Black Friday tablet deals 2021: the iPad, Fire and Galaxy Tab sales we're expecting

We're seeing early Black Friday deals from certain retailers, and that includes tablets, with some iPads, Galaxy Tabs, Fire tabs and more reduced - but they're quite modest discounts at the moment.

In particular, it seems the early Amazon Black Friday deals are bringing price cuts to tablets, but other retailers aren't matching them.

Black Friday this year falls on November 26, but the savings will likely start about a week before. There will likely be some great tablet deals during the sales season, but this far ahead of time, we haven't seen too much to write about.

The tablet deals for Black Friday 2021 could actually be great this year because lots of tech companies decided to launch debut slates this year to hit the home-working demand, so the selection will be even better than normal.

Tablets can often be pretty expensive pieces of tech, especially given that unlike phones, they're definitely not necessary for everyday functioning. But they're useful extras for productivity, entertainment and creativity, so it can be useful to have one, and the Black Friday deals will make them easier to pick up.

The season may not be perfect for the latest, more premium tablets - we rarely see 'knock-your-socks-off' bargains on iPads, which sometimes get discounts of less than 10%. But Amazon's own tablets will probably match Prime Day prices (some might go lower). And even a penny off the price, is a penny saved for you.

Today's best tablet deals in the US

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | Wi-Fi | 128GB: $959 $599 (save $360) at Best Buy
You're getting loads of money off with this Microsoft Surface Pro 7 - we see deals on this product fairly frequently, but this is a match for the lowest price we've seen it at. It also includes the type cover, which many people regard as essential for the device. If you can't wait until Black Friday and want a good Windows tablet, this is a great choice.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 | Wi-Fi | 512GB: $830 $680 (save $150) at Amazon
This isn't the best deal we've seen on the Samsung's most recent super-power tablet in the run-up to Black Friday, as it hit $230 off for the top variant and $150 and $200 off for the 128GB and 256GB versions respectively, but it's the best around at the time of writing. Perhaps the deals could get better over Black Friday itself.
128GB: $650 $500 (save $150) at Amazon
256GB: $730 $680 (save $50) at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus | Wi-Fi | 512GB: $1,030 $800 (save $230) at Amazon
This is Samsung's highest-end tablet yet, with the same specs as the non-Plus version but a bigger and better display, and meatier battery. It's a perfect work and play tool, but it costs a lot.
128GB: $850 $650 (save $200) at Amazon
256GB: $930 $730 (save $200) at Amazon

Amazon Fire HD 8| Wi-Fi | 32GB: $90 $45 (save $45) at Target
This small-size Amazon Fire tablet has little storage and a small, low-res display, but it's still useful as a portable entertainment machine, especially at just $45.

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)| Wi-Fi | 32GB: $150 $75 (save $75) at Amazon
Amazon is apparently trying to get rid of stock of the last-gen Fire HD 10, but since the upgrade is fairly minor, most people will be better suited to this $75 tablet thanks to its big price cut.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE | Wi-Fi | 64GB: $530 $430 (save $100) at Amazon
This is a budget version of the Galaxy Tab S7 with some lowered specs, but also a cheaper price as a result. It comes with an S Pen, useful for note-taking or sketching.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite | Wi-Fi | 32GB: $160 $130 (save $30) at Amazon
This is a super-affordable 8.7-inch Android tablet (despite the name, which suggests it has a 7-inch screen). It's not powerful and the screen doesn't look fantastic but it's a good-value low-cost slate that will be a useful extra screen for streaming media or browsing the web.

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition| Wi-Fi | 16GB: $100 $60 (save $40) at Amazon
This is a spin on the Amazon Fire 7, but it comes with an accident-proof case (you can choose the color of which) as well as a year's subscription to Amazon Kids Plus - it's designed as an easy entertainment device for a child.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids' Pro| Wi-Fi | 32GB: $140 $70 (save $70) at Amazon
Amazon only just launched the Kids' Pro range, aimed at older children who don't need the child-friendly Kids Edition slates but are still too young for full access to the internet and all apps - and 50% off a new product is impressive.

Today's best tablet deals in the UK

iPad Mini (2021) | Wi-Fi | 64GB: £479 £459 (save £20) at Amazon
£20 isn't a huge amount of money off an expensive tablet, but we're including this deal since the slate is only a few months old - if it were a human, it wouldn't be old enough to walk yet. It's a modest saving on a brand-new tab.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 | Wi-Fi | 32GB: £219 £189 (save £30) at Amazon
This low-cost low-power Android tablet has a small amount of money off, making an already-affordable tablet that little bit more within reach. A version with 4G connectivity is also reduced, as you can see below:
4G LTE: £269 £208 (save £61) at Amazon

iPad Pro (2020) | Wi-Fi | 512GB: £895 £800 (save £95) at Amazon
There's quite a bit of money off Apple's 18-month old Pro-tier tablet, which has been discounted more than most other slates this far ahead of Black Friday. If you need a powerful tablet but don't want to shell out for the 2021 version, go for it.

iPad Air (2020) | Wi-Fi | 64GB: £579 £549 (save £30) at Amazon
While £30 off a year-old tablet isn't anything to write home about, there aren't many great iPad deals in the UK right now, so this is all we've got. Expect better deals when Cyber Monday rolls around. The savings bump up to a whopping £50 if you opt for the 256GB version.

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus| Wi-Fi | 128GB: £249 £199 (save £50) at Amazon
This mid-range Android slate was already pretty affordable, and £50 off makes it even more so. It comes with a charging stand too, which should be useful to transform it into a little home or entertainment hub, or just to keep it powered up.

Black Friday tablet deals: FAQ

When will the best Black Friday tablet deals start in 2021?

While early Black Friday deals kick off a week or two before the official day, which in 2021 lands on November 26, don't expect every tablet to get discounted early.

Judging by precedent, Amazon will offer discounts on its products ahead of Black Friday - that means Fire tablets, and Kindles, could get reductions early. But for other slates, like Samsung, Lenovo and Kobo models, you may want to wait until the proper weekend.

Sometimes, we see tablet deals hit on Cyber Monday instead, and that'll also be the best time for accessory discounts - think Apple Pencils, cases and the like.

What Black Friday tablet deals do we expect to see in 2021?

The biggest deals will probably be on Amazon's devices, judging by precedent: that means Fire tablets, Kids tablets, and Kindles. Each could see discounts of around 40%, on both the gadgets and any accessories you might want for them.

We might see fair discounts on many mid-range and cheap Android tablets, like those from Lenovo in particular, as the company has loads. 

Opposite from Amazon, Apple's tablets often have pretty poor discounts, at least for new iPads. They'll often get 10% or 20% reductions which, especially for the top-end models, doesn't exactly make them that much more affordable. Older iPads sometimes see better discounts, but they sell out fast.

Should I wait for the Black Friday tablet deals?

So you're looking at a calendar, flipping the pages until November 26, and realizing there's quite a while until the sales. Should you go tablet-less until then, just to save a bit of money, or just buy one now?

Well, it depends why you want one. University term starts months before Black Friday, so if you're a student (or buying for one), you shouldn't wait. Likewise if you've got a creative project you need one for, or require a tablet for business, it's worth buying now.

It's only worth waiting until Black Friday if a tablet is something you want, but don't need. That includes if you've got an older slate which serves you well, but maybe struggles for certain tasks - keep on keeping on until the sales if that's the case.

Black Friday tablet deals in the US from last year

2020 iPad Pro 12.9-inch - 128GB: $999 $899 at Amazon (save $100)
The bigger iPad Pro with the smallest storage size is a great value with a $100 discount. The savings mount from there if you want more space: $70 off the 256GB size, while you'll now save a massive $150 on the 512GB size and $100 on 1TB.

256GB: $1,099 $999 | 512GB: $1,299 $1,149 | 1TB: $1,449 $1,349

Fire HD 10 tablet, 32GB: $149 $79 on Amazon
Pick up a Fire HD 10 tablet for $70 off with this Cyber Monday Amazon deal. The Fire HD 10 has a 10-inch Full HD display with 32GB of onboard storage, up to 12 hours of battery life, and front-and-rear 2MP cameras. This model is ad-supported, but the $70 discount still applies for the ad-free version, resulting in a $95 pricetag.

Kindle (Latest model, backlit, ad-Supported): $89.99 $59.99 on Amazon
Pick up the most affordable Kindle at an even greater discount thanks to this early Cyber Monday Amazon sale. The new backlight makes it easier to read on at night, the main complaint most customers had, and it will last up to a full month of battery life. The base price has ads, and you'll have to pay a bit more for an ad-free version.

Ad-supported: $99 $59 | Ad-free: $109 $79

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1-inch 128GB: $329.99 $199.99 at Best Buy (save $130)
For just $100 more than the 8-inch model above, you're getting a larger display and quadruple the storage space. That's an excellent offer, with Best Buy dropping the price of this cheap tablet down to its lowest position yet – even though Amazon has only dropped it to $229 this week.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (128GB): $649.99 $549.99 at Best Buy (save $100)
Alternatively, get the newest, latest, and hottest Samsung tablet currently on the market, the Galaxy Tab S7 right now for $100 less at Best Buy. With a 120hz refresh rate display, redesigned S-Pen, and 8GB of RAM, the Tab S7 is the perfect Android answer to a certain line of Pro tablets from a well-known company beginning with A.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (256GB): $1,329 $899 at Best Buy (save $430)
And, you can even get the same $300 off plus Black Type cover bundle deal on this upgraded spec Surface Pro 7 too. This one's packing a 10th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD – specs that will challenge even a Dell XPS when it comes to computing power. Recommended, especially if you're going to be using your tablet for design work or heavy tasks.

Black Friday tablet deals in the UK from last year

Apple iPad Air 4 | 256GB | Wi-Fi: £729 £699.97 at Amazon (save £29)
Save money on the first price cut we've seen on the brand new 2020 Apple iPad Air 4 at Amazon UK. Will it sell out? It's very likely. We've already seen the standard 2020 iPad and the 2020 iPad Pro's sell out, so we'd definitely hustle if you want to bag one.

2020 iPad Pro 12.9-inch – 128GB: £969 £912 at Amazon (save £56)
Amazon has the cheapest iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2020 price we could find in the UK in the 128GB storage size. The other version also have more money off, with the 1TB version £100 cheaper.

256GB: £1,069 £990 | 512GB: £1,269 £1,179 | 1TB: £1,469 £1,368

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, 128GB: £619 £549 at Amazon (save £70)
The latest Samsung Galaxy Tab S tablet is heavily discounted ahead of Cyber Monday with £70 off its normal selling price. That's the lowest price we've ever seen on the latest release.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1-inch 32GB: £199 £159 at Amazon (save £40)
This is by far the cheapest Samsung tablet on sale right now from the company, and if you opt for the deal above you'll get £40 off its usual selling price. 32GB may not be enough space for everyone, but it's a top choice for those looking for the cheapest option.

Amazon Fire HD 10 64GB: £179.99 £119.99 at Amazon (save £60)
If you think you're going to be downloading loads of stuff to watch, play, read or listen to, the Amazon Fire HD 10 with 64GB storage will be the best option for you, as it has more storage space than any of its siblings. It's the priciest tablet in this list, even with the discount, but it's still more affordable than many rivals.

Kindle Oasis - 32GB Wi-Fi | 3 months Kindle Unlimited: £259.99 £199.99 at Amazon (save £60)
Want to quadruple your storage on the Kindle Oasis compared to the e-reader you've seen above? If you want 32GB of space, you can get this version that is designed to be filled with audiobooks for £60 less than a normal day.

source https://www.techradar.com/news/black-friday-tablet-deals-the-best-savings-on-ipads-fire-tabs-and-android-slates/