BERLIN -- LG is back in the tablet game, with an 8.3-inch device intended to take on the likes of the iPad Mini and Nexus 7. Read on for all the details.
Design
The G Pad 8.3 has -- as the name suggests -- an 8.3-inch display. That's not quite the whole story though, as this panel boasts an impressive 1,920x1,200-pixel resolution.
The G Pad 8.3 has -- as the name suggests -- an 8.3-inch display. That's not quite the whole story though, as this panel boasts an impressive 1,920x1,200-pixel resolution.
That's the same number of pixels as you'll find in Google's revamped Nexus 7. That means the actual density of pixels isn't as high in LG's new offering, but you do get a bigger display, which may be more appealing if you're into watching movies and TV shows on your tablet. Resolution aside, the display is bright and very bold, which should help make your Netflix shows really pop.
The G Pad 8.3 weighs 338g, and is 8.3mm thick, so it'll certainly be portable enough to lug around all day. Although its screen is slightly bigger than the iPad Mini's (7.9 inches), it still manages to have a slightly narrower body. It's fairly easy to hold in one hand, but you'll struggle to do so if you have tiny little hands.
I suspect you'll find this slate too big for your jeans pockets, although I was able to slot it into a blazer breast pocket. Smaller devices like the Nexus 7 have been known to slip inside an accommodating jeans pocket, but you'll probably need a satchel or handbag to handle this hardware, if you don't want it dragging your sharp suit of shape.
Like the iPad Mini, the G Pad has metal in its construction. The back panel is made from aluminum, with plastic strips at the top and bottom. Although the strips give it a slight HTC vibe, it's generally quite good-looking. The use of metal, together with the glass front, lends it a satisfyingly premium feel. Whether you prefer it over the iPad Mini will be a matter of personal taste.
Features
The tablet is powered by Android 4.2.2. It's a bit of a shame not to see the most recent version on board -- Android 4.3 -- but you probably won't be able to tell much difference. It has the standard Android interface consisting of multiple home screens and an app menu to dive into.
The tablet is powered by Android 4.2.2. It's a bit of a shame not to see the most recent version on board -- Android 4.3 -- but you probably won't be able to tell much difference. It has the standard Android interface consisting of multiple home screens and an app menu to dive into.
LG has thrown in a few of its own software tweaks though, chief among which is QPair. QPair lets you connect your tablet to your Android phone over Bluetooth. Once connected, your tablet will then be able to display incoming calls and texts, saving you from fishing your phone out of your jeans every time it vibrates. A memo app will also allow you to instantly sync handwritten notes across both devices.
It's powered by a beefy 1.7GHz quad-core processor, backed up by 2GB of RAM. Those are some pretty decent specs and they certainly made the slate seem nippy in my hands. How it stacks up against the tablet Goliaths remains to be seen.
You'll also be treated to a 4,600mAh battery that we'll be putting through its paces in our full review. On the back of the G Pad is a 5-megapixel camera and a microSD card slot is on the side.
The G Pad 8.3 will be on sale in the last three months of the year, in Europe, Asia, and a few other markets. Fingers crossed that it will arrive in the US as well.
Are you tempted by an 8.3-inch tablet? Or is 7 inches the perfect slate size? Let me know in the comments, and be sure to check out more of our IFA coverage.
Additional reporting by Luke Westaway
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