My journey with Hi 8 pro

[InitialD32]

Hi, just to share on usage experience with this tablet. Recently stumbled upon China’s white box tablets and the journey lead me to this forum. Just happen there was a sale on 25th Jan and I though why not, took the plunge at the attractive price point. Amazingly I just received the good yesterday on 1 Feb and must comment on the great job done. It was speedy (free shipping to boot) and the box was in perfect condition. I am more of an Android device guy and just casual user. Hoping to use this a fun and portable device which happens to be able to get some work done as well sometimes.

Anyway 1st impression after unbox was good. Quite a solid built. Quick hook up and wifi is working. Screen is crisp and brightness is generally ok. However after playing for a while found suddenly auto rotate of screen failed. I went to settings and found the option “Lock rotation of this display” was on and the option to turn it off was greyed out. Search google for the answer and found it. Needed to download windows updates. I did so and the greyed out option became selectable thereafter.

Last quick observations. Generic emmc. 32 bit Windows 10 copy activated. 19G usable at unbox. I will do the first charge and see how the rest goes.

 

[InitialD32]

After full charge. Did some surfing. Finds tablet mode better for that task as the pages displayed more appropriately. However when the tablet was left with about 40% battery life it suddenly went dead. I was unable to boot it on there after. I wonder is the battery flat? Meanwhile will try and charge further to see how it goes. What a bummer if this thing bricks after just one day of usage.

[Evil E.]

I read some reports here on the forum that some tablet models seem to incorrectly report the actual battery level to the OS, so it’s quite possible that your tablet has no juice left in it and that you need to recharge it fully.

[InitialD32]

Thanks for the info. I though of the same thing. But as I try to charge noted the charging light is not coming on. After leaving it alone to charge for some thing still cannot boot. I am starting to think it’s not charging at all. Now I don’t know if it is a hardware or software problem. Frustrating.

[Evil E.]

A tablet not charging sounds like a hardware problem to me, not software…

[InitialD32]

After trying to charge for hours the charging light still does not come on and the tablet still wont turn on. However I noticed the tablet became quite warm. I dont have any other usb type c device to test but i supposed the charger head and cable should be still working as the tablet got hot. i will try slow charging via PC. If that still doesnt work i would have tried everything (including long pressing the power button etc) except opening the tablet and communicating with the seller to see what they can do.

[Manuel]

I’m on the same situation. After using the tablet for 2 hours and put to charge for first time, the led started blinking during 1 hour, then stopped and the tablet doesn’t start. I’ve tryed every combination with 3 buttons, put to charge via USB wtih computer and nothing. I’m trying to send the tablet to the seller (PowerPlanet.com) to receive a new one.

[Anders]

I ordered my HI8 Pro from Shenzhen Ele Technology Limited in November and have still not received shipment due to Chuwi delivery issues from factory. Last information I got this week was the following:

Sorry to tell you that we got hi8 pro in stock.
But when we test the tablet,there is problem for the battery,so we returned it to the factory.
In addition,we may send the tablet at the end of february.

With that said, Chuwi obviously have battery issues in their production batch that needs to be sorted out… good thing that Shenzhen Ele Technology tested the devices before shipping them out, which perhaps not all sellers have done.

I suggest you try to get a replacement unit from your seller once these problems have been resolved.

[Evil E.]

Anders wrote:

Chuwi obviously have battery issues in their production batch that needs to be sorted out…

It’s either a cheap Chinese battery problem or (and this would be worse for the customers) a power delivery electronics circuitry problem. Apparently Chuwi has this issue with multiple models (the Hi8 Pro & Hi10 for sure) so I can’t shake the feeling that Chuwi’s hardware engineers haven’t properly designed (incompetence or cutting corners to save money ???) the power delivery electronics circuitry and that this might be the cause of all the battery/charging issues with the tablets… 🙁

[InitialD32]

Well too bad for Chuwi. China is going into holiday mode soon. Looks like I will have to try and return this thing for a refund. Now the journey takes a turn. I got my tablet through Aliexpress and this show is now on them. I have purchase other stuff from them before with no issues. Hope this doesnt turn out to be a horror story. Looks like I have to wait for Xiaomi pad Windows version to appear in my country before I consider jumping in again. Thanks for the sharing on the battery issue. Chuwi should NOT ship out tablets that cant even last 1 day of usage.

[Manuel]

Any update of the seller (Shenzhen Ele Technology Limited) about the Chuwi battery problems?

[InitialD32]

My purchase is via VC Mall. They are just back to work from holiday and advised me to return the tablet for a 1 to 1 exchange (shipping fee is on me) 🙁   I though even if I raise a dispute they will likely need me to send the thing back anymore. Made a trip to my local post. Unfortunately it turned out to be a waste of time. The staff told me anything with a battery CANNOT be sent to China! WTF! Defeated I went home and message the seller about this situation. I will wait and see what they propose next. Imagine if I have purchased the Hi12 or other more expensive tablets instead.

Regardless of outcome I will inform all my friends who are looking at China tablets to think trice due to one way trip only for the products.

[Author]

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