The tablet market is heating up, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Nokia T21 and the Oppo Pad Air. Both offer compelling features at competitive prices, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo Pad Air edges out the Nokia T21 thanks to its superior Snapdragon chipset, brighter display, and reverse charging. While the Nokia T21 boasts a clean Android experience and potentially better software support, the Oppo Pad Air offers a more polished and performant overall package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - US, LATAM | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 01 | 2022, May 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 01 | Available. Released 2022, June 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 247.5 x 157.3 x 7.5 mm (9.74 x 6.19 x 0.30 in) | 245.1 x 154.8 x 6.9 mm (9.65 x 6.09 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 466 g (1.03 lb) | 440 g (15.52 oz) |
| | Splash resistant
Stylus support | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.36 inches, 305.5 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 360 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 12, ColorOS 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (Wi-Fi/LTE model only / TA-1521) | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD3.0 | 18W wired, PD
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8200 mAh | Li-Po 7100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Grey | Gray, Silver |
| Models | TA-1495, TA-1521, TA-1505, TA-1487 | OPD2102, X21N2 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.56 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1391:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.3 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 249272 (v9)
GeekBench: 1661 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Display | - | 1391:1 contrast ratio, 352 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -28.3 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 249272 (v9)
GeekBench: 1661 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Nokia T21
- Clean Android experience
- Potential for longer software support
- Durable build quality
- Good value for money
- Less powerful chipset
- Lower display brightness
- No reverse charging
Oppo Pad Air
- Superior performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Brighter display
- Reverse wired charging
- Sleek design
- Software support may be less consistent than Nokia
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Oppo Pad Air takes the display crown. While both tablets offer a 1391:1 contrast ratio, the Oppo Pad Air's measured 352 nits brightness significantly outperforms the Nokia T21, making it better for outdoor use and media consumption. Both feature a 20:9 aspect ratio, but the Oppo Pad Air's slightly more vibrant panel is noticeable.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a primary concern for tablets. Both devices likely feature modest camera setups, likely around 8-13MP for the rear and 5-8MP for the front. Expect similar performance in both, suitable for basic video calls and casual snapshots. Detailed camera specs are often missing for these models.
Performance
The Oppo Pad Air's Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset (6nm) is a clear winner over the Nokia T21's Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm). The Snapdragon offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience. The Oppo Pad Air handles demanding tasks with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer a respectable battery life, likely around 7000-8000 mAh. While both support 18W wired charging, the Oppo Pad Air's inclusion of 5W reverse wired charging provides added versatility for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches.
Buying Guide
The Nokia T21 is ideal for users prioritizing a clean Android experience, long-term software updates, and a durable build. The Oppo Pad Air is a better choice for those seeking a smoother performance, a brighter display for media consumption, and the added convenience of reverse charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Oppo Pad Air is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset. It will handle games with higher frame rates and smoother graphics.
❓ Does the Nokia T21 get regular software updates?
Nokia is generally known for providing timely Android updates, so the T21 is likely to receive regular security patches and feature updates for a reasonable period.
