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Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite $29 at Coles [Limited Stock and Selected Stores]

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Coles is currently clearing out the Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite for $29 each.

This is a much better tablet than the one DSE was selling recently - it's cheaper, has a better screen (higher resolution and IPS - better viewing angles) more RAM and it has Bluetooth. The only downside is that stock will be limited and you'll have to go out to hopefully get one.

Details from the box:

  • Android 4.0+
  • 7" IPS WSVGA (1024x600)
  • Capacitive Touch Panel
  • Cortex-A8 CPU
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • 4100 mAh battery
  • Model: S7-931w
  • Colour: White

A few more details not listed on the box:

  • Single Core 1.2 GHz CPU
  • 1GB RAM
  • 4GB Internal Flash
  • MicroSD slot for up to 32GB card
  • 5V 2A USB Power Supply and USB A to Micro USB cable included
  • Front and Rear Cameras
  • 802.11 b/g/n Wifi
  • Built in GPS receiver
  • No Phone/3G capability

Although it's only a single core CPU, it's actually not that bad to use - certainly can't complain about the performance at this price!

My wife has had one of these for about 18 months and it has been pretty good bar a few minor glitches. I picked up the last one at Coles Marsden (QLD) for the kids to use for watching videos in the car.

Edit: A few people have asked if it has GPS and it does. Some have also asked if it has 3G data capability - the units that we have don't have 3G, but some people are reporting that theirs does - maybe they got really lucky and got a different model.

Update: Multiple reports now say that price has gone up to $49

Related Stores

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closed Comments

  • +1

    Woo-hoo! Got the last one at Westfield East Gardens in Pagewood NSW.

    • nice..http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mediapad_7_lite-4882.php says support mini-SIM for GSM, SMS, and MMS..can u confirm?

    • I did a Woo-hoo in Sims…

  • +5
    • +6

      Jeez, if this is supposed to be better than the DSE one how bad can the DSE one be…

    • +9

      Read the comments under the review and then remember $29.00….!

    • +10

      Seems like the reviewer was expecting iPad performance on a sub $50 tablet. That whole bullshit "elitism" attitude reviewers adopt when reviewing hardware. Rather than address it at it's value, it makes comparisons to higher up models.

      EDIT: Actually, was this the one Coles were selling for $149? If that's so, the review is a bit more understandable then.

      • -3

        I don't understand you - the device didn't change at either price so why are you "understanding" a review better?

        • +3

          The review takes into consideration what price a customer is paying for the product. The device hasn't changed itself, but if one was required to py premium for a sub-par tablet that would reflect poorly.

    • +6

      I think it's a bit harsh to compare this tablet to a Nexus 7 - especially considering the huge price difference now (obviously, the price difference wouldn't have been so great when that review was written)

      My wife has a Nexus 10 and it's by far a better tablet, but she still uses her MediaPad at times when she doesn't want something quite so bulky.

      • +1

        Your wife surely likes her tablets?

        • -6

          the tablet must have vibration.

  • +2

    just on the DSE deal, mine arrived today and to my suprise it actually is 16g internal flash.

    • +1

      Actually, yes - that is one advantage of the tablet DSE was selling. 32GB MicroSD cards are getting pretty cheap though these days…

      • +1

        but yes screen is horrible and its locked up twice in first half hour of usage haha.

        • +1

          the screen does seem much better, wishing i waited for this one now… might go check my coles, having two wont hurt? :D

        • Hi. You may need to flash it & reinstall it. That's what I had to do with the Aldi unit I purchased a few years back.

        • I have already took it back to DSE and got my money back (2 resets in first 15 minutes to get it unfreeze ,the 3rd reset was when surprisingly no keyboard pop up for any text entry -i couldn't even enter the password for my wifi and it won't go back to any screen..After that i was very careful..learned to slow down-gave it enough time to boot-went to settings and selected language input which fixed the input issue and then a factory reset to get it working properly..build is full plasticky and came in a Pink color ..looked like a peppa pig toy..anyway have replaced it with the laser 7" from HN today for $48..present to my lil cousin overseas

        • @jibupaul:

          You can just take them back to a DSE store for refund?

          Mine is in perfect condition but it's slow and buggy. Freezes or just gets so slow you put it down and do other things while it catches up. It's so laggy it's unusable.

        • @Click_It:
          Should be able to get refund as not of merchandisable quality.

          It would be unreasonable for the average customer to put up with freezing, needing to reset, difficulty reading low quality screen, etc.

          I am considering taking mine back on that grounds.

        • The DSE tablet is so bad it's most useful feature is being a paper weight. Anyone know if I can return it with just the tablet and charger (ie no box)?

        • @lxstr: The DSE tablet has actually been performing pretty ok for me. Haven't installed anything yet and it's running better than the Huawei (probably due to no bloat on it yet).

  • +1

    this any good as a dummy to use with chromecast for YouTube purposes?

    • +1

      Yes it would do well as that, only 4gb internal though

  • +5

    Great for a alarm clock

  • +5

    Wow for that price. I'm in! Just in time as i need to spend $50 each week for 4 weeks at Coles for $50 off.

    • +1

      Mine is $50 a week for 4 weeks for $100 off :)

  • +2

    will it play minecraft? :D

  • +5

    Dunno why I bought this

    • What state are you in? Can't seem to find the tablet at a clearance price when I call up :(

      Lane Cove, NSW said price of $59 when I called unless these store attendants don't know anything..

      • +4

        Vic, i didnt see it at a normal coles. I went to what we call "super coles" which sell mobile phones and clothes etc..

      • +2

        Bought one in Caroline Springs, VIC. Still have 5 or 6 left.

        • +1

          Ended up getting the last one at Chatswood, NSW. Thanks guys and that ks OP for Le awesome deal. Now gotta find something to do with my DSE tablet lol..

  • Does each coles have limited stock?

  • I had one of these a year ago or so. Great little tablet for movies interwebz, basics

  • +5

    Will I still be on Team Straya if I buy Huawei?

    • +4

      The whole anti Huawei movement died years ago with the Snowden NSA leaks.

      Everyone 'spies' on their userbase. Huawei just got found out before everyone else did.

    • probably not, as you'll be part of the Invasian!

    • NSA spies harder than Chinese! They have more products with backdoors than they have fast food outlets!

  • does it have gps?

    • Also curious, some sites say yes, others don't mention it at all. Any owners wish to confirm?

      • +3

        Yes, I've confirmed that it does have built in GPS.

      • Yes & Google Maps etc pre-installed

  • +3

    This is cheap but it still doesn't make up for the fact that's its a peice of sh!t

    • Have you used it? Depends on people's needs. Bought - good for the price.

  • does anyone know where one is. I checked two stores

  • checked coles st agnes, tea tree plaza and dernacourt no stock :(

  • Has anyone got an exact model?

    Is it the s7-931 ?
    http://consumer.huawei.com/en/tablets/support/downloads/s7-9…

    It looks like it is easy to root:
    http://forum.xda-developers.com/huawei-mediapad/general/page…

    Whether anything newer than 4.0 is available, I'm still to determine

    • +1

      I've updated the above to show the model number: S7-931w

      Runs Android 4.0.3 out of the box - same as on the one that we've had for a while.

  • +1

    Got last one at Jamison Canberra. Down from $49.

    • None left in the ACT.

  • +1

    Yes s7-931. Just got it frm castle tower behind the counter. Thanks.

  • Can anyone confirm if it has 3G or not please?

    • +3

      Not for this price, no.

      • I like to go by facts and specs. Hence, if someone quotes a particular model name or number. in this case S7-931w, and a link to the spec. list, you would start to consider those details. Because this is so cheap, and know how manufacturers like to be sneaky with specs. lists ( and omissions ), thought it's best to ask from an owner here. Even then you can still get different models and in differing locations.

  • Got one from Earlwood, Thanks.

  • just got the last two at Burwood (syd)

  • +4

    just got three from Chipping Norton NSW thanks OP (great xmas gift for cousins & nieces)
    Confirmed has 3G (able to make & receive phone calls), bluetooth (to use for in car connection+audio etc.), way more great value than buying chepo pre-paid phone, due to this $29 price factor.
    Coles cashier told he also bought this tablet few years ago for $129 (using employee discount) and still going strong till now.
    Review:
    http://youtu.be/PGUBUhX8faQ

    • +2

      Any left at Chippo?

      • +1

        None left at Chippo, funny enough another OzB'er was on the phone calling the store to see if there's any stock.

        None left at Wattle Grove, it must've been inundated pretty early on given they said to me "you here for the 7" tablet? None left!" LOL…

        • +1

          Thanks, saves me driving 5 mins to Wattle Grove shops :)

        • +1

          @Giteau: none at casula

    • +1

      That youtube video shows a different model. It has 3G but I believe the one sold by Coles does not have 3G.

    • +1

      You must be really lucky to get the 3G version at this pricr

    • i found one without 3G but am in real need of one with 3G capability. does it have 3G listed on the specs on the outside of the box??

  • Does it has GPS? Thanks!

  • +1

    I couldn't find any at Stud Park (VIC) and called Knox City (VIC) and got transferred 5 times before someone said that they had none in stock.

    • Did you see the $39 pendo tabs at Stud Park? Not bad…

  • Can someone list possible uses for this? Seems decent for the price. Good for watching movies on the go? I really haven't gotten the whole need for a tablet thing. What does it do that my iphone or pc can't?

    • +7

      "What does it do that my iphone can't"
      Save you several hundred dollars.

      • +2

        Well since I've already got one, that point is moot. Besides, obviously I was asking generally speaking, what can this tablet do that I can't do on a smartphone or PC?

        • -1

          Nothing, because although the screen is bigger, it won't actually do what your current smartphone does.

          A good tablet, which is fully functional, will offer you the smartphone OS experience on a larger screen, and possibly let you do more.

          A tablet worth getting today would a 32GB Nexus 7 (2013 model)- which offers value-for-money.

          The Nexus 7 (2013) has a high resolution (1920 x 1200, 323PPI - similar to iPhone PPI) display, sufficient storage, fast quad core CPU (Qualcomm Krait 300, ARM Cortex-A15 based) and pure Android 4.4.4, with Android L update coming in a couple of months or so.

          This Huawei has a 1024 x 600 169ppi display (it'll look grainy compared to the iPhone's retina display), insufficient storage (probably about 1GB for your apps, another 1GB partition for your data), single core outdated ARM Cortex-A8 (apparently not fast enough for smooth HD video playback), and an outdated version of Android (4.0.4, no updates).

          This one is pure crap, plain and simple - everything is outdated and doesn't work/doesn't work well. What this one will do is waste your $29, and your total outlay would be $x + 29. (or it'll be $29 wasted)

        • +2

          @happychappy1: are you seriously run a techie-level review of 2yrs old technology tablet device with a price of 6 cups latte :) this will suits basic needs, each to their own need/requirement i guess..

        • +1

          @timhobart: Although, this is not much money for a tablet, what you're getting isn't very good (to put it lightly) - you get what you pay for.

          The money would be better spent by saving up for something better and actually last a few years.

          This one doesn't even cut the mustard performance-wise for modern tasks, like play HD YouTube videos, and doesn't support apps that require Jelly Bean (4.1). Apparently the battery-life is crap too.

          Another important thing to consider with tablets/smartphones is the screen, as this is what you're interacting with day in, day out.

          It's not just the resolution, but also what kind of coatings it has on it (e.g., oleophobic coating to make it glide smoothly / resist smudges from skin oils), the type of glass it uses (is it scratch resistant?), whether the glass is laminated to the LCD (laminated glass reduces surface reflections, increases clarity), etc.

          Having no coatings to make your finger glide and to prevent it smudging quickly, means that you have to either: (a) fit a screen protector, worsening its optical performance, or (b) pay $30-50 to apply something like Fusso oleophobic solution (which you have to import yourself).

          Cheap tablets are a false economy for serious conventional tablet users IMO.

        • +1

          @happychappy1: finished the quick setup and used by my 7yr old for his mathletics homework, followed by us watching stream movie from solar movies (.flv file) still waiting for my Chromecast, to cast it onto the tv.. Worked like a charm, those itself already justified $29 expense for me from my needs perspective.. again, each to their own. All the best.

        • @timhobart: Looks like your getting some value out of it right now, being able to surf the net, and stream some SD flash videos.

          May I ask if there an app for Solar Movies that supports output to a Chromecast?

          What native Chromecast-compatible apps (e.g., Crackle, YouTube) do is, they send the stream information directly to the Chromecast, which then grabs it directly from the internet, or wherever it is stored.

          If there isn't a Chromecast-compatible app, I wouldn't count on casting it to the TV. Casting requires pretty good WiFi and processing power on the device itself, because it's simple mirroring the content. So the device first needs to process the stream and play it back, then send another AV stream that the Chromecast understands.

          Also, the ROM would need to support casting, which I've heard is only available for selected devices - and even then, if you could hack it to work, there needs to be processing power available for it to work well. If the processing power is insufficient, at best, the audio wouldn't be in sync with the video; at worst there would be pretty bad stutter.

          If you bought this thing to use with a Chromecast,you may as well have just used your PC using the Chromecast plugin in the Chrome browser.

        • @happychappy1:
          You've got no imagination :]

        • @happychappy1: thx for the info, was running SolarM from Chrome, not sure how it'll stand casting using the same or any other app to best use for (wait 'til it arrives and me to try), read many have done it. tried 720p res movie (works), youtube HD (works), pandora (this has nice speaker), will try stream 1080p using DLNA later. With all the negs review, wonder if you had used it yourself or just an "i read & imagine be like"? cheapo no rippo yet i'd say & we already aware (understood) this is a $29 old-tech device (any comparison to the latest & greatest is really unnecessary & merely a show off) but surprisingly very usable for SD user :)… also hope 8GB MicroSD $5 from HN deal yesterday should add sweetness to the storage

        • @timhobart: look, I admit that I've never used this particular device before, but I have used devices with higher specs (eg quad core A9, quad krait 400) that have occasionally struggled with mirroring streaming video to a Chromecast (using an Asus RT-68U WiFi AP). That feature really isn't ideal to use.

          But the smoothness of the video stream would depend on the bit rate and compression format (whether it is supports native hardware decode).

          Personally, for me, I've had enough experiences with high end devices (and low end ones) to realise that the low end isn't good enough for my needs (especially one that reviews this badly in key areas like battery life). But if it's workable for you, then good for you :)

          I just hope you will get a few years out of this device before having to upgrade. Otherwise, you may have been better served just paying a bit more and gotten what you needed in the first place.

        • +1

          @happychappy1:
          I don't know why you keep going on - its not as if anyone looking for a high end device would bother even looking at this deal.

          But everyone has different uses. I was horrified to see my friend's 2 year old on the potty playing games on her Father's new iPhone. She would have been as happy with this device with Angry Birds pre-installed.

          Far better than any cheap tablet I've tried & rejected. I'm happy with the build quality, screen, GPS, etc & will put it to use where I wouldn't dare take a good tablet.

        • +2

          @happychappy1: confirmed 1080p res movie on Plex very nicely streamed using DNLA app pre-installed with the device, Vimeo 1080p also superb, watch online tv through tv-app absolutely nice, no buffering issue at all.. why go higher-spec for these kind of my use when it already works, will just use till this goes into piece of door stopper :)

        • @brucefromaustralia: I dunno why you are so horrified. Some people aren't so obsessed with their possessions that they would keep them from their kids.

          I personally don't see anything wrong with a child using his/her father's phone to play games occasionally. I certainly did that as a kid and nothing bad ever happened.

          On the other hand, spend extra to get cheap crap for them is both child abuse and a waste of money. Children don't need these devices and it's not good for them to use all the time. Also you are shoving something you wouldn't use yourself. Which I think is terrible parenting.

        • +2

          @happychappy1:
          It wasn't that she was playing with her Father's phone - She was having a shit & the phone was slipping from her hands.

          You did that as a child with an expensive & definitely not waterproof device? What a childhood.

          Also you are shoving something you wouldn't use yourself. Which I think is terrible parenting.

          And I'm using this device myself, alongside other higher end devices. Happy to have bought it. Have used tablets for years, but never anywhere near this cheap.

          get cheap crap for them is both child abuse…

          I think you have rewritten "child abuse" there.

        • @brucefromaustralia: you didn't indicate that the games were of a physical nature. I thought you meant actual games on the phone. There's nothing wrong if they are playing with the functions on the phone.

          I'd they can't handle a smallish phone, what makes you think a huge tablet would be any better?

          I stand by what I say, in that you shouldn't gift electronic devices to young children.

        • +1

          @happychappy1:
          She was taking a shit - who said anything about a physical game?? Who is that active when taking a shit? It was an actual game on the iPhone by a 2 year old seated on her potty, while taking a shit. Is that clear now @happychappy1?

          Two year olds may not always have the best hand control, so it nearly slipped into her potty, as I said.

          And I wouldn't want to answer a business call on a phone retrieved from shit. The high potential for damage to an expensive piece of (in that case business) equipment was what concerned me. Any loss of calls is expensive for a business.

          At a fraction of the cost, this device if damaged would not be of great loss. (Main reason of gift idea for for kids.) A high end device + data may be a bad choice for a child still learning to coordinate. Tablet is bigger than iPhone, would need to be placed across legs, so would be difficult to slip between legs into toilet.

          The short iPhone play was a reward, along with "Shawn the Sheep" on the laptop. Otherwise her day was filled with walks along the nearby creek - exploring & feeding ducks with me. Her favourite outing was to the library. No TV in the eco house, just loving care.

          You certainly don't live up to your username, or is it ironic?

        • -2

          @brucefromaustralia: No need for the personal attack :)

          I'm sure you have all the best intentions when you give something to a child. But, firstly, it would be more stimulating for them to actually do things in the real world, rather than stare at a screen.

          Sure, it wouldn't be a great loss if something like this got damaged. But then again, wouldn't it be a better solution to just properly supervise them in using something that you already have? This way you'll also teach your child how to look after things - good for their future when they have to look after bigger things (and your future costs).

          Sounds like the child is having a great life. No need to bring something like this as a purpose-built device just for them in case they they break it.

        • @happychappy1:
          If you read what was written, there would be no reason to respond.

          Saying someone who keeps complaining doesn't seem to live up to their 'happy' username is simply an observation, not an attack. Once again you misinterpret what people say.

          it would be more stimulating for them to actually do things in the real world, rather than stare at a screen

          If you paid any attention to what people say, rather than going off on your rant…

          You would have read…
          "The short iPhone play was a reward, along with "Shawn the Sheep" on the laptop. Otherwise her day was filled with walks along the nearby creek - exploring & feeding ducks with me. Her favourite outing was to the library. No TV in the eco house, just loving care."

          I certainly wouldn't take advice from someone who is so deficient in basic reading or observational skills.

          [Some of my IT students at uni would misread the assignment, go their merry way, and then complain when they failed - explaining they did so much work so they deserved the marks, despite missing the point completely.
          But I probably was the only one lecturing in that field who did not own a computer, did not have mains power or water, and lived in a shack overlooking the sea with loving friends. I know the joys of a simple life, and make my choices appropriately. I encourage others to learn by their choices, rather than try to force my ideas on others.]

        • -1

          @brucefromaustralia: I got that point about what the child did, loud and clear, the first time.

          Which is why I said that the child was having a great life :)

          I'm simply reiterating to the parents out there, that you shouldn't get these devices for your child, as you would do with a more expensive device for yourself. Children work differently.

          You should read more carefully.

          EDIT: I'm not complaining at all, as I haven't bought one (for all the reasons I have stated before)… simply pointing out the facts about this device and its capabilities :)

          Good for you if you like to piss around with a sub-par POS.

        • +1

          @happychappy1:
          So you finally get that it's our choice, not yours, what we do with our lives. Hallelujah.

        • +1

          @timhobart: "any comparison to the latest & greatest is really unnecessary & merely a show off" - good point

    • +4

      It's $29 dollars. That's roughly 1.5 hours of full time minimum wage work, assuming that it pays $20 an hour, for you to be able to buy tablet that browses the web, plays the radio, watches HD video, stream / chromecast stuff, reads ebooks, word process stuff on QuickOffice and anything else that you can throw at an android device.

      If you are a power user, you can root and flash the tablet to extend it's functionality. I believe there are KitKat roms for Mediapad 7 series on XDA.

    • great gift, nice portable/mobile movie player (720p even 1080p, check this review: http://youtu.be/PGUBUhX8faQ), great companion for tablet activities, chat device, has bluetooth, also it is a phone (good to check on kids), games, document reader, email, web browser, list goes on.. what's not to love for $29 :)

        • +3

          I'm not sure why there's so much negativity here…

          Sure, it's not going to perform anywhere near as well as something like a Nexus 7, or an iPad, etc, but for certain uses, it's still an awesome deal - e.g. portable media player for young kids, smart digital photo frame, etc. For those sorts of uses, spending an order of magnitude more simply doesn't make any sense at all.

          Has anyone who has actually got one of these been disappointed with it? If there is, just add a post at the end saying that you don't like it and I'm sure that someone else here who does have a use for it will be more than willing to take it off your hands for $29.

        • -6

          @OnTheMark: what happened to making sure your kids get the best start in life?

          You really shouldn't get thing just because it's cheap. Evaluate the product for what it is, them look at the price.

          Digital photo frames are a waste of electricity (and it would be great anyway due to the screen res). It would suck at being a digital media player as the screen res is quite low for today's standards.

          I would say shop around and see what's a actually out there before making the decision to buy something like this.

          That way you are making an informed decision.

          Edit: if you don't want to spend much, why not buy some books and read to them instead? I hear to much screen time is unhealthy.

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