Tablet rating 2015: the best 8-inch models

{ !!! block='price' type="big" idgood='545992' !!!}Irbis TX80 8 GB

Under the Impression brand on There are many affordable devices on the market, such as the ImPAD 9314 tablet. Typical positioning for such gadgets with a 3G modem is a universal electronic assistant suitable for use both at home and on the road. Among inexpensive tablets Impression stands out for its design. The combination of white plastic and silver metal case looks more interesting than the usual black plastic or painted metal. The gadget received a "telephone" arrangement of control keys and a relatively small weight (330 g). Please note that it is not always possible to fit it into the inner pocket of outerwear. When using a tablet for telephony, it is worth using a headset. Because the microphone is placed in such a way that it is inconvenient to talk just by putting the device to your ear.The Irbis TX80 8-inch tablet is an example of affordable, but at the same time same time functional device for non-demanding users. It may not boast rich equipment, a fresh version of the operating system or modern hardware, but it does a good job with most of the tasks that users assign to inexpensive equipment.

IPS-display with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels is generally not bad, which for a gadget with such a price tag should be read as "good". There is an air gap in the screen design, which means that it is made according to the old technology, although the computer was launched on the market in 2015. And a layer of air in the "sandwich" of the display makes it less bright and contrasty. In particular, experts point to "slightly narrowed color gamut, high color temperature and not the best color balance", which ultimately makes the image less saturated. Given this and low brightness, ImPAD 9314 should be recommended for use at home, and in direct sunlight it will be problematic to see the text. The model is assembled in a strict black case, the back cover is metal, the front one is made of glossy plastic. The device is comfortable to hold with one hand, the layout of ports and controls is well thought out. The display characteristics are typical for low-cost devices: this is an inexpensive IPS-matrix of 1280x800 pixels with average brightness and contrast ratios. The Irbis TX80 display is unlikely to suit users who are demanding on picture quality, they should pay attention to other models from our selection. And those who buy their first tablet will most likely be satisfied.

The quad-core Mediatek MT8382 platform can handle common tasks such as web surfing, HD video playback, simple games. In terms of performance, Impression does not present any surprises, for example, it may not “pull” the newest games from Google Play. The GPS module allows you to use the tablet as a navigator, although the screen, as we noted, is not very conducive to this. The weak capabilities of both built-in cameras make the ImPAD 9314 unattractive for mobile photography lovers.The performance of the system is determined by an inexpensive 4-core chip and is no longer new, but everything the still widespread Mali-400 graphics chip. There is a small storage of 8 GB and the memory is marked in such a way that there is little space left for installing applications that cannot be transferred to a memory card. Therefore, the TX80 is well suited for surfing, but not so much for storing files and installing a large number of applications and games. The front and main cameras are not very high quality, but the first one will do for video calls. And thanks to 3G support, you can use Skype not only near Wi-Fi hotspots. better autonomy - the battery lasts for 6-8 hours of operation. When using the tablet intensively, you can keep an external battery on hand like Xiaomi Mi Power Bank. The model is recommended for those who find the screens of smartphones and even phablets small. The ImPAD 9314 is an inexpensive 3G smartphone with an 8-inch screen that can handle many tasks well, except for photography and 3D gaming. Irbis may be of interest to both beginners and experienced Android users. The former will receive an inexpensive tablet for the Internet, and the latter will receive a gadget for experiments. So, after installing software like Greenify and optimization, battery life exceeds the standard 4-6 hours for low-cost devices. In addition, modified firmware is available for this model, and the craftsmen figured out how to get root access.

Acer Iconia Tab A1-840FHD 16GB 16 GB

Acer's new 2015 is only a little more expensive than its predecessor, but has a better display and better performance. Although mediocre autonomy and the absence of a 3G / LTE module are conducive to the “sofa” use of the tablet.

The device has an IPS display with an anti-reflective and oleophobic coating (preventing fingerprints) and without an air gap ( improves image perception in bright light). Its resolution (1920x1200) is higher than most low-cost models - this will manifest itself when reading, surfing, viewing photos and videos. In general, experts positively assess the quality of the screen, as for inexpensive devices, and among the shortcomings they note the non-switchable adjustment of the backlight brightness and not perfect color reproduction.

The Iconia Tab A1-840FHD uses a new Atom with four cores running on frequencies 1.33-1.86 GHz. According to the reviews, the performance of the tablet is at a good level. There are difficulties only with toys: most work well, but the most demanding ones, like Asphalt 8, do not start at maximum settings, and some, like GTA: San Andreas, do not start at all. The volume of the built-in flash drive is nominally 16 GB, but a little more than half is available to the user - about 9.6 GB. Many owners complain about the lack of space.

The design of the device can not be called original - rounded edges and a combination of white plastic and silver metal parts are quite common. However, the overall impression is positive, not infrequently, white equipment looks better than its dark counterparts. In terms of thickness and weight, the model is comparable to other models in the TOP-5. Through the use of on-screen keys, the number of physical controls is kept to a minimum. On the edge there are volume up and down keys. Their peculiarity is that, depending on the orientation, they “change places”. It takes some getting used to, according to forum reviews.

The Iconia Tab's low-cost comes through in some minor shortcomings. The front camera received a resolution of 2 megapixels, and the rear one - 5 megapixels, although the real resolution of its pictures is 4 megapixels (2560 × 1440 pixels). The quality of the pictures is not high, but the captured video looks better than the photo. Like many modern devices, the Iconia Tab A1-840FHD supports Wi-Fi 802.11n in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, but the radio module does not always work stably in the second band. A full-fledged GPS module provides accurate positioning, only a "cold start" takes 2-4 minutes.

Lenovo IdeaTab 2 8 GB

Lenovo frequently updates its range of mobile devices and new items are not very different from the gadgets they replace. This is also true for the Lenovo IdeaTab 2 A8-50 model. This inexpensive tablet, which entered the market in the summer of 2015, is aimed at undemanding users and stands out against the background of its predecessors with the installed current - fifth - version of Android.

The tablet is available in several versions: in white and blue, as well as with 8 or 16 GB of internal memory. And the basis of the hardware for all versions is an inexpensive 4-core MediaTek platform with 1 GB of RAM. The performance of the IdeaTab can be assessed as average - it will be enough for reading, HD video and surfing, but for games it is better to look for a more powerful gadget.

The build quality is good even for low-cost tablets from Lenovo. The body material is matte plastic, which is well suited for everyday use. However, minor shortcomings are still present. So, the plug covering the slot is poorly made and you have to mess around to close it. When designing the device, engineers saved on the little things that are not entirely obvious: the display has an air gap that reduces brightness and contrast, there is also no light sensor, which in total makes it uncomfortable to work in bright sunlight, but is almost invisible indoors. So, despite the fact that this model has an IPS matrix, it is better to use it indoors, and not on the road.

The volume of a single speaker is enough for watching YouTube videos, but it is still better to listen to music headphones or using Bluetooth speakers, such as JBL Charge 2. Both cameras - the front 2 MP and the main 5 MP - demonstrate good filming quality, which is a plus for an inexpensive device.

Battery life is slightly above average for inexpensive tablets — the model withstands 7-9 hours with a serious load or up to two or three days in more gentle modes. Even if you often need to take your computer on the road, such indicators cannot be considered a disadvantage.

Xiaomi MiPad 16 GB

Chinese copies of the Apple tablet have evolved quite quickly from handicraft small-scale crafts to quality products. In terms of features and performance, some of them even surpass the original, for example, Xiaomi MiPad. This model has been on sale for a long time, but at the same time it compares favorably with newer competitors from Chinese and other brands.

The similarity between MiPad and iPad mini is manifested primarily in the display parameters. Its diagonal is 7.9 inches, and the resolution is 2048x1536 pixels. In terms of image detail, the Xiaomi screen corresponds to Retina-class models. In addition, it is protected by Gorilla Glass 3 and is characterized by high brightness and good color reproduction. Thanks to this, Xiaomi MiPad is suitable for those who plan to use the tablet not only at home, but also outdoors.

Xiaomi MiPad easily fits even in a lady's purse. Another advantage of the model is the availability in several color schemes, which will certainly be appreciated by girls who care that the gadget matches the chosen style. And if we add to this also a small weight, then Xiaomi MiPad can be recommended as a modern female gadget. Although it is slightly heavier and thicker than an Apple tablet.

The device is built using the NVIDIA Tegra K1 platform, which was designed with 3D gaming in mind. Gamers will be interested in the fact that NVIDIA's branded application store is available for equipment on the Tegra K1 platform, where you can purchase interesting games at special prices or download some for free. Of course, all toys from the Play Market will also go without problems. The computer is equipped with a 6700 mAh battery, which is not so much for such a powerful platform. Average battery life is typical for tablets from the middle price category: about 5-6 hours under load or up to two or three days in more gentle modes of operation. And the capabilities of Xiaomi MiPad on 5 and 8 MP cameras will suit most users. They provide good shooting quality, but they do not always cope with general plans, especially in low light conditions.

Considering all the properties of MiPad, we can say that this model — is excellent a gift for a girl or a teenager who is passionate about games, and also for everyone who is looking for a worthy and affordable alternative to iPad mini. The only “but” that may prevent buying Xiaomi is not very good localization and some nuances with the software, about which is worth reading before buying.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 2015 32 GB

The Galaxy Tab S2 is Samsung's flagship tablet series launched in 2015. It includes models with a screen of 8 and 9.7 inches - Tab S2 8.0 and 9.7. When you pick up the 8-inch Tab S2, you understand that the engineers and designers have done their best: the plastic case of the gadget with a metal frame is 5.6 mm thick and weighs 265 g (for the Wi-Fi version) and 272 g ( for the LTE version). These are the minimum dimensions among tablets for this form factor.

Given the thickness of the body, you should not expect a long battery life from the model. The battery life is enough for 3-4 hours of games, 5-6 hours of web surfing or about 8 hours of video watching. This means that with intensive use, an external universal battery is indispensable, far from sockets.

And the performance of the tablet is at the proper level for a premium device. The Samsung Exynos 7 Octa chip with a frequency of 1.9 GHz, powerful Mali-T760 MP graphics core and 3 GB of RAM ensures fast execution of all types of tasks, including modern games. The set of communication options is also the best of the entire collection: the Wi-Fi module is compatible with the 802.11ac standard and operates at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz, which ensures high data transfer speeds even where several wireless networks “intersect”. And LTE-version of the tablet is worth paying attention to users who need the Internet without being tied to Wi-Fi. At the same time, support for high-capacity memory cards will be useful for users who decide to take a collection of music and films with them on the road.

The computer received the highest quality display of all models in the selection — This is a high-resolution Super AMOLED panel with excellent brightness and contrast. Unlike the previous generation Tab S models, the new screen has a 4:3 aspect ratio, so it's good for surfing, but not optimal for watching videos. The screen is equipped with anti-glare and oleophobic coating, which does not show fingerprints, and is protected by Gorilla Glass, which is resistant to scratches and scuffs. And the sensitivity of the sensor is high, which is important for fans of mobile games.

The front camera of the Galaxy Tab S2 with a 2.1 MP matrix will fit for sefli, and the main camera of 8 MP in normal lighting takes quite high-quality pictures, allows you to record videos in QHD resolution up to 5 minutes.