Best Tablets for Photoshop & Illustrator in 2025
Creatives demand precision, power, and portability—and in 2025, the tablet market delivers all three. Whether you’re retouching photos or drawing vector art on the go, the slate below offers the specs, screen quality, and stylus responsiveness to elevate your visual work.
Best Tablets for Photoshop & Illustrator
Apple iPad Pro 11″ or 13″ (M4 Chip)
Price: $899 USDWhy it leads
Topped charts in 2025 tech awards and praised for its Liquid Retina XDR (or OLED) display and processing speed. Apple Pencil Pro ensures responsive inking for intricate Photoshop and Illustrator work.
Pros
- Exceptionally smooth stylus latency
- Superb color accuracy and HDR display quality
- Seamless iPadOS app support
Cons
- Premium price
- iPadOS lacks full desktop Photoshop/Illustrator
Who it’s for
Professionals seeking top-tier visual experience and performance with excellent stylus control.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Copilot+ edition)
Price: $1,689.99 USDWhy it stands out
Introduces Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite with OLED options, up to 14 hr battery, and full Windows Photoshop support.
Pros
- Native desktop version of Adobe apps
- Detachable keyboard for laptop-style editing
- OLED / 3:2 pixel perfect canvas
Cons
- Starting price near $999; occasionally on sale under $800
- Keyboard/stylus excluded
Who it’s for
Windows users who need full Adobe desktop tools and detachable flexibility.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
Price: $789.99 USDWhy it’s a contender
Rated as a top Android creative tablet. Large AMOLED touchscreen and S Pen support make it ideal for digital art.
Pros
- Massive 14.6″ AMOLED canvas
- Highly responsive S Pen with creative apps
- Portable compared to laptop
Cons
- Photoshop/Illustrator mobile versions are feature-limited
- Accessories sold separately
Who it’s for
Android users and digital illustrators seeking a large, responsive stylus slate.
OnePlus Pad 3 (13.2″)
Price: $899 USDWhy it qualifies
Launched with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite, 144 Hz 3.4 K display, 16 GB RAM, and over 17 hr battery—an Android powerhouse.
Pros
- Ultra-smooth, high-res display
- Powerful CPU for heavy multitasking
- Long battery and excellent stylus support
Cons
- Still expanding software ecosystem
- Stylus sold separately
Who it’s for
Android creatives wanting performance, size, and screen fidelity in 2025.
Xiaomi Pad 7S Pro 12.5″
Why it joins the list
A recent standout with Xring O1 CPU, 3.2 K 144 Hz screen, Dolby Atmos audio, and stylus & keyboard support.
Pros
- Bright, fluid display
- Ideal for drawing with included accessories
- Strong processing power
Cons
- Primarily sold in China initially
- Adobe suite support arriving gradually
Who it’s for
Productivity-focused creatives seeking Android stylus tablet with laptop-level specs.
Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus
Price: $734.99 USDWhy it qualifies
Named CES 2025 best tablet, with stylus + keyboard—excellent for illustrators and photo editors.
Pros
- Robust 3K 144 Hz display
- Pen + keyboard included
- Slim, standby-ready build
Cons
- Android app support lags Adobe desktop variants
- Stylus and keyboard bundled only in deals
Who it’s for
Budget-conscious creatives looking for a premium tablet bundle.
XP-Pen Artist Pro 19 Gen 2 (Desktop Display Tablet)
Price: $799 USDWhy it’s a desktop alternative
For those working at a desk with Photoshop/Illustrator on PC or Mac: a 19″ 4K display tablet with true color accuracy, premium pens, and no parallax.
Pros
- Desktop-grade color and detail
- High pressure sensitivity and express keys
- Plug-and-play with full Adobe suite
Cons
- Bulky and tethered to a computer
- Costs ~$900, slightly above $800 (currently discounted price @799 USD)
Who it’s for
Studio-based professionals who prefer desktop pen display workflow.
Summary & Recommendations
| Use Case | Top Pick | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Premium iPad drawing | Apple iPad Pro (M4) | Best stylus response & HDR display, app ecosystem |
| Full desktop Adobe on Windows | Microsoft Surface Pro 11 | Native Photoshop/Illustrator flexibility |
| Large Android canvas | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | Immersive AMOLED & S Pen experience |
| Performance + stylus on Android | OnePlus Pad 3 | High-refresh, high-performance Android slate |
| Ready-to-go accessory bundle | Xiaomi Pad 7S Pro | Stylus + keyboard, strong specs, bundled value |
| Bundle-focused deal pick | Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus | Excellent discount bundle for creatives |
| Desktop pen display | XP‑Pen Artist Pro 19 Gen 2 | Desktop-grade accuracy and detail for workflows |
Final Picks:
- Apple iPad Pro M4 for the premium mobile creative experience.
- Surface Pro 11 for desktop-grade Adobe flexibility.
- Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra for expansive AMOLED canvas.
- OnePlus Pad 3 for ultra-fast Android drawing.
- Xiaomi Pad 7S Pro for feature-rich Android bundle.
- Yoga Tab Plus for stylus & keyboard value.
- XP‑Pen Artist Pro 19 Gen 2 for dedicated desktop work.
FAQ
Q: Is the iPad missing desktop Photoshop?
Yes—it uses optimized mobile Adobe apps; desktop Photoshop is reserved for Surface or pen displays like XP‑Pen.
Q: Can Android tablets run full Adobe suite?
Only mobile app versions. Full desktop versions require Windows on devices like Surface or desktop peripherals.
Q: Which has best stylus latency?
iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra are industry-leading. Surface and pen displays are also optimized but slightly less fluid on paper.
Q: Are stylus & keyboard included?
iPad, Surface, Galaxy, and OnePlus accessories sold separately. Xiaomi and Yoga bundles currently include them.
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