VivoPad: A Tablet for Entertainment and Light Office Use
Over the past year, several Android manufacturers have released 11-inch tablets powered by the Snapdragon 870 processor. Among them is the VivoPad, which made its debut last month. In terms of positioning, it is mainly designed to meet the needs of entertainment and light office use. After experiencing the actual device, I believe it meets the standards and even brings some pleasant surprises.
Hardware and Design
Firstly, the Snapdragon 870-based solution has proven itself to be reliable. In the 60fps mode of the game "Genshin Impact," the VivoPad consistently achieves an average frame rate of over 50fps for 15 minutes of gameplay. The back of the device may become slightly warm, but it does not significantly affect the grip on both sides. The standard 8GB RAM across the lineup is also a good selling point. The only drawback is the manufacturer's limitation on screen refresh rate. The intelligent mode locks most third-party apps at 60Hz, and even when manually enabling the 120Hz option, some commonly used software is still restricted. Vivo has already introduced the ability to independently adjust app refresh rates on devices like the X80Pro, and it is hoped that this feature will be extended to tablets in the future.
However, the 11-inch LCD panel of the VivoPad performs well and meets expectations for its price range. With a resolution of 2,560x1,600, it ensures sufficient image detail, along with vibrant colors that cater well to general browsing and video viewing needs. However, its brightness is relatively average, limiting usability in sunlight and affecting the playback of Dolby Vision and HDR10 videos. As for the Dolby panoramic sound system with four speakers on the left and right sides, it sounds pleasing to the ears. The balanced and clear performance across the three frequency ranges provides a good immersive experience. It is a pity that there is no 3.5mm headphone jack, which would have been convenient for a tablet, in my opinion.
Another feature that enhances the entertainment experience is the lightweight design of the VivoPad, weighing only 489g. For an 11-inch device, it is relatively lightweight and does not burden the hand. The device features an integrated aluminum body with a flat middle frame surface and no visible antenna seams, providing a delicate and comfortable feel. This design is aesthetically pleasing, especially when combined with Vivo's new "Square Sky Steps" design and refreshing color scheme. The VivoPad stands out as a visually appealing tablet in its class.
In terms of battery life, the built-in 8,040mAh battery performs decently, providing approximately 9 hours of continuous video playback at moderate brightness. The advantage is the 44W fast charging, which allows the device to recharge quickly. The VivoPad also has a special feature - a 13MP main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera on the back, which capture decent photos. The front-facing 8MP camera supports facial recognition and is the only biometric authentication method on the device. While it may not have fancy features like centering the face, it works well with the ToF module on the side to remind users of eye distance.
Software and Accessories
To complement the VivoPad, the manufacturer has developed the OriginOS HD system, which improves the UI and interaction design for large screens and incorporates some practical features. In terms of UI, Vivo has made noticeable changes to some atomic components and introduced a new streaming aggregation component called "Atomic Cinema" (currently supporting iQiyi, Youku, Tencent, and Vivo's own platforms, with hopes of adding Bilibili in the future) to further highlight the entertainment aspect of the product. In terms of interaction, gestures such as swiping up with three fingers to split the screen and swiping inward from the lower-left corner to float apps are intuitive and easy to use. Sharing files between multiple applications works smoothly, but the stability of running apps in small windows needs improvement.
As for functionality, the main focus of OriginOS HD is to establish seamless connectivity between tablets, smartphones, and computers. Between the VivoPad and a smartphone, the most frequently used feature is the "One-Touch Transfer," which has become a standard feature for mainland Chinese brands. Through the NFC in the upper right corner of the VivoPad, the device automatically triggers different operations based on the scene. For example, when selecting a photo in the phone's gallery, simply touching the photo transfers it to the tablet immediately. If you are using the tablet for note-taking, you can choose to insert the photo directly into the document before transferring. When the phone is running other interfaces, a touch mirrors its screen on the tablet. There may be a slight delay in the display, but it is acceptable, and stability is not a concern.
In terms of device interoperability, OriginOS HD allows password-free access to the hotspot of a paired Vivo smartphone and automatically retrieves the SMS verification code from the phone, making it convenient for users to input the code on the tablet. This is a very user-friendly design. Additionally, the VivoPad can output 4K60Hz video through the USB-C 3.1 port, a feature not commonly seen in similar products. After Vivo introduced the "Quantum Suite" for both Windows and macOS, it became easier for users to synchronize note changes and atomic reading progress across different devices.
As for the Atomic Notebook, which is already popular on smartphones, it can also be used for input on the VivoPad using a stylus. However, the original 4,096-level pressure-sensitive stylus has a small "issue" - it relies on a single AAAA battery for "a whole year" of power instead of the more common method of charging through the tablet. Honestly, it can be quite a hassle to find this type of battery in emergencies, so users need to be more attentive in their daily usage. Another accessory, the magnetic keyboard protective case, has a comfortable 1.3mm key travel and a large glass touchpad. However, its support structure is a bit peculiar, as it folds and sticks to the upper half of the back of the tablet. This makes it easy to accidentally detach the protective case with a little force, and it took me some time to get used to it.
In Conclusion
As the first tablet from the brand, the VivoPad has beautifully fulfilled its mission. It has a well-established positioning and some unique selling points that differentiate it from competitors. With a starting price of RMB 2,299, it has promising market prospects. If the response is good, it is hoped that Vivo will invest more effort in creating a true flagship tablet in the future.
