There has been no news for months on end on the iFive Mini 4G. But finally, this popped up on YouTube and the tablet is finally official it seems. Possibly coming in the next few weeks. But I wouldn’t hold my breath. But it does look very promising. Seems the spec hasn’t changed from what I reported back in March. I’ll do my best to get one to review once finally released. many thanks to Andreas for the new info.
March 5th:
Another interesting release coming from FNF iFive, this time a 4G capable tablet with a MediaTek MTK6797 chipset aka Helio X20 a ten core SoC. It’s got 4GB of RAM, 32GB storage, 2048 x 1536 7.85″ screen and runs Android 6.0. Other specs included MicroSD slot, Wireless AC, 6-Axis gyro, 8MP rear and 5MP front camera (2GB RAM version) and 8MP and 13MP cameras on the 4GB RAM versions. Fingerprint reader and 5200mAh battery. A very promising Android tablet, 4G band support ticks all the boxes 4G: FDD-LTE 700/800/850/1700/1800/1900/2100/2600MHz (Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/17/20) Well at least for EU and the rest of the world, not sure about Verizon, T-Mobile, and other strange US bands.
There looks to be two version 2GB RAM / 16GB storage and then a 4GB / 32GB storage one. Both come in white or black.
If it’s anything like the iFive Mini 4S I just reviewed then that screen should be fully laminated, the cameras won’t be great and 5200mAh means around 5 hours battery life? Still can’t expect that much in a 7.85″ tablet when it comes to battery life. Looks great, I’ll most certainly pick one up for review. The next mini tablet to review will be the JDTab J01 this just arrived in Spain, but I’m still in New Zealand. I’ll be back home next week to review it.
The FNF iFive Mini 4G is listed for $238 at Gearbest.
ice
the Mediatek X20 ia 2 years old chipeset
thus the Android 6 distro
.
awkward
Chris G
It should have been released back at the start of the year, but for some reason is only coming at the end of the year.
Charlie V
I was waiting too long for this tablet. I finally bought a GPD POCKET because windows 10 will always update to the final version and also is far better to run real windows applications.
With import taxes and VAT it will come to 300€ so it is very expensive for an android 6 tablet with those characteristics.
One other think that was no-go was the lack of earpiece.
For now it is very expensive. If the price drops in half maybe it will worth to get one.
Christian Karlsson
Just go with the slower free alternatives at gearbest.com, and the risk of getting taxed are close to zero since they always write down the value of the tablet (just make sure to use their shipping insurance)
For what it is, and compared to other products in the same segment with the same hardware, I don’t find it to be that expensive, even though I will probably wait for it to hit the $200 mark before ordering.
Christian Karlsson
Gearbest.com have it listed at $229 atm for the more powerful model, but not yet released.
Does this chipset allow quick charge?
Chris G
It should have, as those Helio X20’s do support MediaTek’s pump express quick charging tech.
Tom
Why is the battery life so bad? I want to upgrade from the two year old 7″ MediaPad X2 that’s also 4G. Even though my battery isn’t as good as before, it will still last longer than the ifive apparently. Huawei’s 8″ M3 has comparable battery life to the ifive as well. Maybe 7″ is a sweet spot.
Christian Karlsson
What about the resolution on the tablets your comparing with? 5h of pretty heavy usage sounds alright to me, but so far it’s just guessing?
Chris G
5 hours would be okay I guess, considering its hard to pack larger batteries in a 7.9″ tablet.
Charlie V
Is this tablet canceled ?
Charlie V
It’s not cancel they replied to a friend’s Twitter that it will maybe available for sale end of September.
The question was asked in June on when it will be available.
They replied
“Hello, we will be shelves in the late ifive mini 4G”….
Chris G
So it is going to be released then? Finally?
Jan
Any news or update about the release of this tablet?
Charlie V
No. Also on official forum no one responded.
http://bbs.5-fnf.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3462&extra=page%3D1
Chris G
Nothing, seems its delayed or canceled. Hope not!
Charlie V
I founded also one in banggood but no one has it in stock. I would like to ask you if it has been released to market or it is not yet available for sale.
pat
is MTK6797 faster than the RK3288? or similar just with cellular ?
Charlie V
Is faster almost 85000 in antutu
Vijay
Here’s the frequency list for the entire world: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/WorldwideFormatted.pdf
Vijay
From https://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/northAmericaLinks.pdf, the frequency list in USA are:
AT&T:
3G: 850 / 1900
4G (LTE): 2 / 4 / 17 / 30
T-Mobile:
3G: 1700 / 1900
4G (LTE): 2 / 4 / 12
So band 30 of AT&T and band 12 of T-Mobile are not covered.
Brad
Do you think it will be capable of setting up dual or triple boot with Linux and/or RemixOS?
Chris G
Hard to say, but I don’t think so. Or at least it wouldn’t be easy.