blackview Blackview 13 inch Android 15 Tablet with Keyboard, Review

The Blackview Link 8 packs a big screen, Android 15, and a full kit of accessories into a $200 box, making it a standout value. Its Helio G100 chip and 256GB storage are strong for the price. Just don't expect premium performance or build quality from the bundled keyboard and stylus. It's a solid pick for budget-conscious students who need everything upfront.

Let's talk about the Blackview Link 8. It's a 12.7-inch Android tablet that comes with a keyboard, a stylus, and a whole bundle of accessories, all for about $200. That's the main story here: you get a lot of stuff in the box for not a lot of money. It's aimed squarely at students or anyone who needs a basic, portable screen for notes, web browsing, and media, and wants the laptop-like experience without the laptop price tag.

What makes it interesting is the sheer completeness of the package. You're not just buying a tablet; you're getting a keyboard case, a stylus, a mouse, earbuds, and screen protectors. For someone on a tight budget who needs to hit the ground running, that's a huge deal. It runs Android 15, which is about as current as you can get in the Android tablet world, and it's powered by a MediaTek Helio G100 chip, which is a decent mid-range processor for this price point.

But here's the thing you need to know upfront: this isn't competing with an iPad Pro or a high-end Samsung Galaxy Tab. It's playing in a different league entirely. It's a value proposition first and foremost. The big screen, the bundled accessories, and the latest OS are the main attractions. If your needs are simple and your budget is firm, this tablet makes a compelling case for itself.

Performance-wise, the Helio G100 chip is a solid performer for the price. In our database, its CPU and GPU scores land around the 70th percentile compared to other tablets in this category, which basically means it's faster than most budget options but won't hang with the premium chips. For everyday tasks like browsing with a dozen tabs, streaming video, and using basic apps, it's perfectly smooth. The 90Hz refresh rate on the display helps with that perceived smoothness, too.

Where you'll feel the limits is in heavier multitasking or more demanding games. The RAM situation is a bit of a tell: it has 6GB of physical RAM boosted by 12GB of virtual RAM, but our percentile ranking for RAM is only 35th. That virtual RAM is using storage space as extra memory, which is slower. So, while you can have a lot of apps open, switching between them might not be as snappy as on a device with more physical RAM. The 8400mAh battery is decently sized, but its performance lands in the 49th percentile, so expect a full day of light use, but you'll likely need to charge it nightly with heavier screen-on time.

At $200, the value proposition is the Blackview Link 8's strongest suit. You're getting a complete 2-in-1 kit for the price of a barebones tablet from bigger brands. When you factor in that a comparable keyboard case for an iPad can cost $100+ by itself, the math gets very compelling very quickly.

The price-to-performance ratio is good. The Helio G100, 256GB storage, and Android 15 combo is genuinely better than what you'd find in most other tablets at this exact price point. You're paying for the core hardware and getting the accessories essentially for free. Just keep your expectations calibrated: you're getting $200 performance in a $200 package, not $500 performance at a discount.

The most direct competitors are other budget Android bundles, but let's look at the giants. Compared to an entry-level iPad (10th gen), you're getting a bigger screen, more storage, and all the accessories for half the price. The trade-off is a much less powerful processor, a less polished app ecosystem, and lower-quality accessories. The iPad will feel faster and last longer, but you'll spend much more to get it ready for note-taking.

Against a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE, you're again looking at a significant price difference. The Samsung has a far better stylus (S Pen), a brighter screen, and longer software support. But the Blackview undercuts it on price by a wide margin and includes the keyboard. If your budget is rigid at $200, the Blackview is your only option for a full kit. If you can stretch to $400-$500, the Samsung or iPad offer a noticeably better long-term experience.

Skip the Blackview Link 8 if you're a digital artist or designer. The bundled stylus is basic, the display likely isn't color-accurate, and our scoring confirms it's weak for art and design tasks. Look instead at an iPad with an Apple Pencil or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S series with an S Pen.

Also, power users who need seamless multitasking between dozens of browser tabs and demanding apps should look elsewhere. The modest physical RAM and mid-tier chip will show their limits here. If your budget is around $200 but you need more raw power, consider looking for a used or refurbished laptop instead, as it will offer a more capable multitasking experience for productivity.

We'd recommend the Blackview Link 8 if you're a student or casual user on a strict budget who needs a big screen for notes and videos right now, with all the necessary accessories included in one box. It's a 'get the job done' device that minimizes upfront hassle and cost. For basic schoolwork, web browsing, and media consumption, it's more than adequate.

However, if you need a tablet for more demanding tasks, plan to use it for several years, or want a premium stylus experience for drawing, you should skip this. The performance and accessory quality won't satisfy those needs. In those cases, saving up for a refurbished iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab FE model is a much better investment. Think of the Blackview as a capable commuter car, not a luxury sedan.