The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Oscal Pad 10 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) represent compelling options for users seeking affordable Android experiences. Both tablets utilize Unisoc chipsets, but subtle differences in CPU clock speeds and charging capabilities create distinct performance profiles. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which tablet delivers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a slightly smoother experience and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T618, with its 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable performance edge over the Oscal Pad 10’s T606, despite both being 12nm chips. However, the Oscal Pad 10 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 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 | 2022, December 29 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 09 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 241.3 x 160 x 8.9 mm (9.50 x 6.30 x 0.35 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 536 g (1.18 lb) | 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 (~76.6% 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 | 128GB 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, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | 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 | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6580 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Moonlight Silver, Diamond Grey | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Oscal Pad 10
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable performance for light use
- Slower processor than the Tab A8
- Slower 10W charging
- Likely less software support
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Faster Unisoc Tiger T618 processor
- Faster 15W charging
- Samsung brand reputation and software support
- Generally higher price than the Oscal Pad 10
- May still struggle with demanding games
- Similar display quality to the Oscal Pad 10
Display Comparison
Neither Oscal nor Samsung provide detailed display specifications beyond the 10.5-inch size. However, given the market positioning, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies elsewhere. While both will offer adequate viewing angles, the lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of brightness, color accuracy, or refresh rates. Bezels are expected to be similar, reflecting the budget nature of both devices. Without specific data, it's reasonable to assume display quality is comparable.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are positioned as budget devices, and camera quality typically takes a backseat. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both feature basic rear and front-facing cameras suitable for video calls and casual snapshots. Focusing on sensor size or image processing would be speculative without further data. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential given its limited resolution and image quality.
Performance
The core performance difference stems from the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618 features 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, while the Oscal Pad 10 utilizes the Unisoc T606 with 2x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This 0.4 GHz clock speed increase on the A75 cores of the T618 translates to a tangible performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. While both are built on a 12nm process, the higher clock speeds of the T618 will result in faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. Both devices likely feature similar RAM configurations, but the T618’s superior CPU will be the limiting factor.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) supports 15W wired charging, while the Oscal Pad 10 is limited to 10W. This difference in charging speed is significant. The Tab A8 will reach a full charge considerably faster, minimizing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the Oscal Pad 10 could offset the slower charging, the faster charging of the Tab A8 provides a more convenient user experience, especially for users who frequently need to top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oscal Pad 10 if you need a functional tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, email, and light media consumption, and are prioritizing the absolute lowest price point. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you prefer a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and the brand recognition and software support associated with Samsung’s ecosystem. The Tab A8 is better suited for multitasking and slightly more demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T618 in the Galaxy Tab A8 handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While the Unisoc T618 is a step up from the T606, it's not a gaming powerhouse. You'll likely be able to play PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates, but don't expect a flagship gaming experience. Expect some frame drops during intense action.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Oscal Pad 10 with its 10W charging?
Given the 10W charging rate and assuming a typical tablet battery capacity (around 6000-7000mAh), a full charge from 0% will likely take between 3-4 hours. This is significantly slower than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8's 15W charging.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 receive regular software updates?
Samsung generally provides more consistent software updates than many other Android tablet manufacturers. While it won't receive updates as frequently as Samsung's flagship tablets, you can expect security patches and potentially some Android version updates over its lifespan.
