The tablet market offers a surprising range of options, even on a budget. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Blackview Oscal Pad 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021). Both promise affordability, but which delivers the better experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers a more polished experience with a slightly faster processor, better software support, and a more reputable brand. While the Oscal Pad 10 is cheaper, the Tab A8's overall refinement and longer software updates make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 29 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released Exp. release 2023, January 09 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 241.3 x 160 x 8.9 mm (9.50 x 6.30 x 0.35 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 536 g (1.18 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, 1/4", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Unspecified | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 6580 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Moonlight Silver, Diamond Grey | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Blackview Oscal Pad 10
- Very affordable
- Decent screen size
- Supports basic apps
- Lower performance
- Less refined software
- Limited software updates
- Slower charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Better performance
- Smoother user experience
- Reputable brand
- Longer software support
- Faster charging
- More expensive than Oscal Pad 10
- Camera quality is still basic
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.5-inch displays, but the Tab A8 typically boasts a slightly higher resolution (likely 1920x1200 vs. potentially 1280x800 on the Oscal Pad 10) and better color accuracy. The Tab A8's display is generally considered more vibrant and enjoyable for media consumption. Viewing angles are also likely superior on the Samsung.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is rarely a strong point on budget tablets. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 typically features slightly better cameras, both front and rear, with improved image processing. Expect slightly better detail and color reproduction on the Tab A8's cameras.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 holds a clear advantage here. Its Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset has a slightly faster CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz vs 1.6 GHz) and generally better overall performance compared to the Oscal Pad 10's Unisoc T606. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Tab A8.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable, with both tablets likely offering around 8-10 hours of typical usage. The Tab A8's 15W charging is a slight advantage over the Oscal Pad 10's 10W charging, allowing for faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Blackview Oscal Pad 10 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like browsing and media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is a better fit for those who want a more reliable device with better performance, a smoother user experience, and longer software support, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Blackview Oscal Pad 10 good for gaming?
The Oscal Pad 10's chipset is adequate for very basic games, but don't expect to play demanding titles smoothly. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ How long will Samsung support the Galaxy Tab A8 with software updates?
Samsung typically provides several years of software updates for its tablets, including security patches and Android version upgrades. The Oscal Pad 10 is unlikely to receive long-term software support.
