In the world of Android tablets, there is only one champion in the high-end segment (here’s looking at you, Samsung) – but there are plenty of players when it comes to entry-level tablets, many of them lesser-known names. Among them is Blackview, a brand often associated with rugged Android-powered smartphones, which offers the Blackview Tab 13.
It is armed with the MediaTek Helio G85 SoC mated to 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal memory, and you won’t need to worry about storage as the microSD card slot allows up to 1TB of extra space. These might be entry-level specifications, but read on to learn how this does not necessarily equate to pointlessness.
Arriving in Lunar Silver, Space Gray, and Twilight Blue, the build quality of the Blackview Tab 13 is a few notches higher than its recommended retail price of RM880. The sleek design of the chassis measures just 7.7mm thin while tipping the scales at 450g. It feels solid in the hands, and with an aluminium back, you get a lovely matte texture that goes well with the metal frame.
Certainly, this is an affordable tablet that is robust enough to be placed in the hands of young ones without worrying too much about potential damage. For those who love the square edges found on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, you will be pleased to discover the same design language is applied here for the added “atas” feel.
An 8MP Samsung S5K4H7 selfie camera sensor sits in the front, while the back offers a dual-camera configuration of 13MP and 2MP, the latter clearly there just to beef up the spec sheet. No doubt this is not meant to be your primary mobile camera – more of a last resort, as well as to scan QR codes.
Supported satellites include GPS, Beidou, Glonass, and Galileo to provide accurate location at all times. You will also find dual speakers in action when using it in landscape mode, making it ideal when connected to the Bluetooth keyboard accessory.
Performance, display and software
The 6GB RAM is adequate for everyday use, but you can bump it to 10GB with 4GB virtual RAM expansion coming into play. This feature has been getting more common in smartphones, but is relatively rare for an entry-level tablet.
Interestingly enough, the Tab 13 lists Simo internet as one of its features. Simo is a company that offers uninterrupted fast connectivity with what is virtually an e-SIM, letting you remain connected without a Wi-Fi network or physical SIM card. However, you would be better off getting a regular SIM card as Simo’s plans are far more expensive.
With a generous 26cm (10.1-inch) IPS LCD display with FHD+ resolution (1200 x 1920 pixels) boasting an 81% screen-to-body ratio, Blackview touts the TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light to further enhance your user experience as your eyes will not be overstrained.
There is no tearing while streaming movies and playing games on the Tab 13, and using this as a secondary display is a viable option if you wish to save on purchasing a secondary monitor. Unfortunately, performance under bright sunlight is nothing much to shout about, but indoor performance is perfectly fine.
Powered by Android 12, the Tab 13 runs on its very own Doke OS_P 3.0 skin, offering smoother animation with different floating windows to simulate the desktop mode. Over time, it will also make clever guesses of your most commonly accessed apps to preload them for quick opening. This kind of software optimisation certainly helps entry-level system-on-chips achieve a perceived increase in performance.
It remains up in the air whether the Tab 13 will receive the Android 13 update, with no word on how long support for security updates will last. The lack of a clear, long-term update policy may be worrying, but if you are savvy enough to visit secure and legitimate sites, there should be no fear of getting your information compromised.
Those who are thinking of enjoying Netflix on the Tab 13 should take note that Widevine L3, not L1, is supported. In other words, you will only get to watch content in standard definition. That said, Blackview might issue a firmware upgrade in the future if there is sufficient user demand for Widevine L1, so keep your fingers crossed.
The PC mode offers a familiar interface that resembles a touchscreen laptop. Use it with a connected keyboard and you can work smarter and easier.
However, do remember at the end of the day that this is still an Android device, so it is best suited to regular desktop tasks such as word processing and basic spreadsheets; anything more demanding will require a dedicated laptop.
Battery life
What one can expect from the Blackview Tab 13’s 7,280mAh battery is stellar performance. You can easily go through an entire day’s work without having to plug it into a nearby power outlet.
Of course, the usage pattern needs to be defined as anyone who is watching videos or killing time by gaming the entire day will probably need to charge it before the day is done, but if you were to use it primarily for the internet, to check your email, or reply instant messages from time to time, it can last the distance.
The 15W charging speed, however, does not do the massive battery any favours. Expect to have it plugged in overnight, as it would probably take more than eight hours for a full charge.
All in all, anyone looking for a robust and affordable Android tablet without emphasis on a particular brand name should take a good look at the Blackview Tab 13. It is a pity that it is unlikely to receive long-term software and security updates, and the slow charging speed works against it.
Still, the Blackview Tab 13 is best suited for those who need a basic tablet, especially children. Enterprising users, though, should look for something higher up in the food chain.
Find out more about the Blackview Tab 13 here.
Edwin Kee dreamt of being a pro-gamer only to have circumstances mould him into a programmer in a past life. He has since moved on to write about consumer electronics and other topics. Check out his blog at manatau.com.