Android manufacturers seem to be taking a special interest in coming up with tablets. Until now, players like Samsung and Lenovo dominated the Android tablet niche, but the market might soon witness expansion as brands like OnePlus are joining the club. As per the latest reports, OnePlus has filed a trademark at the European Union Intellectual Property Office for a device dubbed OnePlus Pad.
Shortly after filing the trademark at the European Union Intellectual Property Office, OnePlus also filed a trademark in India. The filing is now publicly available on the India IP search website. Just like the trademark filed in Europe, this one also does not give any information other than the name – OnePlus Pad.
As the name suggests, this device is going to be an Android tablet. We are not surprised by this move, though. You see, OnePlus is a part of a sub-group within OPLUS that includes other brands like Oppo and Realme. And each of the brands has already pledged to release tablets soon. This means that OnePlus is now aligning itself with the universal product strategies chalked out by the OPLUS group.
OnePlus Aligning With OPLUS Strategy
Since all the three brands are now under one group, we also expect upcoming tablets to share similar hardware and varied software to form their own USPs. Of course, all three brands are quite distinguished and have their own UIs that play a pivotal role in how the buyers perceive them. For example, OnePlus is considered to be a more premium brand than Realme and Oppo.
Regardless of hardware familiarity, we are quite excited to see a OnePlus branded tablet. We are also happy to see this sudden surge of interest in Android manufacturers for tablets. This could be a welcoming change for Android users to see breakthrough tablets from brands other than Samsung and Lenovo. It will give them a broader choice.
As exciting as it is to see some Android tablet segment action, we can’t help but relate this hustle with the pandemic. The shift to a work-from-home lifestyle sure pushed the envelope for Android tablets. And not just professionals, even kids who are getting home-schooled, have contributed to the demand for tablets.
Coming back to OnePlus, we have no other information except for the tablet’s name at the moment. But if the buzz is to be believed, there are talks that OnePlus could follow the same “premium product” strategy with its tablet. This means that the OnePlus Pad could come with top-of-the-line features and specs.
The OnePlus Pad could be a flagship tablet that could create a competitive environment for Samsung’s Tab S7 lineup. We can also expect this upcoming tablet to create competition for Apple’s iPads.
Are you excited about the OnePlus Pad? Would you be considering it over Samsung? Share your thoughts in the comments.
At the beginning of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2021 in Barcelona, Lenovo has launched a series of tablets. The company launched five Android tablets, including a pair that comes with a hangable kickstand.
Lenovo made the Yoga Tab 13 official outside China, where it was retailing as Yoga Pad Pro. The Yoga Tab P11 is now more portable with a rotating kickstand, which can be turned into a hanger, enabling you to place it on the wall. The wall-mounting kickstand comes with a built-in Micro HDMI connection allowing the new Yoga Tab series to also work as an external monitor for Nintendo Switch, laptops, or PCs.
Yoga Tab 13 and Tab 11 Specs & Features
Yoga Tab 13
Both Yoga Tab 13 and Tab 11 feature 400-nit bright displays with 60Hz refresh rates. Yoga Tab 13 has a resolution of 2160×1350 pixels, while Tab 11 has a resolution of 2000×1200 pixels.
Under the hood, the Yoga Tab 13 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 octa-core chipset paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB of internal storage. The Tab 11 comes powered by a MediaTek Helio G90T with 4GB/8GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB of storage. Lenovo touts that the Tab 11 can deliver up to 15 hours of video playback on a single charge. In contrast, Tab 13 can deliver a backup of up to 12 hours.
Yoga Tab 11
As for pricing, Tab 13 starts at $680 and will go on sale this week. Tab P11 comes with a starting price of $320 and will hit the market next month.
Here’s a piece of advice: you can save big bucks if you can let go of the modern kickstand. You can go for the P11 Plus with the same chipset as the Tab 11 alongside the same display, resolution, and more.
Budget Tab M7 and Tab M8
Rounding up the new launches by Lenovo, the last two fresh launches include budget Tab M7 and Tab M8 tablets. Both the affordable tablets come with a smaller display and lower specs than the new Yoga slates.
Lenovo Tab M7
Lenovo announced that the Tab M7 would be limited to North America. The Tab M7 features a 7-inch display with a 1024×600 resolution. It comes powered by a MediaTek MT8166 quad-core chipset paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The company claims up to 10 hours of battery life on this tablet. It will be up for sale at $110, starting this week.
For buyers outside North America, Lenovo has launched the Tab M8 that comes with an 8-inch display featuring 1280×800 pixels resolution. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio P22T octa-core SoC. Lenovo promises up to 15 hours of battery life on this one. It also includes an optional Smart Charging Station. The pricing for the Tab M8 remains unknown, but Lenovo promises its availability later this year.
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With a price of over 4 million VND and equipped with 4G network, Galaxy Tab 7 Lite is a popular tablet that can meet the needs of flexible online learning for families.
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has just hit shelves in Vietnam market in early June for 4.49 million VND, with 2 color options: gray and silver. This is a popular tablet with a metal body design, dual speakers and 4G mobile network support so you can surf the web or study online anywhere.
Design
Galaxy Tab 7 Lite is a reduced size version of the Galaxy Tab 7 with a smaller screen (8.7 inches). In the entry-level price segment, this tablet has a fairly thin screen border with a screen-to-front ratio of more than 81%. The body and almost the entire back are made of metal, while the two vertical ends are plastic. The metal surface of the back is treated with roughness, it is difficult to notice fingerprints in the gray version we experience. In addition to metallic gray, the product also has a silver color option.
The body thickness is also quite thin, only 8mm and light weight, 371g with the version that supports 4G LTE SIM. This tablet is equipped with dual speakers that support Dolby Atmos sound technology on the two sides when placed horizontally, providing quite loud volume.
The metal back surface is rough, not prone to fingerprints.
Along with the 4G SIM slot, the product has a speakerphone on the top and a microphone on the bottom edge when held vertically to make calls like a smartphone. The device has a memory card slot to expand capacity when needed, a USB Type C port supports 15W fast charging and Wi-Fi supports both frequency bands (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz).
Memory card and SIM slot
Galaxy Tab 7 Lite has 2MP front camera and 8MP camera. The front camera is of a temporary quality enough for video calling and visual communication when learning online. The camera is placed in the middle of the top edge when held vertically. With such a placement, video calling will be convenient when held vertically. But if you hold or place the device horizontally for online learning, the image will be slightly skewed to the right.
The rear camera has 8MP resolution
Screen
This tablet has an 8.7-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1340 x 800 pixels with a pixel density of 180 PPI and an aspect ratio of 5:3. The resolution is not high, but it is enough to use because the viewing distance of the tablet screen is much farther than that of a smartphone.
Neutral color but a bit pale
In actual use, it can be said that this is a tablet with a good quality screen for the price. The display colors are neutral but slightly pale, not as vivid as on other Samsung tablets using AMOLED panels. Wide screen viewing angle and brightness are also quite good, much higher when compared to the Lenovo Tab M10 HD Gen 2 tablet.
In an indoor environment, just set 60-70% of the brightness to be comfortable. Even when outdoors, the brightness of the screen is still enough to use, unless under too much sunlight.
Performance and software
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is equipped with Helio P22T processor (MT8768T) including 8 Cortex-A53 cores (4 cores clocked at 2.3Ghz and 4 cores clocked at 1.8Ghz), PowerVR GE8320 graphics core and manufactured on the latest technology. 12nm. The official version of Galaxy Tab 7 Lite sold in Vietnam now has 3GB RAM and 32GB internal memory and an external memory card slot that can be expanded to 1TB.
The machine reached more than 100,000 performance points on Antutu, which is low compared to today’s computers.
This is a fairly low configuration set compared to today’s tablets and smartphones. However, just carrying the HD screen also helps this tablet to handle basic tasks like opening YouTube, surfing the web or using Zoom or Microsoft Teams applications to study online. Some light games can be played, but graphics-heavy games like Lien Lien Mobile are hard to handle and laggy.
In terms of software, Galaxy Tab A7 Lite currently comes pre-installed with One UI Core version based on Android 11. One UI Core is a shortened software suite specifically designed by Samsung for smartphones and tablets in the low-priced segment with power. limited performance. However, the features of One UI Core are quite few compared to the full One UI version.
Specifically, the One UI Core version will be stripped of the virtual assistant Bixby, Samsung Pay, the Secure Folder feature to secure data on the device and the Link to Windows feature to connect the tablet to a Windows computer. Overall, the One UI Core interface and experience is no different from the One UI software on other Samsung devices.
Due to 4G SIM support, Samsung also pre-installed calling and messaging applications on the Galaxy Tab 7 Lite for users to call and text like on smartphones. This is a useful addition to families who need to buy tablets for their children to study online and communicate when needed.
Battery time
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has a 5100 mAh battery and supports 15W fast charging via USB Type C port. This is not a large battery capacity for a tablet. However, the screen resolution is not high, the software is simplified and the chip on the 12nm process is the factors that both help the machine reduce the burden on the processor and help prolong the battery life.
In fact, the tablet can watch movies (watch on Youtube or copy to memory) continuously for about 11 hours and surf the web for 9 hours and 45 minutes at 70% brightness and volume. However, gaming activities consume much more battery. The device only lasted about 5.5 hours before the battery ran out.
With the included 15W charger, fully charging the battery takes about 3 hours.
summary
This is a cheap tablet suitable for users who need to equip their children for online learning and communication with their families. The product has a sturdy and thin metal body design, dual external speakers with high volume, good quality screen, quite long battery life, and especially 4G SIM can be inserted to go online anytime, anywhere. . The drawback in tablets is that the performance is quite low, only temporary enough to meet the needs of general use. This may be the point where Samsung has to trade off to bring home users a tablet with a full basic experience at a price of just over VND 4 million.
With a price of over 4 million VND and equipped with 4G network, Galaxy Tab 7 Lite is a popular tablet that can meet the needs of flexible online learning for families.
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has just hit shelves in Vietnam market in early June for 4.49 million VND, with 2 color options: gray and silver. This is a popular tablet with a metal body design, dual speakers and 4G mobile network support so you can surf the web or study online anywhere.
Design
Galaxy Tab 7 Lite is a reduced size version of the Galaxy Tab 7 with a smaller screen (8.7 inches). In the entry-level price segment, this tablet has a fairly thin screen border with a screen-to-front ratio of more than 81%. The body and almost the entire back are made of metal, while the two vertical ends are plastic. The metal surface of the back is treated with roughness, it is difficult to notice fingerprints in the gray version we experience. In addition to metallic gray, the product also has a silver color option.
The body thickness is also quite thin, only 8mm and light weight, 371g with the version that supports 4G LTE SIM. This tablet is equipped with dual speakers that support Dolby Atmos sound technology on the two sides when placed horizontally, providing quite loud volume.
The metal back surface is rough, not prone to fingerprints.
Along with the 4G SIM slot, the product has a speakerphone on the top and a microphone on the bottom edge when held vertically to make calls like a smartphone. The device has a memory card slot to expand capacity when needed, a USB Type C port supports 15W fast charging and Wi-Fi supports both frequency bands (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz).
Memory card and SIM slot
Galaxy Tab 7 Lite has 2MP front camera and 8MP camera. The front camera is of a temporary quality enough for video calling and visual communication when learning online. The camera is placed in the middle of the top edge when held vertically. With such a placement, video calling will be convenient when held vertically. But if you hold or place the device horizontally for online learning, the image will be slightly skewed to the right.
The rear camera has 8MP resolution
Screen
This tablet has an 8.7-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1340 x 800 pixels with a pixel density of 180 PPI and an aspect ratio of 5:3. The resolution is not high, but it is enough to use because the viewing distance of the tablet screen is much farther than that of a smartphone.
Neutral color but a bit pale
In actual use, it can be said that this is a tablet with a good quality screen for the price. The display colors are neutral but slightly pale, not as vivid as on other Samsung tablets using AMOLED panels. Wide screen viewing angle and brightness are also quite good, much higher when compared to the Lenovo Tab M10 HD Gen 2 tablet.
In an indoor environment, just set 60-70% of the brightness to be comfortable. Even when outdoors, the brightness of the screen is still enough to use, unless under too much sunlight.
Performance and software
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is equipped with Helio P22T processor (MT8768T) including 8 Cortex-A53 cores (4 cores clocked at 2.3Ghz and 4 cores clocked at 1.8Ghz), PowerVR GE8320 graphics core and manufactured on the latest technology. 12nm. The official version of Galaxy Tab 7 Lite sold in Vietnam now has 3GB RAM and 32GB internal memory and an external memory card slot that can be expanded to 1TB.
The machine reached more than 100,000 performance points on Antutu, which is low compared to today’s computers.
This is a fairly low configuration set compared to today’s tablets and smartphones. However, just carrying the HD screen also helps this tablet to handle basic tasks like opening YouTube, surfing the web or using Zoom or Microsoft Teams applications to study online. Some light games can be played, but graphics-heavy games like Lien Lien Mobile are hard to handle and laggy.
In terms of software, Galaxy Tab A7 Lite currently comes pre-installed with One UI Core version based on Android 11. One UI Core is a shortened software suite specifically designed by Samsung for smartphones and tablets in the low-priced segment with power. limited performance. However, the features of One UI Core are quite few compared to the full One UI version.
Specifically, the One UI Core version will be stripped of the virtual assistant Bixby, Samsung Pay, the Secure Folder feature to secure data on the device and the Link to Windows feature to connect the tablet to a Windows computer. Overall, the One UI Core interface and experience is no different from the One UI software on other Samsung devices.
Due to 4G SIM support, Samsung also pre-installed calling and messaging applications on the Galaxy Tab 7 Lite for users to call and text like on smartphones. This is a useful addition to families who need to buy tablets for their children to study online and communicate when needed.
Battery time
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has a 5100 mAh battery and supports 15W fast charging via USB Type C port. This is not a large battery capacity for a tablet. However, the screen resolution is not high, the software is simplified and the chip on the 12nm process is the factors that both help the machine reduce the burden on the processor and help prolong the battery life.
In fact, the tablet can watch movies (watch on Youtube or copy to memory) continuously for about 11 hours and surf the web for 9 hours and 45 minutes at 70% brightness and volume. However, gaming activities consume much more battery. The device only lasted about 5.5 hours before the battery ran out.
With the included 15W charger, fully charging the battery takes about 3 hours.
summary
This is a cheap tablet suitable for users who need to equip their children for online learning and communication with their families. The product has a sturdy and thin metal body design, dual external speakers with high volume, good quality screen, quite long battery life, and especially 4G SIM can be inserted to go online anytime, anywhere. . The drawback in tablets is that the performance is quite low, only temporary enough to meet the needs of general use. This may be the point where Samsung has to trade off to bring home users a tablet with a full basic experience at a price of just over VND 4 million.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is a 12-inch Windows tablet with an Intel Tiger Lake processor, an active pen, and an outstanding ThinkPad keyboard. Both accessories are included. However, starting at over 1000 Dollars, it’s quite expensive. Is it worth it for business customers? That’s what you’ll learn in this ThinkPad X12 Detachable review.
Lenovo ThinkPad X12
on*
Amazon
Design & Built Quality
Let’s start with the built quality which is very premium feeling just as you would expect from the ThinkPad brand. The body is made of a magnesium alloy and seems very sturdy. I like that you can open the kickstand very wide, almost a full 180 degrees. The transition from the screen to the body is not as nice as on an iPad Pro. But it looks like the ThinkPad would withstand crashes much better.
It’s 8.8mm thin and weighs 1.2kg including the keyboard. On the top and the right side are air vents because it’s actively cooled and you can hear those fans under heavy load. We get a power button, volume rockers, and a Kensington lock. On the left side, there’s a microSD card slot, a headphone jack, and two USB C ports of which one is a Thunderbolt 4 one.
We get a 5-megapixel webcam above the screen which has an infrared sensor next to it. You can unlock it using farcical recognition which works great. In addition, you can use the fingerprint scanner that’s built into the keyboard cover as well.
I love that the front-facing camera has a shutter so that you can lock the webcam. That’s a fantastic feature if you value your privacy and don’t want embarrassing surprises when being on a Zoom call. The photo and video quality are fantastic for a Windows device.
The 8-megapixel camera on the back takes okay photos and videos, again, especially for a Windows device. But all iPads and most Android tablets are better in this regard.
Keyboard Cover
A major highlight of the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is the keyboard cover. It’s nice to see that it’s included. The keyboard is connected using a magnetic connector and folded up it protects the screen. Thanks to a magnetic bar, you can type at an angle which the Microsoft Surface lineup introduced.
I was able to type on that keyboard very fast and smoothly without any issues. In fact, I think it’s one of the best tablet keyboards on the market today. Sure, it’s made of plastic but feels very sturdy and just works great. The background light is a nice premium feature too.
Read: Best Tablets With Keyboards Tested
My only criticism at the beginning was that the Ctrl and function key are swapped in comparison with all other keyboards I’m using. However, you can actually swap them in the settings yourself. So, it’s not a problem at all.
The touchpad is quite big for a tablet and features two separate mouse buttons. As is typical for a ThinkPad, it has this red track point which you can use as a mouse too.
Hardware & Performance
Depending on the version, the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is powered by an Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processor of the eleventh Tiger Lake generation. The i3 version has an Intel UHD graphic while the graphics performance of the other ones is much better thanks to an Iris Xe graphic. There are versions with 8GB and 16GB of RAM, as well as 256GB up to 1TB SSDs. You can get it with 4G too. I’ve gotten the version with an Intel Core i5-1130G7, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
In the Geekbench 5 benchmark, the CPU is as powerful as the Core i5 version of the Surface Pro 7. The graphics performance is much better though. In the Cinebench R15 test, the Lenovo is faster than the Microsoft tablet in both cases. And the couple of month old Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i is much slower too.
To render a 9 minute 4K video in Adobe Premiere Rush, the ThinkPad needed 7.5 minutes. I’m using Premiere Rush to compare the render performance with other platforms like iPads and Android tablets as well. It renders much faster than the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 but can’t keep up with an iPad Pro.
Read: The Best Windows Tablets You Can Buy Today
I can’t recommend any Windows tablet for gaming in particular. It’s better to get an iPad or a gaming laptop for that. With that being said, I did try Fortnite and it does look good with the lowest settings and it’s kind of playable. But for demanding gamers, the performance is too weak. With medium settings, it stutters a lot.
It’s more than fast enough for office work, of course. I was able to use Microsoft Office apps, Chrome, and YouTube in the background without any kind of lag. With tasks like these, the ThinkPad X12 performs very well and fast multitasking is possible. That goes for Photoshop too which runs great.
Display.
Let’s get to the 12.3-inch screen. Like the Surface Pro 7, it has an aspect ratio of 3:2 and it’s protected by Gorilla Glass. Viewing angles are wide because it’s an IPS screen and the colors look good. The 1920 x 1280 resolution is not super high but it’s sharp enough.
I like that it’s quite bright with 400 nits. I used the ThinkPad X12 Detachable outside in the sun and was able to work just fine. Sure, in direct light, it’s a bit harder but doable when using apps like Microsoft Word with high contrast.
Such screens seem ideal for Netflix. But I can’t recommend it as an entertainment tablet at all. That’s because the two speakers which sit on the right and left side of the screen. Their sound quality is pretty weak. It’s lacking a proper base. In fact, even the single speaker of my Xiaomi Mi 9t Pro smartphones has a much more pleasing sound. And tablets like the Galaxy Tab S7+ have much better speakers too.
Lenovo Pen
Included is an active pen that has a metal body and feels high-end. On the side are two buttons and on the back, you’ve got to insert an included battery. The tip supports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and it looks and works similar to the Microsoft Surface Pen.
The pen is great for handwritten notes in apps like Microsoft OneNote and I used it in Adobe Photoshop. Considering this is a standard 60Hz screen, the pen reacts well. But unlike with 120Hz tablets, the writing can lag behind the pen a bit when writing or drawing fast.
Sadly, you can’t attach the pen magnetically to the side of the tablet. But the keyboard has a holder for it.
Read: These Are The Best Lenovo Tablets
Battery Life
In my battery test, the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable lasted 7.5 hours. For this, I’m always looping an HD YouTube video at maximum brightness.
Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Review: Final Verdict
Well, that’s the end of my Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable review. Can I recommend it? Yes, at least if you’re looking for a powerful and premium Windows tablet. I think it’s a fantastic choice for businesses because the keyboard is included and it’s one of the best out there. It’s a great office tablet and fast enough for apps like Photoshop.
I like the high-end built quality, the sturdy kickstand, and the facial recognition. The camera shutter is a nice feature too.
However, I can’t recommend it as an entertainment or gaming tablet because of those weak speakers. If you want that, I’d always get an iPad or Android tablet instead.
Let’s check out the competition.
The first alternative that comes to mind is the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. Its graphics performance is not as good but the screen is a bit sharper and you can get colorful keyboards. Since it’s older, you might find great deals for the Pro 7, so make sure you compare prices between the two and factor in the accessories.
If you’re a Lenovo fan but want something cheaper, you should check out the Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i. It’s an interesting alternative if you don’t need as much power but want a cheaper and similar-sized Windows tablet.
A quick note at the end: While reviewing it, the touchscreen stopped working. I don’t know why and I don’t think it’s a driver issue. It seems like I’m the only one with this problem. Something like this can always happen with every device and that’s what the warranty is for. So, I didn’t let it influence my review but I also didn’t want to leave it unmentioned.
Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Review: The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is a fantastic Windows tablet. It features super-fast Intel Tiger Lake processors, a good 12-inch screen, and a high-end built quality. I like that the excellent keyboard cover and the stylus are included at no extra charge. With that being said, it can be very pricey.
Panasonic just made the Android tablet segment bustle with its latest launch. The company has unveiled the Toughbook S1 tablet, a powerful Android tablet with some great features and hardware. Panasonic sort of followed Samsung’s “Active” series offering with the latest launch.
Like Active tablets by Samsung, the Toughbook S1 is also a rugged tablet with IP65/67 rating for dust and water resistance, MIL-STD-810H certification, and can endure a five-foot drop onto concrete. The tablet can also sustain in extreme surroundings with temperatures ranging between -20 to 50 degrees Celsius.
Panasonic Toughbook S1 Specs & Features
The Toughbook S1 comes with a 7-inch WXGA display at 800×1,280 pixels resolution. It also supports glove touch modes and 10-point capacitive multi-touch. The display also has an anti-reflective (AR) screen treatment. An octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset powers the device with 4GB of RAM and 65GB of internal storage. It allows storage expansion of up 2GB via SD card, up to 32GB via SDHC, and up to 64GB via SDXC.
The tablet runs Android 10 out-of-the-box. The tablet features a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP selfie snapper on the front. Connectivity options on the tablet include Qualcomm WCN3990 Wi-Fi, 4G, USB Type-C, NFC, Bluetooth v5.1, GPS, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also has a docking connector with an optional USB Type-A port for charging.
Being a rugged tablet and better suited for industrial use, the Toughbook S1 also features a slew of sensors like an accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, and digital compass.
A 3,200mAh battery backs the tablet with up to 8 hours of battery backup in 3-hours of charging. Panasonic offers a battery power extension of up to 5,580mAh, and that can provide up to 14 hours of backup on a single charge.
In a statement given about the Toughbook S1, Craig Jackowski, GM of Product Management, Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, said:
“The TOUGHBOOK S1 is purpose-built for mobile workers in the most challenging environments and conditions, especially in transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and field services, where efficiency and reliability are essential for getting the job done. Building on the TOUGHBOOK legacy of productivity and ruggedness, the Toughbook S1 comes at a time when our customers demand reliable technology solutions to support digital and mobile operations.“
As you can gauge from the specs, the Toughbook S1 seems better suited for businesses and users who operate in harsh conditions. Panasonic is mostly targeting the same userbase as the Samsung Active tablets with the Toughbook. Let’s take a look at its pricing and availability.
On that note, check out the review for Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 Review: Best 8-Inch Android Tablet
Pricing and Availability
The Panasonic Toughbook S1 is priced at $2,499 in the US for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage model. The tablet will be up for purchase in the US for now. Panasonic is yet to reveal details regarding its availability in the regions outside the US. Stay tuned with us for more information.
What’s your take on the Toughbook S1? Do you think it is a powerful device that can even suit token consumers? Share your thoughts in the comments.
It gets hard to look beyond the two leading brands – Apple and Samsung when it comes to tablets. While Apple takes the number one spot for creating the best niche for its iPads, Samsung did an excellent follow-up with the Tab series. Samsung rose to become the only Android brand with a successful tablet lineup that offers premium features, high-end display, seamless performance, and more. Apple’s recently launched iPad Pro 2021 lineup comes with a slew of enhancements, and it makes us question how does it match up to Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 Plus?
In this article, we will be comparing the two tablets side by side. We will compare their design, performance, battery, software, and more.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) vs Galaxy Tab S7 Plus: Display, Design & Audio
Both the tablets come with different display technologies. While Apple takes a new approach with Mini-LED, Samsung keeps up with the tried and tested OLED display.
The iPad Pro (2021) features a 12.9-inch Mini-LED display backed by QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz variable refresh rate. The premium tablet also packs support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It supports up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness. On the contrary, Samsung’s Tab S7 Plus settles for a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display backed by QHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+.
Although both the displays are quite impressive, we think Samsung’s OLED still seems to be a better pick over the super-bright screen on the latest iPad Pro. With an infinite contrast ratio that gives way to display deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, an OLED display on Samsung’s premium tablet usually fits for every type of usage (indoor and outdoor).
However, Apple takes the lead when it comes to screen real estate. The iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) offers a 4:3 aspect ratio that can show more text. This may also help in elevating overall productivity.
We are yet to review the latest iPad Pro, but we are judging both the displays based on their specs. We have already reviewed the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, and we are still in awe of its right level of brightness and contrast.
The speakers provided on both tablets share a similar 4-speaker setup offering an immersive audio experience without a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Both the tablets feature sleek and lightweight designs with lower bezels. Apple has not made any obvious design change in its latest iPad Pro. It looks similar to the previous-gen but with some minor tweaks in ports and their placements. Compared to the iPad Pro 12.9-inch, the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus feels a bit more compact.
Stylus support is available for both tablets. Samsung gets S-Pen support while iPad Pro boasts Apple Pencil Gen 2 support. Both styli offer similar functionalities that aid in writing and creativity. Of course, Samsung takes the upper hand here as it bundles the S-Pen for free with the Tab S7 Plus, while you will have to buy the Apple Pencil separately.
We want to hold our horses in declaring a winner for this segment as we will be able to judge better once we keep both tablets side by side and in different settings to gauge which display is better.
Rest assured, we will revisit this comparison and declare the winner after careful consideration.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) vs Galaxy Tab S7 Plus: Performance, Software
We are hopping on to one of the most important segments, the performance! Both the tablets are pretty powerful, but the iPad Pro takes the cake with its ultimate powerhouse Apple M1 processor based on a 5nm process. Check out this test that proves the mighty power of the chipset. The ARM-based chipset by Apple even beats AMD and Intel with its single and multi-core CPU tests. The performance of the M1 processor makes it fitting for playing high-end games too.
Compared to that kind of outrageous power, the Snapdragon 865+ chipset on the Galaxy S7 Plus takes a backseat. It would take Samsung a new approach to beat Apple’s mighty powerful chipset. Even if Samsung goes for Snapdragon 888 SoC for its next lineup of tablets, it won’t be able to match up to the prowess of Apple’s M1 chip. The only way out will be to work on its own 5nm Exynos chipset and enhance new architecture to handle high-end functions.
In the processor performance segment, Apple wins the battle fair and square.
Both tablets come with different ecosystems – Android and iPadOS. The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus runs Android 11-based OneUI 3.1 out-of-the-box, while the latest iPad runs iPadOS 14.5. Being an Android tablet, the Tab S7 Plus comes with a software upgrade promise of up two years and an additional one year for security patches. On the contrary, Apple offers unconditional software upgrades for five more years, i.e., five major iPadOS upgrades.
From UI/UX perspective, iPad Pro takes mileage with its better optimized iPad OS ecosystem. The apps, games, and other services on the iPad are better suited for the big screen as they support landscape and multi-pane UI. In contrast, Galaxy Tab S7 Plus can run any third-party app from the Play Store, but they are not as optimized or run smoothly as apps run on iPad. Only apps by Samsung and Google would run as seamlessly as you would expect. Every other app will have issues with clean UI and functions suited for a tablet. Both the tablets enjoy speedy file transfer service – AirDrop on iPad and QuickShare on Tab S7 Plus.
One additional feature that Galaxy Tab S7 Plus gets is the DeX mode support that allows users to connect their tablet to a monitor and use it as a PC. The only issue with that is the incompatibility of several apps. Although DeX support makes for a significant add-on feature, it still is not enough to help Galaxy Tab S7 Plus win this segment.
Samsung and other Android tablet makers still have a long way to go when matching up with UI optimization on the iPad. Simply put, Apple’s ecosystem is optimized for tablets.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) vs Galaxy Tab S7 Plus: Cameras, Connectivity & Battery
Starting with the camera comparison, the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus sports a 13MP+5MP rear camera setup and an 8MP selfie camera. The rear setup supports 4K 30fps video recording while the front sensor supports 1080p 30fps video recording.
The iPad Pro 2021 settles for a 12MP+10MP+LiDAR rear camera setup and a 12MP wide-angle selfie camera setup on the front. The rear setup supports up to 4K 60fps video recording and 1080p 60fps video on the selfie camera.
Comparing the two, iPad Pro 2021 offers better wide-angle and ultrawide picture quality with its cameras. It also has a Center Stage feature that keeps the subject in the center even if the camera keeps moving during FaceTime calls. Apple takes the cherry with its camera setup and new features. But we must mention that the positioning of the front camera sensor on the Tab S7 Plus gives it a better frame placement while using the landscape mode.
Connectivity-wise, both the tablets support sub-6GHz 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Type-C ports, GPS, and mmWave. But the new iPad Pro has got Thunderbolt 4 that offers 4x faster data transfer at 40GB/sec compared to USB 3.2 on the previous-gen iPad.
While Galaxy Tab S7 Plus can’t compete with that speed, it has its winning addition in the form microSD card slot that comes in super handy for those who need more storage on their tablet. Also, the file management is better on the Tab S7 Plus.
Both tablets support external accessories like keyboards. In terms of streaming or screen-mirroring, Apple has got its own AirPlay 2, while the Tab S7 Plus supports Samsung’s in-house Tab Share (available for Samsung TVs), Google Chromecast, Miracast, and more.
A 10,090mAh battery backs the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, while the iPad Pro 12.9-inch has a 10,800mAh battery. Both tablets promise similar performance on single-charge and support fast-charging. But Samsung takes the upper hand with 45W fast-charging compared to 18W fast-charging on iPad Pro.
We think there is a tie between both the tablets in this segment.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) vs Galaxy Tab S7 Plus: The Verdict
Before we come to the verdict, it is essential to know how much the two tablets cost. The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is cheaper than the iPad Pro 12.9-inch. Samsung is the winner when you look from the perspective of value for money. You can save some extra buck while getting a similar flagship-level performance as the iPad Pro.
But if you do not keep the price point as the base of the verdict, the iPad Pro 2021 is an absolute winner with its more advanced features and specs. Also, iPads offer a better tablet experience than Android. Samsung has come a long way and is inching closer to taking Apple head-on in the comparison; maybe the next generation of Tab S7 Plus could better compete with the latest iPad Pro.
What’s your take on this comparison? Which tablet would you rather prefer and why? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Amazon has launched a new set of Fire HD 10 tablets featuring a ‘Plus’ variant with support for Qi wireless charging. In addition, Amazon has launched a new Kids tablet named Fire Kids Pro.
The latest Fire HD 10 tablets are successors to the 2019 variants. They come with sleek bodies with fewer bezels and a 10-inch full-HD 1080p screen that’s claimed to be “10% brighter than before”. Amazon has also added 50% more RAM than the previous models. The new ones pack 3GB of RAM instead of 2GB of RAM. This improvement could make Fire tablets a worthy alternative to many existing tablets on the market.
The Fire HD 10 tablets are priced at $150 for the 32GB storage model and around $190 for 64GB storage variants. The Fire HD 10 Plus is priced at $210 with a better screen and more power than the standard variants. It is a better pick for those who want an affordable tablet with enough power to handle multitasking.
The Fire HD 10 and HD 10 Plus support Dolby Atmos for an enhanced multimedia experience and an enhanced Fire OS that supports split-screen multitasking features. The new UI also brings split-screen access for entertainment apps like Amazon’s Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+.
Fire HD 10 Plus With Extra Features
Qi wireless support is limited to the “Plus” model. Buyers can pick an Amazon-approved Wireless Charging Dock by Anker to use the feature. Another great feature of the Plus variant is that it smoothly glides into Show Mode that works as a countertop display when you attach it to a keyboard dock. So, the new Fire HD 10 Plus could be a good choice for those who want a tablet that can double as a laptop.
Amazon is offering ‘Productivity Bundles’ with the latest tablets, including a Finite-designed keyboard case and Microsoft 365 annual subscription. The bundle is priced around $220 for the Fire HD 10 tablet featuring 32GB of storage.
Amazon has also launched the Fire Kids Pro tablet that has a more sober design and a kickstand. It features three screen variants at 7-inches (priced $100), 8-inches (priced $140), and 10-inches (priced $200). Amazon boasts that these new tablets have “world-class parental controls.”
These seem to be some good launches by Amazon. We now have more tablets to consider in the budget segment. You can check out our review for Fire HD 8 Plus tablet here.
Microsoft Office and OneNote Apps Support Arrives For Fire Tablets
Amazon Fire tablets earlier lacked Microsoft support, but now Microsoft has launched Office and OneNote apps for Fire tablets. Both the productivity apps are now up for download on Amazon’s Appstore. The Office suite has Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in a single app. Earlier Microsoft has launched other apps on Amazon’s Appstore for Fire tablets, including Outlook, Xbox, and Xbox Game Pass.
It is pretty easy for Microsoft to bring its app for Fire tablets as it does not require a lot of work. Fire OS is a forked version of Android, making it somewhat compatible with Android apps. Of course, some modification is required.
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After waiting for months, we finally have the iPad Pro out and about! Apple today made the iPad Pro 2021 official at a virtual event held at Apple Park in Cupertino. The tech giant launched two models of the tablet – 11-inches and 12-inches. As expected, Apple did everything it can to make it the mightiest of all iPads with the right set of hardware featuring an M1 chip and XDR display.
Fastest Performance Paired With Best Display
The latest tablet from Apple packs the homegrown M1 chip that delivers on the performance bit and makes it the fastest iPad ever. You get an 8-core CPU that delivers better performance than the A12Z Bionic on the previous generation. The 8-core GPU follows up to present a similar output making the iPad Pro 2021 the fastest tablet. The iPad Pro 2021 also packs the Apple Neural Engine, an advanced image signal processor (ISP) featuring high-bandwidth memory architecture clubbed with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of internal storage.
Concerning battery life, Apple touts an all-day battery life on the latest iPad, thanks to iPadOS. The software is optimized to use the prowess of the M1 chip to handle things seamlessly.
The 12.9-inches model packs a Liquid Retina XDR display that brings a fantastic visual experience with sophisticated HDR workflows. The XDR display packs a mini-LED design using more than 10,000 LEDs in the rear panel of the display. It features up to 1000 nits of brightness and up to 1600 nits of peak brightness. Apple promises that the screen is powerful enough to show the darkest images and enable creative professionals like photographers or graphic designers to edit with confidence.
The true-to-life HDR content is further improved by other advanced technologies used on the iPad Pro. On the other hand, the 11-inch iPad Pro has the regular Liquid Retina Display with the same advanced technologies as on the bigger model. These technologies include ProMotion, True Tone, P3 wide color support, HDR, and Dolby Vision.
5G Connectivity, New and Improved Thunderbolt
The cellular variant of the iPad Pro 2021 supports 5G that enhances the performance, and offers faster download and upload speeds. With 5G, users can FaceTime on the move in HD video quality. In the US, the iPad Pro 2021 supports speeds up to 4Gbps and eSIM.
Thunderbolt and USB 4 support on the tablet enables up to 40Gbps bandwidth for wired connections, which is an improvement over the previous-gen. The new and improved Thunderbolt connectivity can support up to 10Gbps Ethernet, and it also makes connectivity with external accessories faster. Accessories like external storage, displays, and more.
TrueDepth Camera With Center Stage Feature
The iPad Pro 2021 packs a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera that supports a fantastic feature called ‘Centre Stage’. This new feature works more like a motion tracker that keeps the user in the frame during FaceTime video calls, even if they move around. It automatically pans to keep them in the center of the frame. The feature can also detect when other users join the video call and smoothly pans out to match the group call requirements for fitting everyone in the frame.
On the rear, you get a Pro camera setup featuring Wide and Ultra Wide sensors. You get a 12MP wide sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 10MP ultra-wide sensor with an f/2.4 aperture and 125-degree field of view. Other features include 2x optical zoom out, up to 5x digital zoom, smart HDR 3, and more
Apple has launched a new and advanced Magic Keyboard, which features backlit keys, a trackpad, and a floating design. It is available in White color.
Pricing and Availability
The iPad Pro 2021 will go up for pre-ordering starting April 30 via Apple’s online store and Apple Store in 31 countries and regions. It will go on sale around the second half of May in silver and space gray color options. Both 11-inch and 12.9-inch models will be available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.
As for the pricing, the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799 for the Wi-Fi variant and $999 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,099 for the Wi-Fi model and $1,299 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
What do you think about the latest iPad Pro? Would you prefer it over the previous generation? Let us know in the comments.
This year has started to look more like a good year for tablets. We are inching closer to the launch of new iPads, and Samsung is already working on lighter variants of Tab A7 and Tab S7. And now, if a new report is anything to go by, Samsung could also be working on a triple-folding tablet!
The latest report comes from Gizmochina as an exclusive report brought in partnership with a new leakster named Yogesh. As per the latest report, Samsung is working on a triple-folding tablet that could debut in Q1 2022. The report also hints that Samsung could give us the first glimpse of the phone at the upcoming launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. As of now, Samsung seems to be rethinking the launch of the new foldable devices. There is no fixed date for the launch of new devices yet.
This is not the first time we are getting to hear about the folding tablet. Earlier, there were reports from China paired with an image of what the rumored device could look like. The image looked very much like TCL’s concept phone that featured a zigzag design.
Here’s some more purported information about the rumored device. For starters, it is expected to feature an advanced S-Pen and enhanced ultra-thin glass (UTG). The report does not reveal how differently the S-Pen on the rumored device could function compared to the current stylus on Samsung devices.
Although there is no solid backing for the leaked device, we must say it seems quite intriguing. If Samsung does end up launching a tri-folding tablet, we would be first in the line to get our hands on it.
For now, let’s take all the leaked information with a pinch of salt. We will be updating this article as soon as we get more reliable information about the rumored device.
Not The First Triple Folding Device To Surface
TCL Triple Folding Prototype
As intriguing as all the leaked information about Samsung’s triple-folding device seems, it is not the first device to feature a tri-folding design. The first one was by TCL. We also got to see the device in action in a leaked hands-on video featuring the prototype. In the video, we could see the “DragonHinge,” enabling it to flex in various directions.
The device reveals a 10-inch tablet with a large flexible display. It allows users to fold it into two screens, while the third screen can double as a stand to rest the device on a flat surface. Furthermore, it can fold into just one screen to use as a smartphone.
Overall, the device can fold into three segments featuring a 6.65-inch display and individual battery. Of course, folding all three layers could reveal a thick device to carry around. But hey, it is still in the prototype stage. TCL can still work on bringing the thickness down. The company is currently experimenting with dozens of prototypes.
In the hands-on video, we see that the device runs Android that adjusts itself to every screen size. And the software still has a long way to go before it can compare to existing foldable flagships like Huawei’s Mate XS or Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 2.
TCL is expected to launch the device in the first half of 2021, which means that Samsung’s triple-folding device will already have a device to compare when it goes official.
What’s your take on a triple-folding tablet? Would you bet your money on such a design? Share your thoughts in the comments.
We don’t have a bunch of new tablets dominating the market. This is why whenever a new leak comes around, we feel compelled to cover it. And the latest leak sheds some substantial light on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Lite. We have got an alleged official image of the tablet, thanks to the leakster – Evan Blass.
The Galaxy Tab S7 Lite would be the next big tablet launch by Samsung after the original Tab S7 series. The upcoming tablet is going to be an affordable version by all means. In the leaked image, we get to see the upcoming device from multiple angles. And dare we say that it looks a lot like the Tab S7 with slimmer bezels.
On the rear panel, we see the space that should be housing the S Pen stylus. And the panel also features dual-camera sensors and the Samsung logo at the top right corner. Other design elements remain the same as the Tab S7, such as the all-metal body with rounded corners.
Although Samsung is expected to launch the device by June 2021, the new leaked image seems to be more of a press render. The leaked image looks quite convincing, and we are now wondering how Blass managed to get his hands on the image.
Galaxy Tab S7 Lite With 5G Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
It’s worth noting that the Galaxy Tab S7 Lite is expected to come with 5G connectivity. And we see the antenna lines running along the design’s top to make way for solid connectivity that goes through the metal body.
We also see dual speakers, AKG branding, and a USB-C port for charging. Interestingly, the device lacks a headphone jack. In the previous leak, we learned that the Tab S7 Lite could feature a 12.4-inch LCD screen with a higher refresh rate, Snapdragon 750G chipset, and 4GB of RAM.
The tablet is expected to come with a large 7,000mAh battery with support for 15W wired charging. Samsung could be launching the tablet in four color variants – Black, Green, Pink, and Silver. Samsung is also expected to launch external accessories like cases and keyboards for the tablet.
In his leak post, Blass also mentions that he expects Samsung to launch the Tab S7 Lite in June. But the tablet could also make an appearance at Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event slated for April 28, 2021.
Although most of the expected information is already out, we believe that Samsung might still surprise us with some minor tweaks. As far as the pricing is concerned, we think the Tab S7 Lite could anywhere around $450.
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Remember when Samsung launched the first foldable phone? We never thought that the daunting step by the South Korean giant would pave the way for other OEMs to launch their iterations and finally create a niche for the design. The best part about foldable phones is that some of them can also be called foldable tablets.
Today we have a slew of foldable phones that qualify for being called a tablet. Brands like Huawei, Motorola, Xiaomi, LG, TCL, and others have added a foldable phone to their arsenal. Still, Samsung is the most significant contributor with several foldable phones under its name.
Foldable phones have set the standard for themselves by giving the best of both worlds to users. With a foldable phone, users legit have a perfect mix of a phone and a tablet. Many of these phones offer a tablet-like experience in their open state, making us call them foldable tablets.
However, not every foldable phone can be called a foldable tablet. For us, foldable clamshell phones do not qualify the standard. Their screen size does not comply with tablet standards. Phones like the latest Moto Razr do not offer a tablet-like big screen when unfolded.
In this article, we are going to list the best foldable tablets of 2021. The devices featured on this list have a bigger screen real estate that provides a wholesome tablet and phone experience.
Before we take you through the list, here’s a little disclaimer. We have not reviewed any of these devices but conducted our research by evaluating reviews by some leading tech publications. The reviews helped us understand every device’s pros and cons and what makes them “the best” in the segment.
The Best Foldable Tablets: An Overview
Here’s a quick overview of the devices we have featured on this list. These are the best foldable tablets that we recommend:
Best Foldable Tablet Overall: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 (on Amazon*). The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 takes the top position as the best foldable tablet as it offers a perfect mix of design and performance. Samsung did an outstanding job on the device and optimized its UI to work seamlessly with the foldable mechanism. You get a powerful smartphone cum tablet with the Galaxy Z Fold 2.
Best Foldable Tablet With Latest SoC: Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold. The Mi Mix fold is one of the most recent foldable tablets on this list. It is a powerful device with the latest Snapdragon 888 chipset. Boasting a similar design as the Galaxy Fold 3, the device is one of the best alternatives for Samsung’s best foldable offering.
Best Foldable Tablet With Sophisticated Camera Setup: Huawei Mate X2 (on Amazon*). The Huawei Mate X2 is one of the best flagships by the brand. The USP of this foldable tablet is that it sports a quad-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor. The only shortcoming with this almost perfect offering is the lack of Google apps support that compromises the overall experience.
Best Foldable Tablet By Microsoft: Surface Duo (on Amazon*). The Surface Duo is a foldable tablet by Microsoft. It is the only device by the brand to run Android OS. It is a decent pick for those who want more screen real estate and do not mind the hinge between two screens.
Best Foldable Tablet With Quirky Foldable Mechanism: Royole FlexPai. This one carries the tag of being the first-ever commercial foldable phone. Although not as popular as other brands on the list, the Royole FlexPai is a decent entry into the foldable segment. The most noticeable feature of this foldable tablet is its quirky folding mechanism that makes its design visibly different than conventional devices.
The Best Foldables: A Detailed Look
Let’s check them out in more detail.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is arguably the best foldable phone out there. It reveals the biggest screen size at 7.6-inches when it unfolds. It creates a whole new niche for itself with its display size, so much so that we want to call it a foldable tablet instead. This device folds like a notebook and reveals a smaller display on the outside, giving it a double edge to work as a conventional smartphone.
Of course, the folding design presents some side-effects like the crease at the center, but Samsung lets users use it smartly. One can even use the crease to their advantage by loading apps side-by-side like a dual-window feature at its best.
When you unfold the phone, it presents you with a full-screen real estate that works effortlessly for photo-editing apps. Along the same lines, mobile gaming also gets better with a bigger screen and a 120Hz refresh rate. You get the best graphic performance.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 brings the best of both worlds as you get to use it as a phone and a tablet. When folded, you get a small screen that’s perfect for doing smaller tasks like messaging or browsing through apps like Instagram. You can use the bigger screen for other tasks like editing, watching videos, gaming, and more.
You get a bigger screen at 7.6 inches (2208 x 1768 pixels resolution) when you unfold the device and a smaller 6.2 inches display (2260 x 816 pixels resolution) when you fold it.
Under the hood, a mighty Snapdragon 865+ processor powers the device with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It weighs just 282 grams. A 4,500mAh battery backs the device that Samsung claims offers up to 18 hours of backup on moderate usage.
For optics, you get a 12MP+12MP (ultra-wide)+12MP (telephoto) triple camera setup on the rear with 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. It has a 10MP selfie snapper on the front cover and a 10MP selfie camera on the main display.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 makes for the best option for a foldable tablet on the market, but it also has a few disadvantages, like it is way more expensive than a regular tablet. You can buy one of the best flagship tablets at $2,000. And even at that price, you miss out on some features like water resistance.
Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold
Xiaomi is one of the latest OEMs to enter the foldable segment. The company recently launched the Mi Mix Fold – a beautiful foldable smartphone featuring an 8.01-inch OLED display that’s large enough to be called a tablet. The Mi Mix Fold has an inward folding design like the Galaxy Z Fold. The external or outer display is 6.52-inches.
The inner display boasts a 60Hz refresh rate with HDR 10+, while the external display gets a 90Hz OLED display with HDR10+. The phone also features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. It runs Android 10-based MIUI 12.
Under the hood, the latest and greatest Snapdragon 880 chipset powers the device with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB storage (depending on the variant you go for). Xiaomi has included a big 5,020mAh battery with support for 67W charging.
There is a triple camera setup on the device, with a 108MP Samsung HM2 primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide sensor, and an 8MP sensor that completes the mix. Xiaomi has also integrated the cameras with the Surge C1 image signal processing chip to deliver low-light performance, autofocus, auto-exposure, and auto white balance. On the external display, the phone sports a 20MP selfie camera.
Design-wise, Mi Mix Fold looks like a clone of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 2. But on the inside, both the phones are quite different. Xiaomi attempted to give a wholesome tablet experience with the MIUI 12, offering a desktop-like UI that works seamlessly on the device’s larger inner display. Xiaomi’s MIUI does a better job at giving a tablet experience than Samsung’s OneUI that has a few limitations.
The Mi Mix Fold should be in the first position, but the only reason we are listing it below Samsung is availability. There are thin chances for the Mi Mix Fold to get a global launch. The device recently went on sale in China, and Xiaomi has not given any hints for international availability.
Huawei Mate X2
Huawei’s take on the foldable smartphone comes in the form of Mate X2. Although the company is going through a rough patch due to the US trade ban and chip shortage, it does not make its powerful foldable offering fall short. The Huawei Mate X2 is a well-rounded foldable tablet to consider. This inward folding device features a wholesome 8-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate when unfolded, and it becomes a compact smartphone with a 6.45-inch OLED screen when folded.
Under the hood, Huawei powers the foldable tablet with its in-house Kirin 9000 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of expandable storage. Concerning optics, you get a quad-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide lens, a 12MP telephoto sensor, and an 8MP super zoom sensor. On the outward secondary screen, you get a 16MP camera that comes in handy for clicking pictures when in a compact shape.
Due to the US trade ban, Huawei has also lost Google’s support for Android, but the Mate X2 still runs Android 10-based EMUI 11 on top. It lacks Google apps like Maps, Assistant, and more. Recently, Huawei has come up with its own operating system called Harmony OS.
We have not reviewed this device yet, but we can say that the Mate X2 is a great device going by reviews of some leading publications. One of the shortcomings of the phone is that Huawei is losing ground due to the lack of Google support, and with the US trade ban, the future seems a bit dicey. Another drawback appears to be the pricing; considering the setbacks in software support, it does not justify the high pricing.
Microsoft Surface Duo
The Surface Duo is the first Android-based tablet by Microsoft. It is the first foldable that does not follow the inherent design. The Surface Duo is a foldable device that uses a hinge to join two screens to fold. It does not have a foldable screen but two screens that fulfill the mechanism. Although it does not feature an advanced foldable design, the Surface Duo manages to deliver a decent experience with two screens that can fold and unfold like a notebook.
You get two screens measuring 5.6-inches, each with 1800×1350 pixels resolution. Together, when unfolded, they make a big 8.1-inch screen. Although they have a hinge combination, you can easily use one app on the large screen or two apps simultaneously on one screen each. Users can also split the bottom display for keyboard functionality.
You get a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor under the hood, with 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. You get dual batteries on this one that together creates a 3,577mAh backup. The tablet gets a single 11MP camera on top of the inward folding right display panel. It doubles as a selfie camera when users rotate the panel.
We think that the Surface Duo deserves a spot on this list, but it comes across as a bit lackluster compared to the other devices. The features on the device are a bit dated for 2021.
Royole Flexpai
Not many know that the first foldable smartphone cum tablet was not by Samsung, but Royole Flexpai. It was the first commercial device featuring a foldable screen. You have not heard more about it because of the mixed reviews it received due to its unpolished and quirky design mechanism. You see, unlike the Galaxy Z Fold by Samsung, the folding mechanism on this one was a bit weird and felt unreasonable to use as a smartphone too.
We are featuring it on our list because it has a screen that becomes more than 7-inches when unfolded, making it better to use as a tablet. The Royole Flexpai packs a 7.8-inch screen with an aspect ratio of 4:3 and 1920 x 1440-pixel resolution. When folded, the device splits into two displays — featuring a 16:9 aspect ratio on one side and an 18:9 aspect ratio on the other side.
For optics, you get a dual-camera setup with a 20MP telephoto lens and a 16MP wide-angle lens. The device can go on folding from 0 degrees to 180 degrees. One of the primary reasons this device lags behind others on the list is its slow software that delivered a sluggish response time reacting to its folding abilities.
What to look for in a foldable phone
You need to consider several factors when buying a foldable phone, such as software support, custom features, pricing, built, and more. And if you want a foldable phone as an alternative to a tablet, you will have to consider the screen real estate; the larger, the better.
Foldable phones have come a long way, and foldable phones by Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei have pushed the boundaries with their software optimizations. The phones by these brands adjust the UI according to the screen mode, from compact to tablet. And, of course, the hardware needs to be top-notch to handle all the mechanisms.
There’s always a price to pay when you want the most sophisticated tech. If you have made up your mind to buy a foldable phone instead of a conventional tablet, then you’ll be shelling out more moolah. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives, but they are more of a liability with their software and design limitations.
Go for a foldable phone that has a proven design mechanism and software support. We highly recommend the Galaxy Z Fold 2. It is the best on this list.
How do OEMs optimize software on foldable phones
Operating systems like Android come with a built-in ‘Screen Continuity’ support, making it easier for developers to optimize their apps according to the display mechanism on foldable phones. The feature lets apps adjust automatically according to the big and small screen sizes. Additionally, Google is also encouraging developers to consider other features like multi-display support to make the app’s movement even more seamless on foldable phones.
The Future of ‘Foldable’ is ‘Rollable’
Technology is nothing if not evolving, that’s what is happening with the future of foldable phones. Thanks to the continuous developments in design, we are now seeing rollable displays coming into form. This year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was blessed with the showcase of some prototypes with rollable displays.
We got a sneak peek at rollable smartphones by brands like Oppo, TCL, and LG. Although LG is now out of the smartphone business, we wonder what will happen with that futuristic prototype. But we still have got TCL and Oppo, who will soon be launching their first smartphones with rollable displays. And we believe that these displays would come in more handy as tablets.
TCL’s rollable concept has a compact display at 6.75-inches which expands to a 7.8-inch screen when the rollable feature is put into action. Unlike foldable phones that stick to inward folding or clamshell folding mechanisms, the rollable displays use a motorized chassis to roll out the extra screen.
Oppo’s rollable phone has also leaked in a hands-on review video, and it looks like the real deal! It is a genuine alternative to a conventional tablet. The display seamlessly switches between a 6.7-inch OLED screen and a mini-tablet-like 7.4-inch OLED screen. The rollable mechanism gives it better portability, and the large display can deliver an extraordinary experience when watching videos or playing games. Check out the video here to see it in action.
We think that rollable phones could prove to be better alternatives to tablets than foldable phones. The motorized mechanism makes them more effortlessly futuristic and also more portable. Of course, durability would be debatable, but that’s also the case with foldable phones, right?
