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Best Tablet For Photo Editing: 10 Mobile Photoshop Devices

Michael Rivera
  • Last Updated: Apr 30, 2023
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Tablets are growing ever more powerful these days, so much so that they can even run photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. This means that you don’t need a desktop or laptop to edit your photos – you can do it pretty much anywhere with the right tablet.
But with all the tablets out there, it can be hard to pick out which tablet you should use to edit photos. We’ve picked out a few good models for this purpose, all of them with the right qualities to make photo editing easy.
Read on to see which is the best tablet for photo editing.

Top 10 Best Tablets For Photo Editing

We’ve tested and reviewed many different tablets to give you these top ten choices. Which one is the best for you depends on your specific needs, so read on for our breakdown of these tablets’ specs, features, pros, and cons.
Microsoft_Surface_Pro_8
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
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Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_S8_Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
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Apple_iPad_Pro_12.9_2021
Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 2021
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Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_S7+
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
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Xiaomi_Pad_5
Xiaomi Pad 5
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a product photo of an ipad pro
Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 2020
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Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_Active3
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3
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Apple_iPad_Air_10.9_2022
Apple iPad Air 10.9" 2022
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Microsoft_Surface_Go_3_1
Microsoft Surface Go 3
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Amazon_Fire_HD_10
Amazon Fire HD 10
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Microsoft_Surface_Pro_8
Image Courtesy Of Amazon

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

4.4
5/5
The Surface Pro 8 is Microsoft’s latest and best Windows tablet and the best tablet for Photoshop on the go – there’s nothing better for complex photo editing! It has a massive 13-inch screen with a resolution of 2880×1920, which gives you a lot of screen space and clarity to work with.
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The Surface Pro 8 is Microsoft’s latest and best Windows tablet and the best tablet for Photoshop on the go – there’s nothing better for complex photo editing! It has a massive 13-inch screen with a resolution of 2880×1920, which gives you a lot of screen space and clarity to work with.
The OS is straight-up desktop Windows 11, which means that you can use the desktop versions of Photoshop and Lightroom or whatever other software you want to use. The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 has more than enough power to run software. You can get either an i5 or an i7 processor, with 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of RAM. The more powerful options will set you back more money, but they can also give you better working capacity.
The battery is good for about 16 hours. Actual life will likely be shorter, but even 12 hours of working time is still good for a tablet.
The Surface Pro’s major downside is its cost. Maxing out the specs will increase the price, but restricting your budget too much may give you a device that can’t meet your needs. Know which combination of specs and cost is best for your particular circumstances to save money without limiting your capabilities.
If you want full desktop strength without having to haul a laptop or desktop computer everywhere, then the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is the best tablet for photo editing.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

4.4
5/5
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Microsoft_Surface_Pro_8
Microsoft_Surface_Pro_8_1
Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_S8_Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

5.0
4.9/5
or Android users needing a top-end device, nothing beats the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. Its screen is an expansive 14.6″ inches wide, with a display resolution of 2960×1848.
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For Android users needing a top-end device, nothing beats the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. Its screen is an expansive 14.6″ inches wide, with a display resolution of 2960×1848. That’s the largest screen on this list so far, and that resolution ensures that you’ll see photos in excellent detail. It runs on Android 12. It’s powered by a cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 chipset backed by an 8-core CPU. It has 8 to 16GB of RAM, meaning that Photoshop will run pretty smoothly on this tablet. It also comes bundled with the Samsung S Pen, which is a major advantage over other tablets. The S Pen will help in fine detail work while you edit photos. The battery is fairly average, lasting 8 hours under maximum load. However, it doesn’t come with a charger. It can support up to 45W wired charging – your average laptop charger should keep it topped up. There are two downsides to consider. One is that a big screen means it’s a big tablet, sacrificing portability. You may also need a larger laptop bag or tablet sleeve. The second is the price tag – all this quality and size don’t come cheap, so check first if your budget can accommodate the S8 Ultra. If you’re looking for Android’s best tablet for photo editing, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is an amazing tablet.

Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-S8-Ultra

5.0
4.9/5
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Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_S8_Ultra
Apple_iPad_Pro_12.9_2021

Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 2021

4.8
4.9/5
The iPad Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-line tablet. If you want Apple’s best tablet for Photoshop editing, this is it
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The iPad Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-line tablet. If you want Apple’s best tablet for Photoshop editing, this is it. The screen is a good 12.9 inches across, with a resolution of 2732×2048. That’s a lot of screen real estate with excellent clarity. The high-res screen allows you to see your work in great detail, and the large screen gives you plenty of space to work.
It runs on iPadOS 15. The processor is the M1 chip with an octa-core CPU. Storage space depends on how much you’re getting – 8GB models come with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage while 16GB models offer up to 1TB or 2TB of storage space. All in all, you have more than enough power and room to run Photoshop and Lightroom with this tablet.
The battery life is Apple’s standard 10 hours for iPads, but that’s calculated for light use. Expect to get around 2-3 hours less while editing photos.
Apple’s range of accessories is compatible with this tablet, most notably the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. The Magic Keyboard may also be useful, especially if you use a lot of shortcuts while editing.
The only downside is the price tag. We recommend the version with 16GB of RAM, to ensure that Photoshop doesn’t slow down while you’re editing.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 2021

4.8
4.9/5
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Apple_iPad_Pro_12.9_2021
Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_S7+

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

4.8
4.9/5
If you need the best Android tablet for photo editing, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is an excellent choice.
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If you need the best Android tablet for photo editing, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is an excellent choice. It has a clear 12.4-inch screen with a resolution of 2800×1752. The screen size is just right – not too big or too small – and the resolution is nice and clear. It runs on Android 10 and is upgradable to Android 12. It features a powerful Snapdragon 865+ chipset with an 8-core processor. Couple that with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and you’ll have a setup that can keep up with Photoshop without any problems. The battery lasts approximately 8 hours under heavy load. However, the included 15W charger is weak – it’s best to use a 45W charger instead. Samsung also includes an S Pen stylus in the box, which is a great help for editing photos. A stylus makes it a lot easier to do precision work, as opposed to trying to do it with your fingers. That said, mind the S Pen’s magnetic connector. The grip isn’t strong, so be careful when handling it to avoid losing your S Pen. In the midline budget bracket, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is the best pen tablet for Photoshop.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

4.8
4.9/5
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Xiaomi_Pad_5

Xiaomi Pad 5

4.5
4.9/5
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly Android tablet that can competently edit photos, consider the Xiaomi Pad 5. It has an 11-inch screen and a display resolution of 2560×1600.
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If you’re looking for a budget-friendly Android tablet that can competently edit photos, consider the Xiaomi Pad 5. It has an 11-inch screen and a display resolution of 2560×1600. That’s a classic 16:10 resolution, with enough screen size to make editing smooth. It runs on Android 11. Its chipset is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860, with an 8-core CPU and 6GB of RAM. That’s a solid, reliable setup that won’t lag except under the heaviest of loads, so you won’t need to worry about Photoshop performance for most projects. The battery is surprisingly long-lasting, clocking at about 14 hours under load. You won’t need to worry about a flat battery cutting your editing short. The Pad 5 is compatible with the Xiaomi Smart Pen, which magnetically attaches to the tablet’s side. It doesn’t come included with the tablet, but we highly recommend getting it as it’ll help with precision editing. Where the Pad 5 falls short is in storage. It only goes up to 256GB of onboard storage, which may be a hindrance if you have a lot of high-res photos to edit. If you need more storage, consider getting a thumb drive or external drive that you can connect via USB-C port. If you’re looking for excellent tablets outside the main brands, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is the best budget tablet for light photo editing work.

Xiaomi Pad 5

4.5
4.9/5
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Xiaomi_Pad_5
a product photo of an ipad pro

Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 2020

4.5
4.9/5
Apple users may want a good high-end tablet for photo editing without paying through the nose for the latest iPad.
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Apple users may want a good high-end tablet for photo editing without paying through the nose for the latest iPad. Thankfully, the last-generation iPad Pro (2020) is still an excellent tablet for editing photos. We recommend the larger version with the 12.9-inch screen – that’s more than enough for mobile editing, especially when coupled with the display resolution of 2732×2048. It runs on the older A12Z Bionic chip, accompanied by an 8-core CPU and 6GB of RAM. It’s enough to run Photoshop with, though there may be some slowdown on heavy load. There’s a wide range of options for onboard storage, from 128GB to 1TB. We recommend getting the largest you can afford, so you don’t run out of space while editing. The battery meets Apple’s standard target of 10 hours, but that’s with light use. Expect 8-10 hours of battery life with heavy use. It’s compatible with a wide range of accessories, most notably the Apple Pencil 2. It’s pretty pricey, but it’ll also help you do precision editing. It’s an essential addition to your toolkit if you’re serious about editing on a tablet. The biggest downside is that Apple quality also means Apple price, especially if you add in accessories. Its RAM is also lacking, which means possible slow performance if Photoshop is working hard. All that said, the iPad Pro 4 will serve you excellently for photo editing.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 2020

4.5
4.9/5
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a product photo of an ipad pro
a close up of an ipad pro
Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_Active3

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3

4.5
4.9/5
If you’re editing on the go, you might want a tablet that can take a bit of wear and tear. The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 is made specifically for toughness and durability.
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If you’re editing on the go, you might want a tablet that can take a bit of wear and tear. The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 is made specifically for toughness and durability. The screen is 8 inches across, with a resolution of 1920×1200. That gives you pretty good clarity, but the screen size may be a little small for serious editing. It’s an Android tablet that comes with Android 10, upgradable to Android 12. It runs on an Exynos 9810 chipset, powered by an 8-core processor with 4GB of RAM. This is fairly average as processors go, so you may face some slowdown when Photoshop or Lightroom are working hard. Battery life is 8 hours, and you can open the back cover and swap in a full battery. It can also operate without a battery as long as the charger is plugged in. But what you’re really getting the Active3 for isn’t just its specs – its toughness is the main selling point. If you’re editing on the go, you may be in environments that aren’t quite friendly to devices. The Active3 can easily survive a bit of rain or a drop to the floor. If you want to be certain that your device will keep going even after a beating, then the Active3 is the tablet for you.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3

4.5
4.9/5
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Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_Active3
Apple_iPad_Air_10.9_2022

Apple iPad Air 10.9" 2022

4.8
4.9/5
If you’re a Windows user in need of a tablet for photo editing, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a great choice. It has a 10.5-inch screen with a display resolution of 1920×1280.
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If you’re a Windows user in need of a tablet for photo editing, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a great choice. It has a 10.5-inch screen with a display resolution of 1920×1280. That screen size is just right to edit without difficulty while not being too big for a kit bag, and it’s clear enough to work with. It runs full desktop Windows 11. You have two processor options, but we recommend the version with an i3 processor and 8GB of RAM for photo editing. This will ensure you have enough power to run Photoshop, especially since you’ll be running the desktop version of the software. The i3 versions come with 128GB of storage. We recommend getting external storage, as 128GB may run short while editing. Battery life is the Surface Go’s biggest weakness. Under heavy use, it lasts maybe four hours. That may or may not be long enough for editing on the go, so it’s best to have your charger nearby just in case. Since it’s a 2-in-1 tablet, it comes with a keyboard and integrated touchpad. This should give you a bit more control than just finger editing, but we still recommend getting a Microsoft Surface Pen for better precision. If you want the best tablet for Lightroom on a budget, the Surface Go 3 is an excellent option.

Apple iPad Air 10.9" 2022

4.8
4.9/5
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Apple_iPad_Air_10.9_2022
Microsoft_Surface_Go_3_1

Microsoft Surface Go 3

4.4
4.9/5
The iPad Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-line tablet. If you want Apple’s best tablet for Photoshop editing, this is it
Check Price On Amazon

The iPad Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-line tablet. If you want Apple’s best tablet for Photoshop editing, this is it. The screen is a good 12.9 inches across, with a resolution of 2732×2048. That’s a lot of screen real estate with excellent clarity. The high-res screen allows you to see your work in great detail, and the large screen gives you plenty of space to work.
It runs on iPadOS 15. The processor is the M1 chip with an octa-core CPU. Storage space depends on how much you’re getting – 8GB models come with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage while 16GB models offer up to 1TB or 2TB of storage space. All in all, you have more than enough power and room to run Photoshop and Lightroom with this tablet.
The battery life is Apple’s standard 10 hours for iPads, but that’s calculated for light use. Expect to get around 2-3 hours less while editing photos.
Apple’s range of accessories is compatible with this tablet, most notably the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. The Magic Keyboard may also be useful, especially if you use a lot of shortcuts while editing.
The only downside is the price tag. We recommend the version with 16GB of RAM, to ensure that Photoshop doesn’t slow down while you’re editing.

Microsoft Surface Go 3

4.4
4.9/5
Check Price
Microsoft_Surface_Go_3_1
Amazon_Fire_HD_10

Amazon Fire HD 10

4.6
4.9/5
Android users in need of an affordable tablet for photo editing may find the Amazon Fire HD 10 a good option. It has a 10.1-inch screen with a display resolution of 1920×1200.
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Android users in need of an affordable tablet for photo editing may find the Amazon Fire HD 10 a good option. It has a 10.1-inch screen with a display resolution of 1920×1200. That’s a reasonably-sized screen with good clarity, decent enough for photo editing. It runs on Android 9 with a Mediatek MT8183 chipset, coupled with an 8-core CPU and 3GB of RAM. That’s just enough power to get Android photo editing apps running, but there may be some lag. Storage space is a bit low, with only 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage. External storage is an absolute necessity for photo editing – make sure you have an SD card or thumb drive to store your files. Battery life lasts a good 12 hours. Even shaving off an hour or two for heavy use, that’s still quite a long time. The Fire’s biggest weakness is that it’s just not very powerful. It’ll be fine for basic photo editing in the field. However, it doesn’t have enough weight behind it to be a serious platform for mobile editing. But, as a budget device that can also pull some editing duty while out there? It’s a very good choice.

Amazon Fire HD 10

4.6
4.9/5
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Amazon_Fire_HD_10

What Makes The Best Tablet For Photo Editing?

Are you considering other tablets? This section of our article is all about our criteria for inclusion. We’ll discuss the qualities that we used to select tablets for the list so that you can make an informed decision about which tablet to get.

Operating System

Your major choices for tablet operating systems are Windows, iOS, and Android. This is important in two ways. First is familiarity. Ideally, you should get a tablet that uses the OS you’re most familiar with. This reduces any hiccups in productivity and any downtime from having to learn a different interface. The other is program availability. Of the three major OSes, Windows can run the full desktop version of Photoshop, which gives you a lot more power. Android and iOS are limited to mobile versions of the software, which may be more convenient, but they also won’t be able to do as much as Windows. Consider how much you need to do on your tablet before choosing an OS.

Screen

There are two relevant factors here: screen size and resolution. Screen size is easy. How big is the screen? The larger the screen, the more room you have to work with. On the other hand, a larger screen also means a larger tablet. Find the largest screen that you can fit into your kit bag without sacrificing portability. For resolution, you want to go as high as you can get. Cameras take high-resolution photos, and a tablet with a high display resolution makes it easier to edit them. The higher resolution also means that you can do precise editing, even when zoomed and scrolled in.

Processing Power

Photo editing requires a lot of processing power and RAM. Your tablet should have a processor that can handle the load and enough RAM to avoid any slowdowns while running Photoshop. Check the tablet’s specs to see if the processor and RAM are enough to meet demand – higher is always better, but it’s also often pricier.

Battery Life

The whole point of getting a tablet is to edit on the go. Your tablet’s battery should supply enough juice to keep you going. Don’t just rely on the manufacturer’s claimed battery life. If under heavy load, tablets may drain the battery faster. Read reviews and user testimonies to know how long the battery lasts under actual use.

Storage Capacity

How much storage space does the tablet have? Raw photo files take up a lot of room, so the more space your tablet has, the better. Ideally, this should be onboard storage since it’s always faster. However, if onboard storage isn’t enough, you can supplement it with external storage. If the tablet has an SD card reader or USB ports, you can use an SD card, thumb drive, or portable drive.

Stylus

Whether it comes with one or you can buy one separately, a stylus is a great help in photo editing on a tablet. Your fingers can only do so much, and any actions you take won’t be as precise. A stylus allows you to do precise, fine work without slowing you down. Editing will go a lot more smoothly with a stylus in hand.

Size And Weight

A tablet needs to be portable, which means it shouldn’t be too heavy or bulky. What use is a tablet that won’t fit in your kit bag or weighs it down too much? Consider how heavy the tablet is and how much space it occupies in your bag.

Price

If your budget is limited, it’s better to get something that has good value for its price. Weigh out your must-have features and specs, then compare costs from there. You don’t need the most expensive and feature-packed tablet on this list – the best photo editing tablet is the one you can afford and meets your needs.

Conclusion

Tablets are nearly as good as laptops these days, and a lot of them can run Photoshop, Lightroom, and similar photo editing software. You have a lot of options to choose from. Need something light that fits any budget? Grab the Xiaomi Pad 5. Want a solid midline performer? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ fits that need. Do you want the full power of a desktop in a small package? Look no further than the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. You don’t need to go back to your desktop setup to process photos. You can edit them right after shooting, no matter where and when, and have the finished products ready in a short time. Get the best tablet for photo editing today!
Microsoft_Surface_Pro_8
Image Courtesy Of Amazon

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

4.4
5/5
The Surface Pro 8 is Microsoft’s latest and best Windows tablet and the best tablet for Photoshop on the go – there’s nothing better for complex photo editing! It has a massive 13-inch screen with a resolution of 2880×1920, which gives you a lot of screen space and clarity to work with.
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