Our Top Picks
- The Privacy Champion: Best for users demanding digital sovereignty above all else who want to escape the data-harvesting ecosystems of mainstream tech giants.
- Hardware Reality: A solid mid-range build that offers a spacious canvas for work but lacks premium features like biometric Face ID or flagship-grade gaming power.
- Software Focus: The /e/OS platform provides a clean, tracker-free experience that prioritizes your data safety without completely abandoning the Android app ecosystem.
The Murena Volla Tablet review finds that this device is a specialized 12.6-inch hardware solution running /e/OS, a deGoogled version of Android designed to block data telemetry and protect user privacy. It offers a unique alternative for those seeking digital sovereignty by providing a secure environment that limits system-level trackers while maintaining app functionality through microG.
Hardware and Design: Comparing the Specs
When you first hold the Murena Volla Tablet, the first thing you notice is its sheer scale. This is not a compact e-reader; it is a full-sized productivity tool born from a partnership between the French company Murena and the German manufacturer Volla Systeme. The device is currently priced at $798 in the United States and €698 in Europe, placing it in direct competition with high-end consumer tablets like the iPad Air.
The centerpiece is the 12.6-inch QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. In a privacy-focused tablet comparison, this screen holds its own, offering sharp text and vibrant colors that make it suitable for long reading sessions or document editing. Under the hood, the tablet is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 processor. While this is a capable mid-range chip, it does not reach the processing peaks of Apple M-series or top-tier Snapdragon silicon. However, for a device focused on secure communication and workflow, the Helio G99 provides a smooth experience for most tasks.
To support multitasking, the tablet is equipped with 12GB of RAM, 512GB of internal storage expandable to 1TB, and a massive 10,000mAh battery. This combination ensures that the deGoogled Android tablet performance remains consistent even when you have multiple secure containers or applications running simultaneously.
| Feature | Murena Volla Tablet | iPad Air (M3) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | /e/OS (De-Googled) | iPadOS |
| Display | 12.6-inch 2.5K LCD | 11/13-inch Liquid Retina |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G99 | Apple M3 |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 512GB (Expandable) | 128GB - 1TB (Fixed) |
| Battery | 10,000 mAh | ~7,600 - 9,700 mAh |
| Biometrics | None | Touch ID |
The physical build is minimalist. You won't find a fingerprint scanner or facial recognition hardware here. While this might feel like an omission in a Murena Volla Tablet review, it is a deliberate choice for those who view biometric data collection as a potential security risk. The Murena Volla Tablet battery life and charging speed are respectable, though the large capacity means you should expect longer sessions at the wall outlet compared to smaller devices.
/e/OS: The Core of Digital Sovereignty
The real reason you are considering this device isn't just the hardware; it is /e/OS. This operating system is a fork of Android (specifically the AOSP-based system) that has been meticulously stripped of Google Play Services and system-level telemetry. In our /e/OS tablet user experience, the software feels remarkably familiar yet strangely quiet. There are no constant pings from Google servers, and no background data syncs that you didn't authorize.
Central to this experience is the Advanced Privacy dashboard. This tool allows for system-wide tracker blocking and metadata privacy protection. You can see exactly how many trackers are being blocked in real-time. Perhaps the most impressive feature is the GPS location spoofing. If you want to use a weather app but don't want it to know your exact home address, you can feed it false coordinates at the system level.
This approach defines digital sovereignty. Instead of the OS serving the needs of an advertising company, the OS serves you. For privacy advocates, this is the gold standard. The software limits data telemetry protection to ensure that your usage patterns aren't being bundled and sold to the highest bidder.
One of the standout features of the OS is the App Lounge. It acts as your primary gateway for software. In the App Lounge, each application is assigned a privacy score from 0 to 10 based on its built-in trackers and required permissions. Seeing a popular social media app receive a 0 out of 10 score is an eye-opening experience that changes how you interact with the alternative mobile ecosystem.
App Compatibility and Daily Performance
A common concern when moving to a deGoogled Android tablet performance setup is whether your favorite apps will still work. Murena addresses this by using microG, an open-source implementation of Google’s proprietary libraries. This allows many apps that typically require Google Play Services to function without actually sending your data to Google.
Using microG on Volla Tablet for Google app compatibility is surprisingly effective for tools like Spotify, Signal, or even some navigation apps. However, it isn't a magic bullet. Some banking apps, high-end games with strict DRM, or apps like the MLB app may still fail to run. If an app isn't in the App Lounge repository, you can still learn how to sideload apps on Murena Volla Tablet safely using third-party stores like Aurora Store or F-Droid.
In terms of /e/OS tablet user experience for daily productivity, the 12GB of RAM is a lifesaver. It allows for deGoogled Android tablet performance for multitasking that feels snappy, even when switching between a privacy-hardened browser and a document editor. You can feel the lightness of the OS; without Google's background services constantly chewing on CPU cycles, the device feels more responsive than its mid-range processor might suggest.
Accessories and Productivity Potential
For many, a 12.6-inch tablet is a laptop replacement. Murena offers an optional keyboard case that physically connects to the tablet, which is a significant upgrade over standard Bluetooth options. However, during our Murena Volla Tablet review, we did encounter some software quirks, such as a double-typing bug that occasionally appeared when typing at high speeds. These are the growing pains of a niche operating system, but they are worth noting for power users.
The weight is another factor. When combined with the keyboard, the total package weighs about 1.3kg. This makes it as heavy as some ultraportable laptops. However, the tradeoff is the 10,000 mAh battery, which easily lasts through two days of moderate /e/OS tablet user experience for daily productivity. Whether you are drafting emails, managing spreadsheets, or browsing through the App Lounge repository, the endurance is top-tier.
Verdict: Is Digital Freedom Worth the Cost?
The Murena Volla Tablet is a statement piece. It is not trying to beat Apple or Samsung at their own game of raw specs and ecosystem lock-in. Instead, it is offering a way out. The Murena Volla Tablet vs iPad Air M3 comparison is less about pixels and benchmarks and more about who owns your data.
While you are paying a "privacy tax" in the form of mid-range hardware at a premium price point, the value lies in the software and the commitment to long-term security. Murena has promised five years of software updates and security patches, typically delivered every two months. For privacy advocates, this long-term support is essential for maintaining a secure digital life.
If you are ready to leave the mainstream data-tracking cycle, this tablet is the most polished hardware-software combination currently available in the deGoogled market. It requires a slight learning curve and some patience with app compatibility, but the peace of mind it provides is a feature you won't find on any spec sheet from a major manufacturer.
FAQ
Is the Murena Volla Tablet worth buying?
It is worth buying if you prioritize digital sovereignty and privacy over high-end gaming performance or brand ecosystem integration. If you are comfortable using an alternative mobile ecosystem and want to avoid Google's data collection, this tablet provides the best large-screen experience currently available.
What operating system does the Volla Tablet run?
The tablet runs /e/OS, a deGoogled version of Android based on the AOSP-based system. It is designed to be user-friendly while removing Google services, system trackers, and telemetry that usually send data back to big tech servers.
Can you run Android apps on a Volla Tablet?
Yes, you can run most standard Android apps. The device includes an App Lounge that offers a wide range of applications. For apps that require Google Play Services, the system uses microG to provide compatibility without compromising your privacy.
Does the Murena Volla Tablet support Google Play Store?
No, it does not support the official Google Play Store, as that would require logging into a Google account and accepting their tracking. Instead, it uses the App Lounge, which fetches apps from various sources and provides a privacy score for each one.
How secure is the Volla Tablet compared to standard tablets?
The Volla Tablet is significantly more private and secure than standard tablets because it blocks data telemetry at the system level. It includes features like GPS location spoofing, an integrated tracker blocker, and a transparent privacy rating system for apps, which mainstream tablets do not offer.
