[Review] Pipo Smart S1

[didobuy]

PIPO smart s1 review



Bad points

• home screen only landscape
• itv player and Netflix only portrait
• apparently we filled up the desktop after downloading the 20 or so apps we test
• the screen resolution is poor making the tablet look and feel a bit cheap
• the resolution also stretches the contents, either making it wider (landscape) or taller (portrait)

On the plus side the tablet beats the Cube U9GT4 (similarly spec’d and designed); the screen is at least rotated in the most user friendly orientation (landscape), although as mentioned it can’t be rotated and some apps default to portrait and can’t be changed, annoying! However it’s not running an Android phone OS like the U9GT4.
The compatibility is good, beating most of our tablets. Twitter and ITV Player apps work so no need to go to the websites. The hardware kept up with our tasks well and the animated backgrounds look cool.

In summary the tablet is good, but it is fairly transparent after using it for a half hour that Pipo intends the S1 to be a e-book reader or mini smart pad, rather than a full android tablet. It is much better spec’d than Cubes’ version though, with HDMI out and a proper charger jack. It’s also cheaper.

If you want a high spec 7inch and can live with the display software issues then there’s no reason to buy anything else really.

Heres the spec...

Spec
Model	Pipo Smart S1
Operating System	4.1.1
Display	7 inch Capacitative touch screen
Resolution	800x480 pixels
CPU	Dual-core 1.6 GHz RK3066
GPU	Quad-core Mali 400
RAM	1GB
ROM	8GB
Camera	Dual Cameras Front 0.3, Back 2.0 Megapixel
WiFi	Yes, 802.11 b/g
3G	via Dongle
Microphone	Yes
G-sensor	Yes
Bluetooth	No
HDMI	1080p
GPS	No
Flash	Yes
Android Market	Yes
3D Gaming	Yes
Connectivity
To PC	via USB (Micro Type B)
To 3G Dongle	via USB OTG Cable into Micro USB Type B
To HD Device	via HDMI Mini
To External Storage	via USB (Micro Type B)
Power
Battery	3200 Mah, 3.7V
Working Time	About 4 Hours
Power Device	AC USB Adapter
Appearance
Color	Black
Dimensions	193.5 x 119.5 x 11 mm
Net Weight	340g
Aditional Info
Ports	1 x DC In
	1 x Micro SD Card Slot
	1 x Earphone Jack
	1 x HDMI Mini Slot
	1 x Micro USB (Type B)
What's in the box	1 x Smart S1 Tablet
	1 x AC Charger (USB)
	1 x Micro USB Cable (Type B)
	1 x OTG Cable (Micro Type B)
	1 x Manual

We sell it, check it out: PiPO SMART-S1 7 INCH DUAL CORE RK3066 1.6GHz ANDROID 4.1 JELLY BEAN TABLET PC - Android Tablet

We tested these apps:

App
Google Play store	INSTALLED
Google Maps	INSTALLED
Youtube	YES
Facebook	YES
Skype	YES
Twitter	YES
Whatsapp	NO
MSN	YES
Viber	NO
Tango	YES
iPlayer/BBC Media	YES
SkyGo	NO
ITV Player	YES
4od	WEBSITE
Netflix	YES
TV Catchup	YES
Angry Birds	YES
eBay	YES

 

[Flerry]

Cheap with these functions.

 

[Lilay]

Nice with the latest op and features!

 

[rebeltiger]

Before I start I'd like to add that I am a Linux geek and have My A+ and Network+ certifications so I do know what I am talking about. The Pipo s1 is a great tablet as for screen stretching I do not see it. As far as comparing it to any tablet By Ainol is a great mistake, The Pipo s1 is far superior in almost every way. My Ainol tablet now is being sold cheap to a friend because the Pipo is very comparable to my son New Samsung Galaxy Tab. The size is almost identical same ram and rom, it only lacks Samsung proprietary software and the remote control chip. The only problems are the Wi-Fi tends to drain the battery much faster than The Samsung so be sure to turn off Wi-Fi when not use, also it lacks a quality back camera. Anyone trying to Say Ainol tablets are better is kidding themselves they have phantom screen taps and do not charge well due to poor quality charge chords, oh and let's not forget Wi-Fi that refuses to work if your router is not on channel 11. Further The Pipo s1 feels solid just Like Samsung, Ainol tablets feel like if you squeeze the cheap plastic will snap. Ainol also uses MPIS processor opposed to The ARM processor in The Pipo s1 leaving the Ainol tablet unable to use almost half the applications in play store. In concussion Pipo s1 is a great tablet for your personal use but I recommend staying away from Ainol products. This was written on my Pipo

 

[rebeltiger]

For clarity Pipo s1 does have a Webcam facing the user but it's low quality for Skype or web casts. It lacks a camera that you would print pictures from.

 

[mesk]

Just thought I would add to this.I ordered a Pipo S1 on 1-7-2013 it arrived today.Ive seen some reviews stating that if a sd card inserted it will keep waking up,and a few other things .I just wanted to let everyone know that these problems seem to have been fixed. I have a sd card inserted and it sleeps like a baby.I also was given a English manual ( a few people mentioned it coming with a Chinese manual) However the manual is for a Android 4.0 device,and to my surprise the manual is almost identical to the manual that came with my now returned Zeepad 7.0.Also it only came with one installed Chinese app and it was disabled.Im currently charging it now,through my PC with a sd card installed and all seems to be well.Also this is stock JB 4.1.1,I havent had the chance to root yet.

I wanted a cheaper tablet for travel so I made the mistake of buying a $69 Zeepad 7.0.It wouldnt charge to 100%,the battery fluctuated,just powering on dropped the battery from 92% to 89%,it was just a mistake that I thankfully rectified.This tablet (S1) is a little speed demon! I didnt expect much from a $109.00 tablet but im pleasantly surprised!

 

[nicoletomas]

Does this tablet able to install manga application?

 

[Aliey]

Cheap with this kind tablet.

 

[BamaPanda]

Just got one of these for the wife.

Well built, nice, responsive with JB, cheap ...and the rotate issue is solved by changing launchers. Go Launcher works fine ..and rotates.