Sprints debuts ultra-affordable ZTE Optik 2 tablet

Sprint's new tablet won't set any benchmark records but it's very affordable.

(Credit: Sprint)

Sprint introduced its newest Android tablet on Friday, the budget-friendly ZTE Optik 2. Priced at $29.99 with a two-year plan, the 7-inch tablet is a 3G-ready slate with entry-level specifications.

The 7-inch screen has a 1,024x600-pixel resolution, much lower than the Nexus 7 tablet of 2013, which has a resolution of 1,920x1,200 pixels. Looking under the hood, we find a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 200 processor, 8GB of internal storage, and 1GB RAM. The tablet has two cameras, a front-facing 2-megapixel and rear 5-megapixel combo.
Rounding things out, there's microSD expansion, Bluetooth 4.0, and a 4,000mAh battery. As is the case with the hardware, the Android 4.1.2 software is a step or two behind the times. In fact, the Optik 2 is not all that different from its 2012 predecessor.
Sprint customers can pair the ZTE Optik 2 with any of the carrier's Tablet Connection
plans, including the promotional 2GB data for $15 per month. The tablet can also act as a mobile hot spot, though users will incur an additional $19.99 per month for 2GB of data. A 6GB hot spot plan will set you back $49.99 per month.
The ZTE Optik 2 is immediately available through Sprint's Web site.