The best new tablets coming in 2018

New iPad 9.7 (2018)

Expected release: March 2018

We’re reasonably confident that Apple will unveil a new iPad at its event, which takes place on 27 March 2018. It looks very much like it’ll be an update of the 9.7-inch iPad launched exactly a year ago.

But it’ll be cheaper according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and rumours which say it will be aimed at education and enterprise. Even if it is, it could still be good value for home users on a budget.

Read more iPad 2018 rumours here.

If you would rather buy a tablet today, check out our reviews of the best tablets. Before you buy anything, check out the  best tablet deals, too.

Huawei MediaPad M5

Expected release: April 2018

When manufacturers are leaving it longer between releasing new tablets, Huawei appears to be working on an annual cycle. And the MediaPad M5 isn’t rumoured: it’s official.

There are three models in the range, all of which run Android Oreo. One has an 8.4in screen, the other two 10.8in. The top model is called the ‘Pro’ and comes with a stylus in the box and aims to be a cheaper alternative to the iPad Pro 10.5.

You can read our reviews of the MediaPad M5 8.4 and MediaPad M5 Pro.

They’re not yet on sale, and we don’t have UK pricing yet.

Amazon Fire HD tablet(s)

Expected release: May or October

In September 2016 we were treated to a new Amazon Fire HD 8 with longer battery life, twice as much storage, and an increased amount of RAM for faster performance. Then in May 2017, Amazon launched an updated Fire 7 which was almost identical to the old one.

The seven-inch tablet has been especially popular as one of the cheapest and yet still decent tablets money can buy, but we wanted faster performance and higher screen resolution.

While our criticisms have likely fallen on deaf ears, the Fire 7 – reviewed – continues to be a wallet-friendly budget tablet (along with the Fire HD 8) that will appeal because of their value. Amazon is the biggest name in budget tablets, so we’re fully expecting to hear about new models at some point this year.

Read the latest rumours about the new Amazon Fire 7.

Google PixelBook tablet

Expected release: Summer

Google’s last tablet was the Pixel C which launched in December 2015. Then in October 2017 is announced the PixelBook, a laptop/tablet hybrid that we’ve reviewed here.

The rumoured tablet seems to be a detachable version of the PixelBook, much like the Microsoft Surface Book. There isn’t much to go on, but Digitimes reports that Google placed orders with the same manufacturer of the PixelBook for a tablet with a 12in screen.

Microsoft Surface Pro 5

Expected release: June or October

The Surface Pro 5 was rumoured to launch in 2017. Instead, we got a slighly updated Pro 4 which was just called the Surface Pro. It was announced in May, and is one of the best Windows tablets money can buy (and it costs a fair amount of money, most starting at around £799).

One of the changes is an upgraded Surface Pen (no longer included in the box). The design otherwise stays mostly the same when compared to the Surface Pro 4.

The Surface Pro 5 will only appear when Microsoft has some “meaningful change” it can make to the features or design.

Click here for more Surface Pro 5 news. 

iPad Pro 10.5 second-gen

Expected release: June

Apple first unveiled the 10.5in iPad Pro at WWDC 2017. Could it choose this year’s developer conference to introduce a second-gen version? Maybe, but there are enough rumours to suggest Apple is developing new iPad Pros with tech from the iPhone X such as the 3D scanning face camera.

It’s doubtful they’ll adopt the ‘notch’ in the screen as the bezels will likely be large enough to accommodate the camera, ambient light sensor and anything else that needs to be above the screen.

Read the latest rumours about the 2018 iPad Pro