A few days ago I published a post in which I mentioned the most recent Amazon launch, it is the New Fire; a tablet for only $ 50. This is a device that save on specs to the maximum With the aim of delivering the cheapest Tablet possible with the best specifications that that budget can buy, however, it is still a very attractive option for daily use.
It was then that I took on the task of find a worthy competitor to Amazon’s New Fire, that it was not only for the same price range, but that it matched or improved its technical specifications. Taking that into account I have reviewed the Chuwi Vi7, a Chinese Tablet that is an excellent alternative to the new Fire.
Let’s first look at these 2 tablets face to face, to see how the Chuwi Vi7 compares to the New Fire Amazon and which of the 2 is a better alternative.
| Amazon New Fire | Chuwi Vi7 | |
| screen | 7 ”IPS 1024 x 600 | 7 ”IPS 1024 x 600 |
| Size | 191 x 115 x 10.6 mm | 188 x 108 x 10 mm |
| Weight | 313 gr | 340 gr |
| YOU | Fire OS 5 (fork of Lollipop) | Android Lollipop 5.1 |
| CPU | MediaTek MT8127 Quad-Core 1.3 GHz | Intel SoFIA AtomX3 C3230 Quad Core, 1.2GHz |
| GPU | ARM Mali-450 MP4 | Mali-450MP |
| RAM | 1GB | 1GB |
| Internal storage | 8GB expandable with microSD up to 128GB | 8GB expandable with microSD up to 64GB |
| GSM / 3G network | NO | Yes: GSM + WCDMA Frequencies: GSM 850/900/1800 / 1900MHz WCDMA 900 / 2100MHz |
| 4G network | NO | NO |
| Networking | WIFI 802.11b / g / n, Bluetooth | WIFI 802.11b / g / n, Bluetooth |
| GPS | NO | YES |
| Battery | ?? | 2500mAh |
| FM Radio | NO | YES |
| Cameras | Rear 2MP front VGA | Rear 2MP front 0.3MP |
| Ports | Micro USB 2.0, MicroSD,, 3.5mm for headphones | Micro USB, MicroSD, SIM, 3.5mm for headphones |
| Speaker | Yes (monkey) | Yes (monkey) |
| Microphone | No | Yes |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Price | $ 49.99 | 58.3 dollars |
As can be seen in the table, both devices they are practically the same in most of their key specifications, as are the processor, RAM and screen. However, there are a number of important differences that are worth mentioning.
First of all the Chuwi has a port for SIMCard cards which allows you to have not only mobile data but to make calls; This makes it a phablet in which you can put a SIM to make calls or more appropriately due to the size of the equipment, place a SIM with a data plan to navigate from anywhere.
Panel for SIM card and microSD
Another difference to consider is the Android version, because in the case of the New Fire is about Fire OS 5, a modified version of Lollipop that lacks all Google services and instead brings Amazon’s own; Therefore, if you are a fan of Google applications this would be a matter against. On the side of the Chuwi Vi7 we have an ASOP version of Lillipop 5.1.1 with some Chinese blotaware that can be uninstalled without problems, which makes it a device free of unwanted layers of customization.
Other minor but not negligible differences of the Chuwi Vi7 compared to the Amazon New Fire, is the inclusion in the Chuwi FM Radio, Built-in Microphone and GPS, utilities that depending on your needs may or may not be useful.
Now that we have seen the technical similarities and differences of these teams, he went on to give you a brief description of my expertise in using the Chuwi Vi7.
Chuwi Vi7 design
This is a low-mid-range Tablet, so we cannot expect that the materials of its construction have metals. Basically the body of the Tablet is made of plastic and its screen is also covered by a protective material that resembles glass but I don’t think it is.
light and thin
Its 7-inch size is comfortable enough to make this device very portable and easy to use with 2 hands (not possible with one hand as in some phones). In its upper rear part we have a compartment underneath a cover that allows us to insert the SIMcard and the MicroSD memory. In the upper corner we have the MicroUSB ports for the charger or data cable and the 3.5mm for headphones.
7 inch IPS screen
Its scant 340gr make it a very light device that you can hold with one hand if you need to without feeling excessively heavy. The same can be said of its 10mm thickness that does not make it very thick.
Use experience
One of the funny things that happened to me with the Chuwi Vi7 with the first power on was that it started in Chinese, so I had to use my cell phone to compare the Android menu options in Spanish and get to the languages section to place it in Spanish. From there everything was familiar to me, well we are in a clean version of Lollipop 5.1.1 In any case, it brings some Chinese applications that I could never decipher what they were for because they were totally in Chinese, so I just uninstalled them.
Android Lollipop 5.1.1 ASOP
This Tablet comes so clean that it does not bring Google applications either (thank goodness if we have the application store) so your first task will be to install Google services and the Android System webView, applications that are essential for all the Google ecosystem works properly.
Launcher stock
Giving you a stopover for storage you can realize that you have a little more than 4GB available to install applications, so in this Tablet it is essential to use a MitroSD memory to store everything that takes up space such as photos and music and only leave in the internal memory the Apps that you cannot install directly in the SD.
Play videos smoothly
On the Chuwi Vi7 I was able to run most of the simple games without problem that I found in the Play Store as for example Angry Birds 2 or similar. Even some more caliber games running decently, but you can’t expect this Tablet to perform great with heavier titles like Modern Combat 5 Blackout.
Run games like Angry Birds 2 to perfection
Performance
The tablet is very well shared for its specifications, the screen responds quite well, although you do not miss a glass material for a more delicate touch sensation than you have with the plastic surface of the screen of the Chuwi Vi7.
Spotify + browse, a task it can do quite well
Although multitasking is present, this Tablet is not going to be particularly good carrying more than 2 or 3 applications at a time. For example I was able to browse and listen to music at the same time with another App like Spotify, but in some portals the navigation suffered when the processor was seen on all fours to carry the 2 things at the same time.
Ideal for sailing
In terms of playing videos and playing (simple) games, the tablet is properly shared as expected and fully complies with productivity tasks such as editing documents, browsing, or even watching videos on YouTube, chatting or consulting your social networks.
The camera of this Tablet has a resolution of only 2MB so it is more an accessory to have fun than a camera to capture your most precious memories. I personally find it useful to make video calls using the front camera (which has VGA quality) in Skype.
Its 2MB rear camera takes good photos in very good light conditions
The duration of the battery of this equipment has a medium range. You can get about 4 or 5 hours of intermediate use reading books with low brightness or browsing and watching videos or about 2 of high use playing or using applications that demand a lot of processor; While it can last a day or more with moderate use listening to music or turning on the screen in short periods. I have been using it moderately these days and it has given me an average duration of the whole day connected to Wifi.
Price and availability
The Chuwi Vi7 it is a device that gives you a lot for your money. You cannot in any case compare it with tablets like the Galaxy Tab that are of the High range, but for light daily use it is quite enough. In the Gearbest store you can get it from 58.3 with international shipments.
Gallery
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