Sunday 8 March 2015

Megafeis G810

Megafeis G810

The Megafeis G810 is very much like the previously reviewed GPD G5A, in that it's a Chinese import that you'll find either via Amazon or through translating the original Megafeis website to English.

The G810 uses an older ARM Cortex A8 1GHz single core CPU, with an even older SGX531 GPU and a rather paltry 512MB of system memory that attempts to run Android 4.0. Internal storage is just 8GB, but as with the other examples we have on test, the micro-SD card will support and boost the storage up to 32GB.


The 7" capacitive screen is capable of 800 x 480 resolutions, but you'll be able to output to a TV or monitor via the mini-HDMI port. There's also a g-sensor, 0.3MP front and rear camera, wi-fi and mini-USB for charging and other connections.

The design is similar, in some respects, to that of the JXD. There's a large D-Pad in the upper left, made up of four separate buttons, which makes moving in diagonals difficult, accompanied by a single analogue stick below. The opposite side features a four-button array, below which you'll find Start, Select and Home buttons. Along the top are a pair of trigger buttons, which are well designed and feel much better than what we were expecting.

To be fair, although this is another one of those obscure Chinese Android devices, the G810 is quite well built. It's made from cheap plastic, as you would expect, but it doesn't necessarily feel like it is. The buttons are firm, with very little travel, and they're responsive too. They aren't brilliantly placed (the analogue stick being in the bottom left is very awkward), but they are decently constructed.

The real problem with the G810, though, is the fact that it's so slow. This is naturally down to the use of the older CPU and GPU and the fact that 512MB isn't really enough these days to play anything other than the most meagre of Android games. In truth, it's barely enough to run Android 4.0, let alone any games.

The retro emulation side of things is adequate, but this device, like the GPD, lacks any means to accurately map the buttons, despite stating that it can. Emulation isn't everyone's cup of tea, though, and unfortunately the G810 simply doesn't cut the mustard when it comes to being a decent tablet, regardless of the gaming features.

It's a bit of a shame admittedly, as the device only costs around £56. But you get what you pay for, and for something this cheap you're really only getting a very lightweight performer.

The Megafeis G810 therefore is cheap, not necessarily nasty, but inadequate for running modern apps or operating systems. If you're more into retro emulation, then in all honesty spending £70 pound more will buy you a far more capable device in the form of the JXD, which will also run more recent software.