Dragon Touch K10 Android Tablet GBAtemp review
Hardware
Product Information:
Tablets have always occupied a bit of an awkward space in the technology landscape. Lacking the portability of smartphones and the power of full computers, they seemed aimed at casual users who want something more capable than a phone for light internet browsing. But they were always prohibitively expensive, making it a riskier purchase for that exact user base. In the last year or two, however, the price of full-sized Android tablets has dropped drastically, allowing casual users to get in without sacrificing size or moving to the less user-friendly FireOS.
The Dragon Touch K10 is one such device. Retailing for about $100, it’s set at an attractive price point, and hits that target by excelling at a key few areas rather than trying to be a jack of all trades. It ships with Android 8.1, and all of the quality of life features that accompany it, and also ships with no added apps that you sometimes see on tablets like this. By starting with only the stock Android apps it keeps the layout clean and easier to understand for the casual user.
Tech Specs
- Screen Size: 10.1 inches
- Max Screen Resolution: 1200x800
- Memory Speed: 1.3 GHz
- Average Battery Life: 6 hours
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.69 x 0.39 inches
- Weight: 2.05 pounds
For such a cheap device, I was surprised at how smoothly it ran. I was able to navigate the OS without a hint of slowdown, and could quickly jump back and forth between apps. It was able to load relatively complicated websites with ease, though it did sometimes take a while to display ads properly which could lead to that annoying jump where an ad suddenly appears where it wasn’t before. I was even able to split the screen between two different apps without any noticeable delays. Video playback could be stopped and started without any trouble.
It features a full 10.1” display with an IPS panel. While it only has a 720p resolution (technically 1200x800, so slightly above 720p), the IPS panel display gives it some life, letting the colours pop a bit more. The screen has good viewing angles, as I was able to lay down with it propped up against a stand and watch videos at odd angles without it affecting things too much. It’s not an amazing display, but going for a lower resolution to lower the cost while using an IPS panel to still add some colour is a clever compromise that pays off.
The battery is pretty good, as well. I mainly used the tablet for reading comics and was easily able to get over eight hours of use without needing a charge. For more casual internet browsing and video playback, you could probably expect closer to five. The power drain while the screen was off was also very impressive; I received the tablet during a bit of a busy period, so after initial setup I left it in standby mode with WiFi enabled and one app running in the background, and it lasted well over a week before draining completely.
The K10 isn’t powerful enough to be well-suited to gaming. Anything that can run well on it is usually designed for and better suited to playing on a phone. Most basic emulators will work with it, but unless you’re really in a pinch, there are simply much better options for running them. Anything that draws you towards the idea of tablet gaming won’t be much good with the K10.
As mentioned, the K10 makes some sacrifices along the way to keep its cost down. For all the good it does with its display and battery, its speakers don't pull the same weight. They don’t get very loud and they come out very tinny. It’s fine if you’re casually watching YouTube, but if you wanted to watch a movie or listen to music, it would quickly get annoying, especially if you were trying to watch with someone else. Of course, the tablet has bluetooth 4.0 and a 3.5mm jack, so it’s easy to bring your own audio solution if needed.
The camera is another area where the K10 falls behind most competition. The front and back cameras are both only two megapixels, well below what you’d find in even lower-end smartphone options. Photos come out okay, but it struggles with video, as they tend to come out choppy and with an overabundance of motion blur. Tablets aren’t generally popular options for camera use, so you can decide if this is a dealbreaker for you. Personally, I think skimping out on the camera to enhance other aspects of the device is a smart move.
Comparison photo of the camera on the K10 tablet (left) and iPhone 7 (right). Click on the image to see them full-size.
The Dragon Touch K10 chooses a few things to do well, and isn’t concerned with improving its other aspects. Luckily, it chooses its areas of expertise well. Most people aren’t going to use a clunky tablet as their primary camera, and anyone who’s concerned with sound will have their own audio equipment to connect via bluetooth or the 3.5mm jack. By choosing to focus on display and performance, the Dragon Touch K10 is able to turn in a surprisingly capable device at a cheap price.
Verdict
- IPS display
- Free of bloatware
- Excels at casual usage
- Affordable at only $100 USD
- Unimpressive speakers and camera
