The iPad (A16) is our starting pick for reading PDFs and making everyday annotations on a general-purpose tablet. Choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ if a larger screen and an included pen matter most. The reMarkable Paper Pro is the specialist choice for reading documents and writing notes on a color E Ink display.
These recommendations compare documented hardware and PDF workflows. We have not measured page-turn speed, handwriting latency, battery life or comfort on these devices. The useful question is which screen, pen and file workflow fits your documents.
Three tablets for PDFs compared
| Tablet and selected configuration | Screen and page shape | Pen and main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| iPad (A16), Wi-Fi, 128GB, Silver | 11-inch marketed size; 2360 × 1640 IPS display, about 1.44:1 | Compatible Apple Pencil bought separately; smaller canvas than the 13.1-inch Samsung |
| Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, Wi-Fi, 128GB, Gray | 13.1-inch LCD; 2880 × 1800, or 16:10 | S Pen included; largest and heaviest tablet in this comparison |
| reMarkable Paper Pro, 64GB, with Marker Plus | 11.8-inch color E Ink; 2160 × 1620, or 4:3 | Marker Plus included; dedicated reMarkable file workflow needs to fit your work |
Screen ratios describe the long side divided by the short side. The iPad and Samsung ratios above are calculated from their published pixel dimensions; reMarkable also specifies 4:3. A wider portrait page shape and a larger diagonal are different advantages. App toolbars, page margins and zoom settings still affect how much of a PDF you can comfortably read.
iPad (A16): best starting point for everyday PDF work
The selected iPad has 128GB of storage, Wi-Fi and a silver finish. Apple specifies a 2360-by-1640 IPS display; its marketed 11-inch screen measures 10.86 inches as a rectangle, with less viewable area at the rounded corners. Its roughly 1.44:1 shape is less elongated than the Samsung’s 16:10 display, a useful distinction when comparing portrait documents.
For basic markup, Apple’s Preview app on iPadOS 26 supports highlighting, underlining and striking through PDF text, plus annotations such as text, shapes and signatures. Apple lists the A16 iPad as compatible with iPadOS 26. You can draw with a finger or a compatible Apple Pencil; check your installed software before following those instructions.
Budget for the pen separately. This iPad supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil (1st generation); the latter requires Apple’s USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter for pairing and charging. The selected tablet package contains the iPad, a USB-C cable and a power adapter. A Pencil, keyboard and protective case are separate buying decisions.
Choose it when you want ordinary PDF reading and markup alongside other tablet tasks. The Wi-Fi model weighs 477 grams before adding a case, according to Apple. For dense two-column papers or detailed drawings, try a representative file at your preferred text size: a capable annotation app cannot make an 11-inch display physically larger.
Apple iPad (A16), Wi-Fi, 128GB, Silver
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Galaxy Tab S10 FE+: best for a larger screen and included pen
The FE+ is the 13.1-inch model, distinct from the smaller 10.9-inch S10 FE. This selection is the US gray Wi-Fi tablet with 128GB of storage, model SM-X620NZAAXAR. Samsung specifies a 2880-by-1800 TFT display and includes an S Pen. It is the first option here to consider for desk-based reading when the smaller screens feel cramped.
Samsung Notes provides a documented PDF workflow: import a saved PDF, add text or drawings, then use Save as file to export a PDF. Importing creates a copy in Notes and leaves the original file unchanged. That distinction matters if you keep the master document in a folder or need to send an annotated copy to someone else.
There is an orientation limitation to check. Samsung says portrait PDFs or pages cannot be inserted into a note whose default orientation is landscape, and vice versa. Match the note orientation to the PDF, or use separate notes for differently oriented content. Test a mixed-document workflow before relying on it for a large project.
The bigger screen comes with more tablet to hold: Samsung lists 664 grams, compared with Apple’s 477 grams for the selected iPad and reMarkable’s 525 grams for the Paper Pro. Those are bare-device specifications. A stand may make more sense than prolonged handheld reading, especially once you add a cover.
See the exact Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ 128GB Gray configuration at Samsung. Match the FE+ name and SM-X620NZAAXAR model when comparing offers, and check what accessories the seller includes.
reMarkable Paper Pro: best for a dedicated document notebook
The Paper Pro uses an 11.8-inch Canvas Color display based on E Ink Gallery 3, with 2160-by-1620 resolution, a 4:3 shape and an adjustable reading light. It is our specialist pick for a workflow centered on reading and handwritten notes. We have not compared its color accuracy, refresh behavior or writing feel with the LCD tablets.
The selected 64GB bundle includes Marker Plus with its built-in eraser, six spare tips and a USB-C cable. It does not include a Book Folio or keyboard cover. reMarkable supports writing directly in documents, and its software documentation describes adding a blank note page inside a PDF when you need more room for working notes.
Check the transfer method before buying for large scanned files. reMarkable’s current instructions support PDF and EPUB imports through the mobile and desktop companion apps. USB and web-app transfers have a 100 MB maximum; for files over 100 MB, the company directs users to a companion app. That is a transfer distinction, not a promise of smooth rendering for every large PDF.
You can export documents as PDF, PNG or SVG through the desktop app. The Paper Pro runs reMarkable OS, so evaluate its own import, annotation and export workflow rather than assuming an iPad or Android app will be available. Export a sample and check it in the program your collaborators use before depending on editable comments or highlights.
This is also a poor purchase to make on the assumption that it will replace access to a DRM-protected Kindle library. reMarkable documents support for DRM-free EPUBs and says Kindle ebooks are not supported. Choose it for compatible documents you can actually import, and confirm any extra cover or service you need before paying.
How to choose for your actual PDFs
Bring one difficult document to the comparison
Use a typical two-column article, a scanned book chapter or a drawing with small labels. Check full-page reading, zoom, page navigation and the space left for notes. A scan that looks sharp as a picture does not by itself establish that the words can be selected and highlighted as text. Test the exact file and tool you intend to use.
Separate annotation from full PDF editing
Handwriting over a page, highlighting text and exporting a PDF are specific tasks. They do not prove support for changing the original text, OCR, permanent redaction, complex forms or a particular document-signing system. If one of those is essential, confirm it in the exact app and subscription tier before choosing the tablet. The workflows verified here are Apple Preview markup, Samsung Notes import and annotation, and reMarkable’s document tools.
Check the round trip, including offline use
Open a sample, mark it up, export it and reopen the result on the computer or app where it needs to end up. Check whether annotations have the behavior you need and whether file names and copies stay manageable. If you read away from Wi-Fi, also verify that the document is stored locally and opens as expected before leaving.
Compare the complete setup
Include the tablet, compatible pen, case or stand and any required software in your comparison. The selected Samsung includes S Pen and the selected Paper Pro includes Marker Plus; the iPad package does not include Apple Pencil. Screen size and pen inclusion are more useful starting points here than an unsupported claim that one tablet is fastest with every PDF.
Questions about tablets for PDFs
Which should I start with for reading and highlighting?
Start with the iPad A16 if its 11-inch format and Apple’s Preview markup tools fit your files. Move the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ higher on the list if you want a 13.1-inch screen and an included S Pen. The Paper Pro is the dedicated E Ink option for a compatible document workflow.
Do these tablets come with a pen?
The selected Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ includes S Pen, and the selected Paper Pro bundle includes Marker Plus. The selected iPad does not include Apple Pencil. Check the exact bundle rather than relying on a photo of an optional accessory.
Can the Paper Pro import a PDF larger than 100 MB?
reMarkable’s current guidance says to use its mobile or desktop companion app for files over 100 MB. The 100 MB limit applies to USB and web-app transfer. Successful transfer does not establish how quickly a complex file will open or navigate.
Does PDF annotation mean full PDF editing?
No. The documented workflows here cover tasks such as markup, handwriting and PDF export. Confirm text editing, OCR, redaction, forms and annotation interoperability separately if your work requires them.
Were these tablets tested with the same PDF files?
No. This comparison uses manufacturer specifications, software instructions and exact configuration checks. It makes no measured ranking for PDF speed, battery life, pen response or reading comfort.
