Walka 7 Review

Today we finally got around to properly scrutinizing one of DStv Mobile latest handheld devices, the Walka 7. Truth-be-told it has been laying about for weeks (probably months) and I have no excuse for not getting to it sooner, but better late than never so here we go.

As some of you may already know this is a larger version of the DStv Mobile Walka and were going to dig as far as we can to help answer the question “...is bigger really better?”. But first a little recap DStv Mobile is an arm of Multichoice Africa (a well known digital satellite television provider) that specializes in providing means to view live satellite broadcast via a range of mobile devices – from your Apple iPhone to you Samsung Galaxy Tab, mostly independent of an internet connection. The Walka 7 is an upgrade version of the Walka, its name being derived from its 7 inches screen.

Out of the box, your Walka 7 will come with a charging USB cord and a charging base, a stand and a quick guide, earpiece excluded. You can put it on and start watching right away (assuming you’ve sorted out the subscription bit), but I strongly advice you fully charge it first which would talk about 4-5 hours give or take 30 minutes. Another thing worth noting is you should use the charger that comes in the box because pervious Walka chargers may not charge the Walka 7.

The Walka 7 stand has two groves built into it, one of the grooves is at a 45° angle and the other is at 60° angle. The device sits comfortable in either groove as long as it is placed on a flat surface. Sure beats that rubber suction bulb on the previous model – what were they thinking?

On a full charge it’ll playback for about 6 hours, which seems worth the charging wait. The device has a wide screen to allow 16:9 aspect ratio viewing but is not HD compatible. It’s just a ‘wider’ screen. Its full bouquet of 16 channels will appeal to some but not all types of consumers.

The device is significantly heavier than its predecessor, lacks the grip groves of its predecessor and you would probably get tired of carrying it about after half an hour, it also no lanyard hole. It seems that the Walka 7 wasn’t meant to be carried about, good thing it has a competent stand this time. This Walka model still uses a somewhat antiquated aluminium antenna to receive its transitions, even though most mobile devices today have embedded antennas. 

 The Walka 7 was meant for consumers who usually work long hours at desks, although for more actively mobile consumers like ‘students’ I would recommend the original Walka since it light weight and more mobile. The Walka 7 available at all Multichoice outlets and goes for NGN 18,900 (Eighteen Thousand Nine Hundred Naira Only).

So would you be getting a Walka 7 or will you pass? Let us know in the comment section below. Like us on Facebook by clicking HERE or follow us on Twitter by clicking HERE.