LG G-Pad 8.3 is iPad Mini 2 & Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 Slayer: 5 Killer Features to Love About the Rumoured Nexus 8 Template
It may not be as high-profile as the iPad Mini or the Galaxy Tab 3 but the new LG G-Pad definitely packs serious powers to duke it out with the premium slates out there.
And with the possibility that Google is moulding its rumoured Nexus 8 after the G-Pad, this latest Android in the tightening tablet market competition truly deserves more attention that it is getting. Based on numerous reviews so far, the G-Pad brims with features killer enough to withstand the scrutiny of users pampered by iPad and Galaxy tabs.
Snapshots of the five features are provided below:
Excellent build
Majority of the reviews for the LG G-Pad sounded impressed with how LG beautifully crafted its new tablet. While it tended to emulate its smartphone sibling, the LG G2 - in the same manner that Samsung patterns the Galaxy Tab 3 series from the Galaxy S4, the G-Pad has a body build of its own.
And the tablet is both pretty and solid, emitting an image of class and durability at the same time, according to Android Central, that users will easily pit the 8.3-inch beauty with the iPad Mini. The Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 from Samsung is no match in this respect, experts said.
It has a "solid construction that feels much more expensive," ZDNet said. Plus thin and light too so no strain during actual use.
Screen size hits the sweet spot
Analysts have been beating the drum on the idea that 8-inch is the new 7-inch, which means the screen profile that the iPad Mini popularised is the new marker standard for compact tablets. It was obvious that LG engineers studied hard the small tablet trend before finalising the overall G-Pad design, Android Central said. Then they decided to go 8.3-inch - not too small but not too big.
Per Tech Radar, if users would fall in love with the LG G-Pad, one of the reasons would be its eye-catching form - easy to carry and a delight to show off. One big bonus is "its full HD display, delivering crisp, bright images ... (and) perfect for movies and gaming," the same review said.
The G-Pad's front IPS display panel beams out a crisp resolution of 1920 x 1200, matching the screen rendering of many large-screen desktops.
A powerhouse that steam rolls for a stretch
With a quad-core Snapdragon 600 CPU and 2GB of RAM, the G-Pad is adequate to enough to perform all tablet computing tasks with ease. Throw in multi-tasking on the basket too and the LG slate will rise to the call.
Plus the tablet seemingly resolved the perennial issue of heavy firepower bearing too much pressure on the battery life. The power juice flowing out from the G-Pad peaks to satisfactory level, which Engadget defines as moderate usage that extends to a couple of days without recharge. The device will simply hum away, no power interruption, for more than 24 hours with music playback, web surfing, some minutes of gaming and a few hours of movie watching.
Surprising cool tablet apps
Embedded with the Android-powered (Jelly Bean 4.2.2) LG G-Pad are the following LG-exclusive applications: Knock On, QRemote, Qslide, Slide Aside and Quick Memo. These apps, according to ZDNet, allow the G-Pad to easily beat its Android rivals.
The standout, Android Central said, is the multi-functions QPair, which "adds a whole new purpose to the Android tablet."
Reasonable price point
For roughly $350, the full LG G-Pad package will give buyers the following to take home:
o Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS
o 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor
o 2GB RAM and 16GB flash storage memory
o microSD expansion capability
o 8.3iinch 1920 x 1200 HD IPS display
o 5 megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixel front facing camera
o 4600mAh battery
o Sensors include proximity, barometer, temperature & humidity, accelerometer, gyroscope
o Dimensions of 216.8 x 126.5 x 8.3 mm and 338 grams
Compared to the Retina-toting iPad Mini 2, which starts at $400, the price mark is a bargain. But the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 is priced lower at $300 though on a closer look, the G-Pad exudes better sex appeal and more killer features.
Engadget said more buyers would be lured by LG into its fold had it priced the LG G-Pad lower though come the Black Friday this week and the full 2013 holiday season to follow, gadget deals could just make the Android tablet even more irresistible.