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Dell Streak 7 review

5.8/10 AVG.
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Dell Streak 7
Dell Streak 7
Dell Streak 7
Dell Streak 7
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5.8/10
Informr score
The Dell Streak 7 currently has an Informr score of 5.8 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 14 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Dell Streak 7 is the latest tablet offering from Dell that, despite several promising features, falls short of expectations.

Hardware design is neither amazing nor horrific. While the tablet feels relatively solid, the plastic casing lacks the durability offered by competing tablets. The edges of the tablet taper and the general design looks nearly identical to the Samsung Tab. So, if you fell for the Tab you will probably fall for the Streak, as well. Dell's offering comes in at just a half-inch longer, but most will never notice the difference. The screen measures seven inches (hence the name Streak 7) which comes in at roughly half the screen area of an Apple iPad. That's big enough to catch a quick episode of your favorite television show on your own, but probably not big enough to throw a Lord of the Rings viewing party for friends and family. Compared to other tablets, the resolution is a bit lacking and looking at the screen from an angle leaves the image too obscured to decipher. The Streak also features a concealed SIM card and full-sized memory slot. Integrating full-sized memory cards is an especially nice feature as full-sized cards are cheaper and more convenient. All in all, the hardware is what would be expected and not a lot more.

Even with the advent of Honeycomb, the Android tablet operating system, the Dell Streak 7 still sports Android 2.2. Like any other tablet running Android 2.2, the performance of apps suffers. Running apps designed for a much smaller screen proves exceedingly awkward and cumbersome. In the future, Dell might update the operating system, but at this point Android 2.2 simply does not translate into the tablet format. Aside from this general awkwardness, the Streak is sluggish. This happens not only in high-intensity programs, but also in basic applications like email and notes. Once the email program loads, typing also proves frustrating as the key input requires pressing each key for an overly long amount of time. These software shortcomings are a deal breaker for most consumers and it is a bit hard to fathom how Dell failed to see that waiting for an email application to load would drive away customers.

One high-point of the performance of the Streak, however, comes through the 4g data connection. The 4g shines and allows for stunningly fast loading times for videos and music. Even this is marred by performance issues, however, as the internet browser and video applications lag in loading new pages and videos. Once the video actually starts, it runs perfectly and without interruption, but the lag time in beginning the video is unacceptable.

All of these shortcomings leave few reasons left to consider the Dell Streak 7, but for those set on a Dell product or a 7-inch screen, a Streak might still be the right tablet.

Need to Know: Dell Streak 7

1. Uses a 4g Data Connection. (The Good)

2. Full-Sized Memory Cards. (The Good)

3. Lagging Performance. (The Bad)

4. Runs Android 2.2. (The Bad)


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1 GHz
Processor
Processor
1 GHz
7"
Screen Size
Screen Size
7"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
2780 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


The Register
The Register

Better late than never, the Dell Streak 7 fixes most of the problems found in its predecessor, at a much reduced price. With a quick CPU, plenty of storage and a near enough up-to-date version of Android, it makes for a convenient hand-held connected device. But it’s a shame the screen is a bi...

- Alun Taylor, The Register
PhoneArena
PhoneArena

Luckily for the Dell Streak 7, there are some aspects about it that propel it to be a decent Android tablet despite seeing some blemishes on its report. Although it makes us wonder if Dell rushed the development of the tablet, the inclusion of its contemporary hardware combined with its affordable p...

- PhoneArena Team, PhoneArena
Ubergizmo
Ubergizmo

Dell has chosen a powerful hardware platform for its latest Tablet offering. This is a good choice, as faster browsing and faster Adobe Flash support make the user experience better. The hardware is also currently the best you can find to play 3D games. However, the user experience lags the competit...

- Hubert Nguyen, Ubergizmo
Gizmodo
Gizmodo

If you absolutely must pick up a 7-inch Android tablet immediately, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is better at this very moment. The pickle is that the Streak has better guts and will one day be updated to Android 3.0, which will likely obliterate the software problems, while we've heard that the Galaxy Ta...

- Matt Buchanan, Gizmodo
Digital Trends
Digital Trends

Ironically, despite the Dell Streak 7's improved specs, it finds itself in no better place than the original Streak: it runs the same software, and while it has a larger screen, the resolution doesn't make it any more useful. And hey, it can't even make phone calls! Yes, sadly, at the close of yet a...

- Joanna Stern , Digital Trends


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Quick view

Screen Size
7"

The Dell Streak 7's screen size is 7 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1 GHz

There is a Dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 1 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
5+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 5+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
16 GB

Internal memory is 16 GB. An external, SD, MMC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2780mAh

The tablet is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2780 mAh battery. Dell's performance ratings are 3 days standby time, 4 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

Streak 7 Specs

Overview
Release Date April 19, 2011
Regions Available USA, Canada
Operating System No

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Processor Dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 1 GHz
Internal Storage 16 GB
RAM No
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Headset, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
HSPA+
Mobile / Cellular Data
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB No
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles No
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info SD, MMC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Night mode, White balance
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Fixed focus
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD
Colors Unknown
Resolution x pixels
Pixel density Unknown
Size 7 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock No
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive Touchscreen, Gorilla Glass Display
Power & Battery
Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2780 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time Unknown
Video Playback Time Up to 4 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 4 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 3 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 20.0 x 12.0 x 1.2 cm (7.9 x 4.7 x 0.5 in)
Weight 450 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader No
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Swype
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, Microsoft Exchange
WiMAX: Yes
PC Synchronization: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, WMA
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Games: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Weather, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Manual (PDF)
Dell Streak 7 Reviews
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