Introducing the Karbonn A34: A Budget-Friendly Android Tablet Released in 2013
The year 2013 was a significant time for the technology industry. It was the year when giants like Apple and Samsung released their latest and greatest smartphones and tablets. But amidst the hype, smaller brands were also making their mark in the market with budget-friendly options. One of them was the Karbonn A34.
About the A34
The Karbonn A34 is a 7-inch Android tablet that was released in 2013 by the Indian brand Karbonn. Though it may not compete with high-end devices in terms of specs and features, it offered a solid option for those looking for an affordable yet functional tablet.
Design and Display
The A34 has a compact and lightweight design, weighing only 335g with dimensions of 197 x 124 x 12.3 mm. It sports a dual SIM feature, making it a convenient device for those who need to switch between networks frequently. The tablet also comes in two color options, gray and white.
Its 7-inch TFT display has a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and a screen-to-body ratio of 57.1%, which may not be as impressive compared to modern tablets, but it still delivered decent visuals for its time. With its 5:3 aspect ratio, users could enjoy watching movies or playing games without any compromise in quality.
Platform and Performance
The Karbonn A34 runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and is powered by Mediatek's MT6515 chipset and a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU. It also has a PowerVR SGX531 GPU, providing smooth performance for everyday tasks like web browsing and social media use. Its 512MB RAM may be modest, but it delivered relatively decent multitasking abilities.
Storage and Camera
The A34 has an internal storage capacity of 4GB, which may not be enough for storing large files and apps. However, it does have a dedicated microSD slot, allowing users to expand their storage up to 32GB.
In terms of photography, the tablet sports a 2MP rear camera and a front-facing camera for selfies. While it may not produce high-quality images, it was still a nice feature to have in a budget device at that time.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Karbonn A34 offers Wi-Fi and hotspot capabilities, making it convenient to stay connected anywhere. It also has Bluetooth, GPS, and FM radio functionalities. However, it lacks NFC and USB connectivity and only has a proprietary port for charging and data transfer.
The device is powered by a 3000 mAh battery, which could provide up to 240 hours of standby time and 8 hours of talk time. While it may not be impressive compared to modern tablets, it was still decent for its time and offered a day's worth of usage with moderate usage.
Price and Availability
The Karbonn A34 was released in 2013 and was later discontinued. It was available in the market for around 90 EUR, offering a budget-friendly option for those looking for a basic Android tablet.
The Verdict
The Karbonn A34 may not be a revolutionary device, but it served its purpose and proved to be a reliable option for those on a budget. It may have been discontinued, but it will always be remembered as a practical and affordable option during the early days of Android tablets.
