Just because you’re not willing to spend a lot of money on the best iPad doesn’t mean you can’t get value for your money with an Android tablet. In fact, there are many Android tablets more powerful than the iPad Mini that you can get for the same price or less. Are they just as reliable? How long do Android tablets last on average?
Based on what owners say online, the expected lifespan is in line with most Android phones. In other words, you can save three to five years on a tablet, maybe even more. One user reported that their Samsung S7+ was working perfectly after five years. In the same Reddit thread, an owner said the Tab S and S7 tablets (both Samsung) could last three to four years. The user went so far as to praise mid-range tablets like Samsung’s S9 FE, saying they last at least three years. He also “smeared” the iPad Pro M4 for being late after a year of use.
This seems to be a trend online. One Reddit user claims that many tablets (regardless of price) can last five to seven years in terms of hardware. Another commenter added that expected lifespan is psychological and proportional to how quickly you become hyper-focused on its flaws, but confirmed that four to five years is a reasonable expectation.
Which goes first: hardware or software?
Framesira/Shutterstock
Generally speaking, the hardware is the most reliable part. Redditor MadCow333 owned several “unnamed” tablets from Best Buy and reports seeing only a few hardware failures, such as broken ports. However, the user raised a point about the difference between longevity and functionality. According to him, the tablet will inevitably lose its snappy character as software updates become more demanding.
It’s really no surprise. When looking at the lifespan of Motorola phones, for example, many users have reported that the problem lies in the lack of software support and not the hardware itself. Same thing with tablets. According to a Reddit user, their mother used a Samsung Galaxy A5 for around eight years. They were forced to retire the device because once the operating system became outdated, they could no longer update apps like Chrome.
So this is the lifespan of Android tablets. If you take good care of it (especially the battery, as one user said), you can easily get at least three to five years out of it. However, you will eventually need to replace it once you hit the dreaded operating system wall. Considering you can get a powerful device for around $250, it’s actually not a bad deal, at least from a mileage standpoint.
