I didn’t expect this $180 Android tablet to be as impressive as it is – Narender Ghoghar

Key Takeaways for ZDNET

• This is a review of the Oukitel OT5 Android tablet, which goes on sale on November 11 $179 on Oukitel website.
• This tablet has incredible battery life and a very smooth display that is sure to please any Android tablet user.
• The cameras cannot be compared to those found in more expensive devices.

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Android tablets get a bad reputation — and there’s a reason for that. For the most part, Android tablets can’t compete with Apple.

While Apple focuses on premium and flagship devices, most Android tablets tend to lean heavily into the budget-friendly area. This approach is great because it makes Android tablets more affordable. But for those people looking for a more advanced experience, Android tablets are a hard sell these days. They often include underpowered CPUs, insufficient RAM, or unimpressive displays.

Also: These are the best Android tablets you can buy

However, more often than not, I encounter an Android tablet that punches above its weight. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never used a sub-$200 tablet that checks every box. But every once in a while, a tablet comes along that identifies most of the important items.

To be clear, I don’t need a table with a best-in-class camera because I don’t tend to use tablets for video or photo purposes. What I need is a schedule with enough resources to work without delay and without collapsing under the weight of multitasking.

I need an Android tablet that makes it easy for me to work with Google’s suite of tools, read the news, work with my teleprompter, and watch videos from time to time. I also need a tablet with strong battery life.

So, when someone from Oukitel reached out to me to review the OT5 tablet, I was more than willing to give it a try (assuming it wouldn’t be a disappointment). When I received the tablet, I turned it on, connected it to my wireless network, linked it to my Google account, and turned it on.

also: Best cheap tablets

To my surprise, I was impressed by this sub-$200 tablet.

No, it won’t be Apple’s best tablet, but the OT5 can certainly compete with any mid-range Android tablet — and even some flagships.

Specifications

Before I dive into my experience with the tablet, let’s take a look at the specifications:

• 12-inch 2K display with 2000 x 1200 resolution TÜV SÜD certified
• Corning Gorilla Grass 5 display
• MediaTek Helio G99 octa-core processor
• Screen to body ratio 86%
• 16-megapixel main camera
• Four 1217 speaker boxes
• 11000 mAh battery
• 36 GB RAM
• 256 GB internal storage space
• Thickness of 7.5 mm and weight of 560 grams
• Android 13 operating system
• The OT5 comes in grey, blue or green, and includes a soft cover that can be used as a stand

My experience with OT5

The first thing that caught my attention about the device was the screen. It is very beautiful, pure, bright and big. Even Windows 11’s default wallpaper didn’t bother me. In fact, the OT5’s display is probably the best I’ve seen at this price. I’d go so far as to say it’s better than other, more expensive tablets I’ve tested.

Next came the smoothness of the user interface. With 32GB of RAM, an 8-core CPU, and Android 13, the OT5’s interface is great. Apps open quickly and switching between them is smooth as butter.

Also: The best large-screen tablets you can buy

What really surprised me about the OT5 was the battery life. I have been using the device for almost two weeks and have charged it once. Now, I’m not saying you’ll get the same longevity from a single charge. If you use the tablet for social media, watch a lot of videos, or do video conferences, I’m sure your battery life will decrease significantly. But for my general use, the OT5 battery was very impressive.

Consider the Samsung Tab S8 Ultra (which typically retails for $900 to $1,200), which has a 11,200 mAh battery. The OT5 ($179.99) has an 11,000 mAh battery. If battery life is a top priority, you definitely can’t go wrong with this tablet.

Warning

Of course, a sub-$200 tablet will have a caveat or two. The big problem with OT5 is the cameras. This doesn’t mean they are bad. They actually take serviceable photos, as long as you have good lighting. In poor lighting, the cameras can’t hold up to most modern phones. But if you can always provide good lighting, you’ll find that the photos aren’t terrible.

This is the case for both front and rear cameras. However, I was actually surprised that the smaller camera (the “selfie” camera) did a fairly great job of capturing subjects, as long as the lighting was good.

But my biggest problem with cameras is the lack of options. I’m used to Pixel cameras (which I know is an unfair comparison) that include portrait mode, macro, and other modes to create stunning photos. Instead, the OT5 camera app is fairly generic. You get photos, videos and not much more. But this is a tablet, so you shouldn’t expect the level of flexibility found in a phone, especially at the Pixel 8 Pro level.

So, if your tablet image needs to venture towards the basics, you’ll have no problem with the OT5.

ZDNET Buying Advice

If you’re looking for an inexpensive Android tablet for yourself or a holiday gift for a friend or family member, the Oukitel OT5 is a great deal that makes a strong case for Android tablets to stick around.