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Different Magic - PIPO M8 Dual Core Tablet Hands-on Review

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First, I have to say that I am really very excited that PIPO has chosen me, along with 19 other people, to review this new tablet. I’ve become quite a fan of the device as soon as I laid my eyes on it. As I always go for uniqueness and the feel of black technology (Sorry, Apple!), the PIPO M8 gives me just everything I need!
For people who have never heard of this brand, it is a company focusing on making differentiated tablets in the Chinese markets. It is the first Chinese company to market a 7 inch tablet with 1280*800 IPS display, an 8.9 inch PLS tablet as well as this 9.4 IPS display device we are testing today. As far as I am concerned, this marketing strategy has been quite successful, as PIPO has attracted tens of thousands of fans in just a few months’ time since U1 hit the market.
Highlights
9.4” IPS Capacitive Touchscreen, 1280*800
Slim Magazine-like Design
Support WCDMA/GSM Mobile Internet (Only the 3G version)
Android 4.1 OS
RK3066 Dual Core 1.6GHZ processor, quad-core of Mali-400MP
1GB RAM, 16GB ROM
5.0 Mega-pixels AF Camera
Front facing Stereo Speakers
Bluetooth 2.1
Support OTG, HDMI
Support 2160p video playback
Specifications
Operating System: Android 4.1.1
Model: PIPO M8
Display Technology: IPS Capacitive touch screen
Screen Size: 9.4 inch
Resolution: 1280*800
CPU Manufacturer: Rockchip
CPU Model: RK3066 Dual core A9 Chipset with Mali-400MP4
CPU Speed: 1.6GHz
RAM:1GB [email protected]
Hard Drive Capacity: 16GB
PCMCIA Expansion: T-FLASH (Support 32GB MAX)
Camera: 2MP+5MP Auto Focus
HDMI: HDMI1.4
3G: Internal 3G for 3G version, external 3G for the WIFI version
Bluetooth: Yes
GPS:NO
G-Sensor:Yes
Gyroscope: Yes
Audio: Built in stereo speakers (frontal)/ Built in Microphone
Language:Multi-language support
Battery Type: Li-ion, 6500mAh
Charging Voltage: DC 9V - 2.5A
Color: Black
Item Dimensions/ W*D*H:240x 172 x 9.0mm
Net Weight: 520g
Connectors
Ports: 2 x Micro USB port (USB Host and USB data port)
1 x Micro SD card slot
1 x 2.5mm DC input (9V, 2.5A)
1 x Audio jack
1 x Mini HDMI port
Communications
Wireless Connection:WIFI 802.11 b/g/n; WIFI+3G for the 3G version
Bluetooth 2.1
Retail Package
I received a gigantic delivery package last Friday, within which there are a slim paper back box which holds the tablet and a warranty certificate, another smaller but thicker paper box which holds the fittings and the manual for this tablet. A protection cover which is more likely an optional fitting more than a bundled one.
And above are all the standard fittings for the tablet.
Design
There’s no questioning that PIPO has come up with a stand-out look for this tablet. From the second you see the M8, it’s clear that the company is making a statement about how you’ll live and work with the device. The basic shape calls to mind a folded book or magazine, which is really comfortable to look at even though it feels very different. The device sports a 9.4-inch screen and weighs in at 520g, but it feels lighter in your hands than other tablets on the market because of the way the shape allows weight to be distributed. The tablet is only 9.02mm at its thickest point, and tapers down to a narrow 4.36mm.
Whether or not you warm up to this design is probably a matter of taste, but I found myself a big fan of the magazine shape, in both two-handed and single-hand settings, as well as on a flat surface. The beveled shape makes typing slightly easier when you have the M8 on a desk.
Besides the big screen up front, the M8 features a 2.0 Mega Pixels Front-facing camera, an ambient light detection sensor which enables auto-brightness of the display, and two speaker gates. This is the first time I’ve seen any tablets putting speaker gates on the front, but this is actually a very smart move, as you could never block them again wherever you put your tablet, Both the clarity of the outer sound the stereo speakers produces and its volume is very good, better than any other Chinese branded tablets I have tested.
Most of the ports and all the hardware keys are located on the upper edge, including a menu key, an ESC key. a Micro SD card slot which supports cards up to 32GB, a Micro USB Host connector, a Micro USB data port, a Mini HDMI interface, an LED notification light and a DC charging jack. The plug PIPO includes is of the 9V-2.5A standard, which ensures great charging efficiency.
​
On the left edge lies a 3.5mm audio jack, and on the right a Power/Standby switch which is artistically designed.
On the back you will find a 5 Mega-pixels AF camera which is able to shoot fairly sharp photos, another outstanding feature for the gorgeous device. All of the ports and buttons on the device feel very reasonably placed and easy to find.
In all, the M8 is a distinct device with a lot going for it in terms of industrial design, and there is almost no misstep here that makes the device underwhelming. The skin-feel metal back cover gives the device all the feel of expensiveness it needs, even comparing to those Apple and Samsung tablets which are priced many times more.
Display
The front is occupied by a 9.4” 1280x800 pixels screen, surrounded by fairly thin bezel. The screen resolution is the main gripe to be held against the M8, in this day and age of flagship slates with 1080p displays and above. Having said that, it is a very good screen in terms of colors, contrast ratio and viewing angles. The display brightness is also really satisfactory, meaning that you would be able to use the M8 outside even on a sunny day.
Internals
Inside the M8, you will find a healthy dose of familiar Android guts. The device is powered by Rockchip RK3066 dual core A9 chipset, running at 1.6GHZ, meaning you’ll get solid performance on all almost all applications. According to previous tests with other tablets powered by this chipset, RK3066 is arguably the most powerful dual core ARM processor. The M8 has 1GB of RAM onboard and 16GB of internal storage. The device also sports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and an array of sensors (gyro, light, accelerometer, etc.).
Software
​
Most tablets these days must be judged on their software. In the case of Android Jelly Bean tablets, that’s not exactly a Herculean effort.
PIPO is no different in the sense that the company has opted for slight tweaks in the software rather than a major overhaul. The M8 utilizes largely the same build of Jelly Bean as other tablets (like the Galaxy Tab 8.9), though there are a few notable differences.
First, PIPO has designed a customized M8 homescreen which does not have a portrait mode, this can be quite annoying sometimes when you exit an portrait-default application like an E-reader or games such as Temple Run.
The widgets and icons of the regular applications have been revised to fit the custom UI. Having seen lots of stock Android UIs, I find myself quite a fan of those cute, crystal-like icons. As the M8 has no hardware controls for volume adjustment, PIPO has put the virtual volume rocker in the permanent android status bar, along with a screenshot button and the regular ECS key, Home key and Task Switcher.
PIPO has also preinstalled a few applications and games on the M8, but one of them PIPO-exclusive. You can easily find them free in any android market app.
Cameras
The rear-facing 5.0 Mega-pixels camera does a great job of capturing images — if you’re into holding a nearly 10-inch tablet up while you snap away. As I’ve said in many other tablet reviews, taking photos with the cameras on tablets are completely silly to me, even though I actually have seen quite a few Chinese and Japanese people doing that in public. I certainly won’t. On the other hand, the front-facing camera here is a step up from most other models, and I’m happy to see PIPO trying to improve the specs on what is normally an afterthought.
Just know this: even though the rear camera is probably the best I have seen on any Chinese tablet, it won’t replace a real camera or decent smartphone option — mostly due to the size of the device and awkwardness in use.
You can also capture 480P videos with the M8, though this seems even more bizarre to me than snapping photos. Quality was solid, though the device’s awkward size made it tough to get steady content.
Performance
As I have mentioned above, the RK3066 chipset, although seemingly a little outdated as a bunch of quad-corers have already hit the market, is still able to provide more than enough power to run the device smoothly over a variety of applications.
Some benchmark scores of the M8 and the comparison to other dual core devices.
In terms of General performance, the device seemed speedy running graphically intense games. And the experience of video playback is also very pleasant as the chipset can easily supports all formats of videos to at least 1080P. Thanks to the updates Google has made for Android4.1, the responsiveness and smoothness is better than ever. It doesn’t pale even compared to the Apple iOS.
Connectivity
As for connectivity, M8 has probably the best WIFI reception of all Chinese tablets I've tested, Online video streaming is possible even when you are 10 meters and some walls away from the WIFI router.
Besides, M8 also has built-in Bluetooth, which is a rare feature for Chinese slates. The WIFI version of the tablet can also get access to 3G network through connecting a 3G network card to the device through an OTG cable. And the 3G version has built-in 3G module which supports WCDMA/GSM SIM card. As I've only received a WIFI version, I cannot tell you how well the 3G module works on the M8.
Battery Life
Battery life on the M8 seemed solid to me, as the device features a 6500mAh rechargeable Li-PO battery. In my intense 720p video playback test, the M8 lasted nearly 8 hours, which is quite something considering that most Chinese tablets can hardly stand 5 hours of screen-on use. However, I did notice a more pronounced drain on the battery when the device was sleeping than my Tegra2 powered Samsung Galaxy Tab8.9 and Motorola XOOM, and I felt it fell short of competitors like the Ainol NOVO10 (8000mAh battery) and FSL Fast (8000mAh battery) in terms of overall battery longevity.
Another annoying issue is that the device does not support charging under the shutdown state, even though the charging efficiency with the 9V-2.5A plug is quite amazing (A full charge only takes as short as 3 hours).
Wrap-up
Good stuff:
Fascinating industrial design
Great looking display
Capable cameras
Excellent front facing stereo speakers
Solid battery life
Wonderful WIFI reception
Not so good stuff:
Incapability of charging under a shutdown state
Pricier than alternative options
Android slates are mostly competing on specs and price these days, rather than with design and overall experience.
The M8 goes for RMB1199 ($193) from PIPO, and, granted, this is $200 less than the market-leading iPad Mini, or the original 9.4 inch Sony Tablet S which is powered by the quad-core Tegra3 chipset. But for the same $200 price you can get the Exynos Qua-core Ramos W30, or the brand new Ployer MOMO19 with quad-core A31 and 2GB of ram.
The M8 does offer some features to differentiate itself from the competition, though, apart from the distinctive looks, like the very capable cameras and battery. Other than that, you can find plenty of decent Android tablets with this screen resolution and processing power for even less.
Overall, those who'd appreciate the more distinctive, elegant look will find the M8 right up their alley. But for those who just want a cheap Chinese tablet with a big screen and decent processing power, there might be other options.

thanks for your report.
questions:
how fast is the gpu clock for the mali mp400mp4 in the m8, ist the clock at 533 mhz???

Thanks for your question, the GPU is clocked at 399MHZ, powerful enough to run all Android games smoothly.
Sent from my XT910 using xda premium

against cube u30gt how does it compete?
thanks

Okay, ive got one for over a week now, the M* 3G (built in), and I must say......it rocks! Can work for about 6 Hrs without recharging, Wifi is perfect, design is a beauty,Im living in the Netherlands and today I tried (without any hopes of working) my built in 3G sim...guess what, no problem, worked right away. Graphic Speed is more than sufficient. The screenres. is perfect, tried to stream from my QNAP 469 (Twonky & Serviio) and the QNAP apps, worked like charm ( besides the mkv of 20+ gb.....but that's normal). When you buy this Tablet, beware of the fact that the OTG cable can be defect (as was mine...) when i tried to hook up a keyboard which i ordered in a sleeve, after replacing it it worked fine (also mouse and HDD). Sufficient power out for the HDD. Conclusion for me (mind...non-gamer, mediafreak yess) for about $185 ex. shipping: A WINNER!

For me, m8 is the better choice, u30gt is much porkier. And I prefer the design of m8.
Sent from my XT910 using xda premium

the 3G version, $185? r u serious? It's priced at RMB1,399 here in China, which is above $200....
Sent from my XT910 using xda premium

You should mention in the negatives that you can't update the android OS by OTA you have to do a whole procedure to do a system update via your pc (so if you have a linux based pc you are pretty much sc....d). In my case I have an Andersson ADT 2.6 which is a rebranded Pipo M8
Sent from my ADT 2.6 using Tapatalk 4

M8 replacement
For those who love their M8 Pro, like I do ...and would like a viable replacement someday, look to the M8HD.
It is the same case with a 10.1" brighter screen installed; thinner screen surrounds; bigger battery.
Pretty sure the M8 Pro is being/has been discontinued. I hated that they might give up the M8 size and style.
Not so, thankfully!
Could be one day we will see a RK3288 in the M8 case. Now that would be nice! ?:good:
Edit on 6/28/15
Amazing that I can still edit this post after so long. My M8 Pro finally died a quiet death. I was going to give it to a family member now that I have my Cube T9; decided to update the RileyRom, and bricked the tablet. Dead android on back; frozen on screen with a triangle above him marking his demise.
Boo hoo! There was a lot about the M8 Pro I really liked!
?

The battery is not even close to what the review is referring. Its last for 2 hours only in daily use and it was something like that from the begging. I have the tablet for 1 and a half year and after 6 months it started to hang, freez, you hard reset it and does not come on easily. As a conclusion DO NOT BUY IT!!! NEVER NEVER!!!

Strong is beautiful - in Depth Review of the PIPO M9 Quad Core Tablet

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After the Ainol NOVO8 dream turned out to be a horrible nightmare, I am desperately in need of a decent tablet to test, and PIPO M9 arrived just right on time!
Key Features:
◇10.1 inch 16M-color super IPS display at WXGA resolution (1280X800 pixels)
◇Rockchip RK3188 SoC., quad core 1.8Cortex-A9 processor, Mali-400MP4 GPU, 2GB memory
◇Stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (Already upgraded to Android 4.2)
◇16GB of built-in-storage
◇2MP front facing camera; 5.0MP rear-facing AF camera with LED flash
◇Stereo speakers
◇HDMI TV-out
◇USB host
◇MicroSD card slot
◇Standard 3.5mm audio jack
◇1080p video playback
◇7800mAh Li-Po rechargeable battery
Retail Package
PIPO has never been mingy with the bundled fittings, you will find these things in the retail package:
Design​
The front is dominated by the 10-inch touch screen and black glossy bezel, rimmed in gray plastic. You will find a 2MP front-facing camera in the middle above the display (vertical mode). The bezel of the M9 is relatively small compared to other 10.1 inchers such as the Cube U30GT2 and the Ployer MOMO20.
When it comes to ports and slots, PIPO has never been, and doesn’t plan to be the pioneers of minimalism, you will find a micro SD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 2.5mm charging port, a mini HDMI port, and not one, but two Micro USB ports (one as slave and one as host) along the top edge of the device, which also plays host to a power/standby button as well as a home button. I personally would have preferred to find the physical volume controls instead of the home button, but somehow PIPO has decided we should use the status bar on bottom of the screen to control the volume.
Again, where feel is concerned, The PIPO M9 is just right on the ball. The back sports a brushed aluminum finish, which gives the device a feel of expensiveness. And the two sides are plastic, offering the slate a nice and solid grip. A 5MP AF camera is located in the top middle of the aluminum back, along with an LED flash.
Unlike the M8, The M9’s speakers are on the back of the tablet and are in danger of being covered by our thumbs. I didn’t like this arrangement at first, as I am clearly more of a fan of the front-facing speakers of the M8. But when I found out that the sound the M9 produced was absolutely the best among all Chinese tablets, I finally found peace with it.
The tablet is fairly light and comfortable to hold and while most part of it does feel like plastic, it doesn't feel unpleasantly plasticky or cheap. Its 10mm thickness doesn’t help it win a beauty contest, but actually gives it a feel of sturdiness.
Display
As the primary point for interaction, having a good screen on a tablet is critical. The 10.1-inch IPS+ display on the M9 is plenty bright and offers decent visibility outdoors. The full brightness of can reach 500 nits, which outshines the fourth-generation iPad (400 nits), as well as the tablet category average (287 nits).
Unfortunately, the 1280 x 800-pixel panel on this slate has a lower resolution than similarly priced tablets. The CUBE U30GT2 has a resolution of 1920 x 1200, not to mention the Onda V973’s Retina resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. But I am not that big on pixel density, as none of the Chinese tablets with retina display gives satisfactory performance at the moment, I’d rather wait a little longer. The tablet's viewing angles were fair, but reflections got in the way when viewing the panel off axis.
Color saturation and contrast ratios of the 10.1 inch Hann Star display are decent, but not as eye-watering as the 9.4 inch LG display sported by the PIPO M8.
Audio​
​
I greatly appreciate that the M9's stereo speakers. Although it does not create the effects in which the sound is coming directly at me in watching movies or listening to music (which the M8 is able to do), I still like its excellent volume, which is even higher than the two HP notebook PCs of mine!
OS & Interface
Like most of the RK3188 tablets, The M9 comes loaded with Android 4.1.1 out of the box, but it has already been upgraded to Android 4.2 within the period I was testing it.
Unlike most of the other tablets with stock Android, PIPO has actually managed to leave its own mark. Two sets of exquisite user interfaces are provided for the customers, one is the updated version of the launcher we have already seen on the PIPO M8, and the other is developed recently for the M8 pro, now also adorning the M9.
I really fell in love with this brand new Metro-like launcher which offers five screens. The middle is the Home screen, and the other four are respectively marked as App, Office, Media and Web. You can easily add shortcuts of your favorite apps on these screens.
Unlike the other launcher, this Win8-like interface does have a portrait mode.
Performance​
The 1.6-GHz quad core RK3188 processor and 2GB of RAM in the PIPO M9 put up some impressive numbers on my benchmark tests. On the Quadrant benchmark, the M9 scored 5456, nearly twice the average (3,074) and much higher than the Beneve Miracle One, which uses Sammy's quad-core Exynos 4412 processor.
On the graphics-focused Nenamark2 test, the M9 scored 56.3 FPS, higher than the category average. But the Allwinner A31 powered ICOO ICOU7GT scored a much more impressive 59.1FPS.
The M9’s real-world performance was impressive. With several apps running simultaneously, I was still able to navigate the Note's home screens and apps menus with ease. Graphically intense games like "NFS 17" and “Predators vs Aliens” also ran smoothly.
HD video playback on the PIPO M9 is even more of a breeze, with the tablet easily coping with 1080p footage of all formats.
Cameras​
I don't get too hung-up about cameras on tablets because they're unlikely to be set to any great task. But PIPO has produced a camera that is actually pretty decent, giving us an F/2.8 aperture lens and flash to get you out of trouble when it's dark. Photos contained plenty of detail, good color balance, and I would happily share them with others.
Photos shot by M9
Even details are quite authentic
2MP front-facing cameras can get the video-chatting done perfectly!
Screenshot of the video captured by the M9​
On the video front, the M9 offers 720p capture, but I wasn’t that happy with the quality, even with perfect lighting, the video can turn out grainy and noisy.
Connectivity​
The M9‘s Wi-Fi module is made by MTK, giving the slate wonderful Wi-Fi reception. Even 10 meters away from the Wi-Fi router, I can still use the M9 to stream HD video online. The addition of Bluetooth2.1 also makes the tablet easier to use in daily life.
Battery Life​
The PIPO M9 has featured a 7,800mAh LI-PO battery. The capacity itself isn’t really that impressive, since lots of tablets are already equipped with 8,000mAh + batteries. However, thanks to the 28nm process the RK3188 Chipset uses, the actual battery life of the M9 is AMAZING. It can single-loop a 720P video (Sammy Adams - Only One) for nearly 12 hours and stream an HD Korean TV show online for over 9 hours!
Power loss during standby is also very little, whether the Wi-Fi is on or off!
Verdict​
The PIPO M9 is a machine that looks likely to stand the test of time. Its performance is top-notch, its design is stylish. It's also well-specified and well-equipped with ports and connections, offering greater flexibility than you'll find on some rivals.
The good:
Extremely powerful RK3188 quad core chipset
10.1 inch Super IPS display, nice visibility outdoors
Exquisite Metro-like user interface
5MP rear facing AF camera with LED flash
Outstanding stereo speakers
Great Wi-Fi reception
Excellent battery life
The not so good:
The display is not as wonderful as the one on the PIPO M8
The design is not as edgy as the M8
The resolution of the display stays WXGA standard
Although, as a tester, I should not be biased, yet I still have to say that PIPO is absolutely my favorite Chinese tablet brand at the moment. I strongly believe their differential competitive strategy is going to be beneficiary to both their brand image and market share. Also, PIPO will soon release the all new M7 pro, a tablet with RK3188 SoC. and an 8.9 inch PLS display from Sammy. I am really looking forward to its arrival!

I was looking at this tablet as an alternative to buying nexus 7 or spending too much for other 10" tablets. I was wandering if I buy it from Amazon would everything be in English and does it have all the Google Apps?

i want buy some cheap tablet for gaming , browsing n for ebook whether these tablets perfect for me ??? but most importantly to play games
sorry bad englis

cute bee said:
i want buy some cheap tablet for gaming , browsing n for ebook whether these tablets perfect for me ??? but most importantly to play games
sorry bad englis
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This could have been a really nice choice indeed.
Sent from my XT910 using xda premium

Great Review.
Stellar review. Very comprehensive and informative. Thanks.
Can you point me to a similarly comprehensive review of a Pipo 4.1+ tablet with GPS? Pipo M7 Pro.

Great review.
I have an M9 for a couple of months and I'm extremely happy. My money couldn't have been better spent.
I agree on everything you said but I must also mention:
- The camera isn't good at all with low light conditions.
- connection to pc via usb and transferring files it's extremely extremely extremely slow. Backing up the nand can be a pain.
- A screen this size screens for better resolution, more dpi's or something.

Good review!
Looking at buying an Android 4.2 tablet and came across one of these. After this good review, I think I have seen more positives than the few negatives so I will purchase it. Hope its OK. Hate buying things from distance selling. :fingers-crossed:
Only tablets in the local shops are Samsungs, Asus and Apple iPads.

Great review. I think wxga resolution is just right for 3188 because of kinda old Mali gpu. Though powerful enough to handle gaming, I find it can't provide smooth interface animations on retina-like display.

Got one of these myself ( aka Sumvision Cyclone Voyager 2 ) and I'm really happy with it. I was a bit miffed that it didn't support exfat ( unlike my year old cheap Chinese tablet ) but it does support NTFS, so now I can put large files, like HD films, on my 32gb memory card without having the maximum file size warning

On memory card perhaps, I haven't tried, but into the internal memory (nand flash) you can't.

Yep, sorry, I meant just the memory card.

But good to know that at least works on external sd:thumbup:

Question?
padlad said:
Got one of these myself ( aka Sumvision Cyclone Voyager 2 ) and I'm really happy with it. I was a bit miffed that it didn't support exfat ( unlike my year old cheap Chinese tablet ) but it does support NTFS, so now I can put large files, like HD films, on my 32gb memory card without having the maximum file size warning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@padlad Are the Sumvision Cyclone Voyagers simply Pipo tablet with a different badge? Looking for a replacement touchscreen for Cyclone Voyager 1 but no luck so far. Thanks

kyaq said:
@padlad Are the Sumvision Cyclone Voyagers simply Pipo tablet with a different badge? Looking for a replacement touchscreen for Cyclone Voyager 1 but no luck so far. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea mate, sorry.

Yeah exact same models
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4

madweegie said:
Yeah exact same models
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers... Do you know if the screen is different for the Bluetooth version?

madweegie said:
Yeah exact same models
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@madweegie which Pipo tablet is equivalent to the Cyclone Voyager 1?

Pipo s1 I believe
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4

Hey,
I came across this thread in a google search. Thank you for such an in-depth review. I am about to buy a tablet for my father for his birthday. I have narrowed down the list to 2 candidates and I would really appreciate your opinions!
It is either Pipo M9 PRO or the Ployer Momo12 10.1 Inch
Which is the best, in your decision, and why? I have read amazing things about the two of these.
Any info would be great! Here is a link to the review for the Ployer that I came across:
http://vondroid.com/threads/ployer-momo-12-the-best-10-1-200-review-roundup.4823/
Thanks!

Didn't know that there is such a good tablet for this price.

1.8GHZ Quad Core + FHD display - in depth Review the CUBE U30GT2

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The CUBE U30GT2 has actually been on sale for quite a while now. The ten inch tablet runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), with 1.8GHz quad-core processor, the display’s resolution is WUXGA (1920 x 1200). It has a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. It is 9.6 mm thick, comes in black & white.
For:
1. The High-resolution screen rivals the iPad4's display in sharpness and clarity.
2. Extremely powerful, Apps launch quickly, 3D games run smoothly.
3. Excellent battery life, probably the best among all Chinese slates with FHD or Retina displays.
Against:
1. A littile bit heavy and porky.
2. Outdoor visibility is still unsatisfactory.
3. The rear-facing camera is really not much more than just decoration.
Key Features
◇10.1 inch 16M-color super IPS display at WUXGA resolution (1920X1200 pixels), 224PPI
◇Rockchip RK3188 SoC., 28nm quad core 1.8GHZ Cortex-A9 processor, Mali-400MP4 GPU, 2GB DDR3 RAM
◇Stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
◇32GB of built-in-storage
◇2MP front facing camera, 5.0MP rear-facing AF camera
◇Stereo speakers
◇HDMI TV-out
◇Bluetooth 2.1
◇Anti-rolling frame
◇USB host
◇MicroSD card slot
◇1080p video playback
◇7200mAh Li-Po rechargeable battery
First Impressions​
The CUBE U30GT2 feels like a solid tablet. I really fancy its white plastic chassis, which makes me forget how much a fan I am of the feel of black technology.
Contrary to my worries before receiving this slate, the RK3188 SoC. seems to support the FHD display very well, tasks from scrolling image-heavy webpages to running graphic-intense games were all handled with ease. And the tablet remains incredibly responsive while running several big applications at the same time!
Design and Build​
The CUBE U30GT2 uses the kind of design which most large-screen tablets look like. It’s thinner than its predecessor, the dual core U30GT, at just 9.6 mm. It is also a little bit lighter at just 659 g, but still way too heavy for single-handed use. There’s sufficient amount of bezel on either side of the screen, so you can use it in any orientation comfortably.
A 2MP front-facing camera sits comfortably in the middle of the bezel above the display, which can be used for online video chatting. The intelligent light sensor, which helps the tablet to automatically adjust the display brightness, is located on the upper left corner of this flagship slate, covered by the sticker.
All the keys and connectors are hosted on the left edge. You will find a power button, a volume rocker, a mini HDMI port, a MicroSD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack and a 2.5mm DC port there. The metal frame around the edges looks very cool.
The stereo speakers are hosted on the middle of the right edge, which is not reasonable at all, as they are easily covered by our palm while we are holding the tablet with both hands.
The back of the U30GT2 is ABS plastic, which is not only good-looking, but also very durable. The UV coating process also helps with avoiding the feel of plasticky or cheap. The 5MP AF rear side camera and a LED flash sits on the top-left corner, but don’t get excited too soon, the quality of the shots is nowhere near images coming from a 5.0MP cell phone camera.
Display and Sound
The LCD-backlit IPS display on the U30GT2 is a lot better as compared to the MVA screen on the U30GT. The full HD resolution (1920 x 1200) at that size offers a decent pixel count of 224 PPI. This is not too far off from Apple’s 264 PPI on the iPad4, which means you won’t notice a huge difference between them in everyday use. The display is bright and text is sharp and crisp; perfect for web browsing or catching up on your TV shows. The viewing angles are wide -- so wide, in fact, that you can easily watch a movie with the tablet placed face-up on a table in front of you (not that you'd need to do this ever). The display also has a screen guard protecting it, just like the other CUBE tablets, but I left it alone this time.
The brightness of the display is decent, but not amazing as the one on PIPO M9, which can boast 600nit brightness. While I am using the U30GT2 outdoors, the screen glare sometimes overpowers whatever's on screen.
Like many other CUBE tablets, the U30GT2 comes endowed with ACC speakers, which make for some loud, though not exceptionally rich sound. Just keep in mind that the speaker is located on the right edge, which means if you are holding the tablet with both hands, any songs and movie dialogue will sound muffled.
Performance
The CUBE U30GT2 packs an 1.8GHz quad-core Rockchip chip (RK3188), which is built on Cortex-A9 frame and 28nm process, paired up with 533MHZ quad core Mali-400MP GPU and 2GB of DDR3 RAM. Although this is not the first tablet I've tested this setup, it is truly the first one with FHD display, and it didn't disappoint—the U30GT2 scorched the benchmarks, recording some of the highest scores I've seen across the board. The 16,413 overall Antutu benchmark score handily beat the 10,401 notched by the Onda V973 and approached the 18,000-20,000 marked by the Sony Xperia Tablet Z and Asus Padfone Infinity, both of which use Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 APQ8064 quad core chipset.
High CF-Bench and Vellamo HTML5 scores confirmed anecdotally speedy Web browsing performance during day-to-day use, while Nenamark2 frame rates were among the best I’ve seen. From rapidly switching between multiple running apps to playing graphically intensive games like NFS17, the U30GT2 handled everything I threw at it easily. Sliding between widget-loaded home screens and scrolling down media-heavy websites was smooth, with very rare choppiness.
The U30GT2’s benchmark score compared with other tablets with quad core processor.
The tablet has 32GB of internal memory with the option of adding up to a 32GB microSD card, which will suffice the need of majority of users. If that’s not enough, you can always connect an USB disk or mobile hard drive to the slate via OTG.
Software
The U30GT2 isn’t skinned with CUBE’s much loved yet also much hated Win8-like interface, instead it uses the original launcher of the stock Android 4.1.1. There are indeed some very cool and useful preinstalled applications, but none of them actually developed by CUBE, and you can find them in Google play or any third-party app market.
Multi-media
Media playback is solid with the U30GT2 and it breezed through anything I threw at it, including MPEG-4, RMVB, and MKV files at resolutions up to 1080p. The sound the speakers produce is of relatively high volume and nice quality.
Also, the U30GT2 has HDMI support, you can output the display to much bigger monitor and TV screens in Full HD resolution via an HDMI cable, enjoying movies and funny videos with friends and family.
Communication
New tablets should have an easy time in the connectivity test. However, many voices spoke out about the poor WLAN performance of many of CUBE’s slates. This was not really the case for the U30GT2, as I am pleasantly surprised with its Wi-Fi reception.
The U30GT2 uses 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth 2.1. A version with a 3G module has not yet been announced by CUBE. In my standard Wi-Fi reception test, the U30GT2 beats most Chinese tablets in test results:
Cameras
There are two cameras on board here, a 5-megapixel F2.8 rear-facing camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The rear camera disappointed in my tests, with noticeably grainy images in both indoor and outdoor settings. Images are moderately sharp, but the U30GT2 struggles with dynamic range, blowing out highlighted areas and losing detail in shadows. You can record video at 480p resolution, but I'd use it as a last resort—video is shaky and riddled with image noise. The front-facing camera is serviceable for Skype calls, but not much more. This, however, is pretty typical of most tablet cameras.
Battery
The U30GT2 packs a 7200mAh battery. In my battery rundown test, which loops a video with screen brightness set to 30% and Wi-Fi turned off, the U30GT2 lasted 10 hours, 38 minutes. That's pretty impressive compared to the Onda V973's 8 hours, 5 minutes and the Nexus10's 8 hours, 47 minutes on the same test.
During testing, I also noticed the U30GT2 seemed to charge faster than competing models, a full charge only took about 4 hours with its bundled 12V-2A charger. But, contrary to most other Chinese tablet products with RK3188 chipset, the U30GT2 cannot be charged under a shutdown state. And I believe this is gonna annoy quite a number of people.
The competition
With a 1920 x 1200 screen and a $204 starting price to match, there's little question that the CUBE U30GT2 was intended as a cost-efficient device. By now, most Chinese tablet makers have lowered the price of their goods, leaving the U30GT2 with only a handful of competitors in the 2-hundred-dollar range. Starting with the obvious, there's the ifive X2, which sports an 8.9-inch, 1920*1200 PLS screen, along with a RK3188 processor and 2GB of RAM. All told, these are similar specs, except ifive's model costs $40 less and runs a slightly more skinned version of Android. As it happens, I am in the process of testing one now, but not quite ready to post my impressions and benchmarks results. In the meantime, then, it's at least safe to say that the X2 sits in the same class as the Infinity U30GT2 and is definitely worth your consideration, although it is beaten by the U30GT2 in internal storage (16GB: 32GB).
Within the same price range there’re also the Yuandao N90HD, the Aoson M33 and the PIPO M9 Pro, all of which pack a Retina display and the same RK3188 set-up, posting serious threat to the U30GT2’s market share.
It's also worth noting that the U30GT2 could face competition from within the CUBE line: the U30GT1 has already been on sale for a couple of weeks, at only $169 it is very likely to draw lots of users’ attentions away from the U30GT2.
Conclusion
The U30GT2 is a truly impressive tablet. It's exquisitely designed, exceedingly fast, and has a sharp full-HD display. Throw in extras like anti-rolling frame, built-in Bluetooth, expandable memory, and dual cameras and you have a seriously loaded Android tablet.
If you want arguably the fastest Android tablet with a full HD display for under $250, the U30GT2 is the way to go, since it is much more pleasant to use than those Allwinner A31 powered tablets with Retina displays. But my suggestion remains with the PIPO M9, as a standard resolution still has much better compatibility with most applications.

Price Incorrect - Or Changed?
Hi.
Nice review. I like that I can compare it to your Pipo review.
Question: you state that the cube can be found for around $200.00 or so. Where was that? I realizes prices can change, but your review is just a few weeks ago, and the typical price is around $250.00. The U30GT (version 1) goes for around $200.
Thanks!
-Pie

Hardware is good, but the rom is poor. it is always the problem of china tablet.

EatingPie said:
Hi.
Nice review. I like that I can compare it to your Pipo review.
Question: you state that the cube can be found for around $200.00 or so. Where was that? I realizes prices can change, but your review is just a few weeks ago, and the typical price is around $250.00. The U30GT (version 1) goes for around $200.
Thanks!
-Pie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The price that I presented here is turned from the retial price in China (RMB) to USD according to the exchange rate, the actual price in your country or some online stores might differ.

jupiter2012 said:
The price that I presented here is turned from the retial price in China (RMB) to USD according to the exchange rate, the actual price in your country or some online stores might differ.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, so they cost less when in China. Makes sense. But a road trip across the Pacific to save $50.00 is probably out of the question for me at this point.
BTW, can U30GT2 do chroot and run Linux distros like Ubuntu under Android? I use LinuxonAndroid and it made the process really easy on my Nook HD+... and it left me wanting for speed, which is why I'm interested in the UG30GT2.
Thanks.
-Pie

The best review i've ever read. Thank you mate!!

antooonn said:
The best review i've ever read. Thank you mate!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank u for your support!
Sent from my XT910 using xda premium

Screen on/off power button no workee
I just got the Cube U30GT2 in the mail earlier this week. You're right, it's got a bit more heft to it, but not so bad, just a tad heavier than my Galaxy tab 10.1. However, unlike that tablet, the U30GT has lots of options for connecting things, micro USB, micro SDHC, micro HDMI. My tab 10.1 couldn't do any of those.
On the bummer side, the momentary power button, screen on/off doesn't seem to be working. The tablet is new with all the wrappings on, but that button is slightly busted. It will reboot the tablet, but won't turn the screen on or off. I worked around it for now with a screen always on app, and screen off app. I also discovered plugging or unplugging the power cord from the tablet also turns the screen back on. But aggravating. I have yet to succeed at getting the attention of the seller (androidtablet.com).
The price was middle of the road: $250 or so. But that's terrific compared to a Galaxy Tab or other recent tablet.
---------- Post added at 08:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:34 PM ----------
I forgot to mention, I read lots of reviews online for the Cube U30GT2 before popping for it. Most rated it as one of the currently best Chinese tablets, and not withstanding the power button issue, I tend to agree. However, all of the Chinese Android tablets seem to suffer from weak wi-fi signals, and in my table at least, this is true.
I tested my Galaxy tab laying right next to the Cube tablet. The Galaxy was able to knock out 10mbs on my wi-fi router from my family which is 15 feet or so away. The cube tablet only hit 2 to 5 mbs. Mind you, I couldn't tell much of a difference when hitting youtube, but it is a distinct disadvantage. I'm going overseas next month and the weaker reception could mean I won't get reliable wi-fi reception in the hotel.

Looks good.
I have the previous one and it's great .
Recommended.

Looks OK. Just wished they opted to put a slightly better GPU in it. The Mali 400 is good for phones but for a tablet that had a 1080p + display needs a bit more power. However, this is a good bargain considering it's original nexus 7 price tag.
Sent from my YP-G1 using xda app-developers app

Thanks for the nice review.
I think according to the price its a good tablet. But I agree to obscuresword, that the GPU it too weak for the Resolution. My Galaxy S3 has the same GPU and many benchmarks show, that its not as good as many people think.
The HP Touchpad tought as, never trust the hardware, if the software isnt good. Because of that, i never bought a Tablet from China. Android is not efficient enough, to ignore new Android versions...

artoni said:
Thanks for the nice review.
I think according to the price its a good tablet. But I agree to obscuresword, that the GPU it too weak for the Resolution. My Galaxy S3 has the same GPU and many benchmarks show, that its not as good as many people think.
The HP Touchpad tought as, never trust the hardware, if the software isnt good. Because of that, i never bought a Tablet from China. Android is not efficient enough, to ignore new Android versions...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How come I don't understand your last sentence....
Android has its advantages and disadvantages, that all comes down to personal preference. As for myself, I could never get used to the iOS system. I used to own an ipad2, but got too sick of the system after using it for just 2 months and gave it away.

Very comprehensive review! Thanks a bunch!
The deal-breaker for me is the placement of the "stereo" speakers on the righthand side. You'd think they would have separated the two speakers, one on the left side of the tab and one on the right side, but they didn't.

1.8?
I just wanted to point out that the clock is running at 1.6Ghz and not 1.8Ghz as advised. It is still a good choice for the price thought.

vondroid CFW
http://vondroid.com/resources/cfw-vondroid-cube-u30gt2-1-x.374/
4GB Internal Storage
CWM Recovery (ClockWorkMod)
Rooted
Debloated Chinese Software
Add apps (Youtube, ES File Explorer)
Apps updated
Ads block
Partial Build.prop optimise
Solved Settings crash issue
Fully Build.prop optimise
Fully market support
Init.d support
Init.d tweaks
Update apps (GoogleSearch)
General system optimise (Launcher.apk, Framework-res.apk)
Vondroid Boot animation
Support extra .ko files (Tun.ko, cifs.ko, nls,...)

antooonn said:
The best review i've ever read. Thank you mate!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yaah men i agree

WHich one
I have been looking at the cube u30gt2 and still undecided which one to get.
i have looked at.
1. Cube u30gt2
2. Pipo Max m9 pro
3. Ramos W30HD
4. Ramos I9
each seem to have similar pros and cons,
I am just nervous I buy the wrong one and nervous I am buying from china?
Please help me decide

Quite a good review. Ordered mine from China together with the Onda. Yet to receive them. Will post impressions after I drive the two.

Root
I can´t find a rooting tutorial for this tablet. Can some one give a clue about that?
Thks
Pirex

jy_P said:
I just wanted to point out that the clock is running at 1.6Ghz and not 1.8Ghz as advised. It is still a good choice for the price thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got one, and mine is runnig at 1.8Ghz
Cheers

Cube i6 Air 3G Dual OS hands-on review

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As the tablet market continues shrinking, many Chinese tablet manufacturers are now focused on finding new business opportunities, marketing other digital stuffs such as wearable gadgets, mini PCs and TV boxes. Brands such as ifive and Beneve haven’t even released any new products for months. However, as the leading brand in the Chinese tablet market, Cube still manages to release new slates every month, including budget tablets such as the iWork 8 Dual OS Edition and high-end business-focused slate such as the Cube i7. The Cube i6 Air 3G Dual OS we are reviewing here is a revised version of the original Cube i6 Air 3G, which was released in the end of last year. Besides the added capability of running and switching between two operating systems, there is no other noticeable difference from the original model.
Cube i6 main specs:
OS: Android 4.4 & Windows 8.1 with Bing
Display: 9.7-inch IPS, 10-point multi-touch, IGZO
Screen Resolution: 2048 x 1536 (4:3)
CPU: Intel Atom Baytrail-T Z3735F Quad-core Processor
CPU Frequency: 1.8GHz
GPU: Intel HD Graphic
RAM / Storage: 2GB / 32GB
Function: WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, A-GPS, OTG, Miracast
WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n, WiFi hotspot
3G: WCDMA 900MHz, WCDMA 2100MHz
2G: Network Frequency: 900MHz, 1800MHz
Camera: 5MP back camera, 2MP front camera
Battery: 8000mAh
Extend Port: TF Card Slot, SIM Card Slot, Micro USB Port, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Weight & Size: 500 g / 237 x 170 x 8.8 mm
Design & build
The Cube i6 Air 3G Dual OS has the exact same design as the original i6 Air 3G: built upon premium looking metal materials, the feel of the tablet is very solid in hand and there are no obvious gaps or noises when handling where the front and rear panels meet.
The front is dominated by a 9.7-inch IPS capacitive screen, with a 2MP camera above (in portrait), there is a speaker gate, a rear-facing camera and some branding on the Aluminium back.
Physical keys, ports and slots are all on the sides of the tablet body. A Micro USB port (for charging and data transmission) and a 3.5mm headphone jack is on the top side.
While a power button, a volume rocker, a Micro SIM card slot and a Micro SD card slot are located on the right side.
The Micro SIM tray can be easily pulled out with our own fingers, no need of an awkward ejection tool some of the tablets and smartphones require.
The tablet isn’t the lightest 9.7-incher I have picked up, but it’s still what I would consider an okay weight for this category at 500 grams, especially considering that it has a metallic rear. At 8.8mm thin it’s not chunky, nor is it super slim.
Screen and sound
The i6 Air 3G Dual OS sports a 9.7-inch IPS display at the resolution of 2048*1536, by Apple’s standards, this is a Retina display. The screen is extremely sharp and clear, the colors are rich and vivid. Viewing angles are good, generally as what you would expect from an IPS screen. And the brightness is decent, as well, but due to the reflectiveness of the screen it would be nice if it could go a few notches higher, especially when used outdoors.
I encountered no fixed or dead pixels on my unit, unlike the Teclast P98 Air I reviewed which had two fixed/stuck pixels. I noticed no light bleed on the i6 Air 3G Dual OS’ display, either.
With that said, this is still far from being the best tablet display we have laid our eyes on. Already spoiled by the Quad HD PLS displays on the SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 and the super vibrant AMOLED displays on the SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S series, the i6’s display could only be rated “good” by our standards now, even though it is better than most of the displays on tablets priced under $200.
The 5-point capacitive touch screen was highly sensitive to our gestures, allowing us to pinch-zoom, swipe with ease and draw with all the fingers on one hand in Windows Paint.
The T100's speakers delivered audio that was loud enough to fill a large room. Whether we were playing Ed Sheeran’s bass-heavy "Sing" or the Toni Braxton' guitar-centric "Spanish Guitar", the sound was fairly accurate, though a bit hollow and tinny. The 3.5mm audio jack has a good loud volume output with plenty of bass and clarity. However I heard a buzz of electrical interference every now and then over my headphones when not playing music or videos. When there was active audio output, the issue was not as noticeable.
Storage
The i6 Air 3G Dual OS only comes with a 32GB eMMc storage option at this stage and this is unlikely to change. Our unit has an eMMc flash chip, which produced some good speed and very nice 4K random write scores for an eMMc drive. But here also comes a sign of oddity if you look at the default partition scheme. The 32GB of eMMc storage integrated is split up into two partitions: Windows is on one (24GB), Android 4.4.4 is on another (8GB). There's no direct, automatic sharing of photos, documents, or other app data between the two operating systems. The explanation by Cube makes sense – it is to prevent users from deleting important system files of one OS while they are running on the other OS. Fortunately, the Micro SD card slot supports cards up to 64GB, and is the only mean for the two operating systems to share files.
Connectivity
As the model name indicates, this is a cellular tablet which has access to 3G network (WCDMA and GSM). The reason why Cube doesn’t give a 2015 tablet 4G support is probably due to the cost of making this device. Still, it does offer enough data speed for most tasks such as web browsing, social network feeds and online chatting.
Besides 3G and Wi-Fi, the i6 Air 3G Dual OS also offers a lot of other connectivity options: the built-in Bluetooth 4.0 makes it easy for us to connect the tablet with headphones or input devices, the GPS can be used to precisely tell your location.
The Micro USB port on board supports USB on the go, and connect USB storage or input devices via an adapter.
Operating system
With most of the dual boot tablets, you get a boot screen selector with a choice of Android or Windows when you boot them, but with the i6 Air 3G Dual OS, you don’t. The tablet will automatically enter the operating system from which you shut the tablet down.
Below is an OS switching video on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ue0WeIKH-o
Switching between the two operating systems is conveniently accomplished by tapping a software icon on the screen. The switch isn't instantaneous, the tablet need to perform a full reboot to enter the other operating system, but fortunately it only takes less than half a minute.
Cube has done zero customization to both operating systems, so you get a clean Windows 8.1 and a stock Android 4.4, which is not a bad thing, especially for people driven insane by the poorly designed UI on some of the Chinese budget smartphones.
Performance
Powered by an Intel Bay-trail Z3735F with a clock speed of 1.3GHZ and a maximum boost speed of 1.8GHz and coupled with 2GB of RAM, this dual boot tablet can tackle basic office and web tasks with ease. It can even play 4k video, but the screen doesn’t match the full 4K resolution, and there isn’t HDMI port on board to output the graphics to a larger display.
Intel's integrated graphics pale in comparison to high-end cards from AMD and Nvidia, but they're still a lot quicker than even the best-of-the-best integrated GPUs from the ARM chipmakers. In the 3D Mark Ice Storm test, the i6 Air 3G Dual OS returned a score of “maxed out”. In other benchmarks’ 2D and 3D segment, the i6 also got relatively high marks.
Benchmarks aside, in the real world use, the i6 performed like a boss in Android, handling even the heaviest Android tasks with ease. In Windows, things are a little different, all the apps installed from the Windows 8 app store ran smoothly on the i6, with no lag or stutters at all; the i6 did struggle a little bit with some of the demanding Windows desktop applications such as graphic-intense 3D games as well as image and video editing software. Fortunately, the most important productivity tool – the Microsoft Office, which was perfectly compatible with touchscreen operations, ran smoothly on this slate. Even better, the retail version of the i6 Air 3G Dual Boot includes 1 year subscription of Microsoft Office 365, making the tablet an even better bargain.
Battery life
Cube claims the i6 Air 3G Dual OS can get 6 hours of battery life in video playback, and that’s almost exactly what we got during our time with this slate. The tablet packs an 8,000mAh irremovable Li-Po battery, which is the standard for a Chinese tablet this size. With 30% brightness (which is more than sufficient for indoor use) and Wi-Fi on surfing the internet and dong a few light tasks, I was able to get around 6 hours from the i6 Air in Windows or around 5.5 hours in Android. In our standard cngadget battery rundown test, the tablet lasted 6 hours and 19 minutes looping a 1080P MP4 video in Android before shutdown due to battery drain.
Cameras
The i6 Air 3G Dual OS has two cameras on board, one on the front and one on the rear. You don’t need anything better than the front-facing 2MP camera for video chatting, and the rear-facing 5MP camera also takes decent photos for Facebook and Instagram updates, and the shots even better those taken by some budget smartphones in overall image quality. But we would still not recommend anyone use a tablet this big as their main camera device.
Photos taken by the rear camera.
Wrap-up
The Cube i6 Air 3G Dual OS is one of the better bargains in Chinese tech today. For only RMB999 ($161), you get a full licensed Windows 8.1 running on a 9.7-inch Retina IPS display, one year of Microsoft Office 365, 3G connectivity and access to all your favorite applications in Android Google Play. That's not to say this tablet is perfect. The 24GB storage partition for Windows 8.1 is too small, the battery life isn’t all that satisfactory, you cannot actively choose the OS you want to enter in boot screen and there isn’t a hardware Windows Key on board.
If you want a more premium Windows slate today, you'll need to go for a much more expensive Intel Core-powered tablet, such as the $581 Cube i7 or the $403 PIPO Work-W8. However, if you want a 9.7-inch Windows 8.1 tablet that's good enough for most everyday tasks or a power Android slate, the i6 Air 3G Dual OS is an extremely compelling choice.
The good
Nice design and solid build.
Amazing display.
Licensed Windows 8.1 and one year subscription of Office 365.
Powerful performance in Android and decent performance in Windows 8.1.
Cellular network access and phone functions.
The bad
Audible buzz of electrical interference with headphones.
Below-average battery life.
No physical Windows key.
No OS selector in bootscreen.
No HDMI output.

Android storage
Hi, for Cube i6, is it possible to install apps on external SD card on android?

Hi, thx for the nice review. If you had to choose between the Cube , the Teclast, or the Onda , which one would you pick ?

Have you tried making an actual phone call ? If so what was the quality ? If not could you still try that ? And maybe also try with a bluetooth headset ? Thanks .

kevivs said:
Hi, for Cube i6, is it possible to install apps on external SD card on android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so, but it is possible to store the data packages of big applications on the SD card

xkinkykongx said:
Have you tried making an actual phone call ? If so what was the quality ? If not could you still try that ? And maybe also try with a bluetooth headset ? Thanks .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did try to make a phone call with a headphone and a Bluetooth speaker, the quality is good enough.

xkinkykongx said:
Hi, thx for the nice review. If you had to choose between the Cube , the Teclast, or the Onda , which one would you pick ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely Cube, the best among the second-tier Chinese brands, the first tier includes Huawei, Lenovo and ZTE.

Hi, Thanks for the answer, I already ordered the cube after long deliberation and research... Looking for some not too big wireless headset and a ' man bag' , and hopefully I'll have my 'all-in-one ' solution. Thinking of reviewing it myself in my own language, and also showing making a actual phone call in android and windows, I'll be the first ! Dunno why nobody seems to be interested in that, allthough the suc6 of the sales suggest otherwise..

Ι 'm about to buy one of these ... can it be rooted?

WindowsNT said:
Ι 'm about to buy one of these ... can it be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, use VRoot or Romaster, try it

@jupiter2012
Any News About Update firmware ( windows 10 + Android 5 )

@jupiter2012
For Wifi problem ( in windows 8.1 )
i install this version of driver and singnal is better now
3845_Network_Driver_PPJT0_WN_3007.7.915.2014_A01 (Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845)
and about Maximum size of SD support :
i installed Sandisk MicroSD 200GB
it work n win & android

Cube T8 hands-on: another cost-efficient 4G tablet

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Cube has been very successful in selling tablets with smartphone functionalities. Ever since the release of the Cube Talk 79 back in 2013, the Chinese brand has been dominating in this special area. The Cube Talk 9X, T7 and T9 were all once considered as the best offerings from the Chinese tablet industry.
The Cube T8 is the newest member of Cube’s successful 4G tablet line. With the latest version of Android OS, moderate specs and a very considerate price ($79), it is definitely designed to woo the buyers with a lower budget, buyers whom the $157 Cube T7 failed to impress.
Cube T specifications
•OS: Android 5.1
•Display: 8-inch IPS, 5-point multi-touch
•Screen Resolution: 1280 x 800 (16:10)
•CPU: 64-bit MT8735 quad-core processor (4 cores of Cortex-A53)
•CPU Frequency: 1.3GHz
•GPU: Mali-720MP2
•RAM / Storage: 1GB / 16GB
•Function: WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, A-GPS, OTG, Miracast, FM Radio
•WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n, WiFi hotspot
•GSM: band2, band3, band5, band8
•TDS: band34, band39
•WCDMA: band1, band5
•TDD: band38, band39, band40, band41
•FDD: band1, band3, band7
•Camera: 2MP back camera, VGA front camera
•Battery: 4000mAh
•Extend Port: TF Card Slot, SIM Card Slot, Micro SIM Card Slot, Micro USB Port, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Micro HDMI Port
•Weight & Size: 354 g / 215*122.9*9.85mm
Design
The Cube T8 looks quite similar to many of Cube’s other entry-level tablets, the one thing that sets it apart is the metallic rear side. There’s nothing else you haven’t seen before: a widescreen display which dominated the front panel, a relatively small bezel around the screen, rounded corners, some branding and basic information on the back, a single rear-facing speaker, and dual cameras.
The only physical buttons you will find are the power/standby key and the volume rocker, both hosted on the right side.
The T8 is a very promising slate when it comes to connectivity, as there are quite a slew of ports and slots on board. On the top side of the tablet you will find a 3.5mm headphone jack, a Micro HDMI port, a Micro SD card slot, a Micro USB port which supports USB on the go.
Once you remove the plastic lid on the rear, you will find a Micro SIM card slot and a full-size SIM card slot, both of which support dual 4G network (TDD and FDD).
At 9.85mm, the T8 is not thin by today’s tablet standards, but I would say it is an okay thickness as I didn’t feel much more burden with the T8 than with my super slim Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4. Also, the T8 feels very solidly constructed, There is no sign of unwanted gaps in the casing or wobbly buttons.
The T8 comes with two color options: the white version has a white front and a silver rear, while the black version has a black front and a blue rear.
Screen and sound
Like many other Cube’s 8-inch models, the Cube T8 sports an 8-inch IPS display. I am sure that many people will complain about the 1280 x 800 screen resolution. But as the diagonal is smaller on the 8-inch screen the pixel density is higher, and such a low resolution is not as obvious as is the case with those 10.1-inch tablets, but is still visible with the naked eye on the T8. To be specific, pixel density on the Cube T8 is 189 ppi, which is below average for a contemporary 8-inch tablet.
Fortunately, poor sharpness is the only real minus which can be linked with the T8. Color imaging is natural and precise, it is more than vivid and vibrant for a entry-level tablet. The same goes for the contrast, which offers very pure white tones and extremely dark black. The viewing angle on the T8 is very wide, and it offers amazing brightness even suitable for outdoor usage.
The touchscreen is also very responsive, in fact it is as responsive as the panels on my Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 and Jide REMIX Ultra Tablet. Every touch is instantly registered, with wonderful accuracy and precision.
The sound from the rear-facing speaker has a decent amount of volume and bass, and I found it pretty acceptable for watching YouTube videos and online radios. But I would recommend an external audio system for music and movies.
System and Apps
The Cube T8 ships with Android 5.1, which is also the latest version of Android OS. Customizations have been kept to the minimum, and there aren’t a load of preinstalled applications.
The T8 also support OTA, making firmware much easier for average users.
Performance
The 64-bit MT8735 Cortex A53 quad-core processor, although low end, is a good choice for a tablet with this screen resolution. It offers entirely satisfactory performance for the typical tasks this tablet was intended for. Everything runs fluidly and without glitches on the Cube T8.
While the MT8735 is not a chipset that’s normally included in high-end models, this is evident only when certain tasks are initiated. For instance, some 3D games take longer to load, heavier websites take a second more to render etc.
As far as synthetic benchmarks go, the T8 offers poorer marks than the T7 and T9. It scored 9,074 in Quadrant benchmark, 1,130 in Geekbench, and 19,556 in Antutu, which are the basic scores of today’s mobile devices and are approximately on the same level as top models were three years ago.
Battery Life
The 4000mAh battery of the T8 offers quite a lengthy time frame for the users to enjoy their tablet without the need to recharge. With average tablet usage of approximately two to three hours per day, the battery will last 3 days.
In our standard cngadget battery test, the tablet lasted 7 hours and 47 minutes looping an 1080P video at 50% screen brightness and speaker volume, pretty impressive result for such a cheap tablet.
Connectivity
As one of Cube’s T series tablets, the T8 can be used as a smartphone. It supports both TDD and FDD 4G networks, and there are two SIM card slots on board to enable dual standby. Other smartphone functionalities such as voice call, SMS, Bluetooth, GPS, FM Radio are also included. You can also connect your T8 to your HDTV through the Micro HDMI port and enjoy movies and video games on a bigger screen.
Cameras
The T8 has a VGA front-facing camera and a 2MP main camera with fixed focus. Both cameras are about as basic as a camera can get. The rear-facing camera is merely there just for the sake of it but honestly you’re better off sticking to the smartphone in your pocket. Photos are low resolution and while it’s usable outdoors once you go inside photos become noisy quick especially in low light.
Photos taken with the main camera
Price and availability
The Cube T8 has been on sale for a while in China, with a price tag of RMB499 ($79). Prices in other part of the world may vary. You can also place your order on Aliexpress.com, which now offers a price of $96.95 inclusive of shipping.
Final verdict
The Cube T8 It certainly a nice choice as far as tablets are concerned as it offers decent performance, a bright and vivid display, solid battery life, phone functions and an extremely competitive price tag. Although it is not really a powerhouse tablet, it still handles everyday tasks with ease, and gives its users the promise of stepping in when their phone runs out of juice.

Rooting and Roms
Has anyone any ideas on how to root this device please? Also any custom ROMs available as yet? One that merges the 2 internal partitions in the memory would be great as it only has 3gb of system drive then rest is storage and unfortunately not every app can be moved to the storage. Thanks in advance

no multi user function
see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64648833&postcount=15
---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------
Since Cube sign their ota's with Android test key it should be quite easy to create a wrapper zip for superSU. no need for flashing TWRP to install "updates"

How is the battery?

Cube T8 Plus review: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/cube-t8-plus-review-dual-4g-dual-sim-t3281214

external sd limited to FAT only
I had to find that any micro sd used with this slate has to be FAT32 formatted. It wouldn't even recognise ext4 even though it uses it internally - lame

leftfooted said:
I had to find that any micro sd used with this slate has to be FAT32 formatted. It wouldn't even recognise ext4 even though it uses it internally - lame
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I have noticed that as well.

jupiter2012 said:
Yes, I have noticed that as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's probably because AOSP unlike CyanoGen only support FAT32 for sdcards
A Cyanogen based ROM would be good to have
---------- Post added at 09:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:04 PM ----------
Furthermore I went and blacklisted some urls in my router to prevent the phablet from calling home:
bigdata.advmob.cn
fota4.adups.cn/ota/app/uploadLog.do
get.sogou.com
security.ie.sogou.com
ctc.security.sogou.com
security.sogou.com
Wish I could actually remove the sogou app

Work with Verizon???
Has anyone been able to use this with Verizon? I've tried to register it and am having trouble.

No root with last version of the rom.
I have tried few times but not work with rom version T8_v1.0_20160325 i have one 16gb formatted partition in this version.
Can you fix the recovery installation?
Thank you