With Chinese New Year 2026 around the corner, many Malaysians are looking to buy a tablet for their kids (Ang Pao gift!) or for university. This post clarifies whether you should buy the current Samsung Tab S10 / iPad M4 models now or wait for the rumored OLED iPad Air coming later this year.
Tablet News Jan 2026: OLED iPad Air Rumors, Samsung S10 CNY Discounts & The Best “Student” Tabs
It’s January 2026, and the tablet market is in a weird spot. We have incredible hardware available right now with massive Chinese New Year discounts, but the rumor mill is screaming about a major Apple refresh coming in March.
If you are holding a Red Packet and wondering whether to splurge on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 or wait for the OLED iPad Mini, here is the state of the tablet market in Malaysia this month.
1. Apple Rumor: The OLED iPad Air & Mini are Coming
If you are planning to buy an iPad Air this month, you might want to hit “Pause.”
- The Rumor: Supply chain leaks confirm that Apple is preparing to launch the iPad Air (M5) and a new iPad Mini with OLED screens later in 2026 (likely March or October).
- Why wait: The current iPad Air uses an LCD screen which—let’s be honest—looks a bit washed out compared to Samsung’s AMOLED. The 2026 upgrade will finally bring “True Blacks” and potentially 120Hz ProMotion to the non-Pro lineup.
- Buying Advice: Unless you need a tablet today for class, wait until March to see if Apple drops the new models.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE: The “Student King” of 2026
While the flagship Tab S10 Ultra is overkill for most, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE (Fan Edition) has quietly become the best-selling tablet for UiTM and Monash students.
- The Spec: It features a 90Hz screen, water resistance (IP68), and most importantly—the S-Pen is included in the box.
- The AI Edge: It now supports Galaxy AI Note Assist. You can record a 2-hour lecture, and the tablet will automatically transcribe it into text and create a bullet-point summary in Bahasa Melayu or English.
- CNY Price: Retailers like Senheng are bundling it with a keyboard cover for around RM1,899 this festive season.
3. The Budget Battlefield: Redmi vs. Honor (Under RM1,000)
You don’t need to spend RM2,000 to watch Netflix or let the kids play Roblox.
- Redmi Pad Pro 5G (2026 Refresh):
- Price: RM999.
- Why it wins: It’s one of the few tablets in this price range with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, meaning it can actually run Genshin Impact at decent settings. Plus, it has a massive 12.1-inch 120Hz screen.
- HONOR Pad 9 (Updated):
- Price: RM899 (Wi-Fi).
- Why it wins: It features “Circadian Night Display” technology that reduces eye strain—perfect for kids watching YouTube before bed.
4. “Laptop Replacements”: Are We There Yet?
The line between laptop and tablet is blurring.
- The iPad Pro (M4): With the new Logic Pro for iPad 2.0 update released last week, music producers can finally use third-party plugins just like on a Mac.
- Samsung DeX: The Tab S10 series has improved DeX mode to support vertical monitors. You can now plug your tablet into a vertical screen for coding or reading documents, making it a legitimate productivity tool for developers.
Buyer’s Guide: Which Tablet Fits Your Life?
| User Type | Recommended Model | Est. Price (RM) | Why? |
| University Student | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE | RM1,899 | Free Stylus & AI Note Taking. |
| Creative Pro | iPad Pro 13″ (M4) | RM5,999+ | Unbeatable Speed & Tandem OLED. |
| Kids / Media | Redmi Pad Pro | RM999 | Huge Screen & Long Battery. |
| Gamer | Lenovo Legion Tab Y700 (2025) | RM1,599 | 8.8″ Size perfect for handheld gaming. |
Local Tip: “Education Pricing” is Real
If you are buying an iPad or Samsung Tab for university, never pay full retail price.
- Apple: Visit the Apple Education Store online (Malaysia) to save RM200–RM400 on iPads.
- Samsung: Sign up for the “Samsung Student Portal” with your
.edu.myemail to unlock exclusive discounts of up to 20%.
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