Allview City+ A Comprehensive Review of Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Allview City+

The Allview City+ is an entry-level tablet that made its debut in August 2013. Being a product of its time, the device was designed to cater to users looking for basic functionality at an affordable price. Though the model has been discontinued, it offers a snapshot of the technological capabilities of tablets from the early 2010s.

Design and Build

In terms of design, the Allview City+ presents a modest yet practical form factor. With dimensions of 192.5 x 122 x 7.9 mm and a weight of 289 grams, it strikes a balance between portability and usability. The tablet boasts a 7.0-inch IPS LCD screen, offering a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels, which translates to approximately 170 pixels per inch. While not exceptional by today's standards, this density was adequate for the basic viewing needs of the time.

Display Features

The 7.0-inch display is complemented by an IPS panel that provides wide viewing angles and decent color reproduction. The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 58.7%, which is typical for tablets released during its era. This display configuration allows users to enjoy web browsing, reading e-books, and multimedia consumption without straining their eyes, though it may not suffice for high-definition video playback.

Performance and Hardware

The performance of the Allview City+ is driven by a Dual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, paired with a Mali-400 GPU. This combination facilitates smooth navigation and adequate performance for most apps available at the time. However, with only 512MB of RAM, multitasking capabilities are limited. Onboard storage is 8GB, which can be expanded via a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing users to carry additional data and multimedia files.

Camera Capabilities

The Allview City+ includes a single VGA main camera, suitable for basic photography needs. While it can capture images and video, the quality is relatively low, which limits its use to casual snaps rather than professional photography. There is no front-facing camera, which restricts the ability to conduct video calls or take selfies, a feature that was less prioritized during the device's launch period.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 3000 mAh battery, the Allview City+ offers a reasonable stand-by time of up to 250 hours and up to 4 hours of talk time. Although not designed for cellular connectivity, the device supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, which enables browsing and app downloads when connected to wireless internet. Additional connectivity options include Bluetooth and microUSB 2.0 with OTG support, but it notably lacks GPS and NFC functionalities.

Audio and Multimedia

The tablet is equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, providing basic audio output options for users who wish to listen to music or watch videos. The absence of a radio means that users have to rely on internet-based streaming services for radio content.

User Interface and Operating System

Running on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the user interface is straightforward and user-friendly for those familiar with Android systems from that era. While the software is now outdated and does not support the latest applications, it was effective for the tablet’s intended multimedia and internet-browsing functions at the time of release.

Sensors and Additional Features

Simplicity is a key characteristic of the Allview City+, demonstrated by the presence of only an accelerometer sensor. This limits the device’s functionality in gaming or more interactive applications. Despite the lack of advanced features like fingerprint sensors or face recognition, the tablet fulfills the essential role of providing digital access at a low cost.

Market Position and Conclusion

Available in white or black color options, the Allview City+ was priced at approximately 80 EUR, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious consumers looking for basic tablet features. In retrospect, while its specifications seem limited by current standards, the tablet represents the promise of technology democratization, offering smartphone capabilities to a wider audience during its time.

In conclusion, the Allview City+ stands as a testament to the evolution of mobile technology, encapsulating the design and functionality expectations of its release period. Though not suitable for modern requirements, it remains a valuable case study in understanding the growth and transition of portable smart devices over the past decade.