Being in the market for budget devices doesn’t always mean you have to discard all notions of branding. But more affordable offerings from more reputable brands don’t always mean they’re better, as the new Acer Iconia One 7 might demonstrate.
Acer has been filling the mobile device market, both Android and Windows, with affordable options, some better than others, while some feeling like a rehash. In that aspect, the Iconia One 7 looks suspiciously similar to the Iconia B1, which actually just got a refresh last January. The Iconia One 7 does try to improve on a few aspects, but remains underwhelming in others.
For one, you get the same 7-inch 1024×600 display on this tablet, along with 1 GB of RAM. The processor has indeed been boosted to a 1.5 Ghz dual-core CPU, though this time it comes from a VIA WM8880, which might not inspire much confidence compared to even, say, a MediaTek. The device is capable of HD playback, both on-screen and via a micro HDMI port, though given the specs, one will probably not try to tax the tablet too much. It’s only wireless connectivity option comes from WiFi. No 3G, no Bluetooth, not even a GPS. The 0.3 megapixel front-facing camera might be barely usable for video chats, while the 1.9 megapixel rear camera will probably be disappointing for photos.
Of course the entire point of such tablets isn’t the features. They’re there to give people a chance to live a mobile device life, for browsing, checking emails, or even a game or two, even on a very limited budget. And in that sense, the Acer Iconia One 7 might be fulfilling its purpose, with a price tag of 3,490 NTD, around $115. Currently available in Taiwan, there is still no news when or if the tablet will hit other markets.
VIA: The Droid Guy
