Top 8 tablets under Rs 22,000

Apple, Samsung, Google and more... all the big guns feature in this list

Budget tablets have always been appealing. Whether it's the lightweight computing on the go or their easy functionality and applications, there is a strong audience for budget tablets. There have been a good number of budget tablets from manufacturers like Samsung, WickedLeak, Spice, Lava and just recently, Google.

With the release of the Google Nexus 7 in India, we take a look at the top 8 budget tablets currently available along with their advantages and features. They haven't been ranked but some devices carry more robust feature sets than others.

Google Nexus 7
Price: Rs 15,999

The Google Nexus 7 is manufactured by Asus, who first created the device as an ultra-cheap tablet before tying up with Google. It has since then been regarded as one of the best budget Android tablets on the market and for good reason. It features a quad-core NVidia Tegra 3 CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz with 1 GB of RAM and a choice between 16 GB and 32 GB of internal memory.

The 7-inch display features a 1280x800 resolution with a pixel density of 216 pixels per-inch. There is also IPS technology present, which ensures good viewing angles and brightness levels. It weighs about 347 grams if you go for the 3G version and 340 grams for the Wi-Fi version. As far as connectivity goes, it also features NFC support and Bluetooth. Battery capacity is 4325 mAh.

WickedLeak Wammy Magnus
Price: Rs 15,499

While the Google Nexus 10 is yet to be officially released in India, there are plenty of budget 10-inch tablets on offer. WickedLeak's Wammy Magnus is one of the best.

It features a 1.5 GHz quad core CPU with 2 GB of RAM. You have 16 GB of internal storage along with a microSD slot for an additional 32 GB. Its 10.1-inch display has a 1280x800 resolution. It also has IPS technology and 5 point touch support. Battery capacity is about 8000 mAh, and the device weighs 620 grams. A 2 megapixel rear camera is also provided, and connectivity is assured via Wi-Fi and support for 3G dongle via USB.

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Asus MeMO Pad ME172V
Price: Rs 9,999

The MeMO Pad ME172V was meant to be Asus's first budget tablet before it began manufacturing a slightly different for Google. That device became the Nexus 7, but now the MeMO Pad has been released separately.

It features a 1 GHz VIA 8950 CPU with 1 GB of RAM. Internal storage is 8 GB and a microSD slot allows for 32 GB more space. Asus is also offering 5 GB Cloud storage with the device. It has a 4270 mAh battery and weighs 370 grams. The 7-inch display has a 1024x600 resolution. As for connectivity, there is only the option of Wi-Fi without 3G or Bluetooth.

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Apple iPad Mini
Price: Rs 21,900

Despite the fact that it hovers closer to the Rs 20K mark, the Apple iPad Mini is a great tablet overall. It features a purely aluminium body that weighs 308 grams and which is quite thin. It features a dual core 1 GHz A5 CPU with 512 MB of RAM. Internal storage goes up to 64 GB and there is a microSD slot available for further expansion.

The IPS display is 7.9-inches with a 1024x768 resolution. There is also a 5 megapixel rear camera that delivers good images. The addition of iOS 6 and Siri voice support also provide quite the feature set.

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Lava Etab Xtron
Price; Rs 6,499

Even though it's relatively cheaper, the Lava Etab Xtron features a good build with aluminium brushed back panel. Lava's tablet features a dual core Cortex A9 clocked at 1.5 GHz with 1 GB of RAM. It features a microSD slot for up to 32 GB internal storage.

The 7-inch display has an IPS panel and 1024x600 resolution. Battery capacity is about 3500 mAh, and the tablet is lightweight enough to operate. As for connectivity, it features Wi-Fi but no Bluetooth. Voice calling via 3G is also absent. Like most of the tablets on this list, it comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

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Spice Stellar Pad (Mi-1010)
Price: Rs 12,999

The Spice Stellar Pad (Mi-1010) is slightly heavier than devices like the Wammy Magnus. It does feature a matte finished back panel though, which helps in avoiding fingerprints. The 10.1-inch display features a 1280x800 resolution, along with an IPS panel for better brightness and viewing angles.

The Mi-1010 features a dual core CPU clocked at 1.5 GHz with 1 GB of RAM. Battery capacity is 7600 mAh, and it features connectivity via Wi-Fi. Bluetooth and voice calling are absent. A 3 megapixel rear camera is present, though it lacks features like auto-focus.

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Micromax Funbook Pro
Price: Rs 9,999

Despite being released last year, the Micromax Funbook Pro is still a fairly good budget tablet. It features a 1.2 GHz CPU with 1 GB of RAM. Unlike the other tablets on this list the device comes with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The 10.1-inch display features a 1024x600 resolution.

Though it's missing Bluetooth and GPS, it does features Wi-Fi. Battery capacity is 5600 mAh, which provides a good couple of hours of performance. The overall finish is decidedly plastic and as a result, it is lightweight enough to handle. The build quality is also fairly strong.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 P3100
Price: Rs 15,999

This 7-inch tablet from Samsung is still quite reliable, and provides good value for money. Even though it ships with Android Ice Cream Sandwich, it can be updated to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean easily. The Galaxy Tab 2 P3100 features a dual core T1 OMAP CPU clocked at 1 GHz with 1 GB of RAM. Internal storage ranges from 8 to 32 GB with a microSD slot for 32 GB more space.

There is also 50 GB of free Dropbox storage available for up to a year. The display features a PLS panel with 1024x600 resolution. There is a 3.2 megapixel camera on the rear, though it lacks LED flash. You can surf the net via Wi-Fi and 3G. The device weighs roughly 345 grams. Battery life ranges from 7-8 hours. The device also features Samsung's TouchWiz UI.

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