Reasons as to why you should NOT purchase a cheap Chinese Android tablet or smartphone (problems)
5Did you know that regardless of brand name and where you purchase your cheap Chinese Android tablet or smartphone (even from a known name big box store), chances are the hardware of said cheap Chinese Android device is made by one of three or four Chinese component manufacturers? This means that from one brand name to another, chances are your cheap Chinese Android tablet or smartphone will have the same problems as another brand name of cheap Android Chinese device.
A cheap Chinese Android tablet or smartphone can be identified as being sold under a brand name that does NOT manufacture smartphones that are carried and sold by wireless service providers (cell phone carriers). At times these cheap Chinese Android devices even sell without any sort of brand name. You can find these for sale on group buying daily deal websites (such as GroupOn or TeamBuy), cheap electronic stores, widely available online (generally from Chinese resellers or manufacturers) and even through big box stores (such as Wal-Mart or Best Buy).
Reasons why one should not purchase a cheap Android tablet or smartphone:
Performs poorly despite specifications
-Smartphones that I had with WORSE specs performed better, functioned better and displayed clearer
Low compatibility
-No Google Play Android Market
-Compatible with, at best, 40% of all apps out there
-ANY non-PC portable device (whether it be Android, iOS, BlackBerry or Windows Phone) is always severely limited with what can be done and accomplished on it compared to a PC
Shoddy worksmanship and functionality
-Imprecise touchscreens that would type gibberish when connected to a power source
-Batteries that would last a maximum of 2 hours
-AC adapters (wall chargers) that would emit a burning odour when connected to a power outlet
-Wi-Fi that would have trouble remaining connected
-Devices that do not always turn on or boot up, and require tricks to get them to boot properly
Do not last very long (not very reliable)
-My first tablet was defective right out of the box; my second lasted only 6 months (with the operating system becoming corrupt and becoming stuck in a boot loop)
-My issue is not unique but is rather VERY COMMON among cheap Android device owners
Not very easy to reset or fix
-Difficult to get the manufacturers or resellers to honour warranties
-Returns or RMAs will almost ALWAYS require shipping back of the product at your own cost; often back to China
-You MUST use the firmware ROM that is designed for YOUR SPECIFIC DEVICE (there is NO 'universal' Android operating system that can be installed)
-Firmware ROMs are not always and easily available, and often must be obtained from the manufacturer (if they are even willing to grant it, which they often are not)
-Firmware ROMs (either from the factory or 'custom' ROMs) may contain questionable software and apps
-Each device uses a different method to install said firmware ROMs
-Components cannot be easily changed like on a PC, and if said component dies or is no longer accessible, there is no easy way to swap in a different component in its place
---
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBCntpVtuw8
Included in the linked video is a used Android SmartPhone buyers guide (what to look for and how to test for potential problems before purchasing).