Acer Iconia Tab A3 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Acer Iconia Tab A3

The Acer Iconia Tab A3 is a mid-range tablet that was announced in September 2013 and released in November 2013. This device has since been discontinued, but it left a significant mark in its time for offering considerable features at an affordable price. Designed for users who require a reliable tablet for everyday tasks, this device features a large screen, ample storage, and decent battery life, making it an ideal choice for multimedia consumption and basic productivity tasks.

Design and Build

The Acer Iconia Tab A3 features a solid build with dimensions of 260 x 175 x 10.2 mm and a weight of 560 grams, making it relatively lightweight and portable. The tablet comes in two color options: Black/Silver and White, allowing users to select a color that suits their style. The device includes a Micro-SIM slot, which supports GSM/HSPA network technologies, although cellular connectivity might not be a primary feature for a Wi-Fi-centric tablet.

Display

The tablet boasts a 10.1-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD display with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels, maintaining a ~65.0% screen-to-body ratio. This results in a pixel density of approximately 149 ppi, offering clear and vivid visuals suitable for watching videos, browsing the web, and engaging with apps. The display size is advantageous for users who prefer larger screens for enhanced viewing and interaction.

Performance

The Acer Iconia Tab A3 is powered by a Mediatek MT8125T chipset for the Wi-Fi model and a Mediatek MT8389W for the 3G variant. It operates on a Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a PowerVR SGX544 GPU, ensuring decent performance for basic multitasking and multimedia playback. The tablet runs on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), providing a user-friendly interface with access to a wide array of applications via the Google Play Store.

Memory and Storage

The device offers two storage variants: 16GB and 32GB, each paired with 1GB of RAM. This capacity is relatively modest by today's standards, but it suffices for running essential applications and storing documents, images, and some media. Additionally, the tablet supports microSDHC cards through a dedicated slot, allowing users to expand storage as needed.

Camera Features

Despite being not overly focused on photography, the Acer Iconia Tab A3 includes a 5 MP main camera capable of recording 1080p videos at 30fps. A front-facing VGA camera is also available, primarily for video calls rather than high-quality selfies. These camera specifications cater to casual photo needs rather than professional photography.

Battery Life

The tablet is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 7300 mAh battery that provides up to 11 hours of multimedia playtime. This long battery life ensures users can enjoy extended sessions of use without the necessity of frequent recharges, making it suitable for travel and long commutes where access to charging might be limited.

Connectivity

On the connectivity front, the Acer Iconia Tab A3 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and can function as a hotspot. Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP provides wireless communication with other devices, and it includes a GPS for location services. It does not support NFC or radio functionality. The tablet is equipped with a microUSB 2.0 port that supports OTG, allowing extra flexibility in accessory connectivity.

Audio Features

For audio, the tablet has stereo speakers that deliver reasonable sound quality for videos and music. A standard 3.5mm headphone jack is included, providing compatibility with a wide variety of headphones and external speakers. The sound quality is satisfactory for general multimedia consumption.

Sensor and Additional Features

The Iconia Tab A3 incorporates basic sensors like an accelerometer and gyro, supporting motion and rotation-related applications. These sensors enhance the device's interactivity with games and other dynamic applications that rely on motion detection.

Conclusion

Overall, the Acer Iconia Tab A3 is a robust device suitable for users seeking an affordable tablet with a larger screen for media consumption and basic tasks. Its enduring battery life, expandable storage options, and satisfactory performance make it an attractive option in its class, particularly for those who prioritize value over high-end features. Though it has been discontinued, the Iconia Tab A3 remains a notable example of Acer’s approach to delivering quality products at competitive price points.