Recommendations for a Lasting Tablet?

[u/LadyLizardSocks]

Hello good people of r/androidtablets,

I'm hoping to replace my slow and sickly iPad and am duly in need of some advice. I use it for drawing almost exclusively, as such I'm looking for a tablet that can run Clip Studio well, with an accompanying stylus comparable to Apple's renowned pencil. But my key desire is that it lasts as long as a tablet possible can.

Perhaps it's because it only has thirty two gigabytes with nearly none to spare, or iOS is simply increasingly bloated and allows very little upkeep, or the fact may be Apple just doesn't makes things to last, but my once spry iPad has slowed to an irritating crawl at just shy of six years. I can't be replacing my tablet every six years, and I don't know if the old girl can take another software update. Being that as it is, my number one priority is a device with hardware that will last a decade at the very least, and software I the user have control enough over to keep the damn thing healthy and tailored to my own pursuits—hence my preference shifting toward an Android kit. Despite the villains running the show at Google locking down the apk, to my knowledge a more pliable OS doesn't exist; not for current mobile devices anyhow.

With all that borne in mind, what are my best options? I know having longevity and convenience both is quite the ask nowadays, especially the more complicated or specific the use case. Drawing is my foremost talent and greatest solace in these fitful times, so any guidance in this matter would be most truly welcome and very sincerely appreciated.

Well wishes, kind regards, fondest thanks and a fine evening to you all,

Ms. Screenless in Seattle

[u/LetterheadClassic306]

Kinda, this is a very clear use case and the right question to ask up front. With Clip Studio as your core tool, panel consistency, pen latency, and storage headroom usually matter more than headline camera specs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a dependable all-round pick because the S Pen ecosystem is mature and the software path tends to age better across updates. Lenovo Tab P12 Pro can be compelling if you want a premium media tablet feel with stronger battery confidence and larger panel real estate for drawing sessions. If your main worry is ten-year longevity, i’d stay away from launch-only flash builds and put your money into a model with stronger long-term firmware and service history plus enough base storage for your files, because that is where your pain is likely to stay over time.

[u/Straight-Nose-7079]

If a long lasting tablet for drawing is what you're after, look no further than the Samsung Tab s10 lite or the Samsung Tab s10fe.

These tablets feature 7 years of software support while many other tablets only offer 2-4 years.

[u/DeX_Mod]

expectation of a decade or more is pretty nonsensical tbh

[u/Haunting-Skirt-6814]

Tab S11 / S11 Ultra. 7 years of software updates. Plus SAMSUNG's hardware is known to last for a long time if well treated. Plus they use EMR technology for the pen, which is the best pen tech. I'm using a Tab S6 (released 2019, bought 2020) and it runs fast. The battery still holds very well.

[u/Tapelessbus2122]

ipad pro m5, my m1 still works to this day, i can play new open world 3d games at max settings comfortably, it's that good of a tablet even now