Which Is the Best Reviewed Tablet Asus Zenpad Z8 or Samsung Tab E
In our search for the all-time Android tablets, we wanted to endeavor this ZenPad. If y'all just desire an east reader for your books, take a look at our Kobo Aura review instead.
The tablet market isn't quite as dynamic equally the smartphone infinite, only that doesn't hateful that there aren't exciting devices coming out. Then once more, I fifty-fifty become excited about the all-time tablet cover. ASUS is one of those underdog but long-standing mobile manufacturers who stick by their strategy and go along to push frontwards. What's that strategy? Great blindside-for-buck Android devices. If you're on the chase for a practiced starter tablet, take a look at our Reelpad by AARP review likewise. Or, take a look at our Barnes and Noble Nook Simple touch with glowlight review for another good starter tablet. If you'd rather take a tablet that has a keyboard, you might as well desire to read our HP Pavilion TouchSmart SleekBook review.
Android tablets are worthy of getting accessories for, like the best tablet floor stands.
The ZenPad Z8 tablet is the company'south latest try. We already know that they make quality applied science from our Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700T review. The Z8 has a bunch of the high-end specs users demand today, but at a totally reachable price. One of the best things is that it's non just restricted to WiFi. The Z8 can connect to Verizon's network and utilize its full LTE speeds. Let's cheque out if the value here is equally expert as it sounds, in our ASUS ZenPad Z8 Android tablet review. If you already have a tablet, you lot should too read our review of the Amazon Kindle 2.5 (update is at present bachelor).
Overview
Price: $250 retail or $150 ii-yr contract, or $10.41/month on Verizon
Available: At present
Model: ASUS ZenPad Z8
Summary:The ASUS ZenPad Z8 tablet hits value on the head. Its display, performance, and software is sufficient for a pleasant Android experience, but compromise can be seen in the photographic camera and sound quality. Existence Verizon-uniform gives it a mobility advantage. If you're looking for a tablet that's also a Television receiver, take a look at our review of RCA announces a TV tablet, the DMT580D.
What We Liked
- Great display resolution and quality
- Dual front-facing speakers
- Current Android version and smoothen performance
- Latest USB Blazon-C port
What We Didn't
- Design may be too basic for consumers
- Rear and front end cameras are lackluster
- Tedious charging charge per unit
ZenPad Z8 Specs
Display | vii.9″ IPS LCD, QXGA resolution (1536 ten 2048) |
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 (hexa-core, 1.8 GHz) |
Memory | 2GB of RAM |
Storage | 16GB, with up to 128GB microSD expansion |
Cameras | viii MP rear and two MP front |
Battery | 4,680 mAh, not-removable |
Software | Android six.0.1 with ZenUI interface |
Colors | Black |
Toll | Retail: $250 Verizon 2-twelvemonth contract: $150 Verizon payment plan: $10.41/calendar month |
Purchase At present |
Design
Devices that focus on value are naturally nothing special in terms of pattern. The ZenPad Z8 tablet is no exception, just that in no way implies that its build is sub-par. Quite the contrary, actually. Its plastic makeup is impeccably assembled. At that place'south a smooth refinement to the way the back cover and front end bezel transition into the rounded edges. The effortless look and feel is assisted by the tablet'south slim contour, at only about 7.3mm. This translates to decently light weight of 310 grams. Despite the thinness, we observed footling flex and creaking from the body.
While the back cover is minimal, ASUS throws on a textured surface that provides a nice touch of sophistication. On-lookers may not be able to tell that the leather is faux, just you'll certainly know information technology when you experience the hard plastic. Other than this, we take a shiny ASUS logo at the center and modest photographic camera module protrusion at the superlative left corner.
We love that ASUS fabricated information technology a point to non let the front bezel go wild. The Z8 boasts a 74% trunk-to-screen ratio (whereas the comparable iPad mini 4 trails behind at 70.six%). This keeps the tablet's footprint down and makes handleability more pleasant.
Another slap-up feature on the forepart is the additional speaker grill on the very bottom. It's symmetric with the other slit upward elevation, meaning that the Z8 indeed packs dual front-facing stereo speakers – non a feature many phones or tablets become. Don't expect them to win any sound quality awards (they're tinny-sounding), only they tin go enough loud. Under the top speaker grill, you'll too discover a modest front end camera module for video chatting.
We applaud ASUS for not forgetting that there's a new USB standard in boondocks – Blazon C. It lives on the lesser alongside a microphone, while on top is solely the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Performance
You'd exist correct to not look top-end specs at this price-bespeak, only that doesn't hateful that the Z8 is a slouch either. Some may debate that a hexa-core Snapdragon 650 and 2GB of RAM is all you lot need to run Android smoothly. Based our time with the Z8, nosotros'd have to concur for the most part. Despite packing a considerably heavy interface (we'll get to the software experience later), navigation is satisfyingly smoothen and fluid. Nosotros did observe an occasional stutter in scrolling or opening apps, but nothing worth complaining about, like with lags or freezes.
16GB of on-board storage space isn't going to impress anyone, but fortunately, ASUS did non forget virtually a microSD card slot. Bear in mind that the max capacity card the Z8 will accept is 128GB.
The sealed battery has a decent capacity, at iv,680 mAh. We were enough satisfied at how much usage that got u.s.a.. Unless you're a hardcore user, you lot should be able to go a couple days from a full charge on WiFi. The Z8 can also tap into Verizon's network (full LTE speeds), which would draw more power. Battery life won't be as impressive in that example, but still, the Z8 is at a good place compared to the competition.
An of import mention is that although you lot'll get the latest and greatest USB Type-C port, we didn't observe a fast charging rate. Many Qualcomm powered devices include support for the chip-maker's Quick Charge standard, in which the latest 3.0 version can go yous threescore-70% accuse in near xxx minutes. The Z8'south charging is much slower than that. We figure this may have been one of the behind-the-scenes compromises in gild to get the toll down.
Manufacturers more often than not tack on a rear camera on their tablets for the sake of having one, and that feels like the example here. The reproduction quality of the Z8'south 8 megapixel shooter won't hold a candle to sensors in flagship smartphones, just that isn't to say it's terrible. It certainly gets the chore, and in good lighting weather, can crank out some pretty pics.
That said, things can go southward pretty quickly when the lightning dims, and blurriness/graininess creep in. That occurrence is even more than prevalent in the tiny 2 MP front camera. But if you're non critical on quality and want something that just works, information technology's fine.
Display
The screen on the Z8 is superb, especially at the tablet's price-signal. The seven.ix″ console doesn't appear compromised on paper, with current IPS LCD applied science and a sharp 1536 x 2048 resolution. Fortunately, it'due south as proficient as it sounds in person. Images are crisp and colors are vibrant (without being exaggerated). Another budget tablet that you can look at with dandy features like dual cameras and a quad core processor is the Dragon Touch Storage Quad Core Processor.
The quality is too maintained fifty-fifty at extreme viewing angles, showing that ASUS isn't just using some cut-rate IPS panel. Still, information technology doesn't have the best brightness capability. Indoors, we were pretty satisfied at near 60% brightness. That ways that information technology can be a struggle with outdoor sunlight, even at max brightness, only doable.
Software
Being a new device, the Z8 indeed packs the latest version of Android – half-dozen.0.1 (aka Marshmallow). Although, it's important to know that ASUS keeps its Android devices heavily shrouded in a custom interface called ZenUI. It revamps almost everything in Android, from the folders to navigation animations. If you want to larn more most a non-Android tablet, read the ASUS VivoTab T600 Review.
Third-political party UIs aren't every bit dreaded as they used to be, though. ZenUI doesn't show signs of holding the Os back; it's just a dissimilar take on Android. So swiping through the home screens, scrolling through app content, and multitasking are all silky smooth.
Similar the await of ZenUI or not, ASUS did think of some peachy features that you won't find on other interfaces. We really enjoyed the multitude of gesture shortcuts that you lot can toggle, which generously include double-tap-to-wake. The power management settings are also pretty robust, sporting four levels of battery modes. If you're not a fan of the out-of-the-box screen color reproduction, the Brandish settings let you adjust the color mode or temperature.
For better or worse, ASUS includes a plethora of custom apps in the UI, such as its own calendar, contacts, gallery, email, tasks apps. The many users who prefer Google's software may view these equally bloatware, as you can disable them but non uninstall. And being that this device is tied to Verizon, yous'll go the carrier's unremovable messaging and account manager apps on meridian of that.
Final Thoughts
At the price-point of the ZenPad Z8, nosotros weren't initially sure what to expect. Mobile devices manufacturers often brand the wrong compromises. Happily, nosotros finish our review feeling like ASUS made the right choices. The Z8's design is minimal but stylish, and the specs are more than respectable. Pair this with the ability to have internet just about anywhere you go and y'all have an Android tablet that should definitely be on your brusk list.
Source: https://www.gadgetreview.com/asus-zenpad-z8-android-tablet-review
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