EE Harrier Tab packs Android 5.1 and 4G, costs £200 on pay as you go
EE's latest bird of prey has an 8-inch wingspan and swoops into shops with a Full HD screen, an octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM.
UK mobile network EE has added another gadget to its fearsome stable of bird-themed, own-brand tech. The Harrier Tab is the tablet-sized version of the alphabetical operator's Harrier and Harrier Mini smartphones , packing 4G LTE and some potent hardware. Read on for our first impressions of this mid-range slate.
8-inch wingspan
The Harrier is a smaller tablet, suited to carrying around in a bag, or keeping you company on public transport. It's 4G-capable, which means it's able to access very speedy mobile data for lightning-quick browsing or downloads, though be aware that beyond the up-front cost of the tablet itself you'll be shelling out for the privilege of connecting to EE's network.
Specifically, EE says the Harrier Tab will be available on monthly plans that start at £16 per month. One example tariff is an £18 per month, 24-month plan, which gets you the tablet free up front and 10GB of monthly data. If you'd rather not be tied down to a contract, the Tab can be yours for £200 on pay as you go.
Solid hardware
The Harrier Tab doesn't skimp when it comes to specifications. With a 1.5GHz octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM, it's not quite cutting-edge, but I'm expecting this tablet to handle gaming, browsing and video streaming without much slowdown. Meanwhile 16GB of on-board capacity plus space for a microSD card means there's a reasonable amount of storage for apps and movies.
The 8-inch screen has a Full HD 1080p resolution, while software needs are handled by Google's Android mobile operating system. The Tab is running Android version 5.1 Lollipop, which is a very recent iteration, and will grant you access to plenty of apps.
Outlook
The Harrier Tab has all the hallmarks of a solid, mid-range tablet, but we're keen to get our hands on it to find out exactly how smoothly it handles and how well constructed it is. Other options around this price include the £129 Tesco Hudl 2 (which doesn't have 4G) and the £269 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 , which does have 4G and a larger screen.