The tablet market is brimming with options, but choosing the right one can be tough. Today, we're pitting the ZTE nubia Pad 3D, boasting a flagship Snapdragon processor, against the ever-popular Apple iPad 10.2 (2021). Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which tablet emerges victorious.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Pad 3D offers significantly more raw processing power thanks to its Snapdragon 888. However, the iPad 10.2 benefits from iPadOS's optimized ecosystem and generally better software support. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: performance or seamless integration.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - A2603 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2604 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 28 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 11 | Available. Released 2021, September 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 285 x 190 x 8.5 mm (11.22 x 7.48 x 0.33 in) | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 780 g (1.72 lb) | 487 g (Wi-Fi) / 498 g (LTE) (1.07 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (1st gen only) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) | 1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.2 inches, 322.2 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| | 3D lightfield display
Real-time 2D to 3D content conversion | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 12L | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), AF
16 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), AF | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama, stereoscopic Al-powered 3D capture | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1200p@30fps | 1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f.2,2, 105˚ (ultrawide)
8 MP, f.2,2, 105˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Stereoscopic Al-powered 3D capture | HDR |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1200p@30fps | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a) | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic connector, video output | Lightning, USB 2.0; magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | - |
| Type | 9070 mAh | Li-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Silver, Space Gray |
| Models | - | A2603, A2604, iPad12,1, iPad12,2 |
| Price | About 1300 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1123:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.4 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 617292(v9)
GeekBench: 3124 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE nubia Pad 3D
- Flagship Snapdragon 888 processor
- Android customization options
- Potentially better gaming performance
- 33W fast charging
- Software support may be less consistent than iPadOS
- Display details are less readily available
- Camera performance likely average
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
- iPadOS offers a user-friendly experience
- Bright and color-accurate display
- Generally good software support and updates
- Older A13 Bionic chip, less powerful than the nubia Pad 3D
- Less customization options compared to Android
- Can be more expensive
Display Comparison
The iPad 10.2 (2021) boasts a bright and color-accurate display with a measured 513 nits of brightness, offering a pleasant viewing experience. While the nubia Pad 3D's display details are less readily available, it's likely to be a good quality panel, but may not match the iPad's brightness or color accuracy. The iPad's laminated display also contributes to a more responsive feel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' camera setups, suggesting basic functionality. The iPad generally has a reputation for slightly better image processing, but neither tablet is a photography powerhouse. Expect decent results for casual snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level camera performance.
Performance
Here's where the nubia Pad 3D truly shines. The Snapdragon 888 is a flagship-level chipset, significantly outperforming the iPad's A13 Bionic in raw processing power. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the nubia Pad 3D. The iPad's A13 is still capable, but it's showing its age.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor. While specific battery capacities aren't readily available for the nubia Pad 3D, the iPad 10.2 (2021) typically delivers around 10 hours of mixed usage. The nubia Pad 3D's battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns and the efficiency of its software.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the ZTE nubia Pad 3D? Gamers, power users, and those seeking Android's customization options will appreciate the nubia Pad's performance. Who should buy the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)? Students, casual users, and those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem will find the iPad 10.2 a reliable and user-friendly choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the nubia Pad 3D good for gaming?
Yes, the nubia Pad 3D's Snapdragon 888 processor makes it well-suited for gaming, offering smooth performance in most titles.
❓ How long does the iPad 10.2 (2021) battery last?
The iPad 10.2 (2021) typically provides around 10 hours of battery life with mixed usage.
