Fortnite has become one of the best and most played games of all times not only on PCs and Macs but on tablets as well. Epic Games sure made a big step towards getting the game available to the wider population by releasing versions for both iOS and Android. It soon became one of the most popular games for mobile phones and tablets. I compiled a list of the best tablets for Fortnite currently on the market to enjoy the game to the most.
What features to focus on for a great Fortnite tablet?
To really enjoy gaming on a tablet, there are a few factors we need to take into consideration:
1. Operating System (OS)
There are basically two leading and most popular operating systems on the market. That’s the iOS, developed by Apple and Android, developed by Google.
You may wonder, which OS is better for gaming. But there is no specific answer for that. Neither OS is necessarily better than the other, as they both have areas where they excel and areas where they fall a bit behind. The question of which one is better for gaming can be a bit subjective and depends on the user’s needs and preferences.
One thing worth mentioning is that iOS runs on devices strictly made by Apple. Such as iPads and iPhones, as iOS is a proprietary operating system. On the other hand, Android is an open-source OS. Which means it runs on a plethora of different brands (HTC, Samsung, ASUS…) and models (Galaxy Tab, ZenPad, etc.).
2. The SoC
SoC stands for System on a Chip. It is an integrated circuit (also known as a “chip”) that integrates many different components of a computer (the processor or CPU and graphics chip or GPU) or/and other electronic systems.
Basically, it is a processor, graphics processor and a few other modules (WiFi, cellular,..), combined together in one solid chip. For example, Snapdragon 835 SoC contains a Qualcomm Kryo 280 CPU and Qualcomm Adreno 540 GPU.
For a tablet to be able to run Fortnite, it must meet the system requirements:
Fortnite Mobile requirements for Android:
- 3 GB RAM minimum
- GPU Adreno 530 or better, Mali-G71 MP20, Mali-G72 MP12 or better
Fortnite Mobile requirements for iOS:
- Works with: iPhone SE, 6S, 7, 8, X; iPad Mini 4, Air 2, 2017, Pro. And newer.
Source: https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/faq
3. Display
Of course the display matters for the best experience. Not only size but more importantly the resolution. You can’t really expect to enjoy the game on some 600 by 400 pixels display. 🙂
One thing really worth mentioning here: Apple iPad Pro comes with 120Hz display (also named ProMotion). With this tablet, you can enable 60 fps framerate inside Fortnite settings.
Having it enabled the gaming experience is awesome. Not only it provides you with a more enjoyable and responsive overall gaming experience. But especially if you play competitive games, it is definitely recommended to have. You get an advantage over your opponents who have a limit of 3o fps max.
4. RAM
For the Android version, a tablet must have a minimum of 3 GB. For iOS 2 gigs is enough.
5. Battery
The battery gets drained very easily on gaming tablets, as the system is running full features. It can also be quickly drained by the touch-screen and the powerful GPU.
This is definitely an important feature to look for while looking for the best tablet to play Fortnite on. Serious gamers will want a longer-lasting battery. Otherwise, you may need to plug in your charger while you play, and recharging often.
What is the best tablet for Fortnite?
I compiled a list of 2 iOS and 2 Android tablets that can play Fortnite. The fifth one (Microsoft Surface Pro 6) is actually a bit different as it is a full PC tablet with Windows 10 and with a PC Fortnite version running on it.
Comparison Table:
Last update on 2022-12-22.
1. Apple iPad Pro 11 Inch – BEST iOS – RECOMMENDED
OS: iOS | SoC: Apple A12X Bionic | SCREEN: 11″ Liquid Retina (2388 x 1668), 120Hz refresh rate | STORAGE: 64/256/512 GB, 1 TB | RAM: 4 GB (6 GB with 1 TB model) | BATTERY: 7812 mAh (up to 10h) | FRONT CAMERA: 7 MP | REAR CAMERA: 12 MP
This is currently the most powerful (and obviously expensive) iPad in the Apple’s lineup. If you want a serious tablet that may be of use as a laptop replacement, then the iPad Pro is definitely the best you can get. That raw power of A12X, combined with perfect OS optimization, makes this neat piece of technology the most powerful tablet available.
And there’s the display. Apart from the great colors of Apple’s Liquid Retina display, the iPad Pro’s display has also two really great features. First is the True Tone technology, which uses new four-channel sensors to dynamically adjust the white balance of the display to match the light around you. And a 120Hz refresh rate*!
Of course in Fortnite the max fps is limited is at 60 fps, but other players who don’t own an iPad Pro, have their limit at 20 or 30 frames per second.
With all that in mind, I would recommend this iPad not only for playing Fortnite but to users who really need all of its horsepowers and will actually make full use of its capabilities.
This is how smooth gameplay of Fortnite on an Apple iPad Pro at 60 frames per second on a 120Hz refresh rate display looks like:
Last update on 2022-12-22.
2. Apple iPad
OS: iOS | SoC: A10 Fusion | SCREEN: 9.7″ Retina (2048 × 1536) | STORAGE: 32/128 GB | RAM: 2 GB | BATTERY: 8827 mAh (up to 10h) | FRONT CAMERA: 1.2 MP | REAR CAMERA: 8 MP
A non-pro version of an iPad may very well be the best tablet currently available for those who are looking to get the most for their money and still want to own an iOS device.
With a has a crisp Retina display and the A10 Fusion chip, which is by no means the state-of-the-art piece of technology, it makes an iPad a viable gaming tablet.
It also offers Apple Pencil support, which makes it the cheapest iPad to date to support this accessory. Unfortunately, it is not bundled with the device, so those who wish to use it will have to purchase it separately.
iPad is simply the best budget tablet if you’re looking for a device that is balanced between price and quality. The only real flaws here are front and rear cameras, which are quite mediocre compared to those found in iPad Pro or iPhones. But of course, this is understandable for a budget device.
Last update on 2022-12-22.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 – BEST ANDROID
OS: Android | SoC: Snapdragon 835 | SCREEN: 10.5″ (2560 x 1600), AMOLED | STORAGE: 64/256 GB (expandable up to 400 GB) | RAM: 4 GB | BATTERY: 7300 mAh (up to 10h) | FRONT CAMERA: 8 MP | REAR CAMERA: 13 MP
Galaxy Tab S4 is not quite a budget device and is obviously with a powerful Snapdragon 835 chip tries to be a bit of a competitor for the iPad Pro.The display has the same resolution as the regular iPad and it uses AMOLED technology as the rest of Samsung’s mobile lineup. The battery lasts roughly as long as that of the iPad (about 10 hours of active use). The S4 ships complete with the S pen, so won’t need to spend extra money if you are a stylus user.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is well-designed and definitely a decent competitor for the iPad Pro – what it lacks in performance, it makes up for with its vivid display and the complete bundle which includes the S pen.
Here’s the Fortnite gameplay on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S4:
Last update on 2022-12-22.
4. Asus ZenPad 3S 10
OS: Android | SoC: Mediatek MT8176 | SCREEN: 9.7″ (2048 x 1536), IPS | STORAGE: 32/64 GB | RAM: 4 GB | BATTERY: 5900 mAh (up to 10h) | FRONT CAMERA: 5 MP | REAR CAMERA: 8 MP
Asus has created a solid gaming tablet. The Zenpad 3S 10 falls into the category of an affordable and yet powerful Android tablet.
The 2K screen with vivid colors looks very good and makes mobile games more enjoyable. With Mediatek MT8176 SoC, the games will run smoothly.
The 9.7-inch screen feels great for mobile gaming. There’s enough room to see everything clearly but still keeps the Zenpad 3S 10 lightweight.
When connected to 7.1 Surround sound headsets, the audio is on par with the best devices and you can hear directional audio clearly. This is great for hearing somewhat sneaking up on you in an intense Fortnite round.
If you want an affordable Android tablet with a solid design, enough power under the hood to play anything on mobile though, this is a good to go device.
Last update on 2022-12-22.
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 6 – FULL WINDOWS TABLET/PC
OS: Windows | CPU: Intel i5-8250U | GPU: Intel i5-8250U | SCREEN: 12.3″ (2736 x 1824), PixelSense | STORAGE: 128/256/512 GB, 1 TB | RAM: 8/16 GB | BATTERY: 5087 mAh (up to 13.5h) | FRONT CAMERA: 5 MP | REAR CAMERA: 8 MP
I intentionally left the Surface Pro 6 for the last, as this is no iOS or Android tablet, but a full Windows 10 laptop/tablet.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 tablet is not the regular tablet for gaming. This is a 2-in-1 Windows 10 device that combines the practicality of a laptop with the simplicity and portability of a tablet.
This also means that you won’t be playing a mobile version of Fortnite, but a full game like on any Windows desktop PC or laptop. Sure you can’t run the game without full visual details. If you go for medium settings, you get around 20 frames per second, which I guess is just not enough to be competitive.
As you can see here, you need to lower graphics details to low preset to be able to maintain at about 30 fps:
Last update on 2022-12-22.
Conclusion
If you can afford, by all means, go for iPad Pro . It is just the best tablet on the market. Not only for games but for overall everyday use. And yes, when you try a 120Hz display, you would never want to go back! 🙂
If you are a loyal Android user and also have some decent amount of cash to spend, a Galaxy Tab S4 is a perfect choice as this model is among the most (if not THE most) powerful Android tablets to date.
For people whose budget is kind of limited, you may choose between an iPad (non-pro) and Asus Zenpad 3S 10 , depending on your OS preference (iOS vs Android).
Lastly, there is a 2 in 1 laptop/tablet with full Windows 10, a Surface Pro 6 . Great portability with decent gaming performance.
I hope it helps.
Take care. 🙂