TCL has begun selling one of the new tablets it announced at CES 2023, and its entry-level features make it a good choice for kids and casual users.
Also check:
The Galaxy Z Fold 5’s Waterdrop Hinge Could Finally Fix The Crease
The TAB 8 LE is an entry-level tablet with 4G connectivity, making it an excellent choice for those who are frequently on the go. Unfortunately, it seems T-Mobile and Metro by T-mobile are the only carriers selling the device, and it is not available for sale unlocked on TCL’s website. Nevertheless, its sub-$200 price tag makes it a compelling option for those who want a tablet for their kid or a cheap one for casual use, like watching shows and reading books.
It Ships With Android 12
There are 5MP cameras on the front and back of the tablet, so this shouldn’t be the go-to photography device for most users, especially considering the lack of an LED flash. Also disappointing is that the tablet ships with Android 12 and not Android 13. Since affordable smartphones and tablets rarely get any major OS upgrades, if any software support at all, Android 12 might be the only version of the OS users get.
The device is powered by a 4,080mAh battery, which TCL says will last a day. It’s not the biggest battery on an Android tablet but might still take a while to charge, considering its 10W charging speed. On the bright side, it comes with a charger in the box and has a USB-C port. For audio, there are dual stereo speakers and a headphone jack.
Not much will excite users about TCL’s budget-friendly tablet, with its biggest selling point being the affordable price tag. However, there seems to be some discrepancy there. While TCL said in its press release that the TAB 8 LE will be available for $159, T-Mobile is selling the device for $168 (or $7 per month over 24 months). Anyone looking for higher-end TCL tablets than the TAB 8 LE might want to wait for options like the TCL NXTPAPER 12 Pro, though.