If your memory power is too weak to remember where you left your TV remote, LG G Pad 8.3 is the best tablet for you. Sounds interesting? Yes, LG’s new G Pad 8.3 tablet that packs a high-power quad=core processor can even function as the remote control of your TV. After more than a yearlong gap, LG is returning into the Android tablet game by introducing its new G Pad 8.3. However, this slate is in tight competition with Apple’s iPad Mini, Google Nexus 7 and Samsung Galaxy tab 3.8.0 in its multitasking capabilities. Want to check whether this $349 8-inch tablet is suitable to your needs and pocket? If yes, please continue reading to come to a perfect decision.
Design and style
The LG G Pad 8.3 with 8.5x 5.0x 0.33 inches gives the feel of a slightly large when holding it with one hand. But, it, weighing 11.9 ounces, is significantly heavier than other competitive slates. The LG G Pad 8.3 tablet, which comes in all white, features rounded corners and ultrathin bezels that resembles Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 3 8.0. An LG logo in silver colour is placed above the display of the tablet and the front camera is positioned on its right side. The top edge occupies the headphone jack, microSD card slot with port cover and built-in IR blaster. The microUSB port is positioned on the bottom edge and volume rocker and power button are placed on the right edge of the tablet. Around back, there is an attractive aluminium panel and its right side is occupied with dual external speakers. As LG cover the plastic body of G Pad 8.3 with an aluminium cover, the tablet gets more premium look and feel.
Display
The LG G Pad 8.3 is the first Android tablet that offers a resolution of 1920x 1200 pixels. But, the G Pad’s screen is far dimmer at 273 lux. With such a low brightness, it provides a watching experience that was anything but enjoyable. G Pad 8.3 cannot claim very wide viewing angles and its display look far darker when laid flat on a desk than it can provide when it is held up. Even though LG G Pad 8.3 cannot carry the best screen in this category, overall the display is an impressive one with crisp and clear fonts and excellent colour reproduction that makes it easy on the eye.
Keyboard
The LG G Pad 8.3 tablet, in addition to the standard Google Android keyboard, comes loaded with LG’s proprietary keyboard that makes the users more comfortable to type when the tablet is holding in portrait mode, as both of their thumbs able to reach the keys. But, in landscape mode, anybody with hands smaller than the Incredible Hulk’s becomes impossible to type.
Audio
Even though the display of LG G Pad 8.3 is not so impressive, it has dual rear-mounted speakers with 79 decibels that can provide ample sound enough to fill a medium size conference room. Besides the loudness of the speakers, it also gives clean and clear audio experience that provides songs and other sounds from radio and TV clearly and without any noticeable disturbance. While the average tablet produces 80 decibels, it can produce 79 decibels of sound, which is really a plus point.
Camera
For those who need a good camera, tablet is not an ideal option. Most smartphones provide excellent camera features that a tablet can do because people generally demand a good camera on their phone. Camera is often an afterthought on a tablet and so you may not get as good snaps as you expect with your tablet. However, LG has tried to include a decent shooter on the G Pad 8.3, even though it may not do anything that your cell phone can’t do better. LG G Pad 8.3 provides a rear camera of 5 mega pixels with an F2.6 size aperture that is well enough in outdoor and well-lit areas, but does not perform well in low light compared to other tablets. The front-facing camera of 1.3 mega pixel is suitable for several purposes like video conference and chatting. Videos taken in G Pad are much sharper than those taken in other competitive tablets, though colors look too bright.
Performance
LG G Pad 8.3 possesses a 1.7 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor with 2 GB of RAM that enables the tablet apt for speedy performance during everyday use. In this slate, opening and closing of apps took place in a snap and swiping through home screens and apps is buttery smooth. It also has an internal storage capacity of 16 GB that can be expanded using micro SD card slot.
Apps
LG G Pad 8.3 is loaded with the same Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. The G Pad features three basic home screens and a fourth which serves as a kind of user’s guide for the various apps and settings of the slate. The main home screen contains a time and weather widget, Google search bar and shortcuts to QPair, memo, Voice Mate, Play Store, Setting apps and Gallery. There are five customizable omnipresent app shortcuts for the Email, Notebook, camera, Chrome and Calendar apps as well as a shortcut for the apps drawer at the bottom of each home screen. The notifications bar of the G pad features 15 customizable quick settings for the items including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Sound, Quick Remote, QPair, Sync, GPS, Rotation and more.
In addition to the the standard Google apps, the LG G Pad is loded with several LG apps like LG SmartWorld, Quick Translator, Video Editor, Voice Mate, Notebook app and Life Square.
Battery Life
The LG G Pad 8.3 tablet possesses a 4,600 mAh lithium-polymer battery that proved lasting 7 hours and 6 minutes with continuous web browsing over Wi-Fi and the display brightness set to 40 percent/ on the Laptop Battery Test.
Pros and cons
The advantages of LG G Pad 8.3 tablet comparing to the competitors are the following.
- Fast and powerful processor
- Excellent multitasking capabilities
- Robust feature set
- Usability as a TV remote
- Perfect 8-inch screen size
- Comfort while holding
- Extra storage capacity with MicroSD slot
- Great all around tablet
The drawbacks that force people to think twice before purchasing G Pad 8.3 are the following
- Dim display
- Comparatively below average battery life
- Rear speakers those are tinny and muffled
- Cluttered with too many Android apps like in Samsung
- High price compared to top competitors
- Seems around screen are too flexible
In spite of the weak sound, LG G Pad 8.3 is a very competitive tablet with a bigger screen, doubled processing performance and a micro SD card slot for more memory. You need to pay only $120 for these upgrades. The G Pad costs $20 more than iPad Mini for which amount you will get plenty of advantages such as a slightly larger screen with a much higher resolution, a micro SD slot for expanded memory and Google’s Android operating system. However, it’s quite natural that people may feel $350, the price of LG G Pad 8.3, is too expensive. SO, if you have enough money and the maths work for you, it is an absolutely fantastic tablet.