this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2025
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Android

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36
Looking for a privacy-respecting tablet (lemmybefree.net)
submitted 2 months ago by Electricd@lemmybefree.net to c/android@lemmy.world
17 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Hi! I'm looking for a privacy respecting Android tablet.

I ruled out the google tablet due to it being too expensive with an LCD screen

I would prefer a nice OLED screen if possible (or similar), and preferably cheap. Must be able to stream HEVC encoded videos (not 10 years old hardware), and preferably more (VP9, AV1, for future proofing)

The main use will be to watch content (movies, series, videos) from YouTube and Jellyfin, and sometimes some other apps if they're not enforcing the Play Integrity API

So far I've searched some OS and I'm considering LineageOS or /e/OS, with /e/OS looking better in terms of privacy. Don't want google to track everywhere I go and everything I do.

Any recommendations for good cheap hardware with bootloader unlocking, and recommendations for a good Android ROM?

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[–] hellfire103@lemmy.ca 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

I'm getting on very well with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, on which I run LineageOS; although a later model or something from the S-series may be more performant. I wrote this blog post about it.

I love LineageOS, but on this machine the bootloader cannot be re-locked and there will probably be someone about to reply to this comment explaining why LineageOS is insecure or whatever. Also, Samsung devices require that you have a Windows PC in order to flash ROMs, as you have to use Odin instead of fastboot.

Also, it's worth noting that, while /e/ is slightly superior from a privacy perspective, it is potentially less secure, as it sometimes takes months for the team to apply patches from upstream. Lineage, meanwhile, only takes a few days or weeks.

[–] nutbutter@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

I am also running Lineage on Tab 7, but iirc, I flashed it using Linux only.

Edit - i just checked and yes it does require Odin. I don't remember using windows for this. Does it work using wine?

[–] 0xd34d@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

You might have used Heimdall, https://github.com/Benjamin-Dobell/Heimdall, the open source Odin alternative 😉.

[–] hellfire103@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 months ago

It possibly does work under Wine, but I didn't want to risk soft-bricking my tablet (which happened anyway, but that was because I didn't let the download finish before flashing).

[–] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

How do you do with Play Services? Did you install the proprietary stuff or installed MicroG (or just don't run GPServices at all)? is it easy?

I was also worried a bit about the updates. They seem to take time and most of the stuff is community releases only. Coming from GrapheneOS, so that shocks me a bit

[–] hellfire103@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 months ago

I used to use MicroG, which was quite easy, but I don't actually have any Play Services implementation installed nowadays. I use my phone for GPS and things that would require it, so I just keep my tablet clean.

[–] Ilandar@lemmy.today 4 points 2 months ago (2 children)

A cheaper option is the Galaxy Tab 5e, a mid-range tablet from 2019. It has a very nice 1600p Super AMOLED panel and it is supported by both LineageOS and iodéOS. I own one myself and it can do HEVC fine, but I'm not sure about those other codecs as I haven't tried them. I don't know what the availability is like where you're from, but here in Australia they are very easy to pick up secondhand in great condition for ~AU$200 which I think is a great price considering the quality of the display and their ongoing monthly updates.

[–] moontorchy@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Still using my old trusty Galaxy Tab S 5e but batteryis showing its age. Thinking of Tab S9 which has unofficial LineageOS at XDA, modern CPU and OLED. Cannot find anything else to replace S5e. Most new tablets eithet too big or LCD.

[–] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I was considering it but was afraid it would be slow

Does it still seem okay?

[–] Ilandar@lemmy.today 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

For video playback it's more than fast enough. I don't have any stutters or hangs in the UI either, iodéOS is a lot lighter than the One UI version it came with. To be honest, aside from the 60Hz refresh rate, I can't really tell that it's a 6-year-old tablet. It is very thin, even by today's standards, which makes it feel quite modern.

If you wanted to use it for gaming I'm sure you would run into issues, but I'm guessing you're like me and just want it for watching stuff on.

[–] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

alright, thanks for the recommendation

iodéOS

How does it compare to /e/OS?

[–] Ilandar@lemmy.today 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

iodéOS is a fork of LineageOS, so visually it's very similar. I've never used /e/OS, but from my understanding its UI tries to mimic iOS so it is quite different in that regard.

[–] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

/e/OS is also a fork of LineageOS

[–] Ilandar@lemmy.today 1 points 2 months ago

Here's a comparison chart with some more information, although it does have some inaccuracies so its always best to check anything important with the respective project.

[–] sunoc@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I haven’t tried it myself but GrapheneOS supports the Pixel Tablet, so that might be an option! Not sure if the hardware meets your needs but it should be top notch regarding security and privacy!

[–] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 4 points 2 months ago

I ruled out the google tablet due to it being too expensive with an LCD screen

I didn't want it, but after looking at the market, I realize it's not that bad for the price range and for my requirements. It might sadly be the only final answer

I'm also considering the Xiaomi Pad 5 with /e/OS

[–] slsemmt@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

I recommend the Lenovo Xiaoxin Pro GT because it features an 11-inch 3.2K display with a 144Hz refresh rate and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In my country, it's priced at just $200. While it doesn't support unlocking at present, the bootloader will become unlockable within the next 1-2 months (Lenovo devices generally support unlocking).