I found a cheap Android tablet that is eligible to change my iPad (and better than some ways)

Key takeaways of zdnet

• Blackview Mega 1 is available directly from Blackview and Aliexpress, which starts at $ 330.
• The tablet has a large screen, a luxurious display, brilliant sound output and a light design.
• However, the case of Folio seems flare, and there is nowhere to store stylus.

If you think about a tablet, you probably think of an iPad. You should know that there are some magnificent Android tablets that you can buy for a fraction of the cost of the Apple device. Case in point: Blackview mega 1,

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It is a midrange tablet that costs $ 330 and offers a solid camera system for 11 inch 120Hz display, 256GB storage, 12GB RAM and social media and video calling. I recommend it to anyone in search of an alternative to excessive iPad.

Mega 1 is a unique tool in 1 blackview offerings. The company was synonymous with the rugged smartphone once, but over the years, Blackview has diversified its catalog, which now includes budget equipment with a specific premium feel.

Mega 1 impressed me outside the box. I hope that this budget tablet would make a cheap, heavy, plastic feel, such as laptop laptops. Instead, I discovered a thin, light aluminum tablet, which feels as premium as Apple’s iPads. The curves and bezels are smooth, and the tablet feels completely balanced. It feels a premium that you do not expect from a device that costs less than $ 300.

In comparison, Folio of Mega 1 is slightly lethargic. Yes, it does a good job of protecting the performance and turns into an usable stand, but it feels a cheap vinyl and starts wearing only after a week’s use. The case is not a deal-breaker, but it seems that such a beautiful tablet is like purity to put in the budget folio case.

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The premium feel of mega 1 otherwise goes far beyond the skin-deep. Performing 11.5 inches of performance looks great on the eyes. Even after several hours of using the tablet, my eyes felt fresh. 120Hz refresh rates and 203 pixels-inch density users help ensure comfort.

The system also supports Widavin L1 Digital Rights Management Specifications, which allows Netflix, HBO, Disney+and more HD and HDR material to streaming. This ability gives mega 1 an advantage to those who want to use the tablet as a content consumption device.

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Quad speakers do a good job of giving cinematic surround sound sound experience. In high-vantage outputs, the sound is powerful, clear and deformation-free.

The device is powered by a MediaTek MT6789 Octa-Core processor and supported by 12GB RAM (expandable for 24GB using system storage). This combination is powerful enough to keep everything lukewarm well. I did not face stuttering or lagging during my tests, and the apps spread almost immediately to life.

Cooling is controlled by an integrated system that uses more than 8,000 square millimeters of graphite. BlackView claims that this setup can keep the tablet below 40 andc/104 .f. My test of mega 1 under heavy, prolonged load supports this claim. The mega 1 did not feel warm to touch the mega 1 at any point. You can push this device to your limits with confidence.

The giant 8800mAh battery is crammed in less than an inch of the tablet. Blackview says the battery is good for overall use of 20 hours, can play music for 22 hours, play HD video for 5.5 hours, and support five -hour gaming. I got a two -day heavy use amidst recharge.

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While the 20-hour runtime figure is probably correct, the blackview can reduce its figures. I saw a lot of YouTube during my tests. Either way, the battery is not a weak point. Mega 1 cameras do not disappoint, either.

The 50-megapixel rear camera has a 1/2.76-inch Samsung Isosel JN1 sensor that distributes clear, detailed and color-colored images. You are not getting pop and details that you see from Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy S24, but in this difference, less with hardware and more with intense amounts of on-device processing that high-ended equipment now performs on images.

Do not let this deficiency be closed. The camera is perfect for the most users, and the output for social media or work/school report is higher than enough. The 12-megapixel front-faceing camera is also higher than enough for selfie and video calling, and it easily handles a variety of lighting conditions.

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Comment: Blackview uses on its website to promote the camera, which are stock images to promote the camera and are not taken using mega 1. Blackview is not alone in using this technique, and I do not know why companies emphasize this approach, which clearly confuses consumers.

The tablet comes with a stylus. I am not a fan of stylus, but I think it’s an extra for those who like them. He said, there is nowhere to store stylus on a tablet or folio case. Therefore, if you are like me, stylus is unlikely to move long.

ZDNET purchase advice

With an average status processor and performance, it is easy to imagine a budget tablet as a cheap part of plastic and glass, and a battery that can barely remain until morning.

Blackview mega 1 Nothing like that. It is a tablet with a premium feel that provides a hardware experience that would have commanded a high price a few years ago. From its thin and light design to 11.5-inch 120Hz display, it gives tablet quality and provides a great user experience.

How it compares

latest updates

July 30, 2025: A new comparison chart was added to Blackview Mega 3 compared to Blackview Mega 1. The new model is large, better hardware, and a better camera system. The old link was also replaced.