The Android tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from premium flagships to aggressively priced contenders. We pit the Blackview Oscal Pad 13, a budget-focused device, against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE, a more refined and feature-rich offering, to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the clear winner. Its Exynos 1380 chipset provides a significantly smoother experience, while Samsung’s software ecosystem offers a more polished and secure experience. However, the Oscal Pad 13 presents a compelling value proposition for those on a strict budget.
| 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, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 12 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2023, October 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 239.2 x 158 x 7.6 mm (9.42 x 6.22 x 0.30 in) | 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm (10.01 x 6.53 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 435 g (15.34 oz) | 523 g or 524 g (1.15 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1440 x 2304 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 344.5 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.0 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, 1/4", 1.12µm | 12 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Unspecified | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 45W wired, QC2.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 7680 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Space Grey | Mint, Silver, Gray, Lavender |
| Models | - | SM-X510, SM-X516B |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (body) |
Blackview Oscal Pad 13
- Significantly lower price point
- Potentially larger display size
- Acceptable for basic tasks
- Substantially slower performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Likely limited software updates
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- Superior performance with Exynos 1380
- Faster charging with 45W QC2.0
- Samsung’s software ecosystem and updates
- Higher price tag
- May not include accessories in the box
- LCD panel may not be as vibrant as OLED alternatives
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature LCD panels (data unavailable for Oscal Pad 13), the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE benefits from a more advanced chipset capable of driving a higher resolution display. The Tab S9 FE’s display is expected to offer superior color accuracy and brightness. The Oscal Pad 13, given its price point, likely prioritizes screen size over quality, making it suitable for media viewing but potentially lacking in color fidelity. Bezels are expected to be larger on the Oscal Pad 13, contributing to a less immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a key differentiator for either device, but the Tab S9 FE likely has a more refined image processing pipeline. Given the market segment, the Oscal Pad 13 likely features basic camera sensors focused on functionality rather than quality. The Tab S9 FE, while not a photography powerhouse, will likely produce more detailed and accurate images, especially in good lighting conditions. We anticipate both tablets will struggle in low-light scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE’s Exynos 1380, fabricated on a 5nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over the Blackview Oscal Pad 13’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The Exynos 1380’s Cortex-A78 cores (2.4 GHz) are significantly faster than the Oscal Pad 13’s Cortex-A75 cores (1.6 GHz), resulting in snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 5nm process also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Tab S9 FE also supports QC2.0 charging at 45W, offering faster replenishment than the Oscal Pad 13’s likely slower charging rate.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the Oscal Pad 13 may have a larger battery capacity (data unavailable), the Exynos 1380’s superior power efficiency in the Tab S9 FE could result in comparable or even better real-world battery life. The Tab S9 FE’s 45W wired charging with QC2.0 support will significantly reduce charging times compared to the Oscal Pad 13, offering a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Oscal Pad 13 if you need a large-screen Android device primarily for basic tasks like media consumption, light web browsing, and occasional note-taking, and your budget is under $200. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE if you prioritize performance for multitasking, gaming, and creative applications, and value Samsung’s S Pen integration, software updates, and overall ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the Tab S9 FE get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380, built on a 5nm process, is relatively efficient. While it will generate heat during demanding tasks like gaming, Samsung’s thermal management system is designed to prevent significant throttling, ensuring sustained performance for extended periods. It's unlikely to reach uncomfortable temperatures.
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the Oscal Pad 13 sufficient for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Unisoc T606 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can handle basic multitasking, running numerous apps concurrently or switching between resource-intensive applications will likely result in noticeable lag and slowdowns. It's best suited for single-app usage or light multitasking.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on each tablet, and is expandable storage supported?
Specific storage configurations vary by region and retailer. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE typically offers options ranging from 64GB to 256GB, with microSD card support for expansion. The Blackview Oscal Pad 13 likely offers similar storage options, and it's highly probable it also includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage, given its target market.
❓ How does the software update policy differ between Blackview and Samsung?
Samsung provides a more robust and consistent software update policy, typically offering several years of Android OS upgrades and security patches for the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. Blackview, as a smaller manufacturer, generally provides fewer updates, primarily focusing on security patches. This means the Tab S9 FE will remain secure and feature-rich for a longer period.
