HP Slate7 VoiceTab Ultra Comprehensive Review and Insights

Overview of HP Slate7 VoiceTab Ultra

The HP Slate7 VoiceTab Ultra was introduced in 2014 as a hybrid device, aimed at combining the features and functionalities of both a tablet and a smartphone. It was marketed towards users who wanted the mobility of a phone with the expansive display and capability of a tablet. Despite being discontinued, it remains an interesting example of tech evolution during its time.

Design and Build

The HP Slate7 VoiceTab Ultra is elegantly designed with dimensions of 183.5 x 103.9 x 7.2 mm, making it not only comfortable to hold but also easy to maneuver. With a weight of 239 grams, it is light enough to be carried with ease. The device is available in a stylish Champagne color, adding an element of sophistication and aesthetic appeal. It supports both single and dual SIM configurations, using Micro-SIM technology, thus allowing flexibility for users who travel or wish to separate personal and work contacts.

Display Characteristics

For its display, the HP Slate7 VoiceTab Ultra uses an IPS LCD screen, offering wide viewing angles and robust color reproduction, which is particularly favorable for media consumption. The 7.0-inch screen has a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels, achieving approximately 323 ppi density. This results in sharp images and crisp text, essential for web browsing, reading, and multimedia viewing. The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 74.5%, making effective use of the available front face area for display purposes.

Performance and Hardware

Under its hood, the device is powered by the HiSilicon Balong V9R1 chipset, which incorporates a quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU. While this may not match the performance of high-end devices by today's standards, it was a competitive offering at the time of its release. The 2GB of RAM enables the device to handle multitasking with relative ease, handling common applications and tasks without significant lag. The internal storage stands at 16GB, which can be expanded via a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing users to store more apps, pictures, videos, and other media.

Camera Capabilities

The HP Slate7 VoiceTab Ultra features a 13 MP main camera, equipped with autofocus, LED flash, HDR, and panorama functionalities, providing reasonably good image quality for capturing everyday moments. The camera is also capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps, which is suitable for personal videos and casual photography. On the front, it sports a 5 MP selfie camera, which, although modest, is adequate for video calls and simple selfies.

Audio and Connectivity

The device comes with stereo speakers, enhancing the audio output for multimedia use. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering flexibility for personal listening options. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capability, Bluetooth 4.0 with low energy consumption, and GPS for navigation. However, it lacks NFC, which limits certain aspects of connectivity such as contactless payments. The device does not include a radio or advanced communication features typically found in later models.

Battery and Power Management

One of the attractive features of the HP Slate7 VoiceTab Ultra is its non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery. This provides ample power to keep the device running throughout the day. It boasts a standby time of up to 480 hours in 3G and a talk time of up to 10 hours for multimedia use in 3G, making it reliable for long commutes and extensive use without frequent recharging.

Operating System and User Experience

The device was launched with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, an operating system that, at the time, provided a fluid and refined user experience. Users had access to Google's suite of applications and could personalize their device with widgets and apps from the Google Play Store. Although newer updates are not available for this device, it nonetheless offered a straightforward Android experience.

Sensors and Additional Features

The HP Slate7 VoiceTab Ultra includes various sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enabling enhanced application functionality and user interaction. These sensors support features ranging from screen orientation adjustments to location-based service enhancements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the HP Slate7 VoiceTab Ultra was a versatile device aimed at bridging the gap between smartphones and tablets. It appealed to users ready to embrace emerging technologies and hybrid devices. While it may not compete with modern devices in terms of features and performance, its design, build, and reasonable functionality made it a noteworthy product during its release in 2014.