Walmart’s Onn Brand Aggressively Undercuts Samsung with New Budget Android Tablet Lineup
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A New Contender in the Budget Tablet Space
For years, the entry-level tablet market in the United States has been a largely uncontested territory for Samsung. While the Galaxy Tab A series—specifically the A11 and A11+—has long served as the default recommendation for consumers wanting a reliable, low-cost Android slate, a new challenger is emerging from an unlikely source: Walmart’s own house brand.
Walmart has unveiled a massive expansion of its Onn tablet lineup, introducing six new devices that aim to disrupt the budget segment. These aren’t just minor refreshes; they represent a strategic push to capture the sub-$300 market by offering hardware specifications and bundles that make Samsung’s offering look overpriced by comparison. Notably, the entire suite is launching with Android 16, positioning them as modern alternatives for users who don’t need the raw power of a Galaxy Tab S series or an iPad Pro.
The Onn 13 Pro: High Value, Low Cost
The standout in this rollout is the Onn 13 Pro Tablet. In a move that directly challenges the value proposition of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+, Walmart has priced the 13 Pro at just $288. This isn’t just a basic screen; it features a 13-inch 2400 x 1600 IPS LCD and is powered by a 2.6GHz MediaTek processor.
What separates the 13 Pro from typical “white label” retail electronics is the inclusion of 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage—specs that are often reserved for mid-range devices. Perhaps most surprising is the bundle: Walmart is including both a stylus and a protective case in the box. For users looking for a productivity-lite experience without the $500+ price tag, this bundle effectively removes the hidden costs usually associated with budget tablets.
The 13 Pro also introduces a level of durability rarely seen at this price point, boasting IP54 certification for water and dust resistance, making it a viable option for home environments where spills or dust are common.
Scaling Down: The Core Series
While the Pro targets the “lite productivity” crowd, the Onn Core series is designed for pure affordability. The lineup scales down through three distinct sizes to hit every possible budget bracket:
- The 11 Core Tablet ($167): Equipped with an 11-inch 1840 x 1280 IPS LCD and the MediaTek Helio G99. With 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, this model is positioned as the primary competitor to the standard Galaxy Tab A11.
- The 8.1 Core Tablet ($138): A more portable option utilizing a Snapdragon 685 processor, 6GB of RAM, and a 1524 x 1000 display.
- The 7 Core Tablet ($97): The absolute floor of the market. Featuring a 7-inch 1024 x 600 LCD and a Helio G80 processor, it remains one of the cheapest functional Android tablets available in the US retail market.
The trade-off for these aggressive prices is found in the optics. Most of the Core series relies on a humble 2Mp front-facing and 5Mp rear-facing camera setup, which is sufficient for basic video calls but pales in comparison to the photography capabilities of higher-end slates.
Capturing the Youth Market
Walmart is also doubling down on the children’s segment with two specialized tablets. These models prioritize durability over raw specs, coming bundled with a heavy-duty bumper case and a built-in kickstand. To add value beyond hardware, Walmart has partnered with the learning platform ABC Mouse, offering a 45-day free subscription.
The larger kids’ model features an 11-inch screen and a MediaTek G88 chip for $136, while the 8-inch version is priced at $118. Interestingly, the 8-inch model has shown limited availability on Walmart’s digital storefront, suggesting a potentially staggered rollout or high initial demand.
By flooding the market with options ranging from $97 to $288, Walmart is no longer just selling third-party hardware; it is actively attempting to commoditize the budget tablet. If Samsung wants to maintain its grip on the American entry-level market, it may have to reckon with the fact that its biggest competitor isn’t another tech giant, but the retail giant where its products are sold.
