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

ZDNET’s key takeaways

This can be a evaluate of the Oukitel OT5 Android pill, which begins promoting on November 11 for $179 on the Oukitel website.This pill has an unimaginable battery life and a buttery clean show that’s positive to please any Android pill consumer.The cameras can not evaluate to these of costlier units.

Android tablets get a nasty rap — and there is a cause for that. For probably the most half, Android pill {hardware} merely can not 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 reasonably priced. However for these folks searching for a extra superior expertise, Android tablets are a tough promote today. Usually they embrace underpowered CPUs, not sufficient RAM, or shows that don’t impress.

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From time to time, 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 every so often, a pill comes alongside that ticks many of the necessary gadgets.

To be clear, I do not want a desk with a best-in-class digital camera 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 assets to operate with out lag and with out crumbling beneath the burden of multitasking.

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The Oukitel OT5 pill

This 12-inch pill impresses in sufficient classes to make it a no brainer advice.

I want an Android pill that makes it simple 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 stable battery life.

So, when somebody from Oukitel reached out to me to evaluate the OT5 pill, I used to be greater than prepared to offer it a go (assuming it could underwhelm). After 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.

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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 units.

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 certifiedCorning Gorilla Grass 5 screenMediaTek Helio G99 octa-core CPU86% screen-to-body ratio16MP foremost cameraFour 1217 speaker boxes11000mAh battery36GB RAM256GB inner storage7.5mm thick and 560g weightOS Android 13The OT5 is available in grey, blue, or inexperienced, and features a tender cowl that doubles as a stand

My expertise with the OT5

The very first thing that grabbed me in regards to the machine is the show. It is fairly stunning, crisp, shiny, and enormous. Even the Home windows 11-esque default wallpaper did not trouble me. In reality, the show on the OT5 might be the perfect I’ve seen at this value level. I would go as far as to say it is higher than different, extra pricey, 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 clean as butter.

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What actually struck me in regards to 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 may get the identical longevity from a single cost. If you happen to’re utilizing the pill for social media, watching plenty 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. 

Take into account 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 not go mistaken with this pill.

The caveat

After all, a sub-$200 pill goes to have a caveat or two. The large subject with the OT5 is the cameras. That is to not say they’re dangerous. They really take serviceable images, as long as you’ve got good lighting. In dangerous lighting, the cameras cannot stand as much as most trendy telephones. However in case you can all the time have good lighting accessible, you may discover the images aren’t terrible.

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

My greatest subject 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 a substitute, the OT5 digital camera app is pretty generic. You get images and movies and never far more. However it is a pill, so that you should not count on the extent of flexibility discovered on a telephone, 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 downside with the OT5.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

If you happen to’re searching for a cheap Android pill for your self or as a vacation reward for a buddy or beloved one, the Oukitel OT5 is an excellent discount that makes a robust case for the continuation of Android tablets.