What is android tablet phone

Android Tablets

Android is customisable, easy to use and works perfectly with all your favourite apps.

Get more done and have some fun

Ready when you are

All your music, photos, documents and Gmail are there waiting for you as soon as you sign in to your Google account.

From work to play

Get things done and entertain yourself from anywhere. Easily and quickly switch between creating and editing documents, browsing the web, watching films and listening to music.

A tablet that listens

Use your voice to get things done. Say “OK Google” to ask a question, send an email, set a reminder, get directions or whatever you need to do.

Your apps are all here

Choose from over 1.3 million apps on Google Play. Plus, your favourite Google apps are already on your device, easy to access and run smoothly.

Apps Carousel

Explore a selection of Android applications that you can use to make your Android phone, tablet, wearable, auto console and television one-of-a-kind. Use the previous and next buttons, as well as the keyboard arrows, to change the displayed item.

Get more out of your Android tablet

Turn your mobile device into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and share its Internet connection with up to 10 other devices at once.

Open your device’s Settings menu. Under “Wireless & networks”, touch More > Tethering & portable hotspot. First make sure that you set up your Wi-Fi hotspot under “Set up Wi-Fi hotspot” and then select the box next to “Portable Wi-Fi hotspot” to start sharing your data connection.

Easily switch between activities with the Overview button that can be found to the right of your Home button in the navigation bar at the bottom of your screen.

Because photos are automatically backed up and synced to the cloud with Back up & sync, you can take a selfie from your phone and tweak it on your tablet.

Open the Photos app, touch the menu button and select Settings. Touch Back up & sync and then switch on back up.

Open the Photos app on your tablet, select a photo and touch the pencil icon to start editing.

Get the information that you want when you need it most with Google.

To view the Google Now cards that are waiting for you at any time, open the Google app and scroll down to see all of your cards.

With multiple user accounts and guest modes, you can share your device with others while keeping your personal stuff safe and sound.

You must be the tablet owner to add users. To add a new user, open your tablet’s Settings menu and under «Device», touch Users. Touch Add user or profile, then touch User and finally touch OK. Touch Set up now if you’re with the new tablet user. If not, touch Not now and complete setup later.

On Android 5.0 Lollipop, pull down the notification bar and tap the round icon of the current user on the top right. Select «Guest» to switch to the guest account, and when they’ve finished you simply switch back.

Google Play helps you to bring your iTunes library or locally stored files to your Android devices and the web so that you can access your music anywhere.

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What Is an Android Tablet?

Here’s what you should know before buying an Android tablet

If you’re thinking about buying a new tablet, you have many choices, including the Apple iPad, Amazon Fire, and hundreds of Android tablets. If the number of available apps is important to you, consider an Android tablet that uses the Google Play Store. Here’s everything you need to know before you invest in a new Android tablet.

Information in this article applies broadly to Android tablets made by different manufacturers (Google, Samsung, Lenovo, and others).

Android Tablet Cost and Other Considerations

There are many things to consider before you buy a tablet, including the processor, display size, camera, and amount of RAM it has. While high-end Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 can cost several hundred dollars, there are budget tablets under $100. Still, the actual specifications matter more than the price tag, so you should know what to look for.

Not All Tablets Have the Latest Android

The Android mobile operating system is mostly open-source, which means anyone can download it and design a device around it. That’s why there are many devices with Android or variations of it, and why many phone manufacturers (Apple excluded) make Android devices.

The array of Android manufacturers means there’s no standardization in the Android world. Thus, it’s common to find new tablets that run an Android version that is one or two releases old.

In 2020, the latest version is Android 10. A device with an older version will work fine, but it won’t have access to the latest apps and features.

Not All Tablets Connect to Google Play

Because anyone can make an Android tablet, some manufacturers use the mobile operating system to build a different platform. This means they choose whether to include the Google Play Store, the official app store for the Android operating system.

Amazon’s popular Fire devices, including Fire tablets, are based on Android but don’t have access to the Google Play Store. Instead, these devices use the Amazon Appstore. It’s possible to install the Google Play Store on a Kindle Fire, but that requires advanced technical knowledge.

Make sure the tablet you purchase has access to the apps you want.

Some Tablets Require a Data Plan

Android tablets can be sold as Wi-Fi-only ​or with 3G, 4G, or 5G wireless data access. These tablets are often sold at a discount in exchange for a contract with a cellular service provider, just like phones.

Read the fine print when you check the price to see if you’re committing to two years of payments on top of the price of the device. Also, check to see how much data is included in the plan. Tablets can use more bandwidth than phones, so you’ll need a plan that expands if you need more data.

Is a New Model Coming Soon?

Before you buy a new Android tablet, find out if a newer version is due soon. If you like or need the new features offered by the next model, wait for that one since it may be available at about the same price. If you don’t need those features and are happy with the current model, wait for the price to drop following the new release.

Beware of the Modified Android

Just as device makers are free to modify the Android user interface on phones, they’re also free to modify it on tablets. Manufacturers say this sets their products apart, but there are disadvantages.

On devices with a modified user interface, such as the HTC Sense UI or Samsung One UI, apps may need to be rewritten to work properly, which means you’ll wait longer for OS updates.

Also, when someone shows you how to do something on Android, it won’t always work the same way for a modified version.

Android Accessories, Features, and Capabilities

Your tablet’s manufacturer plays a role in the types of accessories and features it supports. For example, Samsung is one of the largest manufacturers of Android devices. When someone makes a case for Android devices, they usually consider Samsung first. Samsung also has a strong ecosystem around its products, with exclusive apps, integration with smart devices, and wearable tech such as Samsung smartwatches. A smaller manufacturer probably won’t be able to offer as much support.

Consider the other devices you own, as well. Maybe you want to control your smart TV from your tablet, but the Samsung tablet you’re looking at doesn’t integrate well with your LG TV. Look for a tablet that is compatible with your other devices.

If you want to install apps outside of the Google Play Store, make sure you can root your Android tablet. Rooting, also known as jailbreaking, provides access to all the settings on the device. While this is easy to do on most devices, some manufacturers make it impossible.

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What is an Android mobile phone?

An Android phone is a powerful, high-tech smartphone that runs on the Android operating system (OS) developed by Google and is used by a variety of mobile phone manufacturers.

Pick an Android mobile phone and you can choose from hundreds of great applications and multitask with ease.

You’ll also get regular software updates that add great new features to your smartphone.

Which handsets run Android?

The Android operating system is developed and owned by Google.

However, it’s not exclusive to the Google-branded Nexus range of phones.

In fact, Android powers a host of handsets from some of the biggest mobile manufacturers.

These include HTC, Samsung, Sony, Motorola and LG, many of whom have enjoyed tremendous critical and commercial success with mobile phones running the Android operating system.

Who makes the best Android phones and tablet phones?

To a certain extent, this is largely a matter of opinion.

However, it is definitely worth noting that both HTC and Samsung’s Android phones have been very favourably reviewed and have sold millions of units worldwide. Compare Samsung phones with Uswitch today.

Also highly rated are Google’s own branded Nexus range of Android mobiles.

Android mobile phone prices

Android phones range from state of the art models to cheaper handsets.

HTC and Samsung, for instance, have created superb Android phones for the top of the market, as well as mobiles running Android for those who want to spend a bit less.

Prices for the top-end models are around £500-£600 or more if you buy one outright. For that reason, most people prefer to get one on a contract deal and spread the cost over up to two years.

Monthly contract prices for these high-end models range from £25-£40 per month.

Mid-range Android phones can be had from around £300 outright or between £15-£25, while the cheapest, entry-level Android phones are £100 or so. Opt for a contract and expect to pay £10 or so per month.

Compare Contract phone deals at Uswitch now.

Budget Android phones vs high-end Android mobiles

Pick a cheaper Android phone and you’ll still get a choice of thousands of apps and a great communication tool with excellent social networking options.

The main difference between cheaper Android phones and the most expensive models is that the former will typically feature lower-grade cameras and lower resolution screens, such as QVGA displays, whereas the latter will feature the latest, cutting-edge specifications.

Less costly Android mobiles will also typically have less powerful processors. Consequently, cheaper Android phones may not run as fast or as smoothly and may be left out of the latest software updates because they’re not powerful enough to run them.

Google Nexus Android phones

As well as Android mobile phones from HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Motorola, Google has brought phones to market that feature its own branding. These are the well-regarded Nexus range of Android smartphones.

The main difference between Google Nexus Android phones and those made by third-party companies, such as HTC, are that Google-branded phones run what is called ‘vanilla Android’.

This means the user interface they use is completely unaltered from Google’s original design and that they do not feature the customisations that the likes of HTC and Samsung use to put their own stamp on their Android phones.

As a result, Nexus phone users have experienced few of the problems that have sometimes affected owners of other phone manufacturers’ handsets – such as hogging more memory and battery life — and have been able to get Android updates for their mobiles as soon as Google has made them available (see below for more information Android custom skins).

This has made them especially popular with committed tech fans, who are keen to get the latest, greatest version of Android on their handset as soon as possible.

Android mobile apps

The sheer range of Android apps available is a key selling point of Android mobiles.

Head to the Android Market – Google’s official applications download store – or the third-party owned GetJar orAmazon Appstore and you’ll be able to choose from a vast array of applications, taking in everything from practical business tools to fun games.

Best of all, many of these apps are totally free to download.

All Android phones also come with Google applications preinstalled, such as YouTube, Google Maps and Gmail, so you’ll have great some apps to get to grips with.

Google frequently updates these apps free, making them easier and better to use each time.

The software maker also creates free-to-download, innovative new applications, including the brilliant Google Goggles app that lets you conduct web searches by just taking pictures with your mobile.

Android updates explained

Periodically, Google releases an upgraded version of the Android software.

These are sometimes referred to by fun, dessert or other baked goods-themed codenames, such as FroYo (Frozen Yoghurt), Gingerbread, Honeycomb or Ice Cream Sandwich.

More formally they are given a version number by Google, such as Android 2.3 or Android 3.0.

Each time you get an update you can look forward to a host of new features for your handset. An Android update also makes your phone faster to use and fixes glitches and issues that have been discovered.

It really is like getting a brand new phone each time. And better yet, Google provides all updates completely free of charge.

Getting an Android update

Networks will typically send an email or text message to your phone to notify you when an update is available to download.

Some networks will automatically push out an update to your phone over the air.

All you have to do in these cases is look out for notifications that an update is available and press a button to accept the update. It will then begin downloading directly to your phone.

The exception is Samsung, maker of the best-selling Galaxy range of phones.

If you’ve got a Samsung Android phone must first download the company’s Kies software companion to your PC or Mac.

You can then download the update directly to your PC/Mac and plug in your phone to transfer the latest Android OS iteration to your mobile.

If you are getting the update over the air, it’s a good idea to use your wireless home broadband connection.

This is because an update is a fairly large file, which takes much longer to download over a 3G or 4G mobile broadband connection.

It’s also prudent to back up any information on your phone to a microSD card before performing the update, so that you retain all your contacts and other information if there is a problem installing it.

Android custom skins explained

Android skins are user interfaces that are particular to a manufacturer, such as HTC’s Sense and Samsung’s TouchWiz.

A user interface is what determines the layout of menus and functions on your phone’s screen.

Many phone makers prioritise social networking for their custom skins, with a view to making it easy to update your profile and stay in the loop with all your friends.

For this reason, most specially created user interfaces feature one-touch access to social networking apps, such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, as well as a single location for you to view all your social networking activity.

Perhaps the best rated custom skin for Android mobile phones is HTC Sense, which has been lauded for its user friendliness and the cleanness of its layout.

In a Uswitch poll, Sense was dubbed the number-one custom interface for Android phones by 70 per cent of participants.

However, although welcomed by many users of Android phones, custom skins have on occasion caused notable issues with Android updates.

Some phone makers have experienced problems with getting updated versions of Android to work with their own user interface, which has resulted in delays in pushing out the upgrade to phones.

This development has fuelled speculation that Google will eventually do away with custom skins in future by allowing less scope for phone makers to customise their Android phones.

History of Android

Android was first unveiled to an expectant world back in November 2007.

However, the first commercially available phone to run the Android operating system did not go on sale until late 2008, when the T-Mobile G1 hit the shelves.

Manufactured by HTC on T-Mobile’s behalf, the G1 raced to one million sales, prompting a rush of phone makers to create their own handsets based on the Android platform.

Since then we have seen the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S and HTC Desire smash the G1’s early record several times over with global sales running into millions. Just as popular was the debut Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Also helping to spread the OS’s popularity was the arrival of cheaper Android phones, not least the cute and very compact HTC Magic.

This was also the first to be offered on pay as you deals, thus making Android accessible to younger consumers and teenagers, as well as people on a budget.

Google’s first update for the OS was codenamed Cupcake, but was officially known as Android 1.5 and landed back in April 2009.

This debuted new functions, including the option to upload videos to YouTube, new widgets and also gave users fresh animations between screens.

Since Cupcake was released, Android updates have arrived regularly, with each overhaul of the operating system helping keep Android at the forefront of consumer technology.

The latest version, Android Lollipop, brings a new ‘flatter’ look to the operating system, as well as a redesigned Gmail app, a battery boost and improved security.

Want help with roaming charges? Maybe you could use some switching tips? Or perhaps you looking for ways to keep your monthly phone costs down? Head to our guides homepage where you’ll find all the help you need.

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