I had a nook color as my first android DNA tablet and then a Samsung galaxy Tab3. Amazon fire tablets are the cheapest. At one time they wouldn’t let you side load apps but my guess is that limitation is gone now.

Here’s what I found with the Samsung: Android seems to obsolete devices more rapidly than Apple if you want the latest OS. So you have to be careful with that.

For the existing iPad you have, run battery health and if it is truly bad you will see it there. I’m assuming you are familiar with the regular clean out of lightning ports. If not, it’s diy and more often than not fuzz in there prevents good charging.

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