Many would say Android has a stranglehold on global market shares because of its inexpensive phones and tablets. Billions of people on the planet simply can't afford the price tag of the latest Galaxy Tab Ultra or iPad Pro, and that's where the more affordable Android options come into play.
I've tested several inexpensive Android tablets over the years, and although when you put them under the microscope, they may not perform at the level of flagship devices, the truth is that for most people, they're fully capable of providing a satisfying experience. The idea that all users need top tier hardware from a$1,000 tablet is one that the brands would like us to believe, but it isn't necessarily the case.
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Such is the case with theAGM Pad P2 . This 4G LTE-capable Android tablet is under$200, and has some pretty impressive features.
This tablet will surprise you with how well it performs.
Cost-effective Android tablets typically mean mid-range hardware, older versions of the OS, and bloatware. This time around, I was taken by surprise. Although the AGM Pad P2 offers a less-premium hardware experience, it ships with the latest Android 14 and little to no bloatware.
In fact, you get a fairly vanilla version of the operating system and three apps you might not usually find on a tablet: FM Radio, TabletManager, and SIM Toolkit. Besides that, it's a standard Android experience, and that's a good thing. Because there's no added UI or bloatware, the AGM Pad P2 runs really well out of the box. Apps open quickly, animations are smooth, and videos play without skipping or buffering (as long as you're on a decent network).
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The only thing that gives away the price is the included case -- which is flimsy. The case has what looks like a slot for a pen, but the tablet doesn't ship with one.
The display is bright and clear, but certainly not the best I've ever seen. On sites with ads or graphics-heavy content, the tablet can jitter a bit when scrolling. Again, this is midrange hardware, so it's to be expected. Fortunately, watching YouTube videos, one of the most popular use cases for a tablet -- is a crisp and burdenless experience.
For those curious about how the camera performs, I found it besting some of the$400 tablets on my tech shelf. The only caveat is that you don't get many edits when taking a photo in Portrait mode (such as the ability to change the blur percentage). However, the Pad P2 captures photos indicative of a more costly tablet, like theiPad Air .
On a final note, the battery life on the Pad P2 is good, but not great. Depending on your usage, you'll easily get a full day out of a single charge. Lighter use (mainly web browsing and emailing) can extend that life to a few days. I left the P2 in standby mode, and after a week, it still had 14% battery. That's not too shabby.
Display size, Refresh rate | Memory, Storage | Camera | Price | |
AGM Pad P2 | 11 inches, 90Hz | 8GB, 256GB storage | 8MP front, 50MP rear | $180 |
TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus | 11.5 inches, 120Hz | 8GB, 256GB storage | 8MP front, 8MP rear | $249 |
Blackview Mega 1 | 11.5 inches, 120Hz | 24GB, 1TB | 13MP front, 50MP rear | $329 |
Tabwee T20 | 10.1 inches, 60Hz | Up to 24GB, Up to 2TB | 5MP front, 8MP rear | $109 |
I honestly can't complain about the overall experience I got out of this inexpensive tablet. TheAGM Pad P2 runs well, looks great, includes the latest version of Android, sounds fairly decent, and has a rock-solid display. As I said, the only knock I can give it is the flimsy case. While it's supposed to fold and serve as a stand, it seems too fragile to hold up for the long haul. You can probably find a generic 11-inch case on Amazon that would work better.
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As long as you don't expect high-end specs and performance, the AGM Pad P2 will surprise you. It's available from Amazon for just under$190, which is a steal for a tablet that will probably serve you for some time.
July 31st, 2025: Added a comparison chart with at-a-glance specs of competing tablets around the same price point, replaced some outdated links, and adjusted the price to reflect its current rate on Amazon.