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Despite the awkwardness of holding seven inches of tablet to your face to make a call, many people still find value in a large screen that lets you make a call. That is why tablets with calling are still being bought and sold in India. Micromax is the latest to launch a device in this space.
Micromax Canvas Tab P690
The Micromax Canvas Tab P690 is one of the slimmest tablets around and that is good since you will have to hold this like a phone to make your calls. The design is pretty neat and the brushed metal finish at the rear adds to the grip of the phone. The micro-SD card and micro-SIM slots are behind a secure flap that needs a pin to pop out. The power button and volume rocker are next to each other, as in most Android smartphones.
Specs: 8-inch (800x1280p, ~189ppi) IPS LCD | 1.83 Ghz quad core Intel Atom Processor | 1GB RAM | 8GB storage expandable up to 32GB | 5MP rear camera, 2MP front | 3G | Android Kitkat
Price: Rs 9,999
Watch: Micromax Canvas Tab P690 short video review (Click for mobile view)
What is good?
The overall design makes the Canvas Tab a good tablet which can be used to make calls. It is easy to manage as a phone thanks to its slim build and this also means you have a very light weight tablet in your hands.
The WXGA IPS display is pretty good if you look at the price point. It is clear and has good viewing angles even under the hard July sun.
Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Atom processor, the tablet could easily handle multi-tasking and gaming. The tablet does not heat up when you are pushing it to do more stuff. Everything opens up really fast and you don’t have to bother about crashes.
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The camera is okay if you have taken care to keep the rear lens really clean. It is fast and can click a decent one if there is a good light. In low light there is a definite lack of clarity. I, however, don’t think the camera on a tablet is supposed to be made for things better than making a Skype call and I think Micromax will not be in agreement.
The battery can last around 24 hours with regular use and much more if you won’t make a lot of voice calls.
What is not that good?
The device is still running Android Kitkat, which does not make much sense now. And we are not even sure if an update is in the offing.
The UI is the same as what you would find on a 5-inch Micromax phone. This means on the 8-inch screen you are straining yourself to read the text under the apps. I think it is about time Micromax worked on a new UI for Android tablets.
The audio quality of the device is really poor and you will need to use Bluetooth speakers or headphones to watch video.
The device has just 3GB of storage left after all the bloatware that Micromax dutifully loads into all its devices. It won’t take you long to fill that up, especially on a tablet.
Should you buy?
If you are looking for an affordable tablet, then this is a good choice as the voice calling comes as an add on. Yes, it is a decent choice even for those who want to use this device like a phone. Just remember there are some sacrifices that have to be made to achieve this price point and form factor.
