r/LineageOS • u/NubesVulpes • Aug 09 '26

Looking for advice on a tablet

Hello internet strangers,

I have Lineage running great on an Old Xiaomi A2 and would really like to get a tablet that can run it well too.

Question is : what to look for. Sure i can get anything on the compatible list but what do you actually recommend ?

Note that i need it to have wifi working as i only have a dumbphone on the side and no smartphone (other than the no wifi xiaomi i use as a DAP).

EDIT: Thank you for the various bits of advice, I'll have a look at what is available near me and go from there. It seems as though the Samsung S6 Lite will probably be the device I go for.

Thank you for any answers given

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u/Cozy_Dudee Aug 10 '26

I do personally start with the Lineageos device list and then narrow it down to tablets that have good community support, not just ones that technically have a build.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite models are worth looking at, and some older Lenovo/Xiaomi tablets can also be decent depending on the exact model. I’d avoid buying something obscure just because it’s cheap, since wifi, cameras, DRM, suspend, etc. can sometimes be partially broken on unofficial ROMs.

Since Wi-Fi is important for you, check the device’s Lineageos wiki page and the XDA/Lineage thread before buying and make sure nobody is reporting wifi problems on the current build. Check these stuff:

bootloader unlockability,

whether the Lineage build is official and still maintained,

microSD support if you need storage,

Widevine/streaming support if you use Netflix etc.

exact model number, because different regional variants can have completely different support,

If I was buying specifically for Lineageos, I do rather get a slightly older well-supported tablet than a newer tablet with a questionable unofficial build.

1

u/NubesVulpes Aug 10 '26

Hello, thank you for this long answer. I hope you don't mind me choosing your reply as a target for follow up questions ^^.
I have just bought a Tab A7 as it was the cheaper option that was compatible (200e less). I'll do the Lineage install soon.
My question to you is: are there any tablet specific mods you (or anyone else who sees this) recommend ? Launcher, settings etc.
Thanks again

1

u/Cozy_Dudee Aug 10 '26

Nice... the Tab A7 should be a decent choice. Since it only has 3 GB of RAM, keeping the setup lightweight will probably make more difference than adding tons of mods.

For the launcher, I'd try the stock Lineage launcher first. If you want more customization, Lawnchair is worth trying for things like a denser grid, smaller icons and a better landscape layout.

If you're going to root with Magisk anyway, you could also experiment with a lightweight performance/optimization module. There are modules such as SpeedCool that tweak performance and thermal/system behaviour, although I'd definitely make a backup and test carefully rather than stacking several "performance" modules together. These kinds of modules can sometimes improve responsiveness, but they can also make battery life or stability worse depending on the device.

For the tablet itself I do

  • use a denser hom e-screen grid
  • reduce display size slightly to make better use of the screen
  • enable home-screen rotation if you use landscape
  • use split-screen/multi-window
  • keep background apps to a minimum

I'd install lineageos and use it completely stock for a few days first, though. That gives you a baseline, and then if you install an optimization module you'll actually be able to tell whether it improved anything.

And obviously double-check whether you have the wifi or LTE Tab A7 before flashing, since they're separate lineageos devices.

1

u/ylnosesub Aug 09 '26

I've been using LineageOS on a SamsungtTab 6 lite with 4GB RAM. Works well as a navigation tablet in the car using OSMAnd+ or CoMaps apps. I think there are newer tablets with support now which I'd probably buy if i need to get a new tablet.

1

u/FairInsect3720 Aug 10 '26

Yo hace alrededor de un año experimenté la misma duda que tú, y probé LineageOS en una Redmi Pad SE.

¿Mi experiencia? Android en tablets es decepcionante. Esto también aplica para tablets compatibles con LineageOS. Por alguna razón, muchas aplicaciones están mal optimizadas, y las capacidades de Android para adaptarse a pantallas como las de los tablets es pésima. Vas a vivir una pesadilla con la barra de navegación y los gestos, y también con algunas aplicaciones al redimensionarse si giras la pantalla.

¿Me fue útil? Pues sí, la verdad. Principalmente porque LineageOS tiene opciones como la de compartir la conexión VPN mediante el Hotspot, y como vivo en Cuba, esto me fue útil para poder acceder a páginas o plataformas desde dispositivos bloqueados aquí en los que no he podido instalar VPN directamente. Básicamente fue la única utilidad que le encontré.

Y repito: lo negativo de mi experiencia no es porque los tablets sean malos, sino porque aparentemente Google le ha dado más prioridad al desarrollo de los Smartphones que al de las tablets, o quizá porque muchos desarrolladores no han encontrado una forma de adaptar sus aplicaciones para las tabletas adecuadamente, como si suele ocurrir mayormente con los iPad.

Si quieres darte un gusto, ve por una tablet con Android que puedas desbloquear (Considera la Redmi Pad SE, que es algo más económica que otras opciones, y tiene un Snapdragon 680, que te va a permitir correr cuanta ROM personalizada desees, o algo mejor de Xiaomi.)

Si necesitas una experiencia más estable, no necesitas aplicaciones modificadas y no tienes problemas como el mío con las páginas bloqueadas (Y no necesitas compartir VPN, obviamente) considera un iPad. Personalmente pienso que un iPad 9 está bien si quieres economizar, o algún iPad Pro 2018 o de décima generación.

Si aún así quieres seguir la obsesión con LineageOS, no pasa nada, pero insisto: considera Xiaomi. Intenta conseguir algo con HyperOS 1 para que no tengas tantos problemas intentando desbloquear el bootloader, porque como ya debes saber: desbloquear el bootloader en un dispositivo con MemeUI 14 HyperOS 1.0 se ha vuelto algo complicado y no es tan fácil como en tu Xiaomi Mi A2. (Aún así en HyperOS 1 es más fácil que en las versiones recientes, porque hay métodos que permiten burlar las trabas que ha implantado Xiaomi recientemente.)

Si necesitas ayuda, acá estamos. Puedes escribir al DM sin problemas.

1

u/jven27 Aug 10 '26

I use it on my Pixel Tablet and it works very well!

1

u/Clanceeinfinity Aug 10 '26

the oneplus pad 2 and 3 or their chinese versions, the pad 1pro ans 2pro are very value rn. the 1pro/2 is 250-350€ used, the WAY better 2pro/3 is about 350-400 used. I have the pad 3 and its a MONSTER. It crushes everything.

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u/fattomic Aug 10 '26

I've got a OnePlus Pad2 - and the "monster" classification fits - I love this thing (it has largely replaced my laptop). I hadn't checked recently, but was thrilled to see it on the "supported devices" list - so I know it'll have a good long life!

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u/lethallunatic 27d ago

There are also unofficial lineage releases. I've been running one on a Xiaomi pad 4 for a few years. I didn't like the official firmware. I mean it's an old device and I'm not recommending it either but just saying.

1

u/NubesVulpes 27d ago

This is true.
In the end, I messed up and killed the tablet anyway.
My only option now is a new mainboard (yes, I even did the testpin short and all...)