Thanks to the explosion of mobile devices, gaming is now within every arm’s reach. But for someone who plays video games as a hobby and is mighty good at it, matching candies just doesn’t cut it. A true-blooded gamer craves for heart-thumping action that only sharp graphics, earth-shaking sound, and a speedy device can induce. Until recently, though, only expensive portable powerhouses could provide such an experience. That’s what this Cherry Mobile tie-up with Nvidia aims to resolve.
Design (4/5)
Cherry Mobile’s Tegra Note 7 is appealing at first glance. The Tegra Note 7 mostly looks like its international OEM siblings, no radical departure design-wise. It is a well-equipped, well-made 7-incher that’s quite hefty for its size, and at 320g, it’s like carrying an extra paperback with your everyday cargo.
On its minimalistic front are dual speakers, a very thick bezel, and a VGA camera. Holstering the device upward, you’ll find a headphone jack, micro-HDMI, micro-USB ports sitting near the power button. Along its right edge is a micro-SD slot, and volume rocker. The name Tegra Note is etched on its matte back, with a bit of Cherry Mobile branding on top. The rear is also where the 5MP main camera lies, parallel to the slate’s built-in stylus.
Hardware (4/5)
This slate’s robust body was partly battered inside my bag on its 2-week stint with me. Fortunately enough, it’s still pristine as of writing this review. If you choose to forego a protective case, do know that you have to handle it with a little care, lest you scratch the beautiful finish. The screen is a notorious fingerprint magnet, though. If you plan on using the tablet of what it is touted, a gaming machine, better carry a fiber cloth around for wiping the grime off.
Inside, the Tegra Note 7 is as solid as it is on the outside. On paper, this beast of a slate houses Nvidia’s Tegra 4 quad-core CPU clocking in at 1.8GHz,with a fifth core that takes care of the basic tasks, which means it has got more than enough processing power for you to tread into a zombie-infested sector and eliminate threat, fast, without having to worry about even the slightest hiccups. This is paired with a 72-core GeForce GPU that’ll meet the graphic performance requirement for 3D games.
User Experience (3.5/5)
In practice, the Tegra Note 7’s performance delivers what it promises, with stellar benchmark scores. Though there were quite a few head-scratching moments, with the DirectStylus in particular, the hardware passed with flying colors. Another quibble is that it got noticeably hot when I was downloading Respawnables, then the game wouldn’t even launch properly. Though that was solved through simple uninstall and install. I ran GT Racing 2 on this slate and it handled the game without a hitch, however, it would be nice if the display was equally sharp as its speedy insides.
Going back, its HD IPS panel is good, playing content with crispness. Paired with its good viewing angles are speakers that are worthy to be written about. Its dual front-facing speakers carry a lot of punch. Both point toward the user’s face, so it creates an immersive experience that is similar to watching on your TV set. You’ll get to appreciate music that comes with the games and movies loaded in your the device.
The 5-megapixel rear camera, on the other hand, is capable of producing fine-detailed picture under good lighting. Macros come out free of grain and noise, not outstanding, but can look stellar when treated with apps. Its front-facing camera produces cloudy images, but will do for video chat.
It wouldn’t be called the Tegra Note if there wasn’t a pen input feature. With a DirectStylus, you can create and draw your heart out with varying degrees of pressure. I didn’t take a liking to the pen, but it was light and comfortable to hold. Sadly, I don’t think it captured my strokes accurately. On the plus side, this productivity tool worked well with the Tegra Draw app, allowing me to produce masterpieces, if they could be called that.
With the power it holds, you must be concerned at how its battery fairs. Good news! I left it at home for a few days without recharging the battery and surprisingly I still have a little over 20 percent of juice, enough to binge-watch 3 episodes of Game of Thrones with mid-volume sound.
Value (4/5)
Visibly, there isn’t much middle ground in the gaming biosphere right now. As what we’ve discussed earlier, you have to choose between a low-spec device that’s fit for your budget and an ultimate gaming machine that will punch a hole in your wallet,which, is quite upsetting. The Cherry Mobile Tegra Note 7 is priced under the 10k mark, that’s fast processors serving you graphics-intense apps at your disposal. I have to say you’ll undoubtedly get a package of a nice display, pen input, great speakers, and powerful processor all under a healthy budget.
Bottomline:
In the right circumstances, and if that circumstance is gaming the Cherry Mobile Tegra Note 7 is more than capable to serve your needs.
What’s Hot:
- Stylus Pen input
- Great speakers
- Chipset delivers
What’s Not:
- Upper region turns hot with continuous use
- Display lacks depth and sharpness
Specifications:
- Processor: 1.8GHz NVIDIA Tegra 4 quad-core CPU
- Graphics: 72-core NVIDIA GeForce GPU
- Display: 7-inch HD IPS display, (1280×800 resolution display)
- Internal Memory: 1GB RAM, 16GB, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
- Cameras: Rear 5MP, VGA front camera
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS
- Battery: 4,100mAh battery
- Dimensions: 199x119x9.6mm
- OS: Android KitKat