Telstra T-Touch Tab Android tablet

Telstra T-Touch Tab review: The Telstra T-Touch Tab is a cheap Android tablet

PC World Australia (online)

Retailing for just $299, Telstra's T-Touch Tab is one of the first Android tablets to launch in Australia. Its 7in resistive display isn't as impressive as the capacitive touchscreens used by the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Its performance also isn't as impressive as more expensive tablets, and its battery life is poor; however, the T-Touch Tab remains good value despite its quirks.

Pros

  • Low price
  • Flexibility of Android platform
  • Integrated kickstand

Cons

  • Resistive touchscreen
  • No multitouch, Flash or haptic feedback
  • Mediocre battery life

Bottom Line

Despite its obvious shortcomings, the Telstra T-Touch Tab is a reasonable multimedia device and Google's Android operating system is far less restrictive than Apple's iPad/iPhone platform. The T-Touch Tab is effectively alone as an affordable, entry-level tablet that doesn't skimp on too many features.

Would you buy this?

  • Where to buy

    Priced from: $ 279.00
    Selling at 2 stores
See all prices

Special Offers

Check out the roundup of the Best tablets for Christmas in our holiday gift guide.

How does the Telstra T-Touch Tab compare to the benchmark? Read our Apple iPad review.

The Telstra T-Touch Tab won't win any design awards, but the device feels sturdy enough and reasonably well constructed. The Huawei-built tablet is a lot heavier than it looks, but can be held comfortably with a single hand (unlike the larger iPad). We particularly liked the flip-out stand on the rear, which is great for watching videos, as well as the physical home, menu and back keys on the left side of the display. There is also an optical trackpad that is similar to the one found on the latest BlackBerry smartphones. It is perfectly positioned when you hold the T-Touch Tab with two hands.

Build quality is reasonable for a device at this price, aside from the rear battery cover, which doesn't always click into place correctly. The T-Touch Tab has a proprietary port at the bottom that Telstra says will allow future development of accessories, including docks, cases and chargers. One design annoyance is the fact the T-Touch Tab doesn't charge via a standard micro-USB port, instead using a separate power connection. We liked the microSD card slot at the bottom of the device; it is easy to swap cards and doesn't require the rear cover to be removed like with most smartphones. Telstra includes a 2GB card in the sales package.

Telstra T-Touch Tab

The Telstra T-Touch Tab has a built-in kickstand that makes it ideal for watching video content.

The weakest aspect of the Telstra T-Touch Tab is its 7in resistive touchscreen, which isn't as responsive as a capacitive screen. It is particularly annoying when scrolling through Web pages or menu lists, and selecting linked text in applications like Facebook is hit and miss. Once you get used to employing a bit more force than usual when tapping or swiping, the experience improves, though it still isn't as slick as its higher priced rivals. On a positive note, the resolution of 800x480 pixels makes text relatively crisp, although viewing angles are poor, as is legibility in sunlight — the screen is quite reflective and is hard to see if you are viewing it off centre.

The Telstra T-Touch Tab runs the 2.1 version of Google's Android operating system. Android 2.1 hasn't been designed for a tablet, so some apps do not display correctly on the larger-than-usual 7in screen. We tested the official Twitter app for Android, the DoubleTwist music app, PaperToss and Shazam, and none of them would display in landscape mode. The Facebook app also reverts to portrait mode when in the main menu, though your news feed and profile will display in both orientations. Telstra says the T-Touch Tab "should" be upgradeable to the latest 2.2 "Froyo" version of Android, but this version hasn't been designed with a larger screen in mind either. Despite this issue, most apps we tested displayed correctly and fitted the larger screen without any issues.

Read more on these topics: Android tablets, Google Android, tablet PCs, Telstra,

User Comments

1

CydneyFri 03/12/2010 - 12:46

the tablet looks great! But is an iPad better then a tab?

2

laszloSun 05/12/2010 - 13:20


Hi , i have bought one tablet , and it is great ,but i think it has 2 serious downfalls ,.1( the USB ports are on the bottom as it stands .
2( alongside the screen those liners dents easily .

3

frankSun 05/12/2010 - 14:41

Sorry las, the usb port is on the side, the port on the bottom is docking, go back and read the article.
I'm a man and this device was designed with men ln mind. It is very practical, robust and well priced. I have an e71 phome but bought this to access wifi an have a better internet experience on the go. You have to touch the screen a little harder than others but on the stand it's heavy enough that it won't slide away. IMO the stand is its best feature as you work it looking directly into the screen. Battery goes a full 4 hours for me if I adjust brightness to 50% which is still very bright. All fuctions are quickly acessed and the main screens you can flick to hold all the apps you could ever need.

For the price it's a bargain and its size is a perfect balance between a too small iphone and a too large full tablet

4

BrendanWed 08/12/2010 - 14:50

@frank, got one yesterday. I took me a while to realize that there is a pen that comes with the device as well (look at the back). this means you don't have to press as hard, also if you disable the wireless and blue-tooth, you should be to get more battery life.

5

SueTue 21/12/2010 - 00:30

I like to know where I can buy acessories for my t touch tablet. Like a protective cover and screen shields.

6

EricSun 09/01/2011 - 18:17

I bought this so that I can listen to financial radio programs while traveling. I'm deeply disapointed to find out that thus far the files I've been downloading to listen have been cut off at the 10 minute mark. Can someone answer me why this is so and how I can get around it?

For people who want this device for basic uses, checking my mail, facebook, banking etc I have no problem with it's functionality, interface or features.

7

cherTue 18/01/2011 - 12:01

this is a good tablet but is ridiculus charging system , im finding it impossible to get another charger for it even telstra dont have them. I know its a 3.2mm tip but no one in nsw stocks them so far , i have tried the motorola tip that fits and it still doesnt charge . hopeless.

8

PaulSun 23/01/2011 - 23:18

I am also finding it impossible to get another charger. Telstra are MOST unhelpful. It is so important to be able to replace a charger for your phone if needs be. Feeling quite angry about this product now.

9

JimThu 27/01/2011 - 11:23

Goto Radio Shack and get a cig lighter charger there, I have one, works great. They have multipule tips that will fit this unit.
Protective screen cover can be cut from any I pad screen kit. Just measure and cut. using a paper cutter works great. You will find the Tab much more functional with its cameras and ability to make phone calls too. This unit is nothing more that an Huawei s7 Smakit. Same animal. Great device for the money! Got Mine At Best Buy! I never thought I would trade my iphone for an android product but I have been converted, I hate Itunes!

10

BobFri 28/10/2011 - 14:51

Does anyone know if I can load and rename photos from my Dig. Camera via the mini SD card on to this device?

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