China's ZTE telecoms equipment maker is joining the tablet PC and smartphone race in a big way with the V9. It isn't as flashy or elegant as some of the other models on the market, but the ZTE V9 does have one big advantage - its price, which is less than half of similarly configured models.
The big feature to note with the ZTE V9 is that it is not only a 7-inch (800 x 480 pixels) Android-powered tablet with Wi-fi, but also a full-fledged smartphone with 3G for both voice and data connections.
While other 7-inch Android pads cost about the same as the V9, none offer 3G. Those that do, such as Samsung's Galaxy Tab, are typically twice the price - albeit the Samsung model comes with a higher resolution (1024 x 600 pixels) display and faster processor.
So what's the big deal? Having 3G allows you to get online anywhere, any time, without having to look for a hot spot all the time. On the other hand, it also means an extra subscription plan from your mobile operator.
The ZTE V9 is powered by a Qualcomm chip running at 600MHz, 512MB of RAM, 512MB of internal storage - expandable with a MicroSD card slot, Bluetooth, GPS and 802.11b/g/n Wi-fi. It sells for HK$2,099.
Pros: built-in 3G, one of the most affordable Android tabs on the market.