For reading PDF files, choose the tablet around the documents and the kind of notes you make. The iPad A16 is our general-purpose pick for reading and marking up PDFs. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is a good fit when you want an included S Pen and expandable storage. The reMarkable Paper Pro is the focused alternative for readers who prefer a larger color E Ink screen and handwritten notes.
All three are standalone devices. For your own shortlist, bring a representative PDF: a dense two-column article, a scanned chapter or a form you use regularly. Check the text at a comfortable size, the annotation tools and the exported result. A device that opens a document is not automatically the right choice for every editing or filing workflow.
Best tablets for reading PDFs at a glance
| Selected tablet | Screen | Pen and storage | Best fit and main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad A16; MD4E4LL/A; Wi-Fi; pink | 11-inch class LCD; 10.86-inch rectangular diagonal; 2360 × 1640 | 128GB; Apple Pencil USB-C or first generation supported, purchased separately | General reading and markup; include a compatible Pencil in the budget if you need one |
| Galaxy Tab S10 FE; SM-X520NZAAXAR; Wi-Fi; gray | 10.9-inch LCD | 128GB; included S Pen; microSD expansion up to 2TB | Handwritten PDF notes with expandable storage; Samsung Notes adds annotations, not edits to the PDF’s existing text |
| reMarkable Paper Pro; RM83C-1005NW bundle | 11.8-inch color E Ink; 2160 × 1620; adjustable reading light | 64GB; Marker Plus and black leather Book Folio in this bundle | Focused document reading and handwriting; review Connect subscription features before choosing your workflow |
1. Apple iPad A16: best general-purpose PDF tablet
The selected iPad A16 is the pink 128GB Wi-Fi model, MD4E4LL/A. Its 2360 × 1640 display is marketed as 11-inch, with a rectangular diagonal of 10.86 inches and less actual viewable area because of the rounded corners. That screen and the documented PDF tools make it a sensible first choice if reading is one of several jobs you want a tablet to do.
On iPadOS 26, Apple’s Preview guide documents selecting, copying, highlighting, underlining and striking through PDF text, plus adding signatures, shapes and text annotations. You can draw with a compatible Apple Pencil or your finger. Apple includes the A16 model in its iPadOS 26 compatibility list; confirm the installed system version when setting up these tools.
Pros: a color LCD and a documented set of everyday PDF markup tools. Cons: a Pencil is an additional purchase for this tablet-only selection. The A16 supports Apple Pencil USB-C and the first-generation Apple Pencil; the first-generation model needs the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter for pairing and charging. Match the Pencil generation before buying accessories.
Apple iPad A16, MD4E4LL/A, Wi-Fi, 128GB, Pink
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2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE: best for an included pen
The US Galaxy Tab S10 FE SM-X520NZAAXAR is the gray 128GB Wi-Fi configuration. It combines a 10.9-inch LCD with an included S Pen. Samsung lists microSD support up to 2TB for this tablet family, making it worth considering when you want room to grow a local document collection. The memory card is a separate purchase.
Samsung Notes imports a copy of your PDF, lets you add writing and drawings, and exports the marked-up note as a PDF. The original imported file is not altered. Samsung also says to match the note’s orientation to the PDF when inserting it, so check that workflow with any mixture of portrait and landscape pages.
Pros: the pen is included, storage is expandable and Samsung documents the import-and-export process. Cons: Samsung Notes does not edit the PDF’s existing content; it adds text and drawings. Samsung’s Note Assist PDF-translation features are not available on the S10 FE, so do not choose this model expecting the same PDF AI functions as every premium Galaxy Tab.
3. reMarkable Paper Pro: best for focused PDF reading
The Paper Pro is the specialist choice in this list. Its 11.8-inch color E Ink display uses a 4:3 aspect ratio, a 2160 × 1620 resolution and an adjustable reading light. The tablet has 64GB nominal internal storage and runs reMarkable OS. The maker lists PDF and EPUB import, with PDF, PNG and SVG export. Choose it when a dedicated reading-and-handwriting device fits your routine.
The selected RM83C-1005NW bundle includes the Paper Pro, a Marker Plus pen with an eraser, six spare tips, a black leather Book Folio and a USB-C cable. It supports writing directly on PDFs. This is a specific accessory bundle, so compare its contents with tablet-and-pen packages before deciding which suits you.
Pros: the largest screen of these three selections, a reading light and a pen-and-cover bundle. Cons: its dedicated operating system makes it a different buying proposition from an iPad or Android tablet. Check the Connect subscription features if you want handwriting search, unlimited cloud storage or note-taking in the companion apps. Reuse of an older reMarkable 2 pen is not an option: the maker says those Markers are incompatible with Paper Pro.
What matters most when buying a PDF tablet
Choose around your hardest document, not the smallest sample file. Open a page with the font size, diagrams and columns you actually read. Try portrait and landscape views, zoom to a comfortable size and check how much navigation that requires. A larger screen can be a useful shortlist criterion, but it does not replace checking the actual page layout and your preferred reading position.
Separate reading, annotation and editing in your requirements. Highlighting a passage or writing in a margin is a different task from changing the original PDF text. For shared work, export a marked-up sample and open it in the application your recipient uses. Check whether the marks behave the way you need, and keep a separate copy of the original file.
Size your library using your actual files and leave room for apps, system content and exported copies. Avoid choosing from a claimed number of books: your own scanned documents and illustrated files are the useful benchmark. Also test any essential searchable text, password protection or form fields before committing to a particular device and app.
Frequently asked questions
Which one is the easiest choice for handwritten PDF notes?
Start with the Galaxy Tab S10 FE if you want an included pen and a documented Samsung Notes workflow. The reMarkable bundle also includes its pen, while the selected iPad requires a separate compatible Pencil purchase. Choose after trying your own annotation-and-export routine.
Can I edit the original text of a PDF in Samsung Notes?
No. Samsung says imported or exported PDF content cannot be edited in Notes; you can add text and drawings. If rewriting existing PDF text is essential, verify a dedicated editor’s current features and requirements before choosing the tablet.
Does the reMarkable Paper Pro need the same pen as reMarkable 2?
No. The Paper Pro uses its own compatible Markers. The maker explicitly says reMarkable 2 Markers are not compatible; the selected bundle includes Marker Plus for Paper Pro.
How much storage do I need for PDFs?
Measure the files you plan to keep offline, then allow spare room for working copies and other uses. The selected iPad and Galaxy Tab have 128GB, and the Paper Pro has 64GB nominal storage. The S10 FE additionally supports a separately purchased microSD card up to 2TB.
Should I buy the largest screen?
Choose a larger screen when it makes your normal pages easier to read at your preferred zoom level. The Paper Pro has the largest display here at 11.8 inches, but screen type, pen workflow and export needs should also guide the choice. Try a dense PDF before deciding that extra screen area alone is enough.
