New Acer Iconia Tab 7 3G Android Tablet Hands-on

Acer's Iconia Tab 7 is a low-end 7-inch Android tablet with 3G connectivity. At last week's event, we got an opportunity to briefly go hands-on with it. Since this model is designed for the Latin American and European markets, it has one additional 3G feature rarely found on cellular-connected North American tablets: phone functionality. While we only got to see one model, there are two versions of the Tab 7 with different resolution screens.

You can check out our hands-on video and pictures of the Iconia Tab 7 below:

Specifications

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ModelA1-713HDA1-713
OSAndroid 4.4 Android 4.2
Screen7" IPS 1280 x 8007" 1024 x 768
SoCMedia Tek MT8382 Quad-Core 1.3 GHzMedia Tek MT8382 Quad-Core 1.3 GHz
RAM1 GB1 GB
Storage8 GB/16 GB eMMC8 GB/16 GB eMMC
Dimensions193 x 116 x 8.9 mm7.6 x 4.6 x 0.35 inches193 x 116 x 8.9 mm7.6 x 4.6 x 0.35 inches
Weight298 g/0.66 lbs.298 g/0.66 lbs.
Battery LifeUp to 6 hrsUp to 6 hrs
CameraFront Camera: 0.3 MPRear Camera: 5 MPFront Camera: 0.3 MPRear Camera: 2 MP

As can be seen, the screen is the main difference between both models, which will be sold in different markets -- probably Europe for the HD version and Latin America for the standard version. While the Media Tek SoC isn't exactly the most powerful on the market, it is inexpensive, and should be more than sufficient for the tasks that this tablet will be doing.

Even though it is finished to look like it is made from aluminum, it's all plastic, which is to be given, considering its low price point.

On the back is the 5 MP camera and headphone port. It is quite slim and being all-plastic, lightweight.

As can be seen, the HD model runs KitKat, Android 4.4.

Despite it being a 7-inch tablet, Acer does say that it is still narrow enough at 11.6 cm to be used comfortably as a phone, but to be honest, we'd have to argue with that. However, using it with a Bluetooth headset might make this feature more practical.

While power users will probably scoff at the low-end specifications of this budget device, it is important to remember that there is a huge market of users outside North America who are in the market for a decent tablet that they don't have to drop more money on than they make in a month. If Acer can deliver a decently made budget device that still ticks important boxes like having a good screen, reasonably powerful processor and the current version of Android, then we think Acer has successfully achieved what it set out to do; that is, make a good low-end tablet with 3G connectivity for emerging markets.

The Acer Iconia Tab 7 will be available in Latin America at the end of June starting at $1,990 MX Peso, and in Europe mid-May starting at €149 for the HD model.

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  • Tankattack
    This looks a lot more wearable the google glass, you'd still look a little goofy but nowhere near as bad as glass. But is it tethered 100% of the time? That would seam like a huge flaw when wanting to wear this out in public and you have this huge cord dangling down (the picture doesn't help). Maybe I'm wrong but that seems like a lot of extra baggage. I just don't see how you could hide the cord and be comfortable. Despite that I would get this over glass any day unless their price drops.
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