LG G Pad 83 InDepth Review of Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The LG G Pad 8.3, released in September 2013, presents a sleek and stylish design that feels premium in hand. With dimensions of 216.8 x 126.5 x 8.3 mm and weighing in at 338 grams, it strikes a balance between portability and solid build quality. The tablet is crafted with an aluminum body which provides a durable yet lightweight experience, offering comfortable usage for extended periods.

Display

The G Pad 8.3 features an impressive 8.3-inch IPS LCD display, offering a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This results in a pixel density of approximately 273 ppi, ensuring clear and vibrant visuals. Whether you're viewing multimedia content or browsing the internet, the display delivers great color reproduction and sharpness, supported by a nominal contrast ratio of 1047:1, making it one of the standout features of this device.

Performance

Under the hood, the LG G Pad 8.3 is powered by the Qualcomm APQ8064 Pro Snapdragon 600 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 CPU and an Adreno 320 GPU. This combination ensures smooth performance for most applications and moderate multitasking, making the tablet suitable for day-to-day tasks and light gaming. Accompanied by 2GB of RAM, it adeptly handles Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), which is upgradeable to Android 5.0 (Lollipop), providing users with an enhanced Android experience.

Storage

The tablet comes with 16GB of internal storage, which is adequate for basic use, such as storing apps, documents, and some media files. However, for those who require more space, the G Pad 8.3 includes a dedicated microSDXC card slot, allowing for expandable storage, a feature that is invaluable for media aficionados and productivity users requiring extra capacity.

Camera

Despite being a tablet, the LG G Pad 8.3 is equipped with a 5MP rear camera featuring autofocus. It supports panorama and HDR modes, which enhance creative capabilities while taking photos. It can record videos in 1080p at 30fps, producing respectable footage under good lighting conditions. On the front, a 1.3MP camera is available for selfies and video calls, capable of recording 720p video. Although the cameras might not compare to those found on modern smartphones, they are suitable for casual photography and video conferencing.

Battery Life

One of the strong suits of the LG G Pad 8.3 is its battery life, thanks to the non-removable Li-Po 4600 mAh battery. The sizable battery coupled with power-efficient components ensures a full day of moderate usage, from reading and browsing to video playback and gaming. For those who use their tablet more aggressively, carrying a power bank or having access to a charging point is advisable, but overall, the battery performance remains commendable.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The tablet covers a broad spectrum of wireless connectivity options with dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n support, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP. While it lacks cellular connectivity, the tablet is equipped with GPS and GLONASS for navigation and location-based services.

Additional features include an infrared port, which can turn the tablet into a universal remote for home appliances, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) for charging and data transfer. The device caters to multimedia enthusiasts with its stereo speakers providing immersive audio, and assorted sensors such as accelerometer, gyro, and compass enhance its utility further.

Price and Availability

Upon its release, the LG G Pad 8.3 was priced at approximately 300 EUR, positioning it as a mid-range tablet. Currently, the device is discontinued, but it can still be found in used or refurbished conditions through various online marketplaces, appealing to budget-conscious consumers looking for a capable tablet.

Conclusion

The LG G Pad 8.3 was a pioneer in its time, bringing together a blend of design, performance, and functionality in a compact form factor. Despite its discontinuation, it still competes in the pre-owned market by offering respectable performance and features. For users who value a well-balanced tablet with a solid display and good build quality, the G Pad 8.3 remains an appealing option, providing an adequate Android experience for everyday tasks and entertainment.