At a Glance
Our Verdict
We’re quite simply bemused by the Alcatel OneTouch Xess tablet which is designed for use around the home yet is bigger and heavier than a full-size laptop, let alone a normal tablet. It’s not suited for use in the hand or the lap so is more like a portable all-in-one when it comes to design. If the firm fixes the performance issues and gives it a budget price then it might have a slim chance, but our initial impression is that this is a back to the drawing board case.
Best Prices Today: Alcatel OneTouch Xess
First we found the Go Watch which tell you to do all sorts of crazy things, including ‘Go Love’, and then we crossed the Alcatel stand to find the Xess tablet. It’s pronounced ‘excess’ and that pretty much sums up the device. Also see: Best new tablets coming in 2016 .
It’s not like we’ve never seen a tablet designed for around the home but this one is a little more out there than the others – and hasn’t pushed us any close to agreeing that they are a worthwhile category of device.
The Xess has a huge 17.3in Full HD screen so it’s bigger than even a full-size laptop. Furthermore it weighs a whopping 2.55kg so it’s almost certainly heavier than a laptop you have or might have around the house. This means you’ll need to make use of the pop-out handle when moving it from room to room.
Inside the Xess is a 1.5Ghz 64-bit octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM but we found performance to be, let’s not beat around the bush, atrocious. However, the firm is fully aware of this issue and a spokesperson ensured us that an alternative will be found before launch.
There’s a reasonable 32GB of internal storage, a Micro-SD card slot for adding up to 64GB more and some ports you don’t normally find on an Android tablet: two USB 2.0 ports to be precise which may come in handy.
Alcatel provides a small magnetic stylus with the Xess and despite a large 10,000mAh battery the tablet will only last three hours if used for video playback. Normal usages will be between five and seven hours, according to Alcatel.
We don’t have a price for the Alcatel OneTouch Xess yet but it will launch in China later this year followed by the US early in 2016. We’re told it will come to Europe mid-2016 but whether this includes the UK is anyone’s guess at the moment.
Specs
Alcatel OneTouch Xess: Specs
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
- 17.3in Full HD IPS screen
- 1.5GHz 64-bit octa-core processor
- 32GB storage
- 2GB RAM
- MicroSD card slot up to 64GB
- 2x USB 2.0
- Wi-Fi 11ac
- Bluetooth 4.1
- 10,000mAh
- 9.1mm
- 2.55kg
Best Prices Today: Alcatel OneTouch Xess
Author: Chris Martin, Managing Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor Managing Editor Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been with us for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.
Recent stories by Chris Martin:
- What is Raylo? Phone and tech subscription explained
- Google Pixel Tablet Review: To dock or not to dock
- The Pixel Tablet just got a new lease of life, but it could be bad news too
