The Acer Iconia Tab 8 is a mid-range Android tablet that offers a good balance of features and performance at an attractive price point. Released in 2014, the Tab 8 was a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers who wanted a reliable and portable device for everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email, watching videos, and playing casual games. In this comprehensive review, we will dive deep into the Acer Iconia Tab 8, exploring its design, hardware specifications, performance, software features, and overall user experience.
Design and Build Quality
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 boasts a sleek and minimalist design. It features a rectangular form factor with rounded corners, giving it a modern and sophisticated look. The tablet is constructed primarily from plastic, which helps keep the weight down, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The front panel is dominated by a large 8-inch display, while the bezels surrounding the screen are reasonably thin, maximizing the screen-to-body ratio. The power button and volume rocker are located on the right side of the tablet, within easy reach of the thumb. On the top edge, you'll find the headphone jack and micro-USB port for charging and data transfer. The rear panel houses the 5MP camera lens and the Acer logo.
The Iconia Tab 8 is available in black and white color options, allowing users to choose the color that best suits their style. Although the plastic construction might not feel as premium as metal-bodied tablets, it's robust and durable enough to withstand everyday use. The tablet's lightweight design, measuring just 350 grams, makes it incredibly portable, making it an ideal companion for travel or commuting.
Display
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 sports an 8-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, providing a pixel density of 189 pixels per inch (PPI). The display offers vibrant colors, decent viewing angles, and a reasonable level of brightness. While the resolution might not be as high as some of its competitors, it's still sufficient for most everyday tasks. The display is sharp enough for web browsing, reading e-books, and watching videos, but it might not be ideal for demanding tasks like graphic design or photo editing.
One of the drawbacks of the Iconia Tab 8's display is its lack of an anti-reflective coating. This means that glare can be a problem in bright environments, making it difficult to see the screen clearly. This is a common issue with budget-friendly tablets and can be mitigated by using a screen protector or by adjusting the screen brightness.
Hardware and Performance
Under the hood, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 is powered by a quad-core MediaTek MT8127 processor clocked at 1.3 GHz, paired with 1GB of RAM. This hardware configuration is sufficient for basic tasks like browsing the web, checking emails, and running light applications. However, it might struggle with more demanding tasks like gaming or multitasking. The tablet comes with 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via microSD card for additional storage space. This storage capacity should be enough for most users, but it's worth noting that the 16GB internal storage space is not expandable.
While the processor is not the most powerful on the market, it delivers decent performance for everyday use. You can expect smooth navigation through menus and apps, as well as acceptable loading times. However, if you're planning to play graphically intensive games, you might experience lag or frame drops. The Iconia Tab 8 is not designed for hardcore gaming, but it can handle casual games like Angry Birds or Candy Crush without any significant issues.
Software and Features
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 runs on Android 4.4 KitKat, with Acer's own user interface customizations. The software experience is generally smooth and responsive. Acer has added a few useful features to the stock Android experience, including a built-in file manager, a gesture-based navigation system, and a few pre-installed apps.
The tablet also comes with Acer's proprietary software called AcerCloud, which allows you to synchronize your files, photos, and other data across different devices. AcerCloud also offers remote access features, allowing you to control your tablet from another device.
Camera
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 features a 5MP rear-facing camera for taking photos and videos. The camera performs adequately in well-lit conditions, but image quality deteriorates significantly in low-light environments. The camera is sufficient for capturing casual photos and videos, but it's not suitable for professional photography. The tablet also includes a 2MP front-facing camera for video calls and selfies.
Battery Life
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 is equipped with a 4600mAh battery, which is claimed to provide up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge. In our tests, the tablet consistently delivered around 6-7 hours of screen-on time with mixed usage, which includes web browsing, email, and video playback. The battery life is good enough for a full day of use, but it might not last longer than that if you're a heavy user.
Connectivity
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 offers a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS. The tablet also supports micro-USB for charging and data transfer.
Audio
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 features dual front-facing speakers, which provide decent audio quality for multimedia consumption. The speakers are loud enough for a small room, and the sound quality is acceptable for watching videos or listening to music. However, the audio lacks bass and clarity, making it unsuitable for serious audiophiles.
Conclusion
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 is a decent mid-range Android tablet that offers a good balance of features and performance at an affordable price point. It's a solid choice for everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email, watching videos, and playing casual games. However, its performance might be lacking for more demanding tasks like gaming or multitasking. If you're looking for a budget-friendly tablet with a good screen, decent battery life, and a solid set of features, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 is worth considering.
FAQs
1. Is the Acer Iconia Tab 8 waterproof?
No, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 is not waterproof. It's recommended to avoid exposing the tablet to water or moisture to prevent damage.
2. Can I upgrade the Acer Iconia Tab 8 to a newer version of Android?
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 is officially supported up to Android 5.1 Lollipop. While unofficial custom ROMs might be available, upgrading to a newer version of Android is not recommended as it can lead to compatibility issues.
3. What are the best cases or covers for the Acer Iconia Tab 8?
There are many cases and covers available for the Acer Iconia Tab 8, ranging from basic protective cases to more stylish options with built-in keyboards. It's important to choose a case that provides adequate protection for the tablet's screen and back.
4. Does the Acer Iconia Tab 8 support external storage?
Yes, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 supports expandable storage via microSD card.
5. What are some alternative tablets to consider in the same price range?
Some popular alternatives in the same price range include the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0, the Lenovo Yoga Tab 8, and the Amazon Fire HD 8. These tablets offer similar features and performance but may have different strengths and weaknesses.