3 Pros And 2 Cons To Consider

When it comes to tablets, Apple is the undisputed global king, but if you are reading this, you are probably weighing your options: Should you buy a new iPad, grab a new Android tablet, or save cash and look for a used model? Whether you are upgrading or you’re a complete tablet newbie, many tablets are worth buying used. However, it requires a careful approach.

While an iPad offers a polished experience, a premium Android tablet also delivers incredible performance, often with a hefty price tag. This is exactly why exploring the secondhand market makes so much sense. The used Android tablet market is filled with brilliant bargains, but it has a few hidden pitfalls too. There are risks associated with older hardware, and you also have to protect yourself from getting scammed. Peace of mind may come with buying a new one, but it also comes at a premium.

When making up your mind about buying a new or used tablet, there are a few things that you should consider before opening your wallet. Let us take a look at the pros and cons of buying a used Android tablet ton help you make a truly wise decision.

One of the most compelling arguments for buying a used Android tablet is that you can get your hands on something premium and stay within your budget. Brands mostly reserve features like OLED displays, high-resolution cameras (now dual-camera setups), powerful processors for smooth gaming, high-quality stereo speakers, and digital styluses for their high-end, premium tablets. A brand-new tablet packed with these specifications would easily cost you over $1,000, but on the used market, you could shave hundreds off that.

Buying a used Android tablet isn’t just about the spec sheet, though. It is also about everyday experience. You may purchase a brand new budget Android tablet, but the features that you will get will be basic. For instance, watching a movie on an LCD on the new tablet compared to an OLED display on the used one is a day and night difference.

Also, if you are an artist, you would prefer having a dedicated stylus that comes bundled with the used Android tablet. The used market brings the price of the premium tablets in line with the best budget tablets. You don’t necessarily need the absolute best to enjoy the premium benefits; you just need to look at the right product. By buying a used tablet, you can bypass those limitations and enjoy a capable tablet, sometimes even a flagship model.

A used tablet is far more practical for high-risk activities than something new. After all, since you paid less for it, and the anxiety of potential damage is lessened. For example, you could use a recently purchased used Android tablet as a recipe viewer in the kitchen. That way, you can play any YouTube video, look at your favorite cooking app, go through blogs, or listen to your favorite podcast without worrying about getting flour in the ports or oil splashed on the screen of something brand new.

Another use case is with kids. Modern kids are tech-savvy, and many prefer learning and playing on their smart devices to reading books and going outside. Handing them a premium iPad or Android tablet is asking for a very expensive repair bill. A used Android tablet with a bump or a few scratches won’t hurt much and serves the same purpose — games, movies, educational apps, and more — for a fraction of the cost. As a way to introduce kids to technology, the stakes are certainly lower than handing them an $1,100 smartphone or tablet. 

Lots of uses don’t require anything special, either. Something used could be a perfect fit for a dedicated in-car entertainment system. If you need a dedicated monitor for your home security system, something that’s “good enough” will serve just as well as the latest and greatest.

When you buy a new tablet, the device’s value plummets as soon as you unbox it, and the depreciation may be anywhere between 30% to 40%. If you buy the same tablet used, you are skipping that immediate drop in value. Most of your money’s worth goes into the functional hardware and not into the premium price of being the first owner.

And buying a used Android tablet isn’t just about saving money upfront. It is also a smarter way to use your tech budget. You can use the saved cash for other stuff like accessories and cases. Buying a secondhand or used Android tablet is all about getting more value out of each dollar. 

For a normal user, the performance difference between the latest tablet and a one- or two-generation older tablet won’t be that groundbreaking, either. Comparing a used premium tablet against a new budget Android tablet or a base-tier iPad almost always tips the scale in favor of the used device. It can take a while for really high-end hardware to filter down into new budget models. The math is simple, and the benefits are significant.

Battery life is among the first things to take a hit with used devices. Each charging cycle reduces capacity, which means that after several years of ownership, a used Android tablet’s battery won’t last as long as it did when brand new. This is far less visible form of wear and tear, and it has a big impact on the overall ownership experience. Even a used Android tablet that appears pristine from the outside may struggle to hold a charge for more than a few hours.

There are several ways to maximize a device’s battery life, but not everybody follows them. This is why it is highly advisable to ask specifically about the battery life of the device. While the seller may say that the battery is “as good as new” or it “works fine,” their definition of fine may not match yours. Sadly, there is also no way of knowing the actual battery health of a tablet before you buy, unless your seller provides you with a diagnostic report.

Also, as a device ages, finding new parts and accessories also gets tough. In case the battery is poor, you may spend more than what you paid for the entire device. It is a risk that is inherently a part of buying a used tablet with a sealed battery.

Software updates ensure that devices receive new features in the coming years and also stay secure with the latest security updates. iPads used to be the leader in the tablet category, as Apple promised software support for five or more years, but starting with the Galaxy Tab S10+ and Tab S10 Ultra, Samsung has started offering seven years of Android OS and security updates. Mid-range tablets also receive up to six years of update support. Other Android tablet OEMs still offer much less support. 

However, when you buy a used tablet that is not a Samsung, you might be stepping in right when the support window is closing, or well after it has already closed. This isn’t just an inconvenience. Without regular security updates, your tablet will become increasingly vulnerable to new malware and hacks. Furthermore, new apps and updates eventually stop supporting older versions of Android. This is one of the crucial points to remember and clarify before getting a used Android tablet.