The Ulefone Tab A9 Pro and Blackview Tab 16 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget Android tablet space. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take distinctly different approaches, particularly regarding battery life and chipset choice. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing all-day (and multi-day) battery life, the Blackview Tab 16 Pro is the clear winner, boasting nearly triple the endurance of the Ulefone Tab A9 Pro. However, the Ulefone Tab A9 Pro’s Helio G91 chipset offers a slight performance edge, making it suitable for light gaming and demanding apps.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September | 2024, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 15 | Available. Released 2024, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 212.5 x 125.1 x 7.9 mm (8.37 x 4.93 x 0.31 in) | 256.8 x 167 x 7.5 mm (10.11 x 6.57 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 326.2 g (11.50 oz) | 503 g (1.11 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~180 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~206 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.68 inches, 213.9 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G91 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide)
13 MP, f/2.4, 136˚ (ultrawide) | 13 MP
2 MP |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, 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 | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5040 mAh | 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Marble White, Galaxy Bule | Gray, Blue, Violet |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 34:46h endurance, 1000 cycles | 97:36h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | Class G | Class E |
| Free fall | Class C (108 falls) | Class B (156 falls) |
| Repairability | Class B | Class B |
Ulefone Tab A9 Pro
- Slightly better GPU performance for gaming.
- Helio G91 chipset may offer a smoother app experience.
- Potentially more readily available software updates (MediaTek is more common).
- Significantly shorter battery life.
- Fewer battery charge cycles.
- Limited information on display quality.
Blackview Tab 16 Pro
- Exceptional battery life – ideal for travel and extended use.
- Higher battery charge cycle count for longevity.
- Unisoc chipset may offer better power efficiency.
- Potentially lower GPU performance compared to the Helio G91.
- Unisoc chipsets may have less widespread software support.
- Limited information on display quality.
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone nor Blackview provide display specifications beyond the tablet size. Assuming both utilize IPS LCD panels common in this price bracket, the visual experience will likely be similar. The absence of details like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, or refresh rate makes a direct comparison impossible. However, the focus here is on endurance, so display quality is a secondary consideration.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent from the provided data. Given the target market, it’s safe to assume both tablets feature modest camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a meaningful comparison is impossible. Users should not expect flagship-level image quality from either device.
Performance
Both tablets employ an octa-core CPU configuration with the same core arrangement (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). However, the chipset differs: the Ulefone Tab A9 Pro utilizes the MediaTek Helio G91 (12nm), while the Blackview Tab 16 Pro features the Unisoc Tiger T616 (also 12nm). While the CPU architecture is identical, the Helio G91 generally exhibits slightly better GPU performance, potentially translating to smoother gaming experiences. The 12nm fabrication process on both chips suggests similar thermal characteristics, though real-world throttling will depend on the tablet’s cooling solution, which is unspecified.
Battery Life
The Blackview Tab 16 Pro dominates in battery endurance with a reported 97:36h runtime, significantly exceeding the Ulefone Tab A9 Pro’s 34:46h. This massive difference is attributable to a larger battery capacity (unspecified, but implied by the endurance figure) and potentially more efficient power management by the Unisoc chipset. Both tablets support 18W wired charging, meaning charge times will likely be comparable, but the Blackview Tab 16 Pro will provide substantially longer usage between charges. The Blackview also boasts 1200 charge cycles, compared to the Ulefone's 1000, suggesting a longer lifespan before battery degradation.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Tab A9 Pro if you need a tablet for occasional gaming, streaming, and general productivity tasks where a slightly faster processor is beneficial, and you don't mind charging it more frequently. Buy the Blackview Tab 16 Pro if you prioritize extreme battery life for travel, extended media consumption, or situations where access to power is limited, even if it means a minor performance trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Blackview Tab 16 Pro struggle with demanding games?
While the Unisoc Tiger T616 is a capable chipset, it's generally less powerful than the MediaTek Helio G91 in the Ulefone Tab A9 Pro, particularly in GPU performance. Expect to play most games at medium settings, but graphically intensive titles may require lower settings for smooth gameplay. The focus of the Blackview Tab 16 Pro is clearly on endurance, not high-end gaming.
❓ How much faster is the Blackview Tab 16 Pro to charge, given both support 18W charging?
While both tablets support 18W charging, the Blackview Tab 16 Pro likely has a significantly larger battery capacity to achieve its impressive endurance. This means a full 0-100% charge will likely take a similar amount of time, but the Blackview will provide *hours* more usage from that charge. The difference isn't in charging speed, but in how long the charge lasts.
❓ Is the difference in battery charge cycles (1000 vs 1200) a significant factor?
Yes, the 200-cycle difference is meaningful. Battery degradation occurs with each charge cycle. The Blackview Tab 16 Pro's higher cycle count suggests it will maintain a higher percentage of its original battery capacity for a longer period, potentially extending the tablet's usable lifespan.
