Starmobile Engage 7 3G Initial Review: Nicest Looking Android Tablet below Php8,000

Starmobile Engage 7 3G Hands-on and Initial Review

We broke the news about the Starmobile Engage 7 3G a few months ago when we spotted it on the Starmobile website without any announcements. The device promised to be an affordable 3G call and SMS 7-inch Android tablet and while not everyone was enamored with the spec sheet, we were very impressed with how the device was made when we saw it up close during the Unbox Video Podcast. We daresay it’s the nicest looking 3G tablet under Php8,000!

Anyway, here’s a quick rundown of the specifications.

Starmobile Engage 7 3G Spec Sheet

1GHz Dual-core CPU, Qualcomm Chipset
512MB RAM
4GB Internal Storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD Card
7.0-inch capacitive multi-touch display
800×480 resolution, 160 pixels per inch
3.0-megapixel rear-facing camera
VGA front-facing camera
2G, 3G, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS
Can call and SMS
Digital TV and Streaming TV
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
3,000mAh Battery

Hardware: Brushed Black Metal Finish is Stunning

Over the years we’ve seen a lot of tablets land on the Unbox HQ. The current champion when it comes to looks for us has been the Starmobile Engage 7 HD. It’s time to pass the torch though to the Starmobile Engage 7 3G because this is just… gwapo (lol). The black brushed metal finish looks amazing! You would actually think that this tablet was above Php10,000 just based on the looks, hehe.

The build is also more solid. While the chassis is still dominantly plastic, they made sure to compress it as much as they can so as to leave minimal air in between the back cover and the actual internals. The result is a more compact and sturdy device that doesn’t feel cheap when it’s in your hand.

Manages to keep a slim profile

By the way, notice that the placement of the Starmobile logo, camera, and even the black glossy plastic accent is deliberately placed to tell you that this should be used in portrait mode and not landscape. This is because when you use the device to SMS you’ll probably use it in portrait and not landscape.

Anyone planning on texting with this bad boy? Hehe

Also you probably noticed by now that there’s no receiver earpiece on the top of the display. The only way to hear is to put the person on the line on speaker or if you plug in earphones or headphones (wired or wireless).

Over-all we’re pretty happy with the design. We’re just hoping that Starmobile eventually comes out with an Engage tablet with Android Jelly Bean, a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 3G capabilities, HD display, and keep the design of the Engage 7 3G. That would be an awesome buy. 😛

It has Digital and Streaming TV like the Starmobile Engage 7 TV

Full Android experience here. All the games you guys want!

Apart from offering the full Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich experience, the Engage 7 3G also borrows two key features of the Starmobile Engage 7 TV — Digital and Streaming TV. It won’t have an analog option so don’t expect to find a retractable antena on the device. If you use the digital TV app you’ll probably only get TV5, ABS-CBN, and PTV4 but they’ll occasionally go blank because the networks are still testing their digital TV broadcast systems.

Initial Verdict: It looks good but we definitely want more, hehe

While we see the value that the Starmobile Engage 7 3G offers, we feel… “bitin”. The design was made for a premium device and we want a tablet with much more kick in it with the same design. Hopefully we’ll see that soon from Starmobile. 🙂