The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for casual users, students, and anyone needing a secondary display. The Oscal Pad 10 and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) represent compelling choices, but cater to different priorities. We dissect their core components to determine which tablet provides the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and a more open Android experience, the Oscal Pad 10 emerges as the winner. Its Unisoc T606, while not a flagship, offers a CPU architecture advantage over the Fire HD 10 Plus’s Helio P60T. However, the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging and Amazon ecosystem integration make it a strong contender for dedicated Amazon consumers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 40 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 29 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 09 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 241.3 x 160 x 8.9 mm (9.50 x 6.30 x 0.35 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 536 g (1.18 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | No |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Unspecified | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | Wireless |
| Type | 6580 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Moonlight Silver, Diamond Grey | Slate |
| Models | - | T76N2P |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Oscal Pad 10
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- Standard Android experience
- Potentially better power efficiency
- Slower charging (10W wired)
- No wireless charging
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging convenience
- Amazon ecosystem integration (Prime Video, Kindle)
- Alexa voice control
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A73)
- Fire OS limitations (app compatibility, customization)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar display controller capabilities. While specific panel details (IPS, TFT, resolution) are missing, the focus shifts to usability. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s lack of specified brightness nits suggests it may struggle in direct sunlight. Bezels are likely comparable given the price point, and color accuracy is expected to be standard for this segment. The absence of high refresh rate or LTPO technology on either device is typical for budget tablets.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Details are scarce, but given the price bracket, expect basic image quality suitable for video calls and casual snapshots. Focusing on the chipsets’ ISP capabilities, the Unisoc T606 likely offers slightly improved image processing due to its newer design, but the difference will be minimal. The absence of OIS or large sensors on either device reinforces the expectation of average camera performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oscal Pad 10’s Unisoc T606 features a pair of Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.6 GHz. This architecture is more modern than the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek Helio P60T, which uses four Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz. While the Helio P60T has a higher clock speed, the A75 cores in the T606 generally offer better single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launching and smoother multitasking. The T606’s newer architecture also implies improved power efficiency. Both devices likely feature similar RAM configurations, but the Oscal Pad 10’s chipset has the architectural edge.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific battery capacities are not provided, the 10W wired charging on the Oscal Pad 10 is significantly slower than the wireless charging support on the Fire HD 10 Plus. This means the Fire HD 10 Plus offers greater convenience, especially for users who frequently top up their devices. However, the Unisoc T606’s potentially better power efficiency could offset the slower charging speed in some scenarios, providing comparable overall runtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oscal Pad 10 if you need a tablet for general productivity, web browsing, and light gaming, and value a standard Android experience without Amazon’s Fire OS overlay. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem – Prime Video, Kindle, Alexa – and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging, even at the cost of processing performance and OS flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Oscal Pad 10 struggle with demanding games?
While the Unisoc T606 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of handling most casual Android games at medium settings. Demanding titles may require lower graphics settings and frame rates for a smooth experience. The Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus will likely perform similarly, but the T606’s architecture may provide slightly more consistent frame rates.
❓ How much does the Amazon Fire OS restrict app choices on the Fire HD 10 Plus?
Amazon Fire OS is based on Android but lacks full Google Play Store access. You primarily rely on the Amazon Appstore, which has a smaller selection. Sideloading apps is possible, but requires technical knowledge and isn't officially supported. This limitation is a significant drawback for users accustomed to the full Android ecosystem.
❓ Can I easily watch Netflix and other streaming services on either tablet?
Both tablets support popular streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+. However, the Fire HD 10 Plus is optimized for Amazon Prime Video, offering a seamless experience. The Oscal Pad 10, with its standard Android OS, provides broader compatibility and potentially better video codec support.
