Lenovo Tab 7 Essential Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is a compact and affordable tablet that offers great value for its price. With its sleek design, featuring a glass front and a plastic frame, this tablet is lightweight and easy to handle. The 7.0-inch IPS LCD display delivers clear and vibrant visuals, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming. Powered by a quad-core processor, it ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks. The tablet runs on Android 7.0 (Nougat) and comes with options for internal storage and RAM capacity. The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential also features a 2MP front and rear camera, along with convenient connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. With its attractive price point, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential offers an excellent entry-level tablet option for budget-conscious consumers.

Design and Build Quality

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential features a design that is both functional and visually appealing. With its compact form factor and lightweight construction, this tablet is highly portable, making it suitable for on-the-go use. The device measures 194.8 x 102 x 8.8 mm (7.67 x 4.02 x 0.35 in) and weighs just 254g (8.96 oz). Its sleek design and slim bezels contribute to a modern and premium look and feel.

The tablet's body is made of a combination of glass, plastic, and metal elements. The front is covered with a glass panel, while the frame and back panel are made of plastic. This choice of materials ensures durability and robustness without compromising on weight. The tablet comes in black and silver color options, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is designed with ergonomics in mind. The compact dimensions allow for easy grip and one-handed usability, enhancing user convenience. The buttons and controls are well-placed and provide a tactile feel, making navigation effortless. The device also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, enabling users to enjoy audio content without any limitations.

In terms of construction, the tablet exhibits a high level of fit and finish. The seams between different components are minimal, contributing to a seamless overall design. The texture and finishing touches on the device provide a comfortable grip and prevent accidental slips.

Overall, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential boasts a sleek and modern design with attention to detail. Its compact size, lightweight build, and ergonomic features make it a highly portable and user-friendly tablet. The combination of materials used ensures durability, while the fit and finish showcase the tablet's solid construction.

Display

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential features a 7.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:9. The screen size makes it compact and portable, suitable for on-the-go use. While the pixel density of approximately 170 ppi may not provide the sharpest visuals, it should still offer satisfactory clarity for everyday tasks.

In terms of LCD technology, the Tab 7 Essential utilizes an IPS panel, which generally offers good color accuracy and wide viewing angles. However, information about color vibrancy and color accuracy specific to this device is not readily available.

The display is said to have a brightness level of 300 nits, which is decent for indoor use but may struggle under direct sunlight. It does not mention any specific outdoor visibility enhancements or anti-reflective coating, so the device's performance in bright outdoor conditions may be limited.

There is no mention of any display protection such as Gorilla Glass, so the durability of the screen against scratches or accidental drops may be a concern. Additionally, there is no information provided about touch responsiveness or any special features like HDR or wide color gamut support.

The Tab 7 Essential's display does not have any notch design, and the bezels around the screen may be noticeable compared to more modern tablet designs. The screen-to-body ratio is reported to be around 69.4%, which indicates that the display occupies a significant portion of the front panel.

It is worth noting that the device does not mention any features like always-on display, blue light filter, or adaptive brightness, which may impact the user experience in terms of convenience and eye comfort.

Overall, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential's display seems to offer a standard experience with its modest resolution and LCD technology. However, the lack of specific information about color accuracy, outdoor visibility, and display protection may raise some concerns for potential buyers.

Performance

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential offers decent performance for its price range. Powered by either the Mediatek MT8167D chipset (Wi-Fi version) or the Mediatek MT8735D chipset (LTE version), it provides satisfactory CPU and GPU performance. The quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A35 CPU (Wi-Fi) and quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU (LTE) ensure smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. The PowerVR GE8300 GPU (Wi-Fi) and Mali-T720MP2 GPU (LTE) contribute to satisfactory gaming capabilities and graphics scores.

In terms of gaming performance, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is capable of running casual games and less demanding titles smoothly. However, it may struggle with more graphics-intensive games at higher settings. The tablet's GPU efficiency allows for a satisfactory gaming experience, but it may not be able to handle the most demanding games available on the market.

The tablet's CPU benchmarks and synthetic benchmarks indicate its overall processor performance. While it may not outperform higher-end tablets, it provides a smooth user experience with lag-free performance for everyday tasks. The system optimization and thermal management contribute to its stable performance, ensuring the tablet doesn't overheat during extended usage.

Overall, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential delivers a satisfactory performance for its price. It may not be the most powerful tablet on the market, but it offers a smooth user experience, multitasking capabilities, and sufficient gaming performance for casual users. Its CPU and GPU benchmarks, along with its performance metrics, indicate its processor efficiency and graphics capabilities. If you're looking for a budget-friendly tablet that can handle everyday tasks and casual gaming, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is worth considering.

Software and User Interface

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential runs on the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system, providing users with a familiar and user-friendly interface. The Android OS offers a range of customization options, allowing users to personalize their device to suit their preferences. With the Mediatek MT8167D chipset for the Wi-Fi version and the Mediatek MT8735D chipset for the LTE version, the tablet delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks.

In terms of software, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential comes with a selection of pre-installed apps to enhance the user experience. However, it is worth noting that some users have reported the presence of bloatware, which are additional apps that may not be essential or useful to everyone. This can take up storage space and potentially impact device performance. It is recommended to review and remove any unnecessary apps to optimize the tablet's performance.

The tablet features a 7.0-inch IPS LCD display, providing clear visuals and vibrant colors. The resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels may not be the highest in its class, but it offers a decent viewing experience for multimedia consumption and everyday use. The device is equipped with a 2 MP rear camera and a 2 MP front-facing camera, which are adequate for basic photography and video calls.

In terms of connectivity, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 or 4.1 (LTE version) for seamless wireless communication. It also has GPS for navigation purposes. However, it does not offer NFC or radio functionality.

The tablet is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 3450 mAh battery, which should provide sufficient battery life for daily usage. The availability of different models and colors gives users the option to choose according to their preferences.

Overall, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential offers a decent software experience with its Android 7.0 Nougat operating system and customizable interface. While some users may find the presence of bloatware to be a drawback, it is still possible to optimize the tablet's performance by removing unnecessary apps. The device's user-friendly interface and range of connectivity options make it a suitable choice for those looking for a budget-friendly tablet.

Camera

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential features a 2-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front camera, allowing users to capture photos and videos. While the resolution may not be the highest, it is sufficient for basic photography needs. The camera does not have any specific features like portrait mode or HDR, but it offers video recording capabilities. However, it does not support 4K video recording. There is no information available about video stabilization or slow-motion video capabilities. It also lacks advanced camera features such as AI scene recognition or image stabilization. As for image quality, the camera produces decent results in well-lit conditions, making it suitable for daylight photography. However, its performance in low-light situations may be limited due to the absence of features like night mode or low-light sensitivity. The camera's low resolution and lack of advanced features suggest that it may not be suitable for professional or advanced photography needs. Nonetheless, it should suffice for casual users who primarily use their tablets for basic photography needs.

Battery Life

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 3450 mAh battery. While the battery capacity may not be the highest in the market, it still offers decent performance for its size. The tablet's power efficiency and optimization features help to maximize battery life, providing users with a satisfactory screen-on time and standby time. Unfortunately, there is no mention of fast charging or wireless charging options, so it may take some time to fully charge the device. However, the tablet does come with a battery saver feature, which can help extend battery life during periods of heavy usage. Overall, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential's battery performance is adequate for everyday tasks and should provide enough battery backup for most users.

Connectivity and Networking

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential offers a variety of connectivity options to ensure a smooth and seamless user experience. With network compatibility for GSM, HSPA, and LTE, users can enjoy reliable connectivity wherever they go. The tablet comes in both Wi-Fi only and LTE versions, providing flexibility for different user preferences. The Wi-Fi 802.11 a/g/n standards support fast and stable wireless connections, while Bluetooth 4.0 or 4.1 (LTE version) allows for easy pairing with other devices. The inclusion of GPS ensures accurate navigation and location services, while the absence of NFC may be a drawback for users who rely on this technology for contactless payments or data transfers. The tablet also features a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. Unfortunately, there is no mention of support for 5G or USB-C connectivity, which may be disappointing for those seeking the latest advancements in connectivity technology. Overall, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential offers a decent range of connectivity options, though it may not have all the latest features available in more high-end devices.

Additional Features

• Standout Features: The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential offers a compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable. It features a 7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels, delivering decent visual quality. The tablet runs on Android 7.0 (Nougat) and is powered by a quad-core processor, providing smooth performance for everyday tasks.


• Water and Dust Resistance: Unfortunately, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential does not come with any official water or dust resistance ratings. This means that it is not specifically designed to withstand water splashes or dusty environments.


• Wireless Charging: The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential does not support wireless charging. You will need to charge the tablet using the included microUSB cable.


• Accelerometer: The tablet is equipped with an accelerometer, which allows it to detect changes in motion and orientation. This sensor is commonly used in gaming and other motion-controlled applications.


• Additional Sensors: Apart from the accelerometer, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential does not come with any advanced sensors such as a gyroscope or environmental sensors. These sensors are often found in higher-end tablets and smartphones to provide additional functionality.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is a budget-friendly tablet that offers decent features and performance for its price range. When comparing it to other related gadgets in the market, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 or Amazon Fire HD 8, there are some notable differences to consider.

In terms of specifications, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential features a 7.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels. While this may not be as sharp as the Full HD displays found on higher-end tablets, it still provides a reasonable viewing experience for everyday use. Additionally, it is equipped with a Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A35 processor and 1GB or 2GB of RAM, depending on the variant. This hardware combination allows for smooth navigation and multitasking, although it may struggle with more demanding tasks or resource-intensive applications.

Compared to its competitors, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential falls behind in terms of camera quality. It features a 2MP rear camera and a 2MP front-facing camera, which may not deliver the best image or video quality compared to devices with higher-resolution cameras. However, for basic photography needs, it should suffice.

Another factor to consider is the storage capacity. The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential comes with either 8GB or 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card. This may be limiting for users who require a significant amount of storage for apps, media, and files. In comparison, devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 offer more generous storage options.

When it comes to pricing, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is positioned as an affordable option in the market. With a price of around 80 EUR, it offers good value for money for those looking for a basic tablet for casual use. However, it's important to note that there are other tablets available at similar price points that may offer better specifications or additional features.

Overall, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is a budget tablet that provides basic functionality and decent performance. While it may not compete with higher-end devices in terms of specifications or features, it offers a cost-effective option for users who prioritize affordability and simplicity.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is a budget-friendly tablet that offers decent features for its price. Its compact size and lightweight design make it highly portable, while the IPS LCD display provides satisfactory visuals. The quad-core processor ensures smooth performance for basic tasks, although it may struggle with more demanding applications. The tablet also comes with expandable storage options and a decent battery life. However, the low-resolution camera and lack of advanced features like NFC and radio are notable drawbacks. Overall, if you are a casual user in need of a simple and affordable tablet, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential could be a suitable option for you.