8 Inch Tablet Recommendation

LCheapo Moose on 07/08/2017 - 09:47

Hi all,

I have 3 girls and I'm looking to upgrade their tablets.

They currently have 2 x Lenovo Tab 2 A7 and an iPad Mini (gen 1), and they're getting a bit long in the tooth.

I think the 8" form factor is the best and I'm after devices that are fast enough to at least last a few years.

I've basically narrowed it down to either the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0" or the Huawei Mediapad M3 8.4".

I haven't really considered the iPad Mini 4 as I believe it's about 2 years old now.

Looking for recommendations or if anyone has had any experience with these tabs.

Kids are 8 and 6 (twins) so they'll pretty much be used for media consumption and a few games.

P.S. It'd be appreciated if you spare me the "Kids should be outside instead of staring at iPads etc". My kids are very healthy and active but I think most parents will agree with me when I say that these days a bit of screen time for the kids doesn't hurt.

Another question, if I order these from overseas (which would be cheaper and the only option for the Huawei) I guess I'm looking at paying import duties/tax if I order all 3 at once. Would customs be clever enough to still hit us with import duties if I made an order for 2 and my wife ordered 1 or would I have to have them shipped to different addresses?

Thanks all.

Computing

Comments

  • frondono on 07/08/2017 - 10:22
    +2

    This one gets posted quite a bit on ozbargain. Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. they do cashback too.

    http://store.sony.com.au/SGP611A1W.html

    • bobbified on 07/08/2017 - 10:25

      beat me to it! haha

    • Gershom on 08/08/2017 - 08:57

      Does the Sony have adoptable (flex) memory?

      • bobbified on 08/08/2017 - 09:04

        Not that I'm aware of. I've never tried. It runs off Marshmallow and that's the latest (official) update it'll get.

        In terms of apps, the 16GB is enough for my use. I use the memory card to store media only so that allows me to carry a whole library with me on different cards when I travel.

  • bobbified on 07/08/2017 - 10:24

    If you don't have something specific that you think only a newer tablet can handle, I'd recommend the Sony Z3 Compact Tablet:

    http://store.sony.com.au/SGP611A1W.html#start=1

    Currently $249 (and I think it's free shipping on your first order or something along those lines - or $9.95).

    It's been out for a couple of years, but it's still great value for what it is.

    • Cheapo Moose on 07/08/2017 - 10:51

      Had a look at the Sony but I'm a bit concerned about the processor and GPU.

      Do you reckon it'll still be holding up well a couple of years from now?

      I see the Sony was released end of 2014.

      • bobbified on 07/08/2017 - 11:02

        I bought one around August last year when it was $299.

        I don't really play any extreme graphics intense games on it or anything so I can't really comment on whether it can support that properly or not.

        But all the FHD movies (with file sizes greater than 3GB), Netflix, YouTube and everything I throw at it seems to be working without any hiccups. When I browse the net, I have up to 10 tabs open at the same time and I don't notice any slowing down.

        The battery seems to last quite a number of hours. The ability to quick-charge is also really helpful.

        I use mine all night, every night.

        The most unique feature is the water-resistance. I use it around the kitchen when I'm washing the dishes and every morning in the shower with YouTube.

        My previous tablet was the Xperia Z tablet - it's been years and still going well at the moment, but I prefer to carry this smaller and lighter one around the home and when I travel.

        • Cheapo Moose on 07/08/2017 - 11:11
          +1

          Thanks for that.

          I'll definitely have another look.

          $249 and local stock/warranty is pretty appealing vs approx $370 & $420 for the Samsung & Huawei (o/seas).

        • pjetson on 07/08/2017 - 17:25

          every morning in the shower with YouTube

          You watch youtube while you're in the shower every day?

          What do you watch?

        • bobbified on 07/08/2017 - 20:07
          +1

          @pjetson:
          I know what you're thinking! haha

          Believe it or not - lately, Ive been listening to the US congressional hearings! Quite interesting to listen to how full of shit these "climate scientists" are. If you listen to the details of their claims and the so-called evidence, you'd shake your head.

          But that's a topic for another day! haha

  • narcoleptic-haze on 07/08/2017 - 10:53

    Just for the record, I have an iPad mini 4 and I find it's still a great, fast device and use it daily. Though admittedly, with the upcoming iOS update, performance could take a hit with Apple's rumoured "planned obsolescence" procedures. Despite it's age though it's probably not the cheapest option for you.

    • Cheapo Moose on 07/08/2017 - 10:59

      Yeah, I'm sure they iPads are still great performance-wise but I really like the idea of expandable storage via microSD for the other tabs.

      I can load up memory cards with movies etc without having to worry about iTunes and compatibility etc.

    • Axelstrife on 07/08/2017 - 11:03

      I have the ipad mini 4 and it's definitely getting slow even comparing against the latest ipad 2017 (not the pro) it's ALOT slower opening app's

      i wouldn't suggest the mini 4 though it is the perfect size.

  • loke on 07/08/2017 - 10:56

    You won't need to ship to separate addresses, but make sure the order total for the tablets excluding shipping costs (would be good if shipping is listed separately) doesn't exceed 1000AUD if it is coming from overseas - you're right in that you'll probably have to separate the orders.

  • AlienC on 07/08/2017 - 14:14

    I have a Huawei Mediapad M3 and it has so far served me well.

    I use a SanDisk Ultra 200gb Micro SD Card with it also with no problems.

    Both bought from Amazon.

    If you can find the Samsung for considerably cheaper and good condition for like at least $250-$300 AUD range on gumtree I would go with it otherwise the Huawei or Asus Zenpad 3S is also a good option and probably cheaper than the Huawei if you don't mind the 9.7" size.

    If you need me to test anything with it let me know.

    The speakers are good and the casing is pretty solid.

  • Efendy on 07/08/2017 - 15:26

    I was posting this then saw the post above me. anyway :)

    Lenovo tab 4 8 and tab 4 8 plus will get into the market soon as per the reviews. You can consider them at a possibly cheaper price point.

    • Cheapo Moose on 07/08/2017 - 15:32

      Thanks for that.

      I guess I'm looking for some higher specs though as I'd like them to be good for a couple of years at least.

      I like the Huawei but I'm not sure if it's worth the extra cost over say the Galaxy Tab S2 or even the Sony.

      Cheapest I've found the Huawei is about $425 and the Galaxy about $370 (o/seas).

      Decisions, decisions…

      • Efendy on 07/08/2017 - 15:36

        Yeah, fair enough.
        tab 4 plus actually has very good specs but I don't know if they are comparable to Huawei and Samsung. For the record, I sold my Sony z3 compact mentioned above and decided to wait for the tab 4 plus. one thing with z3 is it cannot be upgraded to nougat.

      • Efendy on 07/08/2017 - 15:40

        http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=8315&idPhone2=…

        they seem to compare OK. Price would be the determining factor i guess. Good luck!

        • Cheapo Moose on 07/08/2017 - 15:50

          Ahhh… Didn't notice the plus version.

          Thanks… Will look into it a bit more.

  • seekingalpha on 07/08/2017 - 15:59

    was also looking around for an 8inch tablet for the past few days and settled on the Asus Zenpad S 8.0 (~240AUD shipped; Amazon)

    • nismo on 13/08/2017 - 12:41

      I assume that's the 2gb ram version, the 4gb with 64 GB storage is unavailable and would not be anywhere near $240 aud.

      2gb ram on Android is not good enough. Also, this device is 2 years old, I'm sure it's good for the price though.

  • supnigs super skids on 07/08/2017 - 16:26
    -1

    Buying iPad best game

  • usbc activist on 07/08/2017 - 17:53

    Did you give asus zen pad a try. They are pretty solid. Have to buy on ebay though. Did not see them anywhere in the stores in australia

    https://www.asus.com/us/Tablets/ASUS_ZenPad_S_80_Z580CA/

  • PVA on 07/08/2017 - 20:15
    +1

    i still think the Samsung S2 is a better way to go, the form factor, i think, is better (4:3 rather than widescreen 16:9 like the others.

    we have the S2 9.7 and ipad pro 9.7 at home, the Samsung is a better tablet out of the two by using both.

  • Cheapo Moose on 08/08/2017 - 15:51

    Thanks for all the comments.

    I'm no closer to deciding (now that I have a couple more tablets to consider) but appreciate all the feedback. :)

  • nismo on 13/08/2017 - 11:38

    I'm in the market for a similar tablet, either Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus, or the Huawei mediapad M3 8.4 are at the top of the list. Can't seem to find a Zenpad at 8 inch with the same level of specs, though I will look again.

    Currently using the Sony Z3TC, Bought it Sept 2015, been great but would not suggest spending ~$300 on it now, better to spend ~$400 on a much newer device, in my opinion, especially since you want it to provide a few years of good service.

    The last System Update this received was 1st Sept 2016 and a Maintanence Update in Oct 2016. Android Security patch level May 2016..

    Other than the technical side of it, it has been getting sluggish in recent months and not as snappy as it was. Still good, but not awesome.

  • Cheapo Moose on 14/08/2017 - 06:43

    Thanks all.

    Ended up going with 3 Samsung S2 8.0 tablets.

    Read a couple of articles that mentioned some compatibility and GPU issues experienced with the Huawei.

    Galaxy S2 (T713) tabs come with the Snapdragon 652 which seemed to do pretty well on all the benchmarks.

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