There are few surprises in this batch of Stuff‘s 2025 Gadget Awards winners if a) you were paying attention last year or b) bought the most recent issue of the print magazine. But since not everyone does that — you really should — we’ve got the very best of 2025’s tablet hardware for you to peruse.
The annual Stuff Gadget Awards don’t just look at the very top of everything. Each entry includes the devices that sit just below the top rung of the ladder. These are gadgets that were ever-so-nearly there. The winners just did something slightly better, in most cases.
It’s often a close contest, so if your budget doesn’t stretch past R40k (or even past eight grand), there are likely more affordable choices that are very nearly as good. There’s more than one space on a podium after all. For now, let’s see who’s on top of this one.
PREMIUM TABLET OF THE YEAR
ASUS ROG FLOW Z13
When you think of advanced tablets, you’re probably not thinking about Windows 11. Yet, here we are. The RoG Flow Z13’s aluminium unibody houses a gorgeous 13.4in 16:10 display that’s sharp and colour-rich – perfect for both work and binge watching. The Republic of Gamers moniker suggests a better use case.
An AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chipset with 32GB of RAM flies through creative apps, games, and split-screen multitasking. And Asus’ software handles multiple apps with typical Windows aplomb, making productivity genuinely effortless – while the optional keyboard and stylus boost its work/play credentials even further. Battery life is class-leading thanks to a 70Wh cell, and 130W charging gets you topped up in a jiffy. For most people, this is everything a tablet should be – for gamers, it’s nigh on perfection.
from R43 000 / store.asus.com
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Apple iPad Air (M3)
SHORTLISTED
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+
AFFORDABLE TABLET OF THE YEAR
APPLE IPAD (2025, A16)
Why choose an Android tablet when there’s an iPad sitting right over there? The newest version of Apple’s entry-level delivers specs and styling that challenge higher-grade rivals, at a price that means you might actually buy one. The build quality is typically solid, so much so that you’ll wonder why you waited so long to take the plunge.
The 11in display impresses with its sharpness, while the Apple A16 chipset delivers smooth performance and even the 12MP rear camera puts in a good showing. We’re still not going to use it, but it’s there if you need it. Yes, we have minor quibbles – it’s only super affordable in its base configuration. You’ll see the price skyrocket as you add storage and features. But if you’re just looking for a WiFi-capable time-waster, this is the one to pick.
from R7 700 / incredible.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro)
SHORTLISTED
Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+
