The sub-$200 Android tablet market is fiercely competitive. The Oscal Pad 13 and Lenovo Tab P11 Plus both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Oscal Pad 13 relies on the efficiency of the Unisoc T606, while the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus opts for the more powerful, though older, MediaTek Helio G90T. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications of these choices.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is the better choice. Its Helio G90T chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Oscal Pad 13’s Unisoc T606, making it more suitable for gaming and demanding applications. The 20W charging is also a significant advantage, offsetting the potential for slightly higher power consumption.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 12 | 2021, June 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2021, July 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 239.2 x 158 x 7.6 mm (9.42 x 6.22 x 0.30 in) | 258.4 x 163 x 7.5 mm (10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 435 g (15.34 oz) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.0 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP | 13 MP, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Type | 7680 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Space Grey | Slate Grey, Platinum Grey, Modernist teal |
| Models | - | ZA940124SE |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 300 EUR |
Oscal Pad 13
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset.
- Likely more affordable price point.
- Unisoc chipset offers a different architecture for comparison.
- Significantly lower performance compared to the Helio G90T.
- Likely slower charging speeds.
- May struggle with demanding games and applications.
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
- Superior performance thanks to the Helio G90T chipset.
- Faster 20W wired charging.
- Better suited for gaming and multitasking.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the Oscal Pad 13.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Older chipset architecture.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both utilize 12nm process technology, suggesting similar power draw considerations for the display panel. Without specific display specs (resolution, brightness, panel type) for the Oscal Pad 13, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus likely benefits from Lenovo’s display tuning expertise, potentially offering slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of high refresh rate support on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than visual fluidity.
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. Without detailed camera specifications for the Oscal Pad 13, it’s safe to assume the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus, given Lenovo’s broader camera experience, will offer slightly more refined image processing. The presence of a larger sensor or optical image stabilization (OIS) on the P11 Plus (if equipped – data not provided) would further solidify its advantage, but both will likely struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus’s MediaTek Helio G90T features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, a significant architectural advantage over the Oscal Pad 13’s Unisoc T606, which uses two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. The A76 offers superior single-core performance, crucial for responsive UI and app loading. While both are octa-core designs, the Helio G90T’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU also provides a substantial graphics performance advantage, making it the clear winner for gaming. The Unisoc T606 prioritizes efficiency, but will struggle with graphically intensive titles. The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is likely to exhibit less stuttering and faster frame rates in demanding games.
Battery Life
The Oscal Pad 13 likely has a larger battery capacity to compensate for the less efficient Unisoc T606, but without specific mAh figures, it’s difficult to quantify. The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus’s 20W wired charging is a key advantage. This faster charging speed significantly reduces downtime, allowing users to quickly replenish the battery. While the Helio G90T is more power-hungry, the 20W charging mitigates this concern, providing a more convenient user experience. The Oscal Pad 13 will likely offer longer screen-on time for basic tasks, but the P11 Plus’s faster charging is a more valuable feature for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oscal Pad 13 if you prioritize long battery life and basic tablet functionality like media consumption and light web browsing. Its Unisoc T606 chipset is power-efficient, and it’s a good option for users who don’t need demanding performance. Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus if you want a tablet capable of handling more intensive tasks, including gaming and multitasking. The Helio G90T offers a substantial performance boost, and the 20W charging ensures you can quickly top up the battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G90T in the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G90T can generate heat under sustained load, Lenovo typically implements thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling. The 12nm process node is not the most efficient, but the Tab P11 Plus’s design should prevent significant performance drops during typical gaming sessions. Expect some warmth, but not necessarily overheating.
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the Oscal Pad 13 powerful enough for video editing or running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Unisoc T606 is best suited for light tasks. Video editing and heavy multitasking will likely result in noticeable lag and slowdowns. It’s adequate for streaming video and browsing the web, but it will struggle with more demanding applications. Consider the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus if these are frequent use cases.
❓ Does the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus support fast charging protocols beyond the standard 20W?
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus supports standard USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) up to 20W. While it may work with chargers offering higher wattage, it will only draw up to 20W. It does not support proprietary fast charging protocols like Quick Charge.
