CES 2023 saw the release of multiple tablets from a handful of brands, but while some were pretty basic, others stole the show. Sales of tablets picked up during the Covid-19 pandemic, and while demand has begun to slump again, manufacturers are still churning out new models. In fact, some established players are making their debut in the segment, such as OnePlus, which is expected to launch its first tablet this year.
Lenovo and TCL shared the spotlight at CES 2023 with their new range of devices. Lenovo’s lineup included a new flagship Android tablet and E-Ink tablet designed for note-taking, while TCL launched a mid-range tablet with an included stylus that has 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Samsung Display also garnered a fair bit of attention with a prototype device that combines folding and sliding display technology.
Lenovo Tab Extreme
The Lenovo Tab Extreme is a new premium tablet that will rival Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. Boasting a massive 14.5-inch OLED display with 3K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, the Android 13-powered tablet is designed for both entertainment and productivity. With eight high-performance, four-channel speakers from JBL and Dolby Atmos support, users should expect impressive audio performance when watching movies and TV shows. And when it’s time to get some serious work done, the combination of the Dimensity 9000 chipset, Lenovo Precision Pen 3, and optional backlit floating keyboard provides users with a laptop-like experience.
The Tab Extreme can also serve as a secondary display or a sketchpad when connected to a laptop. This feature works in both wired and wireless modes. It packs a massive 12,300mAh battery that supports 68W fast charging and can provide up to 12 hours of use. With all of these features, it’s no surprise that the Lenovo Tab Extreme carries a hefty $1,199 price tag. For that price, buyers get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage.
Lenovo Smart Paper
The Smart Paper is the other productivity-focused tablet Lenovo announced at CES 2023, and is the global version of the YOGA Paper sold in China. Lenovo’s new device is an E-Ink note-taking tablet with rivals such as the Kindle Scribe, the Huawei MatePad Paper, and the reMarkable 2. Unlike the Huawei MatePad Paper which isn’t sold in the U.S., the Smart Paper will be available in North America.
It has a 10.3-inch display and 50GB of storage, and comes with a stylus that doesn’t need to be charged. Not only can it be used for note-taking, but it also has microphones, so users can record lectures and meetings while taking down notes. Like the Lenovo Tab Extreme, it is expected to launch later this year. It is priced at $399, $60 more expensive than the Kindle Scribe which sells for $339.
TCL NXTPAPER 12 Pro
The TCL NXTPAPER 12 Pro is one of three tablets announced by TCL at CES 2023, the other two being the BOOK X12 Go which is its first Windows detachable, and the TCL TAB 8 LE, a budget Android tablet with a sub-$200 price tag. The NXTPAPER 12 Pro also runs on Android, but packs better specs. Its 12.2-inch 2K display uses a special technology to reduce blue light. The tablet also ships with a stylus that supports 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity.
While its Dimensity 800 chipset is far from the most powerful chipset on the market, it should run apps and games smoothly, although not at the highest settings. TCL also offers an optional keyboard accessory which has a trackpad for more productive use. With an 8,000mAh battery, Android 12, and a $499 price tag, the NXTPAPER 12 Pro looks like a good alternative to the upcoming Galaxy Tab S8 FE.
Samsung Flex Hybrid
The Flex Hybrid isn’t a device one can buy, but it makes it to this list as it shows what the future of tablets may hold. The prototype device combines both folding and sliding screen technology in one. Samsung already offers two types of folding devices in the form of the Galaxy Z Flip and the Galaxy Z Fold series. The latter is able to fold into a phone and unfold into a mini tablet, giving users the option of two screen sizes.
However, the Samsung Flex Hybrid shows the possibility of up to three different screen sizes. A small cover display to use when folded, a large display when unfolded, and an even larger screen that slides out further. A commercially-available smartphone with a sliding display is yet to hit the shelves, but there have been a handful of working prototypes. With Samsung leading the foldable smartphone market, it could be among the first brands to launch a phone or tablet with a sliding display.
