GROUP TEST ANDROID TABLETS
Today’s tablets can do pretty much anything –whether they’re compact and cheap or huge and eye-wateringly expensive. In this group test we’re setting our sights on the mid-market: no iPad Pros here, just a broad selection of affordable Android-based machines. So which is the right tab for you?
Amazon Fire Max 11
What’s the story?
As the name suggests, the Max 11 is the most powerful tablet in Amazon’s Fire range, built around an 11in 1200p screen, 4GB of RAM, an octa-core processor and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. And while it doesn’t come with any as standard, the Max 11 supports a host of premium accessories including a keyboard, a stylus and even a game controller.
Like the other tablets here it runs on Android, but Amazon has slathered its own UI over the top like a slab of restrictive butter: users must download from Amazon’s own app store rather than Google Play. On the upside, there’s close integration with Amazon services like Kindle, Audible and Prime Video, not to mention Alexa.
Is it any good?
The unibody is slim, light and tough, as well as rather elegant… except perhaps for the Amazon logo on the back. I have no complaints about the touchscreen either: it’s rich and bright,with vivid colours and sharp 213ppi pixel density.
Paired with the decent speakers up top, that makes this a fine slate for streaming HD video and playing games (and the 4GB of RAM and octa-core processor kept things ticking along nicely in my test games of PUBG Mobile). Battery life is good too: you could spend all day on YouTube and still have plenty in the tank.
The experience isn’t all roses and kittens, mind you. There are ads that pop up every time you unlock it (unless you buy a slightly pricier version), and you always feel like Amazon is pushing you towards its own content. The app selection is also weaker than on a standard Android slate.
from £250 /go.stuff.tv/Max11
🔴11in 2000x1200
🔴64/128GB + microSD
🔴8MP front, 8MP back
🔴USB-C, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3
🔴259x164x7.5mm, 490g
STUFF SAYS An Amazon-centric but gifted tab at a tempting price ★★★★✩
OnePlus Pad
What’s the story?
Tablets are almost all shiny metal/glass widescreen rectangles, but this 11.6in model stands out (slightly) for its unusual 7:5 screen ratio. According to OnePlus, this allows it to display almost the same area as a full 12in tab while, thanks also to the slim bezels and 6.5mm body, being a comfy slate to hold.
It’s also beefily specced by mid-range standards, packing 8GB of RAM, an octa-core CPU, a 144Hz refresh rate for the Dolby Vision screen and four speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos. OnePlus claims a month of standby power and an impressive 12hrs+ of 1080p video playback on a charge. My
