Ultimate Guide to Huawei MediaPad T1 80 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview and Design

The Huawei MediaPad T1 8.0 is a budget-oriented tablet that was announced and released in September 2014. This device is known for its simple yet practical design, offering essential features required for day-to-day multimedia consumption and basic productivity tasks. The tablet is structured with dimensions measuring 210.6 x 127.7 x 7.9 mm, and a weight of 360 grams, making it a portable choice for users looking for a compact device with sufficient screen real estate.

The body is crafted with a minimalist approach to aesthetics, available in a sleek White/Silver color option which gives it a contemporary look. It supports Micro-SIM functionality, allowing for cellular connectivity, which is a step ahead for tablets in its price segment, as it facilitates basic communication and data usage on the go.

Display

The display of the MediaPad T1 8.0 is an 8.0-inch IPS LCD, offering a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels. This amounts to a pixel density of approximately 188 ppi, which is sufficient for consuming multimedia content, browsing the web, and using apps without noticeable pixelation under regular conditions. The device screen employs an effective 16:10 aspect ratio, which is ideal for watching videos and performing tasks that demand screen space.

The 69.7% screen-to-body ratio indicates a balanced use of bezels which ensures comfortable handling without accidental screen touches.

Performance

Under the hood, the Huawei MediaPad T1 8.0 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8212 Snapdragon 200 chipset, built on a 28 nm process. The CPU features a Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7, which is engineered to handle common tasks with ease, such as web browsing, media playback, and light gaming. The accompanying Adreno 302 GPU provides basic support for casual gaming and standard graphic applications.

The device runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean integrated with Huawei's EMUI 1.6, which offers a modestly customized user interface with added functionality compared to stock Android. However, given the age of this operating system version, users may encounter compatibility issues with recent applications.

Memory and Storage

The MediaPad T1 8.0 is equipped with 1GB of RAM, which, while limited by today's standards, was relatively standard in budget devices at the time of its release. This RAM capacity is primarily suitable for lightweight multitasking, with the expectance of occasional slowdowns under heavy load.

The internal storage options for the device are 8GB and 16GB, along with a dedicated microSDHC card slot for memory expansion. This expansion can provide additional space for media, applications, and other files, thereby overcoming the inherent limitation of the internal storage.

Camera

On the rear side, the Huawei MediaPad T1 8.0 features a 5 MP camera with a 1.4μm sensor size, allowing for basic photography. While this camera won't replace a dedicated digital camera or smartphone with a high-end camera, it can still serve for capturing casual photos and videos. Moreover, it includes a Panorama mode for wide-angle shots.

The front-facing camera is a simple VGA unit, fulfilling the need for video calls and basic selfie usage, particularly relying on third-party video calling applications.

Battery Life

The device houses a non-removable Li-Po 4800 mAh battery, which is relatively robust considering the power requirements of the device's hardware. It promises a standby time of up to 300 hours on a 2G network and up to 480 hours on a 3G network. For multimedia use, users can expect up to 10 hours of playback, whereas continuous music play can last up to 20 hours.

This battery performance is one of the strong points of the device, especially for users who need reliable performance over extended periods without frequent recharging.

Connectivity and Communication

The Huawei MediaPad T1 8.0 supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, including 2G and 3G bands. Users can experience download speeds up to 42.2 Mbps, which was respectable at the time of its release. Additional connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with Wi-Fi Direct capabilities, a crucial option for network sharing and connectivity in various environments.

The tablet also includes GPS and GLONASS for location tracking, which enhances its utility for navigation purposes. A microUSB 2.0 port is available for charging and data transfer. Unfortunately, it lacks NFC and Radio, which are minor drawbacks, considering its intended demographic and usage scenarios.

Audio and Multimedia

The Huawei MediaPad T1 8.0 includes a standard loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring the ability to connect traditional headphones or earphones for enhanced audio experience. While its audio output is serviceable for general media consumption, it may not satisfy users seeking high-fidelity audio performance.

Given its overall performance and feature set, the MediaPad T1 8.0 is purpose-built for users desiring a secondary device for media consumption, reading, and basic productivity tasks, without breaking the bank. It's a competent companion for users who need straightforward, reliable technology without the frills of modern high-end gadgets.

Conclusion

Despite being discontinued and replaced by newer models, the Huawei MediaPad T1 8.0 still offers value to those seeking a durable, efficient device for basic use. With reasonable performance aspects combined with essential connectivity features and satisfactory battery life, this tablet might still appeal to those in the market for a low-cost, reliable media device.

Affordability, simplicity, and practicality remain the core strengths of the Huawei MediaPad T1 8.0, making it a notable mention within its respective category of devices from its era.