Tablets that cater to every kind of budget

With some mega launches, price-cut announcements on existing models, budget tablets being unveiled and new entrants making their way to Indian markets, October has been quite an exciting month for technophiles.

Though smartphone launches every other week seem to have become the norm in the tech world, this isn't the case with tablets. However, with some mega launches, price-cut announcements on existing models, budget tablets being unveiled and new entrants making their way to Indian markets, October has been quite an exciting month for technophiles.

Premium

Samsung Galaxy 10.1
The creators claim that the 2014 edition "is the most progressive 10 inch tablet, delivering the best viewing and multitasking experiences". Launched in India for ₹49,999, initial reviews have lauded the super clear LCD display and easy navigation, even as Indians could get their hands on some free goodies, like magazine subscriptions and content for the first six months.

iPad Air and mini
Twenty per cent thinner than the fourth-generation device, and at just under 0.3 inches thick, Apple felt it deserved a name of its own — iPad Air. The 16 GB model costs $499 (₹30,613 approx) in the US. If the price seems too steep, an iPad mini with a Retina
display was also announced starting at $399 (₹24,478 approx) in the US. However, when it will be available in India and at what cost remains a mystery.

Nokia Lumia 2520
The mega launch in Abu Dhabi, which also saw the unveiling of Nokia's first phablets, almost overshadowed Apple's big releases on the same day. The tablet has a sturdy design, comes in multiple bright colours, and the ever-dependable Windows (8.1) operating system. The tablet will be available in the US later this year for $499 (₹30,613 approx).

Acer Iconia W4
Faster and lighter than its predecessor and with a better screen, this is also the first device from Acer to run Microsoft's latest Windows 8.1 OS. It starts shipping in the US this month at $329.99 (₹20,200 approx) for a 32 GB model.

Mid-range

Kindle Fire HD 8.9
The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 has been around for a while now. However, Amazon announced a limited-period Diwali offer on its device. The 16 GB, 8.9 inch tablet is now available at a new price of ₹17,999, reduced from the earlier ₹21,999. And technophiles can also look forward to the arrival of the Kindle Fire HDX.

Kobo Arc
Competing with the various Kindle models across the globe, Kobo made its foray into the Indian market with three of its e-readers — the Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo and Kobo Aura HD — and its Kobo Arc Android tablet.As part of an introductory offer, the tablet that is priced at ₹11,999 is available for R9,999 till November 3.

Google Nexus 7
Though there have been reports doing the rounds that the search giant plans to launch the Google Nexus 7 (2013 version) in India in November, three months after the global launch, there has been no confirmation. However, a price cut for the 2012 version of the Nexus could be an indicator of a new arrival soon.

Xolo Play Tab 7.0
Their smartphones are catching on with the gaming community and Xolo has now expanded its range of tablets with this latest launch — Play Tab 7.0. The first of its Tegra series of tablets, it comes with a NVIDIA Tegra mobile processor and a fifth battery-saver core for an extended battery life.

Simmtronics XPAD Freedom
The company has expanded its tablet portfolio that already includes XQ1, X-722, X720, 801, X1010 and 802 tablets by adding the XPAD Freedom this month. It is a dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) device with voice-calling support and has been priced at ₹13,999. A mini Android tablet was launched earlier this year.

Budget

Lava E-Tab Ivory
The company's latest tablet, which runs an Android OS, was launched for a pocket-friendly R10,199. The device is also Lava's first dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) tablet and comes with voice-calling support. It comes with preloaded games like Total Recall HD and NFS HD while bundled apps include Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp.