Huawei S7 Android Tablet Review

BUILD & DESIGN

From the outside, Huawei S7 looks modern. It is made out of an aluminum and black plastic combination, is mildly rounded and includes a kickstand to prop it upright on a table. Underneath the kickstand is the battery lid with the SIM card slot. Various control keys are located along the sides, in natural and expected spots, making it easy for users to understand their functions during the first handling.

The tablet's relative bulk is usual for a device with a seven-inch screen (8.2 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches), but its 1.13 lb (battery included) weight is too much for such a tablet (by comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which also comes with a 7-inch screen, weighs 0.8 lb). Thus, users can hold and operate the S7 with one hand, but with some discomfort.

The left side of the screen includes buttons found on many Android OS-equipped phones, including the return to home screen key, the contents key and the one-step-return key for browsing the menu. Facing right from the screen are a red and a green buttons for accepting and blocking or ending calls, as well as a trackpad that can be used for selecting objects on the screen if you do not wish to use your finger or the stylus.

Display

The touchscreen has an 800 x 480-pixel resolution, far more appropriate for smartphones and other devices with smaller screens. This is very evident on the S7's seven-inch display. Screen imaging is very rough, with jaggy edges and poor details. Also, colors seem rather pale and inaccurate on it.

The device comes with a resistive touchscreen, not a capacitive one. This is why the S7 is not a multitouch device, despite the fact that Android 2.1 supports it. As a result, websites and images have to be tapped to zoom in and out, rather than pinched. Furthermore, the screen is sluggish, which can be confusing for the user, especially when typing fast on the display keyboard.

On the bright side, the display's touch detection is surprisingly precise, and the S7 retains visibility even with direct sunlight exposure.

Keeping in mind that multitouch is not supported and that the screen does not detect touches instantly, Huawei decided to deliver a stylus with the device, which is attached to its side, as well as the mentioned trackpad. With the stylus, the S7 experience is more pleasant, and the screen is cleaner due to fewer visible fingerprints.