Cherry Mobile MAIA Smart Tab Review

Table of Contents

Performance and Benchmarks

The MAIA Smart Tab is powered by an Intel Atom Z3735F quad-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz, Intel HD Graphics and 2GB RAM – same configuration as the Intel Compute Stick we’ve reviewed. We first tested how quick it was to boot from Windows to Android and vice-versa. On average, Windows to Android switch would take around 75 seconds, while Android to Windows is quicker at around 41 seconds.

For benchmarks take a look at the results below:

• AnTuTu – 33,412
• Quadrant – 15,452
• Vellamo – 3,264 (Chrome), 1,204 (Metal), 1,333 (Multicore)
• 3D Mark – 8,547 (Ice Storm Extreme)
• Gaming Temp – 41-C

When it comes to overall performance, the MAIA Smart Tab performs well for its class, both in Windows and Android. On Windows, it can handle web browsing, Office tasks (which is better if you have a Bluetooth keyboard), and multimedia playback with ease. Don’t expect it to keep up with most demanding PC games, though. As for Android, it can run most games in the Play Store even graphic intensive ones. Lags occur sometimes but not serious enough to hinder gameplay.

Battery Life

Battery life isn’t the strongest feature of the MAIA Smart Tab with its 3,800mAh battery but it can get you through the day if you’re just using it for light tasks like web browsing, social media browsing, and YouTube. But if you’re going to play games on it, make sure you bring a power bank or keep it plugged in. Check out the battery benchmark results below:

• PC Mark – 4 hours, 43 minutes
• Video Loop Test – 6 hours, 20 minutes

Conclusion

If it’s just a regular Android slate, we honestly wouldn’t really care that much and consider it as another affordable tablet for the masses. But since it has a dual personality for having Android and Windows at the same time, it actually became a very interesting and fun device to use.

To conclude, the MAIA Smart Tab is a really enjoyable and modest companion that doesn’t ask much. For Php4,999 you now have a device that runs Windows for the times you need to get some work done, and Android for when you need to take a break and play.

Cherry Mobile MAIA Smart Tab specs:
8-inch HD display, 1280 x 800 @189ppi
1.8GHz Intel Atom Z3735F quad-core processor
Intel HD Graphics
2GB RAM
Expandable 32GB internal storage
Supports up to 64GB MicroSD card
5-megapixel rear camera
2-megapixel front camera
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
USB OTG
Windows 8.1 32-bit (upgradable to Windows 10)
Android 4.4 KitKat
3,800mAh battery
Dimension: 211 x 130.4 x 9.2 mm
Black, White

What we liked about it:
* Dual-boot functionality
* Affordable
* Decent performance
* Supports Windows 10

What we didn’t like:
* Screen is prone to glare
* No glass protection
* Below average battery life
* No Android Lollipop

21 Comments

Alsop.May says:

5 years ago

If we do or don’t do it, someone will laugh
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joemarie says:

7 years ago

guys help namn nag hard rset ako tapos nawala yong switcher ng tab ko
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Muaad Al-Quqa says:

8 years ago

Battery life if you’re on Windows is about 4 hours, Right?
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bhongski says:

8 years ago

Anyone root the android side of maia smart tab? Ty
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Kan Tutan says:

9 years ago

Can we configure it to run only as a single OS machine?
If we can configure it as a single OS machine, can we assign the full 32gb internal memory to a that OS?
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iantero says:

9 years ago

nakakaba read/write ba to sa mga portable hard disks via OTG cable?
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Erickson says:

9 years ago

Wala syang Free 1 year Subscription ng Office 365? Sabi sa isang site meron. Sayang naman. Gawa naman kayo ng article na listahan ng mga Windows Tablet na may free Office 365. Thanks!
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Bud says:

9 years ago

na try ko mag play ng COC sa android ang tindi ng init at ang bilis ma drain ng bat.. maganda gamitin ang windows nya hirap lang mag install due to small space yun lang tlga mabilis ma lo bat.
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Anon says:

9 years ago

Can this play mmorpg? Ragnarok online for example ?
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alex_corvis says:

9 years ago

it can sana… it has the minimum specs… ang problema is storage. For Windows 10 on Tablet, all apps are installed sa internal disk/card. Di pwede install sa external drive mo (micro sd)

wb says:

9 years ago

cloudfone has dual boot tablets, too. i got the epic 8.9 because of the larger 8.9 in. 1920×1200 screen. thay also have a 7 in. tablet available but other specs are not up to par with the 8.9. the 8.9 has specs similar to this cherry smart tab except for the screen. you also need to turn the power off and reboot in order to switch OS. it’s quite cumbersome and i think cheery’s solution could be better. the epic 8.9 goes for almost P9k. this cherry tablet, granting performance is as expected of its specs and bar other hitches, should give the epic 8.9 a very good challenge. one other advantage of the epic 8.9: it comes with office 365, which allows you to install the suite on three different machines regardless of OS.

the 8.9 is my first windows tablet. i think windows is catching up on the touch screen features but definitely not there yet if compared to android and ios. windows apps developers should also make their contribution in making windows more touch friendly. i know its a tall order and some apps are really going to be better off with mouse and keyboard. but having a tablet that could run productivity apps like ms office acceptably is Godsend on those tight situations.

one gripe i have with the epic 8.9 is that the otg port is also used for charging the battery. would this also be the case for the cherry smart tab? i’ve been looking at the internet for cables that would allow me to use the usb otg and still be able to charge the battery. so, any suggestions?

another thing for the epic 8.9 is that it has a micro hdmi port, which is very handy if you’re gonna use the tablet for presentation using a projector.
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pips says:

9 years ago

Needed one also. found this at LAZADA… http://www.lazada.com.ph/micro-usb-to-usb-otg-cable-adapter-y-splitter-for-android-phones-tablet-and-pc-white-347158.html

baconbriefs says:

9 years ago

Any success with rooting the Android side? Just got my Smart Tab a few hours ago.
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BIKTIMA KAMI LAHAT NG SUN CELLULAR says:

9 years ago

YES WE AGREE… THIS ARTICLE IS MORE SUITED AS A MERE INITIAL PRODUCT IMPRESSION… NOT EVEN CLOSE TO A “REVIEW” … SUPER BITIN !!! DO BETTER NEXT TIME… PLEASE…
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Glenn says:

9 years ago

LOUIE DIANGSON: hopefully make it more visible
Louie Diangson says:

9 years ago

Have you seen the second and third pages?

John Decena says:

9 years ago

I bought one because of the dual boot capabilities, considering its performance this budget tablet is bang for the buck. I can do anything with it specially with emulators, screen angles are quite good. One thing missing in this tablet is the gyroscope though it has an accelerometer but you can’t play games that needed tilt controls. Using windows 10 is a breeze performs just like a normal laptop if you plugged in a mouse and keyboard. They never officially mentioned in the specs that it has gps capabilities.
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Donimus says:

9 years ago

Nice…. Very nice. For a 5k php tablet I’m surprised. Thanks for the review!
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Ji-Soon says:

9 years ago

Ano ba naman ang review na to walang sustansya
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