8 Best Tablets for Photo Editing in 2026

At a Glance

Category	Product	Why We Picked It
Best overall	Apple iPad Air M2 (2024)	excellent balance of power and value
Best for professionals	Apple iPad Pro M4 (2024)	unmatched screen quality and performance
Best Windows option	Microsoft Surface Pro 9	full desktop software compatibility
Best Android tablet	Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra	large screen with S Pen included
Best drawing tablet	Wacom Intuos Pro Medium	precision for serious retouching
Also recommended	Xencelabs Medium Pen Tablet	a premium Wacom alternative packed with accessories
Also recommended	Lenovo Tab P11 Pro	affordable Android tablet with a great OLED screen
Also recommended	Amazon Fire Max 11	solid budget pick for basics, but apps are limited

How we chose and tested

We analyzed multiple expert reviews and compared specs across display quality, stylus support, software compatibility, and performance. Tablets were evaluated based on real photo editing workflows, not just benchmark numbers. We prioritized devices that actually make editing faster and more intuitive.

The best tablets for photo editing right now

Apple iPad Air M2 (2024) - Best overall

This tablet hits the sweet spot between professional features and reasonable pricing. It handles complex edits smoothly while keeping costs lower than the Pro models.

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Key highlights

M2 chip provides plenty of power for photo editing tasks
Liquid Retina display with excellent color accuracy
Apple Pencil Pro support with pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition
iPadOS offers the best mobile photo editing app selection
Lightweight design for portable editing sessions

Pros

Excellent performance-to-price ratio
Superior app ecosystem compared to Android
Great display quality for color-critical work
Long battery life for on-the-go editing

Cons

Apple Pencil sold separately (adds significant cost)
Limited multitasking compared to desktop OS
Storage upgrades can get expensive quickly

Who it is for: Photographers who want iPad performance without Pro pricing, or anyone needing a portable editing solution with great app support.

Skip if

You need full desktop Photoshop or prefer Android/Windows ecosystems.

Apple iPad Pro M4 (2024) - Best for professionals

When budget isn't the main concern and you want the absolute best tablet experience, the iPad Pro delivers. Its mini-LED screen is simply unmatched for photo work.

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Key highlights

M4 chip offers desktop-class performance
Mini-LED display with exceptional brightness and contrast
ProMotion technology for smooth 120Hz scrolling
Apple Pencil Pro with haptic feedback and new gestures
Thunderbolt ports for fast file transfers

Pros

Best tablet display currently available
Incredible performance for complex edits
Premium build quality and materials
Excellent accessory ecosystem

Cons

Very expensive, especially with accessories
Still lacks full desktop Photoshop version
Overkill for casual or occasional editors

Who it is for: Professional photographers and retouchers who need the highest quality display and maximum performance.

Skip if

You're on a tight budget or don't need the absolute best screen quality.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 - Best Windows option

If you need full desktop software compatibility, the Surface Pro bridges the gap between tablet and laptop perfectly. It runs the complete Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

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Key highlights

Runs full Windows 11 with desktop applications
Intel processors capable of handling demanding edits
PixelSense display with good color accuracy
Surface Pen support with 4,096 pressure levels
Kickstand and keyboard cover for flexible setups

Pros

Full desktop software compatibility
Can replace a laptop for many users
Excellent build quality and design
Good accessory ecosystem

Cons

More expensive than comparable laptops
Battery life lags behind iPad alternatives
Heavier and less portable than dedicated tablets

Who it is for: Photographers who need full Photoshop/Lightroom Classic or prefer Windows workflow.

Skip if

You want maximum portability or prefer touch-first interfaces.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra - Best Android tablet

For Android users who want a large-screen editing experience, the Tab S10 Ultra delivers impressive specs at a lower price than Apple's offerings.

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Key highlights

Massive 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
S Pen included in the box at no extra cost
Snapdragon or MediaTek processors (depending on region)
DeX mode for desktop-like interface
Expandable storage via microSD card

Pros

S Pen included, saving $100+ compared to Apple Pencil
Large, vibrant display excellent for detailed work
Good multitasking capabilities with DeX
More affordable than comparable iPad Pro

Cons

Android photo editing apps less capable than iPad versions
Software updates not as long-lasting as Apple's
Some performance variability between chipset versions

Who it is for: Android users who want a large-screen tablet or prefer Samsung's ecosystem.

Skip if

You need the absolute best photo editing apps or long-term software support.

Wacom Intuos Pro Medium - Best drawing tablet

For photographers who edit at a desk and want maximum precision, dedicated drawing tablets still offer the best control experience.

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Key highlights

Professional-grade pressure sensitivity (8,192 levels)
Multi-touch surface for gesture controls
Customizable ExpressKeys for workflow shortcuts
Works with Windows, macOS, and Linux
Includes Pro Pen 2 with tilt recognition

Pros

Unmatched precision for detailed retouching
Reduces wrist strain compared to mouse editing
Highly customizable for personal workflow
Durable construction built for daily use

Cons

Requires connection to a computer
Learning curve for new users
No display (you look at your monitor, not the tablet)

Who it is for: Serious retouchers and photographers who edit extensively at a desktop workstation.

Skip if

You need a portable all-in-one solution or prefer touchscreen interfaces.

Also Good

Xencelabs Medium Pen Tablet - a premium Wacom alternative packed with accessories.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro - affordable Android tablet with a great OLED screen.
Amazon Fire Max 11 - solid budget pick for basics, but apps are limited.

How to Choose

Consider these factors when picking your photo editing tablet:

1.Software needs: iPad has the best mobile apps, Windows runs full desktop software, Android sits somewhere in between. Choose based on whether you need Lightroom Mobile or full Photoshop.
2.Display quality: Look for high resolution, good color accuracy (sRGB/Adobe RGB coverage), and sufficient brightness. Mini-LED and OLED displays generally offer the best contrast.
3.Stylus support: Pressure sensitivity (4,096+ levels is good), tilt recognition, and palm rejection all matter for precise edits. Remember to factor stylus cost into your budget.
4.Performance: More RAM (8GB+) helps with large files and multiple layers. Fast processors (Apple M-series, recent Snapdragon/Intel chips) keep editing responsive.
5.Portability vs. power: Smaller tablets travel better but offer less screen real estate. Larger displays are better for detailed work but less convenient to carry.

FAQ

Can tablets really replace laptops for photo editing?

For many photographers, yes. Modern tablets have enough power for most editing tasks, and the touch/stylus interface can be more intuitive for certain adjustments. However, complex batch editing or specialized plugins might still require a desktop.

Do I need to buy the stylus separately?

It depends. Samsung includes the S Pen with their tablets, while Apple charges extra for the Pencil. Microsoft's Surface Pen is also sold separately. Always check what's included before comparing prices.

Which has better apps: iPad or Android?

iPad generally has more capable photo editing apps, with Adobe's iPad versions of Photoshop and Lightroom offering more features than their Android counterparts, and there are more professional-grade editing apps available overall.

How important is display color accuracy?

Very important if you're doing color-critical work. Look for tablets with good factory calibration and wide color gamut coverage. Professional photographers should consider devices with Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 coverage.

Should I get a drawing tablet or a display tablet?

Drawing tablets (like Wacom Intuos) are more affordable and offer great precision but require looking at a separate monitor. Display tablets (like iPad or Surface) show your work directly under the stylus but cost more. Choose based on your budget and workflow preferences.