The sub-$200 tablet market is heating up, with the Cubot Tab 20 and Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7 vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver a functional Android experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their core components to determine which tablet offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Cubot Tab 20’s Unisoc SC9863A. While the Cubot Tab 20 is a viable option, the Redmi Pad SE’s superior processing power and faster charging make it the more compelling overall package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2024, July 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2024, August 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3) |
| Dimensions | 241.4 x 160.2 x 8.3 mm (9.50 x 6.31 x 0.33 in) | 211.6 x 125.5 x 8.8 mm (8.33 x 4.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 370 / 373 / 375 g (13.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0 | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired (Int'l)
10W wired (India) |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 6650 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Purple | Aurora Green (Forest Green), Sky Blue (Ocean Blue), Graphite Gray (Urban Grey) |
| Models | - | 220233L2G |
| Price | - | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Cubot Tab 20
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer a larger screen size (speculation)
- Functional for basic tasks
- Inferior chipset performance
- Less efficient 28nm process
- Likely slower charging speeds
Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7
- Superior Mediatek Helio G85 performance
- More efficient 12nm process
- Faster 18W charging (International)
- Slightly smaller screen size
- May be marginally more expensive
- 10W charging in India is slow
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly high-end display. Specifications are missing for both, so we must rely on market positioning. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. However, the Redmi Pad SE’s 8.7-inch size offers a slightly more portable experience. The Cubot Tab 20’s display size is unknown, but it’s reasonable to assume it’s around 10.1 inches, making it less ideal for one-handed use. Color accuracy and peak brightness are likely similar, targeting basic viewing needs rather than content creation.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are positioned as budget devices, and image sensors are likely basic. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both will produce acceptable photos in good lighting conditions but struggle in low light. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; image processing and sensor size are far more important, and data is unavailable for either device. The cameras are primarily for video calls and occasional snapshots.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7’s Mediatek Helio G85, fabricated on a 12nm process, significantly outperforms the Cubot Tab 20’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The Helio G85 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, providing a substantial boost in single-core performance compared to the Tab 20’s four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 28nm process of the Unisoc chip also implies higher power consumption and potentially more heat generation. The Redmi Pad SE’s GPU is also superior, making it the clear winner for graphics-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Cubot Tab 20. The Redmi Pad SE 8.7 benefits from 18W wired charging (international variant) or 10W (India), offering a faster recharge time than what the Cubot Tab 20 likely provides. While a larger battery capacity on the Tab 20 could offset the slower charging, the Helio G85’s 12nm process is more power-efficient, potentially leading to comparable or even better real-world battery life despite a potentially smaller battery size on the Redmi Pad SE.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Tab 20 if you prioritize absolute affordability and need a basic tablet for light tasks like reading ebooks or simple web browsing. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7 if you want a more responsive experience for multitasking, streaming video, and casual gaming, and appreciate the convenience of faster charging – especially the 18W variant available internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Mediatek Helio G85 in the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low for a smooth experience. The Cubot Tab 20’s Unisoc SC9863A will struggle with demanding titles, even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Indian Redmi Pad SE 8.7 a significant drawback?
Yes, the 10W charging in the Indian variant is noticeably slower than the 18W charging available in other regions. Expect a significantly longer recharge time, potentially taking over 4 hours for a full charge. This is a key consideration if you frequently use your tablet throughout the day.
❓ How much storage do these tablets typically offer, and is it expandable?
While not specified, both tablets are likely to come in 32GB or 64GB storage configurations. Both devices almost certainly support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add more storage for media and apps. Check the specific model you are purchasing to confirm the maximum supported microSD card capacity.
