Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 11" SM-T870 Mystic Black 2021

A refurbished Galaxy Tab S7 at $250 is a killer deal for a premium note-taker and media streamer. The 120Hz screen and included S Pen are the highlights, while the aging processor is the main trade-off. If you don't need a laptop replacement, buy it.

The Snapdragon 865+ was a beast in its day, but our database puts its CPU and GPU in the bottom half of the pack now. That means it handles everyday swiping, streaming, and note-taking without a hiccup, but don't expect it to crush heavy video edits or high-end games. The 8GB of RAM is solid and keeps multitasking in DeX mode from becoming a stuttery mess. The real star is the 120Hz screen, which makes every animation feel fluid, even if the processor underneath is working a bit harder to keep up.

Stacked against a modern iPad Air M4, the Tab S7 gets smoked in raw power and app polish, but it's also a fraction of the cost. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is a closer competitor in the Android space, often with a newer chip but a worse stylus experience. The Xiaomi Pad 6 is another strong alternative with a better screen, but Samsung's software and DeX mode give the S7 a productivity edge that's rare at this price. You're trading cutting-edge speed for a refined, feature-rich experience.

For $250 as a refurb, this is a steal. You're getting a premium build, a fantastic stylus experience, and a good screen for less than most budget tablets cost new. The value prop falls apart if you need to buy a pricey keyboard cover to make it a laptop replacement, but as a standalone tablet for notes and media, it's hard to beat at this price.

The Galaxy Tab S7 is a few years old now, but at this refurbished price, it's still a compelling slab of glass and aluminum. You're getting a crisp 11-inch 120Hz display, the included S Pen with almost zero lag, and Samsung's DeX mode that turns the tablet into a surprisingly functional mini-PC. It's not going to blow any doors off in raw power, but for media, notes, and light work, it holds up better than you'd expect.

Think of this as a premium note-taker and Netflix machine that moonlights as a laptop. The Snapdragon 865+ and 8GB of RAM keep Android 10 (and later updates) running smoothly, and the 256GB of storage is generous. Just know that the LCD screen, while smooth, doesn't have the deep blacks of Samsung's AMOLED tablets, and the keyboard that makes DeX shine is sold separately.

If you need a tablet for heavy gaming, 4K video editing, or as your only computer, look elsewhere. The aging processor and lack of a high-contrast AMOLED screen will frustrate you. Grab a newer iPad Air or a more powerful Android tablet with a keyboard included instead.

This is the tablet for a student or casual user who wants a premium note-taking and media device without spending a fortune. If your workflow lives in a browser, a notes app, and a streaming service, the Tab S7 will serve you well. Power users and serious gamers should look elsewhere, but for everyone else, this refurb deal is a smart buy.