I recently switched to the Xiaomi Pad 7 after using an iPad for years. Despite the iPad’s reputation as a great tablet, my Android tablet offers me far more than my iPad ever did.
1
I Missed The Openness That Android Offers
While Apple has introduced more customization features over the years—and even allowed sideloading third-party app stores in some regions—it still can’t match the open-source flexibility of Android. The ability to install apps from third-party sources, change the default launcher, switch icon packs, or use any file manager are some of the things iPadOS still lacks.
There are also smaller, quality-of-life perks like background uploading and downloading in apps and easier file transfers via USB-C that make a huge difference. \
While Apple’s locked-down approach may be great for some, Android’s open-source nature is something I truly missed while using an iPad.
2
Multitasking On Android Tablets Is Better
Yes, iPadOS lets you run two apps side by side, but it still doesn’t match the multitasking experience of an Android tablet. On my Xiaomi Pad 7, I can not only run two apps at once, but I can also keep apps open in a floating, resizable window that I can move around freely.
Unlike iPadOS, which forces you to split the screen to multitask, Android’s floating window mode lets you keep an app open in the background without taking up unnecessary space. It’s a far more flexible and efficient way to multitask.
3
Having Multiple User Profiles Is A Game Changer
One of my biggest frustrations with the iPad is its lack of multiple user profiles. Unlike a smartphone, which is a personal device, tablets are often used by multiple people in a household. In my case, my family members also use my tablet—but on an iPad, there’s no way to keep separate profiles for each user.
The Xiaomi Pad 7, on the other hand, lets me create separate user accounts for each family member. This keeps apps, data, and preferences completely separate. This feature is also great for kids since I can set up a child-friendly profile with parental controls to restrict access to certain apps and content. iPad users have been asking for this feature on Reddit for years, but Apple still hasn’t added it.
4
Android Tablets Don’t Lock You Into An Ecosystem
One of the biggest benefits of owning an Android tablet is that you’re not locked into a specific ecosystem. Sure, brands like Samsung offer exclusive features when using their tablets with Galaxy smartphones—like using a tablet as a second display—but that doesn’t mean you’re restricted to using just one brand’s products.
Android keeps things flexible. Any peripheral you own will connect to an Android tablet just as easily as it would with any other device, though sometimes it might take an extra step or two.
Plus, you’re not locked into Google’s ecosystem. You can back up your photos to any cloud service you choose instead of relying on Google Drive. Heck, you can even swap out Google Assistant for ChatGPT or Perplexity if you prefer.
Apple, on the other hand, thrives on keeping you within its ecosystem. Your iPad will only seamlessly pair with your Mac as an external monitor, and your AirPods will automatically sync across all your Apple devices.
While these features are genuinely useful, over time, they pull you deeper into Apple’s ecosystem.
5
Android Tablets Are More Cost-Effective To Maintain
Apple iPads are premium devices, and maintaining them isn’t cheap. Whether it’s cases, accessories, or repairs, the cost of ownership adds up quickly. I learned this the hard way when I broke my iPad Air’s screen last year. The repair cost was almost as much as buying a new budget Android tablet.
Yes, repairs can be expensive for any device, but Android tablets generally have lower repair costs, especially if you go through a third-party repair service. In the long run, Android tablets are simply more affordable to maintain.
These are just a few reasons I switched from my iPad Air to an Android tablet. While Apple products offer a great experience, especially if you’re already deep into the Apple ecosystem, Android tablets offer more flexibility and are much more cost-effective—which is a big plus if you don’t use your tablet all that often. And for me, that’s a trade-off worth making.
