With the MEGA 1, manufacturer Blackview has introduced a tablet with an 11.5 inch display for under 300 euros. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann has tested the device and explains who might benefit from this model.
Tablets always represent a special group: Too big for the pocket and in everyday life, many tend to reach for a laptop or a slim Surface model instead. With the MEGA 1, Blackview offers a mid-range tablet for under 300 euros.
But can the device really convince for under 300 euros, or should one invest a bit more money? I used the device in everyday life and explain what is behind it. And why the device, apart from a few annoying quirks, is really good.
- Design and Build Quality
- Setup and Android
- The Strengths of the Blackview MEGA 1 in Detail
- The Weaknesses of the Blackview MEGA 1 in Detail
- Conclusion: Price-Performance Tip for around 300 Euros
Who tested this?
I am the Tech Editor at MeinMMO and have a penchant for peripherals, testing mice, keyboards, and gaming headsets. In particular, gaming mice are among my absolute favorites. In addition to the PS5 and a gaming PC, I also play on a Steam Deck.
Transparency Note: The model was offered to us by the manufacturer as a review unit. There was no influence on the test.
Benedikt Schlotmann
Hardware Editor MeinMMO
Technical Details
| Display and Hz Rate | 11.5 inches with 120 Hz |
| Dimensions and Weight | 268 x 169 x 7.6 mm; 530 grams |
| Resolution | 2000 × 1200 pixels with around 200 ppi |
| CPU | Mediatek (MT6789), 8-core with 2200 MHz clock speed |
| RAM | 8 / 12 GB RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB, expandable up to 1 TB |
| Main Camera | 50 MP |
| Selfie Camera | 13 MP |
| Network | 2G, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Price (MSRP) | 319.99 Euros |
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*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung! |
Design and Build Quality
How is the tablet constructed? The MEGA 1 is a tablet with 11.5 inches. This puts the Blackview device already in the league of large tablets. There are also larger models, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra with 14.6 inches, but such sizes are quite rare. The corners are rounded, and the camera protrudes significantly on the back. The protruding camera can actually be a bit disturbing in everyday use and tends to scratch quickly if you place the device with the camera facing down on the table.
Build Quality: The build quality is really excellent for a model in the 300 Euro range: The device uses a solid metal casing, which not only looks valuable but also feels really good in hand. A plastic case feels significantly cheaper in comparison.
In the test, I compared my wife’s iPad (10th generation, 2022) and my Surface Pro. In direct comparison, the MEGA 1 holds its ground; it feels just as premium and well-made as the expensive competitors from Apple and Microsoft.
Weight and Size: The tablet weighs about 530 grams. For comparison: My Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is significantly heavier at 790 grams, but it is also larger and thicker. With its dimensions of 268.7 x 169 x 7.6 mm, the MEGA 1 is almost compact for such a large tablet.
Setup and Android
Which Android version is in use? The MEGA 1 runs on Android 13 and is therefore not quite up to date. At the time of testing, the last security update was from February 5, 2024, and no newer update is available.
Here the iPad (10th generation, 2022) has the advantage, as Apple still distributes current updates to older devices. The important differences between Android and iOS are also broken down on MeinMMO.
Setup and Apps: The setup runs without issues, like on any Android device: I log in with my Google account and can theoretically transfer all of my account data.
Only official Google apps are almost installed on the device, with the complete portfolio including YouTube, Meet, and more. WPS Office is the only third-party app that caught my attention, but it doesn’t really bother me.
The Strengths of the Blackview MEGA 1 in Detail: Display, Features, Build Quality, and Performance
The Display: One of the biggest strengths of the tablet is undoubtedly the display: It is bright enough and sufficient details can be seen even outdoors in the sun, for instance, if you want to watch a series on the balcony.
The 11.5-inch display has a resolution of 2000 × 1200 pixels, achieving a pixel density of around 200 ppi. More than sufficient for everyday use: 200-210 ppi is good for enjoying films and series, but texts and apps that are very small may appear slightly blurry. To continue the comparison: The iPad 10th generation with its 10.9 inches has a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels at 264 ppi, which is significantly sharper.
You have the best reading and multimedia experience at over 300 ppi. High-end models in the mobile field range between 400 and 500 ppi, but they also cost significantly more.
Features: The MEGA 1 comes with a very good range of features: Besides the power adapter and charging cable, a case and a stylus for operating the tablet are also included.
In terms of technology, you also get a lot for your money: For under 300 Euros, an LTE chip is rather rare, but it is included here. With 256 GB of storage and 8 (or 12 GB) RAM, the device is well-equipped; the storage can still be expanded with an SD card.
However, there is a trick when it comes to RAM. The device is advertised with 16 GB of RAM, but actually, only 8 GB (or 12 GB) are installed. The RAM can be virtually expanded to 16 (or 24 GB), which then uses part of the internal storage of the device. However, this is not really sensible in everyday use, as it generally makes the device slower rather than faster.
Netflix and Widevine Support: It also comes with a “Widevine L1” certification. Widevine is a DRM standard used by services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. With the highest standard, you can enjoy all content in HD. Therefore, the device is well-suited if you regularly want to watch movies and series from Netflix on your tablet (via netflix.com).
During testing, I logged into Netflix, and Netflix confirmed that I have Widevine L1 and therefore the maximum possible resolution is supported. The iPad 10th generation can also stream at maximum full HD (via netflix.com).
Netflix also works very well in practice: the image is sharp and the colors look pleasantly natural on the display.
The Performance: The MEGA 1 is equipped with a “Helio G99 Ultimate” processor from Mediatek (MT6789). The chip is in the upper mid-range. In everyday use, the performance is more than sufficient; the tablet responds very quickly and without stuttering.
Gaming is also possible with some drawbacks: Games like Diablo Immortal run stably and smoothly on the tablet, but during testing, Diablo Immortal did not recognize the “120 Hz” display of the MEGA 1. However, once a lot is happening at once, the performance noticeably drops. You can tell that Blackview designed the tablet more as a multimedia device. It is only conditionally a gaming tablet, as advertised by the manufacturer on Amazon. For quick daily tasks, the performance is definitely sufficient.
The Weaknesses of the Blackview MEGA 1 in Detail: Charging Speed and Camera
The Battery: Basically, the battery lasts me two to three days, depending on how much I demand from the device. However, what is even more frustrating is the charging speed: The MEGA 1 does offer a fast charging option, yet it takes the tablet 4-5 hours to fully charge. So a “quick charge before the business trip” is not really feasible.
The Camera: Blackview advertises the MEGA 1 with a 50 MP main camera and 13 MP for the selfie camera. The pictures are okay at best and suitable for snapshots. Once the light is low, the images become grainy and inaccurate. There is also no image stabilization integrated into the camera. However, it should also be clear that tablets are primarily designed for media consumption and not for photography.
Dust and Water Protection: According to the manufacturer, the MEGA 1 does not offer IP-rated dust and water protection. This is very unfortunate as the tablet can really impress with its build quality and feel. However, it must be said that the iPad offers no such protection either: While Apple’s iPhones all have an IP68 classification, this is missing in the larger iPads.
Android Version: The MEGA 1 utilizes Android 13 (Release: August 15, 2022). This is therefore no longer current; many devices are already running on Android 14, and Google is already distributing Android 15. What is more frustrating is that Blackview does not distribute security updates anymore: The last security update for the MEGA 1 was from February 5, 2024. So an over six-month period without updates.
I find it unlikely that Blackview will deliver new updates or even a new version of Android for the tablet. This is similar with another inexpensive Blackview tablet that I also tested.
Conclusion: Price-Performance Tip for around 300 Euros
For whom is the tablet worthwhile? In my opinion, the MEGA 1 is a fair offer if you are looking for a good and fast tablet for around 300 Euros. Especially if you still want to consume media like Netflix and do not want to use the TV for that.
Due to the lack of IP68 protection, the device is only partially usable for the next beach holiday. The camera is also a weak point alongside the long charging time of the battery and the old Android version. The trickiness with the RAM is also borderline.
Due to Black Friday, there is a discount of 20 euros on the tablet on Amazon until Sunday, November 17, 2024.
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
What alternatives are there?
- With the Xiaomi Pad 6, you get a decently equipped tablet with an 11-inch display and 144 Hz for around 200 euros. However, it lacks a mobile option and a memory card slot.
- The iPad 10th generation is also considered a good recommendation if it doesn’t have to be Android. At a minimum of 350 euros, it is more expensive than the MEGA 1. While the performance is convincing, you will have to pay significantly more for accessories. However, you will also get the better IPS display.
- The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is also an alternative: Good performance, decent battery life, and waterproof (IP68). However, it does not have a display with 120 Hz and only an outdated USB port.
Android and iOS are the two largest operating systems for mobile devices in 2024. But which one is better? MeinMMO presents the differences and explains the strengths of Android and iOS: Android and iOS compared: Which is better?
