What's good
- Beautiful display
- RealSense camera features
- Battery life
- Design
What's bad
- Price
- Front camera placement
- Picky rear-facing camera
When it comes to Android tablets, even the flagship devices everyone loves can have a less-than-premium feel. Reviewers constantly note that their still waiting to see a truly premium tablet. Dell claims to have delivered that with the Venue 8 7000, along with a few other toys, but does it live up to the claims? Let’s dig into the reviews.
Currently the thinnest Android tablet on the market at 6mm, the aluminum chassis of the Venue offers weight-saving benefits as well. While it’s not the lightest tablet, it comes close, at just under 11 ounces. While there were a few aspects of the tablet that reviews didn’t agree upon, the design is not one of them. Every review, from CNet to Engadget, loves the way the tablet feels and looks. SlashGear stated, “In-hand, whether it be portrait or landscape, the Dell Venue 8 7000 is a joy” while Business News Daily added, “If you're seeking a tablet that won't weigh you down on your daily commute, it's hard to beat Dell's tablet.”
The chassis houses an 8.4-inch 2560-by-1600 pixel OLED display set off-center on the face of the tablet. The screen is nearly bezelless, a feature that virtually every review applauded. SlashGear stated that it feels like “the screen is floating in mid-air.” Contrast, color and detail on the display was hailed by all as exceptional, rivaling the best of current flagship devices.
Powering the tablet, you’ll find an Intel Atom Z3580 processor running at 2.3GHz and 2GB of RAM. While this makes comparing it to other tablets a little difficult, reviews are generally positive. All noted that day-to-day use was smooth and responsive. Though a few reviews had issues with heat during extended use and found the tablet to lag slightly when switching apps or flipping the screen orientation. Otherwise, reviews indicate that even heavy gaming is handled rather well.
If you’re looking for a portable media player or like to play games, you’ll find the 16GB of storage space might get a little cramped. Fortunately, with microSD support for cards up to 512GB, the tablet offers more storage than many flagship models.
One of the most touted features of the Venue 8 7000 is its 8MP rear camera with RealSense technology and flash. Using multiple sensors, the camera allows you to perform a wide range of advanced edits, including photo refocusing. Unfortunately, reviews of the camera are hit-or-miss. CNet notes, “photo quality is underwhelming” and virtually all reviews had problems with the camera in bright or low lighting.
The 2MP front camera for video chat appears adequate but highlights one of the biggest concerns mentioned in most reviews. The front facing camera is at the bottom of the device and the rear camera’s additional sensors are in the middle. This requires holding the tablet in odd positions to truly take advantage of its technologies. In the end, most reviews found it interesting yet awkward.
Lastly, the tablet includes a large, non-removable battery to keep the array of tech housed inside up and running. If you’re looking for a tablet to take on the go, reviews indicate that this is an exceptional choice. Most reviews found it easily topped nearly every Android tablet currently available. SlashGear found that they were able to pull a full weekend of mixed use on a single charge. Most reviews agreed, with the exception of PC Magazine, which also mentioned having some bugs with their test model. SlashGear summed things up well, stating, ”I can’t see anyone needing to plug this in daily.”
Overall, it appears that Dell has managed to surprise tablet enthusiasts and could be working to secure a place atop the flagship market with its Venue 8 7000. If you don’t mind the odd camera placement and off-center screen, reviews indicate this is one of the best Android tablets available in 2015. Digital Trends summarizes reviews well when they say, “If you’re an Android fan seeking a tablet with looks as premium as its performance, the Dell Venue 8 7000 is the one for you.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Chris Martin, Tech AdvisorThe Dell Venue 8 7000 is an attractive Android tablet with a super slim design, a great screen and offers smooth performance combined with good battery life. However, it's more expensive than closely matched rivals and the RealSense camera technology which is supposedly a selling point isn't worth t...
- Chris Martin, Tech AdvisorThe Dell Venue 8 7000 is an attractive Android tablet with a super slim design, a great screen and offers smooth performance combined with good battery life. However, it's more expensive than closely matched rivals and the RealSense camera technology which is supposedly a selling point isn't worth t...
- Dana Wollman, TUAWAt $399, the Dell Venue 8 7000 isn't exactly cheap, but it mostly merits its flagship price. Thanks to a combination of a thin and beautiful design, excellent build quality, long battery life and a stunning screen, the Venue 8 earns its status as one of the best Android tablets you can buy. As the f...
- Shawn Knight, TechSpotThe Dell Venue 8 7000 is arguably one of the best looking tablets currently on the market. If you’re a fan of slim profiles, you’ll love what Dell has done here. The mostly aluminum chassis makes for a lightweight slate given its size.
- Matt Swider, TechRadarAn Android tablet wrapped in a sleek, ultra-thin aluminum frame wrapped in an awful name. Regardless, this is the 'world's thinnest' tablet and turns out to be one of the best.
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