• Infinix Xpad 30E – Best for students on a tight budget seeking AI-powered study tools. (Approx. ₹11,700-₹12,300).
  • Realme Pad 2 – A strong mid-range alternative with better performance for mixed use. (Around ₹15,999).
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ – The reliable choice for brand trust, software updates, and wide service network. (Around ₹17,999).

You need a cheap tablet. But you also need it to actually work for school, not just for watching shows. The market's full of options, and now there's a new one: the Infinix Xpad 30E. It's shouting about being built for education. The question isn't just if it's good. It's whether its study-bot gimmicks are worth picking over tablets from companies that have been doing this for years. Let's figure out which slab of glass and metal deserves your money.

What Makes a Good Cheap Tablet for School?

Forget specs for a second. Think about the reality of using this thing. You'll stare at it for hours, so the screen better be easy on your eyes. The battery has to last through a full day of classes and homework, no excuses. It needs to run Zoom and a pile of PDFs without choking. And some extra help, like parental controls or learning apps, can be a real bonus. The Infinix is betting everything on that last part. But nailing the basics matters more.

Infinix Xpad 30E: The Study App, With a Tablet Attached

Here's the Infinix's whole deal: it's a vehicle for its software. At this price, you usually get a barebones Android experience. The Xpad 30E tries to pack in a bunch of educational helpers you won't find on other cheap slates. That's its only trick. Whether that trick is any good depends on everything else.

What You're Actually Getting

You get an 11-inch FHD screen. It's fine. The brain inside is a MediaTek Helio G80, a chip that handles simple tasks but starts to sweat if you ask for too much. The real headline is the 7,000mAh battery, which should genuinely last all day. Then there's the "AI Tutor" and access to a library of learning resources. That's the sales pitch. It's not about power, it's about packaged homework help.

Pricing and Availability in India

Current Price: It launched in Indonesia for about $141-$148. That works out to roughly ₹11,700 to ₹12,300. We're still waiting for the official India price, but it'll probably sit under ₹15,000. Expect to see it on Flipkart or Amazon, maybe during the next big sale.

Who should buy this?

Buy this if your entire life is textbooks, lecture videos, and quiz apps. If your budget is super tight and the idea of an AI study buddy sounds cool, it's your pick. Just know you're trading away performance and brand polish for those specific features.

Pros

  • The expected price is seriously low.
  • That 7,000mAh battery is a marathon runner.
  • The education software is unique for the price.
  • The 11-inch FHD screen is standard, but standard is okay.

Cons

  • The Helio G80 is slow. Don't plan on heavy gaming or multitasking.
  • Infinix doesn't have a great history with software updates. Don't expect Android updates in two years.
  • If it breaks, finding a service center could be a headache.
  • The cameras are just for video calls, and that's being generous.

Realme Pad 2: The Do-It-All Upgrade

Spend a bit more and the whole experience gets better. The Realme Pad 2 is what you get when a company tries to make a good tablet, not just a cheap one. It feels more balanced, and more capable, and it doesn't treat you like you only do one thing.

You often get a sharper 2.4K display. More importantly, it uses a MediaTek Helio G99 processor. That's a step up from the G80, making everyday stuff feel smoother and more responsive. It won't have a built-in tutor, but it'll handle your study apps, your Netflix, and your social media without complaining. It's the tablet for a student who's also a person.

Pricing and Availability in India

Current Price: You can regularly find it for about ₹15,999 on Amazon and Flipkart, especially with bank discounts.

Who should buy this?

Get this if you want one device for everything. If your tablet time is split between studying, watching movies, and browsing the web, the extra performance and better screen are worth the price jump over the Infinix.

Pros

  • The Helio G99 chip is noticeably faster.
  • The higher-res 2.4K display is nicer for reading and video.
  • It's built better, usually with a metal body.
  • It's easy to find and often on sale.

Cons

  • It costs more than the Infinix.
  • The battery, while good, isn't as huge as the Xpad's.
  • You lose those dedicated education features.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+: The Safe Bet

Samsung plays a different game. It's not selling you specs or gimmicks. It's selling you peace of mind. The Galaxy Tab A9+ is the boring, reliable choice from the brand everyone knows. That's its superpower.

The hardware is familiar: an 11-inch FHD screen, a stable Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip, and a decent battery. The software is Samsung's One UI, which is packed with features and includes stuff like Samsung Kids for parents. The real advantage? Samsung's update promise is better than anyone else's here, and its service network is everywhere. You're paying for the brand, and for some people, that's exactly right.

Pricing and Availability in India

Current Price: It hovers around ₹17,999. Look for discounts on Samsung's own site during sales.

Who should buy this?

This is for parents buying for younger kids, or for anyone who hates tech headaches. If you want a tablet that will get software fixes, that you can get repaired easily, and that just works without surprises, this is it. You pay more for that safety net.

Pros

  • Samsung's brand means widespread support and service.
  • You'll actually get security updates for a few years.
  • Performance is stable and reliable for daily tasks.
  • If something goes wrong, getting help is straightforward.

Cons

  • It's the most expensive option here.
  • The battery is smaller than the Infinix's.
  • It's not built for gaming.
  • There are no special education features to speak of.

Budget Tablet Comparison: How Do They Stack Up?

Feature Infinix Xpad 30E Realme Pad 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Expected Price ~₹11,700 - ₹12,300 ~₹15,999 ~₹17,999
Processor MediaTek Helio G80 MediaTek Helio G99 Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
Display 11-inch FHD+ 11.5-inch 2.4K 11-inch FHD+
Key Feature AI Tutor, 120K+ Resources Balanced Performance & Display Brand Trust & Software Updates
Battery 7,000mAh 8,360mAh 7,040mAh

When to Buy to Not Get Ripped Off

Do not buy a budget tablet at full price. Just wait. The big Amazon and Flipkart sales in October always have the best deals, with straight-up price cuts and bank discounts. Samsung runs its own promotions too. If the Infinix launches right before a sale, its first real discount will happen then. Your patience can save you a couple thousand rupees, which is a big deal when you're already counting every one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Infinix Xpad 30E good for online classes?

Sure. The screen size is right, it has 4G, and the battery will last. It'll do the job.

Should I choose a tablet with an AI Tutor or a faster processor?

Pick the AI Tutor if digital flashcards and guided lessons are your whole world. Pick the faster processor if you ever want to do two things at once without wanting to throw the tablet.

Is Infinix a reliable brand for tablets in India?

Infinix is okay for phones. For tablets, it's an unknown. Its long-term support and build quality are big question marks next to Samsung or even Realme.

When will the Infinix Xpad 30E launch in India?

No official date yet. It'll probably show up in the next few months.

Is 4G connectivity important in a student tablet?

Yes. Unless you're always glued to a WiFi router, having that cellular data option is a lifesaver for studying on the go.

Can these tablets handle note-taking with a stylus?

They'll work with a cheap capacitive stylus for doodles. For serious, precise note-taking, you need an iPad or a Galaxy Tab S. That's a whole different (and more expensive) conversation.

Final Recommendation

Here's the truth. The Infinix Xpad 30E is a fascinating experiment. If its AI features are revolutionary, it could change the game for budget study tablets. But right now, it's a gamble on software from a company that's not a tablet maker. The Realme Pad 2 is the smarter buy for most people. It's better at being a tablet, full stop. And the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is for anyone who values a safety net over everything else. My advice? Wait for the Infinix to land, read the actual reviews, and then decide if its school tricks are worth the compromise. Or just get the Realme and never look back.

Sources

  • gsmarena.com
  • reddit.com
  • techtimes.com
  • gadgetpilipinas.net
  • gadgets360.com
  • mymobileindia.com