Budget-Friendly Tablets for Drone Enthusiasts: Finding the Best Deals
Welcome to my latest guide for drone pilots looking to enhance their flying experience without breaking the bank! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned drone operator, having a reliable tablet can make a world of difference in your flight control and aerial photography capabilities.
In today's post, I'll be sharing some exceptional deals on tablets that are perfect for drone applications. These devices offer the screen size, processing power, and battery life needed for drone control apps, while remaining affordable for hobbyists and budget-conscious professionals alike.
I continuously search for the best tablet deals specifically with drone use in mind, considering factors like outdoor visibility, weight, connection reliability, and compatibility with popular drone control apps. Today's featured deal is particularly noteworthy for anyone looking to upgrade their drone command center without the premium price tag.
Let's dive into one of the most cost-effective tablet options I've discovered recently...
Metro's Free Galaxy Tab A9+ Deal: Budget Drone Controller Solution
Looking for an affordable tablet for your drone setup? Metro by T-Mobile occasionally offers the 64GB Galaxy Tab A9+ 5G tablet for free when you add a tablet line to your existing account.
At just $20/month for the line and with no long-term commitment (prepaid service requires only 1 month), this is the lowest price I've seen for this device. The tablet doesn’t always show as free online, but it has frequently gone on sale for $0.00 for current subscribers. Otherwise, it’s $279.99 + tax, which isn’t the best deal.
Since it's prepaid, you can cancel after the first month and keep the tablet. This deal is worth watching if you need an inexpensive tablet for your drone operations.
But You’ll Need a Metro Phone Plan First
To get the free tablet, you’ll need a Metro phone plan first. The most affordable options include the Galaxy A16 5G, Moto G 2025, or Galaxy A15 5G, all of which come free with Metro’s $50/month Flex plan.
Adding the Galaxy Tab A9+ 5G for $20/month brings your total to $70 for the first month. Since Metro is prepaid, you can cancel after one month and keep both devices—making this one of the cheapest ways to get a complete drone-ready setup.
The Galaxy A15 5G, or any phone you choose for this deal, will be locked to Metro for 365 days, but you likely only need one month of service to get the free tablet.
After the first month, you can keep using the phone and tablet on Wi-Fi or switch to a different carrier later if you’re willing to wait out the unlock period. This makes it a great short-term deal if you mainly need the tablet for your drone setup.
⚠️ Important Note: Check Before You Buy!
Metro by T-Mobile’s free tablet and phone deals can change at any time. Before signing up, I highly recommend checking with Metro to make sure the offer is still available. Otherwise, you might end up paying more than expected.
Why This Matters for Drone Pilots
The 11" display provides excellent visibility for flight controls and live video feeds, while the Snapdragon processor ensures smooth performance with demanding drone apps. The expandable storage lets you save plenty of flight footage, and the large battery keeps you flying longer without recharging.
