Wits A91 Review by Andropos

**andropos** · 07-09-2011 09:05 AM

CPU: TI ARM CORTEX A8 CPU 3730 1GHz
OS: Android 2.3(support Android market)
RAM: 512MB
Display: 7" 16:10, 1024 x 600 capacitive screen
Wireless: WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Buitl-in Bluetooth, 3G via USB dongle
Sensor: Built-in G sensor
Camera: Built-in front camera 1.3M pixel
Microphone: Built-in microphone
Support T-flash card expend to 32GB
Removable Battery: 3000mAH (same as A81)

I/O Ports:

1 x MINI USB (OTG)
1 x Standard USB 2.0(support HDD, FLASH DRIVER,MOUSE,KEYBOARD,ETHERNET)
1 x 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
1 x DC Power
1 x TF card slot

Language: Czech, Dansk, German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Sweden, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese
Audio: Internal stereo speaker(500MW each audio amplifier)
Demension: 194 x 118 x 15.1mm
Weight: 370g(include battery)

I received the new Wits A91 sample from WitsTech 2 days ago and i will try to make a short review of it.

Background:

I heard rumors about this new Wits model already few months ago, that it would get a new slim shell design and better screen.

Many new Android tablets have been released by Chinese manufacturers during the last 2 months and i was hoping Wits would surprise us with some exiting hardware updates with this new model, so my expectations where high.

Once the A91 was published and from the look at the hardware specs the A91 was basically the same old A81 in a new slim shell and a new high-res LCD screen. That's it? My expectations sunk to bottom.

First impression:

When i received the A91 sample and opened the box i was not expecting much as i already had experience from the previous models and this was just a new shell.

I unwrapped the red bubble plastic and i liked what i saw, wow. The new shell looks more appealing compared to the A81 which to me looked more like car GPS then tablet PC.

The device and its weight fells good in hand, the shell under the battery is plastic but the new screen adds lot of weight. Wits A91 weight 34 grams less compared to A81G+, but that is without the GPS module.

Wits A81G+ : 345 grams / 406 grams (with battery)
Wits A91 : 311 grams / 371 grams (with battery)

The battery cover, covers 15% of the back, its made of brushed aluminum and feels much better in hand then the plastic cover.

All ports are located on left side, almost identical location as the previous model. The mini USB and OTG USB port are slightly higher up, which is good if you plug USB flash or 3G dongle and hold the device with left hand.

On front left side of the screen the 3 physical buttons on previous models have replaced with touch sensitive buttons and gives the device a more sleek design. The 1.3MP front camera is located in the center right side.

After booting up the device to Android desktop i got my second wow feeling, the higher screen resolution (1024 x 600) makes big difference on a 7-inch screen.
The display is very bright with good contrast, very sharp and vivid colors, one of the best screens i have seen on a Chinese device, its almost a IPS feeling.

The viewing angles are AMAZING, you can turn the device 80 degrees sideways and you still have a clear image without any brightness loss or color distortion, same if you tilt the device down, BUT when you tilt the screen up you loose some brightness, which im my opinion is one crucial angle, example when viewing laying down or when the device is standing with the kick stand.

The screen would have been perfect if not for this one bad angle. (see photos below)

Running on an early firmware version (2.3.3 0615.105136) i find the device quite stable, no force close on basic operations like browsing, flash content, 3g dongle, streaming audio, settings.
The major problems i have encountered are: downloading from Market is not stable, problems opening content via OTG, USB, camera crashes often

Battery
Wits A91 uses the same removable 3000mAh battery, i have posted a Wits A91 - battery test thread.

Conclusion:

From my experience with Chinese tablets i have learned that powerful CPU, lots or RAM and 3 cameras does not equal a good device.
Android tablet is not a MP4 player where manufacturers can add new hardware function, there is so much more to it, like stable firmware, stable hardware drivers, quality internal parts, high quality touch screen, and good battery life all this you expect from a big brand device like Samsung or Apple.

I have been in contact with the engineer to discuss some some issues and a new firmware will soon be ready. I have also been informed that the A91 had a makeover not only on the outside, but some internals and the mainboards have been replaced with a solution better designed for Android platform which will make the device more stable. Wits have learned alot from their A81 series which was originally built around Windows, now with focus on the Android platform Wits have paved a new future for their products.

From high expectations to low once i understood that the A91 would be powered by same processor and almost identical specs.
I was a little sceptical at first when A91 was announced and if Wits could repeat the success from A81, but after testing the new device i think the upgrades will improve the user experience drastically.

Found issues:
Video files cant be played
No Video player preinstalled
Cant access files via OTG

Updates:
I will keep on updating this review with relevant information as i still have some further tests to do, like 3G and battery test.
Let me know if there is anything you like me to test on Wits A91 and may include this in this review.

Tips & Tricks

Problem:
Some users may have issues with the location of buttons on left side (including me).
Most tablets have front buttons located on right side, it may be more convenient when holding the device with left hand and point the screen and buttons using right hand.

Here is a solution have have come up with which will not only solve the location issue but also fix the bad viewing angle issue and more. :-)

Solution:
Turning the device upside down, will move the front buttons to right side and the bad viewing angle to top where is less needed. Bonus with this solution is that ports also move to right side and it easier to hold the device while charging with AC charger.

Also see: Photos of Wits A91 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab