Smartphone screens are just a wee bit small after you hold a 10-inch or 7-inch tablet. According to different research studies, smartphone users often purchase a tablet. My guess is that many business owners are also parents who are tired of giving up their smartphone when a child calls for a device. But they want a tablet that can be useful for work, too.
If that sounds like you, then this review of the Aio Wireless ZTE Velox tablet is for you.
A Look at the Aio Wireless ZTE Velox Tablet
Aio Wireless is a no-contract cell phone provider (built on AT&T’s network) that also offers a tablet for $15/month. You purchase the ZTE Velox tablet first, for about $180 at press time, and then choose data plan options.
Here are a few ZTE Velox tablet specs:
- 7″ Android tablet (4.1.2 Jellybean).
- 3MP rear camera with video recording, 1MP front camera for video chat.
- 1.2 GHz dual-core processor for smooth browsing, movies and gaming.
- 4,000 mAh battery for long-lasting performance.
- Connection speed up to 3G.
The device itself feels a bit heavier than other 7-inch tablets I have used, but not much heavier. You can hold it as a phone, in a pinch. So the 7-inch size is a good size for daily use, wandering around town or going from appointment to appointment. Particularly when you do not want to haul a laptop or need a slightly bigger screen (beyond your phone).
As someone who uses the Google Nexus 10 on a daily basis, I would not opt for the 7-inch personally. If I was only working from my Samsung S3 and wanted just a bit more screen, this size device is perfect and I would buy it.
What I Really Like:
- Fully functional, self-contained tablet that can connect from almost anywhere in the USA.
- Fast with 1 Gigabyte of RAM and 4Gig of storage. That’s enough for a training video or three, plus maybe a video (SD not HD) for the kids. You can add a 32Gig mini-SD card, too.
- Good quality screen resolution and responsive touchscreen.
- Pre-loaded with many of the common Web programs/apps like email and browser. Of course, you can download whatever you need from the Google Play store.
What I Would Like to See:
- The little rubber thing that covers the SIM card and mini SD card for storage. There has to be something a bit more elegant than that. But thankfully that doesn’t impact functionality.
- The rear camera sticks out slightly beyond the tablet body and it bugs me. But you know, just about every smartphone does the same thing, so it isn’t fair for me to pick on these guys. I would just like to see a cam lens that lies flush.
Despite my two small concerns, the ZTE Velox tablet is a solid tablet that can serve as a small business workhorse at an affordable price with a built in 3G wireless and WiFi capability.
You can find more powerful tablets, but not in this price range, with these options, without a contract. If you have been in the market for a tablet with loads of good features and one that lets you work remotely, the ZTE Velox from Aio Wireless is a great candidate.
Aio Wireless sent me a short term media loaner for this review.
Images: Aio
Well written review. I like that. In fact, I was looking for buying a tablet and I think this might be the one for me. Thanks TJ.
TJ McCue
That’s great, Derick. Thanks for sharing. It is a good tablet and price range, in my view. If you can try one out in store somewhere, I always encourage that.
Hi TJ. Is there anywhere I can view a video of the tablet in action? I thought I’d check it on the link you have there, but I’m being asked to enter a zip code before I can access the site, which I can’t as I’m in the UK.
TJ McCue
Hi Ebele,
Sorry, I haven’t seen any videos of it in action. As far as I know, the service is available only in the USA. However, I’m sure you could find that tablet in the UK or be able to get it (not from Aio, I don’t think) elsewhere and ship to UK.
On postal code, just do what I do — figure out a city in the USA where it has service (Dallas or Houston Texas would work) and enter that. It doesn’t matter when you’re just browsing, right?
Hi again. No worries re: video. I wasn’t looking to purchase it – just window shopping for now! Will see if the tablet’s available in the UK, or do as you’ve suggested (re: zip code). Thanks.
Aira Bongco
Sounds nice but a tablet with a 3MP camera is just way too low for me. I need to take some pictures not only for my work but also as a hobby. I need something that can do that for me. So I guess I’ll pass with this one.
I bought one of these to use with my square app in one of my stores and it is simply wonderful. A smart phone is really to small so this is just the right size if you’d like a little bit more screen at an inexpensive price. We’ve also used it at one of our roadside fleamarket stores that does not havr wired phone service and it doubles as a credit card reader and a phone with an app from google play. I like it so much I am buying one for all 7 of my roadside stands.
Great for anyone that sells on the roadside and wants an in expensive wired tablet.