I did not expect this $180 Android tablet to be as impressive as it is

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• It is a evaluation of the Oukitel OT5 Android pill, which begins promoting on November 11 for $179 on the Oukitel site.
• This pill has an unimaginable battery life and a buttery easy show that’s positive to please any Android pill person.
• The cameras can’t evaluate to these of costlier gadgets.

Android tablets get a foul rap — and there is a motive for that. For essentially the most half, Android pill {hardware} merely can’t compete with Apple. 

The place Apple focuses on premium, flagship {hardware}, most Android tablets are likely to lean closely into the budget-friendly zone. And that method is nice as a result of it makes Android tablets inexpensive. However for these folks in search of a extra superior expertise, Android tablets are a tough promote nowadays. Usually they embrace underpowered CPUs, not sufficient RAM, or shows that don’t impress.

Additionally: These are one of the best Android tablets you should buy

Every now and then, nonetheless, I run into an Android pill that punches above its weight. Do not get me mistaken, I’ve by no means used a sub-$200 pill that checked off each field. However from time to time, a pill comes alongside that ticks many of the essential gadgets.

To be clear, I do not want a desk with a best-in-class digicam as a result of I do not have a tendency to make use of tablets for video or photograph functions. What I do want is a desk with sufficient sources to operate with out lag and with out crumbling beneath the load of multitasking.

ZDNET Recommends

The Oukitel OT5 tablet

This 12-inch tablet impresses in enough categories to make it a no-brainer recommendation.

I want an Android pill that makes it straightforward to work with the Google suite of instruments, learn information, work with my teleprompter, and watch the occasional video. I additionally want a pill with a strong battery life.

So, when somebody from Oukitel reached out to me to evaluation the OT5 pill, I used to be greater than keen to provide it a go (assuming it will underwhelm). Once I acquired the pill, I fired it up, related it to my wi-fi community, related it with my Google account, and had a play.

Additionally: One of the best low-cost tablets

To my shock, this sub-$200 pill actually impressed me. 

No, it isn’t going to greatest Apple’s flagship pill, however the OT5 can definitely stand toe to toe with any mid-range Android pill — and even some flagship gadgets.

The specs

Earlier than I dive into my experiences with the pill, let’s check out the specs:

• 12″ 2K show at 2000 x 1200 decision that’s TÜV SÜD licensed
• Corning Gorilla Grass 5 display
• MediaTek Helio G99 octa-core CPU
• 86% screen-to-body ratio
• 16MP major digicam
• 4 1217 speaker bins
• 11000mAh battery
• 36GB RAM (12 bodily which might be elevated to 36GB with digital allocation)
• 256GB inside storage
• 7.5mm thick and 560g weight
• OS Android 13
• The OT5 is available in grey, blue, or inexperienced, and features a smooth cowl that doubles as a stand

My expertise with the OT5

The very first thing that grabbed me concerning the machine is the show. It is fairly lovely, crisp, vibrant, and enormous. Even the Home windows 11-esque default wallpaper did not hassle me. The truth is, the show on the OT5 might be one of the best I’ve seen at this value level. I might go as far as to say it is higher than different, extra expensive, tablets I’ve examined.

Subsequent, got here the smoothness of the UI. Because of the 32GB of RAM, the 8-core CPU, and Android 13, the OT5 interface is nice. Apps open rapidly and switching between them is as easy as butter.

Additionally: One of the best large-screen tablets you should buy

What actually struck me concerning the OT5 is the battery life. I have been utilizing the machine for practically two weeks and have charged it as soon as. Now, I am not saying you will get the identical longevity from a single cost. If you happen to’re utilizing the pill for social media, watching lots of movies, or video conferencing, I am sure the battery life will drop dramatically. However for my common utilization, the battery on the OT5 has been significantly spectacular. 

Think about the Samsung Tab S8 Extremely (which generally sells for $900-$1,200), which has an 11200mAh battery. The OT5 (which sells for $179.99) has an 11000mAh battery. If battery life is a excessive precedence, you definitely can’t go mistaken with this pill.

The caveat

After all, a sub-$200 pill goes to have a caveat or two. The massive situation with the OT5 is the cameras. That is to not say they’re dangerous. They really take serviceable images, as long as you will have good lighting. In dangerous lighting, the cameras cannot stand as much as most trendy telephones. However for those who can at all times have good lighting obtainable, you will discover the images aren’t terrible.

That is the case for each the entrance and rear-facing cameras. Nonetheless, I used to be truly shocked that the lesser of the 2 cameras (the “selfie” digicam) did a reasonably good job of capturing topics, so long as the lighting was good.

My greatest situation with the cameras, nonetheless, is the dearth of choices. I’ve grown accustomed to the Pixel cameras (which, I do know, is an unfair comparability) that embrace portrait, macro, and different modes to create gorgeous images. As an alternative, the OT5 digicam app is pretty generic. You get images and movies and never far more. However this can be a pill, so that you should not anticipate the extent of flexibility discovered on a cellphone, particularly on the degree of the Pixel 8 Professional. 

So, in case your pill photograph wants enterprise towards the fundamental, you will not have any drawback with the OT5.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

If you happen to’re in search of an affordable Android pill for your self or as a vacation present for a pal or liked one, the Oukitel OT5 is an impressive cut price that makes a robust case for the continuation of Android tablets.