Best Alternatives to iPad mini 8 in 2025
The iPad mini 8 is Apple's smallest tablet, pairing an 8.5-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with the A20 Pro chip, Apple Intelligence, Apple Pencil support and a water-resistant IP67 rating. It is a strong choice for note-taking, reading and on-the-go productivity, but it is not the only compact tablet worth considering. The alternatives below cover Android flagships, gaming-focused devices, budget options and larger iPads, each with a different trade-off in size, price, ecosystem or performance.
iPad Air 11-inch (M-series)
If you want more screen space and desktop-class performance, the iPad Air offers a larger display and a powerful M-series chip while staying in the Apple ecosystem. You keep Apple Pencil support, Apple Intelligence and the same app library, but you give up the mini's pocketable size and IP67 rating.
iPad (standard model)
The entry-level iPad is the most affordable way into iPadOS and Apple Pencil support. It suits students and casual users who mainly browse, stream and take notes, though it has a lower-resolution non-OLED display, an older chip and no IP67 water resistance compared with the mini 8.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
A strong Android alternative for note-takers, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE bundles an S Pen and offers a larger display, expandable storage and Samsung DeX for desktop-style multitasking. It is a better fit if you prefer Android or need a stylus included, but its chip is less powerful than the A20 Pro and it lacks the mini's compact form factor.
Lenovo Legion Tab
Gamers who want a small, fast tablet should look at the Lenovo Legion Tab, which pairs a compact high-refresh display with a Snapdragon chip tuned for gaming. It is a focused alternative to the mini 8 for portable play, though it is weaker for creative apps and long-term software support than an iPad.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
The Galaxy Tab S9 is a premium Android tablet with an AMOLED display, S Pen support and strong multitasking. It is a good pick for Android users who want a flagship experience and a bundled stylus, but it is larger and heavier than the mini 8 and does not offer IP67 protection in the same way.
Amazon Fire Max 11
For budget-focused buyers who mainly consume media, the Fire Max 11 offers a large screen and a low price. It is far cheaper than the iPad mini 8, but it runs Amazon's Fire OS with limited app access, has a weaker chip and stylus support that is less polished, so it suits casual use rather than productivity.
iPad mini 7
If you already own or can find the previous-generation iPad mini 7 at a discount, it remains a capable compact tablet with Apple Pencil support and Apple Intelligence. You lose the OLED display, A20 Pro chip and IP67 rating of the mini 8, but you save money and keep the same portable size.
The iPad mini 8 stands out for its OLED display, A20 Pro performance and IP67 durability in a compact body, making it ideal for portable note-taking, reading and light creative work. Choose the iPad Air or standard iPad if you want to stay in Apple's ecosystem with more screen or a lower price, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE or Tab S9 if you prefer Android with a bundled S Pen, the Lenovo Legion Tab for gaming, the Fire Max 11 for budget media consumption, or the iPad mini 7 to save money while keeping the small form factor.