The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Oscal Pad 70 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) represent compelling options for users seeking affordable entertainment and productivity. This comparison dives deep into their core specifications, focusing on performance, charging, and overall value to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a more refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset provides a significant performance advantage over the Oscal Pad 70’s quad-core processor, justifying the potential price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 246.5 x 163 x 9.9 mm (9.70 x 6.42 x 0.39 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 520.5 g (1.15 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 12, DokeOS_P 3.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6580 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Misty Blue, Meteorite Grey | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Oscal Pad 70
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer longer battery life with light usage (speculative)
- Simple and straightforward Android experience
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Slower 10W charging
- Likely limited software updates
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Faster and more responsive Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset
- Faster 15W charging
- Samsung’s software ecosystem and potential for updates
- Generally higher price than the Oscal Pad 70
- May require more frequent charging with heavy use
- Samsung’s software can include bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly advanced display. Given the limited data, we can assume both utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The Tab A8’s 10.5-inch size offers a slightly larger viewing area. However, without knowing the Oscal Pad 70’s resolution or brightness, it’s difficult to assess a clear winner. Samsung’s history suggests better color calibration on the Tab A8, but this is speculative without direct testing.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are positioned as budget devices, and camera performance typically takes a backseat. Without specific sensor details for the Oscal Pad 70, it’s safe to assume the Tab A8’s camera, while not exceptional, will offer slightly better image quality due to Samsung’s image processing algorithms. Focusing on the main sensor resolution is more important than any secondary macro or depth sensors.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618, built on a 12nm process, is an octa-core chipset featuring 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a substantial boost in multi-core performance compared to the Oscal Pad 70’s unspecified quad-core processor. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Tab A8 are designed for responsiveness and handling demanding tasks, while the A55 cores improve efficiency. This translates to smoother app switching, faster loading times, and a more enjoyable overall user experience. The Oscal Pad 70 will likely struggle with more than a few apps open simultaneously.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the mAh capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s 15W wired charging offers a faster replenishment rate than the Oscal Pad 70’s 10W charging. This means less downtime and quicker returns to full power, even if the actual battery capacity is similar. The faster charging is a tangible benefit for users who rely on their tablets throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oscal Pad 70 if you need a basic tablet for extremely light tasks like reading ebooks or simple web browsing, and your budget is the absolute primary concern. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for multitasking, streaming video, and casual gaming, and value the Samsung brand ecosystem and software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 powerful enough for gaming?
The Unisoc Tiger T618 can handle casual gaming reasonably well, but it’s not a powerhouse. Expect playable frame rates in less demanding titles. More graphically intensive games will likely require lower settings to maintain smooth performance. It’s suitable for games like Among Us or casual puzzle games, but may struggle with PUBG or Call of Duty.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 with the 15W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, a full charge from 0% to 100% with the 15W charger is estimated to take around 3-4 hours. This is significantly faster than the Oscal Pad 70’s 10W charging, which could take upwards of 5-6 hours.
❓ Will the Oscal Pad 70 struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Oscal Pad 70’s quad-core processor is likely to struggle with multitasking. Running multiple apps simultaneously, especially demanding ones like video editors or web browsers with many tabs open, will likely result in noticeable lag and slowdowns.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 receive software updates?
Samsung typically provides several years of software updates for its tablets, including security patches and potentially Android version upgrades. This is a significant advantage over the Oscal Pad 70, which is likely to receive limited or no software support.
