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 13 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 thanks to Samsung's software optimization and brand reputation. While the Oscal Pad 13 is cheaper, the Tab A8's slightly better performance, display, and overall reliability make it the preferable 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, 20, 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 | 2023, April 12 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 239.2 x 158 x 7.6 mm (9.42 x 6.22 x 0.30 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 | 435 g (15.34 oz) | 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 (~78.3% 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 | 256GB 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 | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 7680 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Space 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 13
- Very affordable
- Decent screen size
- Expandable storage (likely via microSD)
- Less powerful chipset
- Potentially less refined software
- Lower brand reputation
- Slower charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Better performance
- Smoother software experience
- Faster charging (15W)
- Stronger brand reputation
- Likely better display quality
- More expensive than Oscal Pad 13
- Performance still limited for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.5-inch displays, but the Tab A8 likely boasts better color accuracy and brightness due to Samsung's display technology. The Oscal Pad 13's display is likely adequate but may lack the vibrancy and viewing angles of the Tab A8.
Camera Comparison
While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 generally offers slightly better image processing and overall clarity. Expect decent front-facing cameras on both for video calls.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8's Unisoc Tiger T618 has a slight edge over the Oscal Pad 13's T606, primarily due to the higher clock speeds of its Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to slightly snappier performance in everyday tasks and potentially better gaming performance, though neither tablet is a powerhouse.
Battery Life
The Tab A8's 15W charging is a notable advantage. Battery capacity is likely similar between the two, but the faster charging speeds on the Tab A8 will significantly reduce charging times.
Buying Guide
The Blackview Oscal Pad 13 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else and are comfortable with a less refined software experience. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is a better fit for those seeking a reliable, well-supported tablet with a smoother user experience and a more established brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Blackview Oscal Pad 13 good for gaming?
It can handle basic games, but don't expect high frame rates or demanding titles to run smoothly. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers slightly better gaming performance.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each tablet?
Both tablets typically come in various storage configurations. The Oscal Pad 13 likely offers expandable storage via microSD, while the Tab A8 may have limited or no expandable storage.
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
Samsung generally provides better software updates and longer support lifecycles compared to Blackview.
