4.3newsReviews

CHUWI AuPad Review: A Budget Tablet That Actually Surprises

Nick Papanikolopoulos

March 28, 2025

The Breakdown

4.3

8.6

For a budget tablet, the CHUWI AuPad offers a lot of value. It’s fast enough for daily tasks, has a great display for media consumption, and even supports Full HD streaming. The quad speakers and 4G LTE support add extra versatility, making it a solid choice for students, casual users, or anyone looking for an affordable secondary device.

Quality

8.6

Android

8.6

Display

8.6

Performance

8.6

Connectivity

8.6

Look, when you hear “budget tablet,” you kind of brace yourself, right? You’re expecting something that’ll just…do the bare minimum. But the CHUWI AuPad? It’s got a few tricks up its sleeve that genuinely caught me off guard. It seems CHUWI is aiming for that sweet spot where you get decent performance without having to sell a kidney. It’s like they sat down and asked, “What do people actually need from a tablet?” and then tried to deliver on that.

So, this is an 11-inch Android tablet, and they’ve opted for the Snapdragon 685. It’s not going to win any benchmark wars, but it’s a solid mid-range chip that handles everyday stuff without breaking a sweat. You’ve got 8GB of RAM, which is plenty for multitasking, and 128GB of fast UFS 2.2 storage – that’s the kind of storage that actually makes a difference in how snappy the tablet feels. And here’s the kicker: it plays Netflix, Prime Video, and other streaming services in full HD. That’s not something you see every day in this price range, and it’s a huge plus for anyone who likes to watch movies or TV shows on their tablet.

They’re saying it’s smooth for browsing, watching videos, and even some light gaming. And honestly, after spending some real time with it, they’re not just spinning marketing talk.

CHUWI AuPad: Key Specs, The Real Deal

• Processor: Snapdragon 685, 8 cores, 6nm. This chip is about getting things done efficiently. It’s not a speed demon, but it’s reliable for what most people do on a tablet.
• Graphics: When we’re talking about the Adreno 610 GPU, let’s be clear: this isn’t a powerhouse for hardcore gamers. It’s more like the reliable workhorse that’ll handle most mobile games you throw at it, and do it without making the tablet sound like a jet engine taking off. Think casual gaming, the kind you enjoy on a commute or during a coffee break.

• Memory: 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, microSD slot. Now, the 8GB of RAM. That’s crucial. It’s what keeps things smooth when you’re switching between apps, browsing multiple tabs, or juggling a few different tasks at once. You don’t want to be sitting there waiting for things to load, and with 8GB, you generally won’t be. And that 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage? That’s not just marketing speak. It actually translates to faster load times and snappier performance. It’s the difference between tapping an app and having it open instantly, versus tapping and waiting. And yeah, the microSD slot is always a welcome addition for those of us who like to keep a library of media on hand.
• Display: 10.95 inches, 1920×1200, 60Hz. It’s an IPS panel, so colors are decent, and viewing angles are fine. It’s not the brightest, but indoors, it’s perfectly usable.
• OS: Android 14. Clean, minimal bloatware. Just Android as it’s meant to be.
• Cameras: 5MP front, 13MP rear. They’re… tablet cameras. Fine for video calls and the occasional snapshot, but not much else.
• Battery: 7000mAh, 10W charging. Battery life is decent, but charging is slow. Plan ahead.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, 4G LTE, GPS. The 4G LTE is a real plus if you travel or need to stay connected without Wi-Fi.
• Audio: Four speakers, headphone jack, dual mics. The speakers are surprisingly good, and the headphone jack is a nice throwback.
• Ports: USB-C, microSD.

First Impressions: Not Bad At All – A Deeper Look

When you pick it up, it doesn’t feel like a cheap toy. The aluminum back gives it a solid feel, and it’s surprisingly light. The bezels are there, but they don’t distract. It feels like they put some thought into the build quality.

The buttons are clicky and responsive, and the ports feel sturdy. And the speakers? They’re surprisingly loud and clear. It’s a nice change from the tinny sound you often get on budget tablets.

The Display: A Practical Window to Your Content

The screen on this thing? It’s not going to win any design awards or break any records for color accuracy. But, let’s be honest, for everyday use, it’s perfectly fine. It’s sharp enough for reading text, watching videos, and browsing the web. Colors are decent, not overly saturated, and the viewing angles mean you don’t have to be looking at it dead-on to see what’s happening.

Read Also:  Honor Pad V9 Review: A Worthy iPad Contender

Think of it as a practical window to your content. It gets the job done without any fuss. For most people, that’s exactly what they need. It’s not about being flashy, it’s about being functional. And in that regard, it delivers.

Performance: It Keeps Up – Without Any Fuss

The Snapdragon 685 handles everyday tasks without any hiccups. Apps load quickly, scrolling is smooth, and multitasking is fine. You can even play some games, though you might have to turn down the settings for the really demanding ones.

And the Android 14 experience is clean and snappy. No bloatware, which is a breath of fresh air.

CHUWI AuPad Cameras: They’re… There

Look, they’re tablet cameras. They’re fine for video calls and the occasional snapshot, but you’re not going to be taking award-winning photos with them.

Battery: It’ll Get You Through the Day – If You’re Patient

With a 7000mAh battery, it handles everyday tasks without much trouble. If you’re mostly browsing, watching videos, or handling light work, you can expect around 7 to 8 hours before needing a recharge. Push it harder—like with gaming or constant multitasking—and that drops to about 5 hours. It’s what you’d expect in this price range, nothing more, nothing less.

Charging, though, is a bit of a letdown. Chuwi included a 10W charger that does the job, but it’s far from fast. If you’re at low battery, expect to wait nearly three hours for a full charge. If you’re the type to charge overnight, it won’t be an issue. But if you need a quick top-up during the day, you’re out of luck.

Battery Breakdown:

• Light use (videos, web, social media) → 7-8 hours
• Mixed use (apps, multitasking, casual gaming) → 5-6 hours
• Standby time → Up to a week
• Charging speed → 10W max (~3 hours for full charge)

Does It Overheat?

Nope. Even after a couple of hours of streaming and gaming, the tablet stays cool. The Snapdragon 685’s 6nm design helps keep power consumption in check, and there’s no noticeable throttling or slowdowns due to heat. You won’t feel it warming up in your hands, which is always a plus.

Final Thoughts

Battery life is decent but nothing spectacular, and charging is slow, so be ready for that. On the bright side, heat management is excellent, and the tablet doesn’t get uncomfortably warm, even under heavy use. If you don’t mind the slow charging speed, it’s a reliable tablet for daily tasks without battery anxiety.

Streaming: Where It Actually Shines

This is where the AuPad surprised me. It plays Netflix, Prime Video, and other streaming services in full HD, and the speakers are actually pretty good. It’s like having a portable mini-theater.

Final Thoughts: Worth a Serious Look

For a budget tablet, the CHUWI AuPad is actually pretty impressive. It’s got a decent screen, solid performance, and it’ll stream your movies in HD. The speakers and 4G connectivity are nice bonuses. It’s not perfect, but it gets the job done, and it does it well.

If you’re looking for a tablet that won’t break the bank, but you still want something that’s capable and reliable, the CHUWI AuPad is definitely worth considering.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

Follow Gizchina.com on Google News for news and updates in the technology sector.