablet (256GB) and book cover: $799.98 $592.98 at Amazon (save $207)
Tablet (128GB) and keyboard: $899.98 $619.99 at Amazon (save $279.99)
Tablet (256GB) and keyboard: $929.98 $649.99 at Amazon (save $279.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 | Wi-Fi | 512GB: $830 $599 (save $230) at Amazon
This is the lowest price we’ve seen on theSamsung’s most recent super-power table, though it’s been at this price before. Its alternative-storage-size versions are reduced too.
128GB: $650 $500 (save $150) at Amazon
256GB: $730 $530 (save $200) at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus | Wi-Fi | 128GB: $850 $700 (save $150) at Amazon
This is Samsung’s highest-end tablet yet, with the same specs as the non-Plus version but a bigger and better display, and meatier battery. It’s a perfect work and play tool, but it costs a lot.
256GB: $930 $730 (save $200) at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE | Wi-Fi | 64GB: $530 $430 (save $100) at Amazon
This is a budget version of the Galaxy Tab S7 with some lowered specs, but also a cheaper price as a result. It comes with an S Pen, useful for note-taking or sketching.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite | Wi-Fi | 32GB: $160 $120 (save $40) at Amazon
This is a super-affordable 8.7-inch Android tablet (despite the name, which suggests it has a 7-inch screen). It’s not powerful and the screen doesn’t look fantastic but it’s a good-value low-cost slate that will be a useful extra screen for streaming media or browsing the web.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2019) | Wi-Fi | 32GB: $150 $100 (save $50) at Amazon
There’s a third off this older Android tablet. It’s not exactly powerful, but if you simply need an extra screen for streaming or to placate a child, then you don’t need any more.
Amazon Fire
Amazon Fire 7 tablet: $49.99 $34.99 at Amazon (save $15)
This is Amazon’s smallest tablet – and also the one that hasn’t seen an update in two years If you really don’t need a big high-res screen it’s a fair option, especially with this reduction.
Amazon Fire HD 8: $89.99 $44.99 at Amazon (save $45)
This is Amazon’s mid-sized tablet, and half off makes it a tempting buy. You can get the same amount off the 64GB, or ad-free, versions of the slate, though they cost a bit more.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus: $109.99 $54.99 at Amazon (save $55)
You can turn this specced-up spin on the Fire HD 8 into a home hub, thanks to its wireless charging and home hub functions. You can get $55 off the 32GB or 64GB storage versions of the device.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) | Wi-Fi | 64GB: $190 $95 (save $95) at Amazon
The last-gen Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is available for half price, saving you almost $100. Given that the new model doesn’t have too many improvements, that’s a great discount.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus: $179.99 $104.99 at Amazon (save $75)
The percentage reduction on this deal is one of the lowest for Fire tabs, because it’s one of the only ones not half off, but this is still a lot of money off the top-spec Amazon Fire device.
Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet: $99.99 $59.99 at Amazon (save $40)
This tablet is for kids aged 3 to 7, with a big squishy shell to protect it from accidental (or tantrum-related) drops and knocks, and software populated with apps for kids in that age bracket.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: $139.99 $69.99 at Amazon (save $70)
This mid-size Kids tablet is designed for children aged between 3 and 7, with a design and software that makes it useful as a hardy and handy entertainment or educational tool.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids: $199.99 $119.99 at Amazon (save $80)
This chunky slate designed for kids aged 3 to 7 is 40% off in the sales, and there are similar savings if you pair it with a headset or a screen protector and carry bag.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite | Wi-Fi | 32GB: $160 $85 (save $75) at Best Buy
Amazon is listing this Kindle as the 2017 Paperwhite, despite the fact no such model came out that year. It’s got a 6-inch display, 32GB storage and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | Wi-Fi | 128GB: $959 $599 (save $360) at Best Buy
You’re getting loads of money off with this Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – we see deals on this product fairly frequently, but this is a match for the lowest price we’ve seen it at. It also includes the type cover, which many people regard as essential for the device. If you can’t wait until Black Friday and want a good Windows tablet, this is a great choice.
Lenovo Tab
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro | Wi-Fi | 128GB: $500 $450 (save $50) at Walmart
If you’re looking for a good-looking and fairly powerful Android tablet, the P11 Pro could be a good option, with an 11-inch display, a mid-range processor and a big battery – it’s a good choice for work or play.
Lenovo Tab M8 FHD | Wi-Fi | 32GB: $160 $120 (save $40) at Walmart
This is a super-affordable tablet from Lenovo, with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage – it’ll be good as a portable entertainment tool but it’s a little old.
Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus | Wi-Fi | 32GB: $180 $140 (save $40) at Walmart
For a bigger display, but a little less power than the M8, you can get this 10-inch tablet. Its screen looks decent and it has Dolby Atmos tuned speakers.
Today’s best tablet deals in the UK
iPad
iPad mini (2021) | Wi-Fi | 64GB: £479 £459 (save £20) at Amazon
£20 isn’t a huge amount of money off an expensive tablet, but we’re including this deal since the slate is only a few months old – if it were a human, it wouldn’t be old enough to walk yet. It’s a modest saving on a brand-new tab.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 (128GB, Wi-Fi): £999 £949 at Amazon
Save £50 – Here’s a great Black Friday iPad deal on the latest 2021 iPad Pro 12.9, all things considered. It might not seem like a wild discount, but it’s actually the cheapest price yet and really quite good considering this device is only a few months old as of writing. With a fantastic display and the incredible level of power the latest M1 chip affords, this one’s an easy recommendation if you’re looking for something truly premium.
256GB: £1,099 £1,049 at Amazon
512GB: £1,299 £1,149 at Amazon
2TB: £1,999 £1,939.97 at Amazon
iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 (256GB, Wi-Fi + cellular): £1,249 £1,196.41 at Amazon
Save £52 – Want cellular storage on your iPad Pro 12.9-inch? This variant comes with more storage than the one you’ve read about above (the 128GB is currently fully price everywhere we’ve seen) so it’s a small saving but it’s worth it if you’re looking for an absolute top-end model with the ability to go online anywhere.
512GB: £1,449 £1,387.98 at Amazon
2TB: £2,149 £1,984.50 at Amazon
iPad Pro 12.9 2021 | Wi-Fi | 128GB: £999 £960 at Amazon (save £30)
This year’s top-of-the-line iPad Pro 12.9 is very slightly discounted. While pricey, this is still a great discount considering how new these devices are, the fantastic display, and the incredible level of power the latest M1 chip affords.
Apple iPad Pro 11 2021 (128GB, Wi-Fi): £749 £699 at Currys
Save £50 – It’s not a huge price cut, but this discount from Currys is the cheapest price around for the iPad Pro 11 with 128GB of storage. This tablet should offer you around a 10 hour battery life, and we particularly liked the amount of power the M1 chipset.
256GB: £849 £799 at Currys
512GB: £1,049 £999 at Currys
1TB: £1,399 £1,340.10 at Amazon
2TB: £1,749 £1,649.97 at Amazon
Apple iPad Pro 11 2021 (2TB, Wi-Fi + cellular): £1,899 £1,506 at Amazon
Save £392 – This is an good saving of nearly £400, but this same version was £500 off until recently. Only consider this if you need an absolute ton of space on your iPad. This variant comes with mobile connectivity and 2TB of storage, so that’s why it’s expensive, but this is a big discount if it’s the one you’re looking for.
iPad Pro (2020) | Wi-Fi | 512GB: £895 £800 (save £95) at Amazon
There’s quite a bit of money off Apple’s 18-month old Pro-tier tablet, which has been discounted more than most other slates this far ahead of Black Friday. If you need a powerful tablet but don’t want to shell out for the 2021 version, go for it.
iPad Air (2020) | Wi-Fi | 64GB: £579 £556 (save £23) at Amazon
While £30 off a year-old tablet isn’t anything to write home about, there aren’t many great iPad deals in the UK right now, so this is all we’ve got. Expect better deals when Cyber Monday rolls around. The savings bump up to a whopping £50 if you opt for the 256GB version.
Samsung Tab
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus | Wi-Fi | 128GB: £799 £679 (save £120) at Currys
This is Samsung’s highest-end tablet yet, with the same specs as the non-Plus version but a bigger and better display, and meatier battery. It’s a perfect work and play tool, but it costs a lot.
256GB: £869 £749 (save £120) at Currys
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 | Wi-Fi | 32GB: £219 £203 (save £16) at Amazon
This low-cost low-power Android tablet has a small amount of money off, making an already-affordable tablet that little bit more within reach, though it was even cheaper earlier in November. A version with 4G connectivity is also reduced, as you can see below:
4G LTE: £269 £212.50 (save £56.50) at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite | Wi-Fi | 32GB: £149 £119 (save £30) at Amazon
This tablet has an 8.7-inch display – not 7-inch, as the name would suggest – and while it’s not very powerful, it’s a fair device if you just need a space screen.
Lenovo Tab
Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab 10.1 | Wi-Fi | 64GB: £249 £199 (save £50) at Currys
This slightly older tablet has a built-in giant speaker and kickstand which makes it great as an entertainment device or home smart assistant. This reduction makes an already-affordable tablet a tempting buy.
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus| Wi-Fi | 128GB: £249 £189 (save £60) at Amazon
This mid-range Android slate was already pretty affordable, and £50 off makes it even more so. It comes with a charging stand too, which should be useful to transform it into a little home or entertainment hub, or just to keep it powered up.
Huawei MatePad
Huawei MatePad T10 | Wi-Fi | 32GB: £140 £100 (save £40) at Currys
If you need an affordable Android tablet this is a good option, although it doesn’t run Google apps, which is definitely something worth bearing in mind before buying it.
Amazon Fire
Amazon Fire HD 8: £90 £40 at Amazon (save £50)
This tablet has a few different configurations depending on the storage space and ads, and each is £50 off – you can click through the options on the Amazon listing. This is Amazon’s mid-size tablet running its own software.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: £140 £70 at Amazon (save £70)
This version fo Amazon’s 8-inch tablet is designed for young kids between 3 and 7, with a big protective case and software that ensures they’re not seeing anything they shouldn’t.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus: £180 £110 at Amazon (save £70)
Amazon’s best tablet so far comes with a big screen, wireless charging and 4GB RAM, and this discount reduces the asking price by almost 40%.
Kindle Paperwhite: £149.99 £79.99 at Amazon
Save £70 – With the new 2021 model now available, the previous 2018 generation Kindle Paperwhite has been reduced to its lowest ever price. It has a smaller screen, thicker bezels and shorter battery life (still six weeks), but at £50 less than the new Paperwhite’s price it’s a considerable bargain compared to the newer model.
Black Friday tablet deals: FAQ
When will the best Black Friday tablet deals start in 2021?
While early Black Friday deals kick off a week or two before the official day, which in 2021 lands on November 26, don’t expect every tablet to get discounted early.
Judging by precedent, Amazon will offer discounts on its products ahead of Black Friday – that means Fire tablets, and Kindles, could get reductions early. But for other slates, like Samsung, Lenovo and Kobo models, you may want to wait until the proper weekend.
Sometimes, we see tablet deals hit on Cyber Monday instead, and that’ll also be the best time for accessory discounts – think Apple Pencils, cases and the like.
What Black Friday tablet deals do we expect to see in 2021?
The biggest deals will probably be on Amazon’s devices, judging by precedent: that means Fire tablets, Kids tablets, and Kindles. Each could see discounts of around 40%, on both the gadgets and any accessories you might want for them.
We might see fair discounts on many mid-range and cheap Android tablets, like those from Lenovo in particular, as the company has loads.
Opposite from Amazon, Apple’s tablets often have pretty poor discounts, at least for new iPads. They’ll often get 10% or 20% reductions which, especially for the top-end models, doesn’t exactly make them that much more affordable. Older iPads sometimes see better discounts, but they sell out fast.
Should I wait for the Black Friday tablet deals?
So you’re looking at a calendar, flipping the pages until November 26, and realizing there’s quite a while until the sales. Should you go tablet-less until then, just to save a bit of money, or just buy one now?
Well, it depends why you want one. University term starts months before Black Friday, so if you’re a student (or buying for one), you shouldn’t wait. Likewise if you’ve got a creative project you need one for, or require a tablet for business, it’s worth buying now.
It’s only worth waiting until Black Friday if a tablet is something you want, but don’t need. That includes if you’ve got an older slate which serves you well, but maybe struggles for certain tasks – keep on keeping on until the sales if that’s the case.
