Lenovo Tab3 8 Plus.

[Ian]

Just got one of these from Gearbest who list it as a Lenovo P8. http://www.gearbest.com/tablet-pcs/pp_641529.html

GSM Arena page. http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_tab3_8_plus-8559.php

Note that this is the WiFi only model. ‘Chinese Version’ in the listing only seems to effect the included documentation, Google Play services (including Store) are already installed. After unboxing and charging first thing was two OTA FW updates (435mb and 69mb) and then you’re good to go.

First impressions:

The ‘Deep Blue’ plastic back is actually close to matte charcoal, and doesn’t collect finger prints.

The 1200×1920 screen produces nice crisp images and text. It’s bright enough to use in full sunshine, but an AR film could make it it even better.

The two stereo speakers are quite good, if a bit scratchy at high volumes. For music listening (best using earphones) there’s Dolby Atmos installed which allows enough adjustments to suit anyone.

The Snapdragon 625 octacore CPU and 3gb RAM gives good enough performance for smooth gaming (on Real Racing anyway), and running HD videos. It runs Android 6.01 OS.

The tab isn’t loaded down with lots of bloat apps…just as well since the 16gb ROM could fill quite easily. Fortunately there is provision for adding a micro SD card (via a natty little side drawer), up to 256gb?

The tab is GPS capable, has a magnetic compass, and has FM radio (only usable with earphones). The 8MP (rear) and 5MP (front) cameras aren’t exactly high spec, but are certainly better than those on most other tabs in this class.

The 4250 Mah battery seems a bit small, but I’ve not done any endurance testing.

That’s it for now, and given the price/performance I’d happily rate it as ‘Worth a look.’

PS. Interestingly Lenovo has also released the Tab4 8Plus with the same basic specs except; Android 7, fingerprint security scanning, and a slightly larger 4850Mah battery.

[Chris G]

Thanks for the post, looks good. I have one ordered and shipped via slow mail.

Chris | Admin
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[Blackburn]

This tablet looks good, I’m looking forward to your review. SD625 + 1080p and it’s from Lenovo. So should be much better than the likes of the Teclast and Chuwi’s etc.

I just hope that battery can give us at least 8 hours SOT. Do you think it will?

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[Stuart]

Thanks for the post – clears up why nowhere else (apart from gearbest etc) seem to stock it! Listed as different model.

Looking forward to the review.

[Nilist]

A fairly good selling tablet in China for 7-8″ category.

Bought it from Taobao for RMB 943 or USD 146 at todays rate, where is came with tempered glass protector, decent TPU case with cover, 2A charger + cable and……. Chinese ROM! No GAPPS and so on…

Took some Googleing to find the website for the international ROM. Seems like Lenovo has released it in Russia as well, so managed to download the ROW ROM, and after hours trying to install it with the Qualcomm tool (and almost giving up and sending the damn thing back) it finally worked.

After installation it did another OTA update, so am on the same patch level (June 1st) as the Chinese ROM. Let’s hope Lenovo keeps the updates coming, at lease for awhile (not something I would expect from the likes of Teclast/Cube)

Hardware quality is very good, I would say similar feel as my Nexus 7 which it replaces (finally died after years of good usage)

Have an Asus phone with Snapdragon 625, so expect similar fantastic battery life. Fingers crossed!

[Greg]

Nilist, can you please share where you found the ROW ROM? I haven’t had any luck.

Thank you!

[Nilist]

http://lenovo-forums.ru/forum/775-lenovo-tab3-a8-plus-tb3-8703-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B8/

Use Chrome to translate, and you should be able to make heads and tails of it…

[Author]

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