Around a year ago, I was shopping for a new tablet to replace my underpowered one. I initially came across the Blackview Tab 18, but when I looked around for other options, my eyes fell on the Blackview Tab 16. You might think I’m crazy for not getting the newer model, but hear me out.
At that time, I was more strapped for cash, and I was scrambling to get a tablet powerful enough for my needs without breaking the bank. The Tab 16 fit the description, and it also came with a wireless Bluetooth keyboard. Therefore, I made my decision and bought it. Even today, I still don’t regret buying it, and let me tell you why.
Features
Before we dive in, you should know that I purchased the Blackview Tab 16 for around $199. However, it’s now available for purchase directly from the company for $179. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the basic features.
Blackview Tab 16
What’s Inside the Box
The Blackview Tab 16 came inside a sturdy box that wasn’t hard to open. Other than the tablet itself, the box contained the following:
- Cover that doubles as kickstand
- Stylus
- Charging brick
- USB-C charging cable
- Glass screen protector
- Instruction manual
- SIM ejector tool
I’ve never used the included charging brick and cable since my smartphone charger worked fine. However, I also misplaced the stylus, which was handy for some tasks but I otherwise didn’t use often.
The Hardware
The Blackview Tab 16 has an 11-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1200 x 2000 pixels, which is above FHD resolution. The Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset features two 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and six 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, accompanied by a Mali-G57 MP1 GPU. You also get 8GB of RAM to start with.
Storage-wise, the Tab 16 comes with 256GB worth of space. Fortunately, you can expand it by up to 1TB if you insert a microSD card.
The Tab 16’s13MP primary camera is rated for up to 1080p30 video, and the 8MP selfie camera can also capture video. They’re not impressive, but they do the job.
Don’t worry about the weight, as the tablet is only 1.18 lbs (533g). The 7680 mAh battery also lasts for several days on standby and can endure several hours of active usage.
Standout Features
Sure, the Blackview Tab 16 is an amazing all-arounder, but let me introduce you to some of my favorite features it offers. Let’s start with PC Mode, which I find incredibly convenient for multitasking or work.
PC Mode allows you to open multiple apps in resizable windows, providing a desktop-like experience. You can have YouTube playing audio on one side while browsing the web using the Google Chrome app. I like PC Mode, but the smaller 11-inch screen unfortunately results in a cramped experience for those used to larger screens. However, I think it works well if you’re away from home and want to get some work done.
The next feature I love is the Virtual RAM function. You can use some of the onboard 256GB of internal storage as RAM. In Tab 16’s case, you can allocate a maximum of 6GB of RAM, resulting in an upper limit of 14GB of usable RAM. My tests show that it does improve startup times and app launch times, but I don’t have any precise numbers. Even so, I keep it on for everyday usage.
The Good
I have had the Blackview Tab 16 for two years, and it has served me well to this day. I must confess that I don’t use it daily, but I do have it nearby when I need to read some ebooks. The large screen is also better for watching movies than a smartphone.
A month ago, I was also playing Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail on the Tab 16 because my gaming laptop’s screen started malfunctioning. It runs these titles fine, and I drop all graphical enhancements for the sake of smoothness. To me, the weaker chipset isn’t a problem, because I only play games on my laptop or Nintendo Switch. If I’m gaming on my tablet, it’s usually as a temporary measure.
I also appreciate the larger screen for reading e-books, as I’m an avid bookworm and enjoy the tactile experience of holding a book in my hands. With the help of a reader app, I can even take notes if I’m reading something scholarly.
Right now, I don’t need to expand the Tab 16’s storage, but I always appreciate devices that have expandable storage. You never know when you’ll need more room.
Many Chinese devices come with a significant amount of bloatware, but Doke OS 3.0 (a custom Android 12 skin) does not ship with many pre-installed apps. This not only reduces loading times, but also allows you to spend less time uninstalling apps you’re never going to use.
The Tab 16 isn’t a heavy device, but it has a solid build and doesn’t scratch easily. The fact that you receive a free case is a fantastic bonus as well.
Blackview Tab 16
The Bad
I love the Blackview Tab 16, but it has some problems that I can’t ignore.
No Netflix
My second biggest issue with it is the fact that you can’t watch content on Netflix at 1080p. This L1 Widevine license defect is a problem that affects many Chinese brands and their tablets, and I’ve tried following Reddit advice multiple times to remedy the issue — all to no avail.
On the other hand, since I no longer have access to Netflix, it doesn’t bother me as much. But for those who frequently stream Netflix, this can be a dealbreaker.
Now, I watch a lot of content on YouTube. I obviously prefer the YouTube app for this, but on the Tab 16, there’s an annoying problem with the app. Some videos don’t load at 1080p, especially if the source video file isn’t in 1080p. Blackview’s customer service informed me last year that the issue is more likely related to the YouTube app for Android tablets.
Fortunately, you can bypass the problem by using the mobile web version of YouTube, so this isn’t a fatal flaw.
Bad Facial Recognition
The tablet’s facial recognition is terrible. More than half of the time, I have to input my PIN manually. This happens even if it’s in my room with the lights on. I guess that’s what happens when the selfie camera isn’t a powerful one.
Blackview also stated that the 4G network connection wouldn’t work in the US, which is inconvenient for those who want to insert SIM cards in that region. However, because I don’t currently reside in the US, it wasn’t an issue for me.
With a maximum fast charge rating of 18W, this tablet will take a while to reach maximum battery capacity. If you’re always on the go, this can result in your battery being low more often than not.
The Usual Experience
A typical day of using the Blackview Tab 16 for me consists of browsing for videos to watch on YouTube. I also use it to read ebooks, since it comes with WPS Office. However, due to the ads that appear in that app, I recommend Xodo, which also allows you to add notes to PDF files.
Occasionally, I will play Honkai: Star Rail on my tablet if I’m a little lazy to boot up my laptop. It runs fine, and I can complete my daily tasks without any issue because I can carry it around without effort since it’s so light.
Power Isn’t Everything
I wholeheartedly recommend the Blackview Tab 16 for those who don’t want to spend too much on a tablet. It may not be the best streaming powerhouse, but it can easily replace your work laptop if you’re traveling. I also find it convenient for light gaming, which is what I demand of it.
Having the best graphics isn’t everyone’s priority, and this is coming from a guy who wants the best gaming laptops you can buy. If I can accept the Tab 16, you can too.
