Comparison Blackview Tab 8 128 GB vs Oscal Pad 70 128 GB

The maximum brightness in nits provided by the tablet screen.

The brighter the display, the more readable the picture remains on it under intense ambient light. Also, high brightness is important for the correct display of HDR content. However, a large margin for this indicator affects the cost and power consumption of the screen. Manufacturers can specify standard, maximum, and peak brightness values. At the same time, an equal sign cannot be put between the maximum and peak brightness. The first indicates the ability of the screen to produce the specified brightness over its entire area, while the peak one - in a limited area and for a short time (mainly for HDR content).

The type of random access memory (RAM) installed in the tablet.

All modern devices use LPDDR format RAM ( LPDDR4, LPDDR4x, LPDDR5, LPDDR5x). In addition to its miniature size, it differs from regular computer RAM by supporting special data transfer formats (16- and 32-bit memory buses). But the versions of such memory can be different:

— LPDDR3. The earliest generation of LPDDR of the current ones — presented in 2012, implemented in devices since 2013. Standardly operates at speeds up to 1600 MT/s (megatransactions per second) and a frequency of up to 933 MHz; the “enhanced” version supports speeds up to 2133 MT/s. Nowadays, this standard is rare, mainly among outdated devices.

— LPDDR4. The successor to LPDDR3, officially presented in August 2014 (although the first hardware developments were released back in late 2013). The operating speed, compared to its predecessor, has doubled — up to 3200 MT/s; the frequency has grown to 1600 MHz; and the power consumption has decreased by 40%. In addition, the data transfer format has changed — in particular, two 16-bit buses are used instead of one 32-bit, and some security improvements have been introduced into the standard. — LPDDR4x. An improved version of LPDDR4 with reduced power consumption — the standard uses a voltage of 0.6 V instead of 1.1 V. In addition, this type...of RAM has some improvements aimed at increasing the speed (it reaches 4266 MT/s) and general optimization of operation — for example, a single-channel mode has appeared for undemanding applications. Thanks to such characteristics, this version of memory has become much more widespread than the original LPDDR4.

— LPDDR5. Further development of "mobile" RAM, officially announced in early 2019. The operating speed in this version has been increased to 6400 MT/s, a differential signal format has been introduced to improve resistance to interference and errors, and dynamic frequency and voltage control has been implemented to reduce power consumption.

— LPDDR5x. A more energy-efficient and faster version of LPDDR5 RAM. Its data transfer rate has been increased to 8533 MT/s, and the peak throughput indicator has been increased to 8.5 Gbps. The number of memory banks per channel in LPDDR5x is always 16.

The specification primarily determines the memory speed and, accordingly, the overall flow Rate of the device (especially when working with large amounts of data or resource-intensive applications). Nowadays, there are two basic specifications - eMMC (embedded Multimedia Memory Card) and UFS (Universal Flash Storage); each of them has several versions. In general, the fastest and most advanced drives today are those with UFS 3.1 and UFS 4.0, but they also cost accordingly, and therefore are used mainly in premium tablets. A more detailed description of these standards looks like this:

— eMMC. One of the simplest and most accessible solid-state memory standards — for example, this is the specification used by most flash drives. In tablets and other portable gadgets, this standard was generally accepted until 2016, when UFS began to be introduced; however, it is still quite common — mainly due to its low cost and low power consumption. eMMC speeds are noticeably lower than UFS. Thus, in the current version of eMMC 5.1A (2019), the read speed is up to 400 MB/s, and the earlier and more common version of eMMC 5.1 provides up to 250 MB/s in read mode, up to 125 MB/s in sequential write mode, and only up to 7.16 MB/s for random write (in other words, in application mode).

— UFS. A solid-state drive standard created as a faster and more advanced successor to eMMC. In addition to increased data...exchange rates, UFS also changed its operating format — it is fully duplex, meaning that reading and writing can be done simultaneously (while in eMMC these processes were performed in turns). Efficiency in random read and write mode was also significantly increased, which had a positive effect on the quality of work with applications. Specific data exchange rates and operating features depend on the UFS version; these days, the following options can be found on the market:

• 2.0. The earliest version; it was released back in 2013. Provides data transfer speeds of up to 600 MB/s on one line and up to 1.2 GB/s on two lines, the maximum available in this version. The newer version 2.1 has the same indicators, but it is supplemented with a number of important innovations. Therefore, UFS 2.0 memory is very rarely used in tablets.
• 2.1. The first of the widely used versions; it was released in 2016. In terms of speed, it is no different from the version 2.0 described above, and the main differences are in some improvements. In particular, UFS 2.1 introduced a drive status ("health") indicator, the ability to remotely update the firmware, and a number of solutions aimed at increasing overall reliability.
• 2.2. An evolution of the UFS 2.x standard, introduced in summer 2020. The key improvement is the introduction of the WriteBooster feature (originally introduced in UFS 3.1); this feature allows for a significant increase in write speed and, therefore, overall flow Rate in tasks such as launching applications.
• 3.0. Version released in 2018 and implemented in hardware a year later. The throughput was increased to 2.9 GB/s on two lines (1.45 GB/s on one), new versions of the electronic protocol M-PHY (physical layer) and UniPro based on it were implemented, the reliability of data handling was increased, and the temperature range of the controllers was expanded (in theory, it can range from -40 °C to 105 °C).
• 3.1. The successor to the UFS 3.0 standard, officially introduced in early 2020. It is positioned as a specification created specifically for high-flow Rate mobile devices and aimed at increasing operating speed while minimizing power consumption. To this end, UFS 3.1 implements a number of innovations: a non-volatile Write Booster cache to speed up writing; a special DeepSleep power-saving mode for relatively simple and inexpensive systems; as well as the Performance Throttling Notification function, which allows the drive to send signals to the control system about overheating. In addition, this standard may additionally provide support for the HPB extension, which increases the read speed.
• 4.0. UFS 4.0 doubles the bandwidth per lane (23.2 Gbps per lane) and improves power efficiency by approximately 46% (compared to the previous 3.1 specification). UFS 4.0 memory modules provide maximum read speeds of up to 4,200 MB/s and write speeds of up to 2,800 MB/s.

The resolution and maximum frame rate provided by the main camera when recording Full HD (1080p) video at normal speed, without slow motion (if available).

The standard resolution for this format is 1920x1080. Note that this can be either the maximum shooting resolution or one of the relatively simple options in addition to more advanced standards (such as UltraHD 4K). At the same time, Full HD is considered more than a decent resolution by modern standards, and at the same time, it can be supported even by fairly simple and inexpensive tablets.

As for the frame rate, there are actually two values in normal shooting - Full HD 30 fps and Full HD 60 fps. A higher frame rate allows you to achieve very smooth display of dynamic scenes - even fast-moving objects in the frame are seen as clearly as possible, with almost no blurring. However, the low shooting speed also has its advantages - it allows you to reduce the amount of material being shot. Therefore, tablets that support 60 fps may have the ability to reduce the frame rate to 30 fps. But speeds above 60 fps are already used for shooting slow-motion video (slow-mo); see "Slow-mo" for more on this.

The ability to reproduce full stereo sound through the tablet's own speakers. For this task there must be at least two speakers. This complicates the design and increases its cost, but has a positive effect on sound quality: the sound is more expressive and detailed than when using a single speaker, it has a surround effect, as well as higher volume.

At the same time, for better sound quality, the tablet can be equipped with advanced sound system, which are noticeably superior in quality to conventional speakers. Such information further emphasizes the high level of the device. At the same time, the characteristics usually do not give the full name of the speaker system, but only the name of the brand that had a hand in tuning the sound.

The power at which the tablet is charged in normal mode.

On the practical side, the higher the charging power, the less time spent on it (with the same battery capacity). But this parameter does not directly affect compatibility with chargers: modern devices are able to work with “chargers” of both higher and lower power. At the same time, in the first case, the battery controller will automatically limit the charging current, and in the second, charging will simply take more time. Accordingly, the standard charger may be of less power. And when looking for a third-party charger, you should focus on the allowable charging power indicated in the specifications — this will give the maximum guarantee against malfunctions.

The presence of a case that protects the device during storage and transportation. Complete covers can have a different design; one of the most popular options is an accessory with a folding flip that covers the screen, while in some cases the flip can be folded into a stand. However, many users prefer to buy cases at their own discretion, without relying on the choice of the manufacturer, so this configuration option is not particularly popular.

The tablet case is protected from shocks and falls. A characteristic feature of devices with shock protection is a durable, massive body, often with a bumper made of elastic material at the ends. The degree of shock resistance may vary, but even the most modest models, as a rule, can easily withstand a fall from a height of about 1 m; More detailed information should be found in the manufacturer's documentation. Note that the presence of shock protection significantly affects the cost, and for everyday use, a protective case for a regular tablet is usually sufficient. So, first of all, those who constantly find themselves in conditions with an increased risk of “accidents” should pay attention to impact-resistant models: builders, rescuers, military personnel, etc.

It is not uncommon for such tablets to additionally have the MIL-STD-810 protection standard. Initially, this is a set of specifications that establishes certain levels of protection of electrical equipment from environmental factors. The standard was developed to test military equipment for the US Army to ensure that it remains operational under a variety of adverse conditions. It imposes quite stringent requirements on the test subjects: the level of resistance of the product to impacts during falls and shakes is checked, vibration tests are carried out, the operation of the device is tested in a wide temperature range, in the rain, in fo...g, under the influence of sand, dust, etc. However, the MIL-STD-810 label in “civilian” products does not always mean the highest degree of protection. This is due to the lack of strict regulation of testing. Thus, the most cunning vendors test the gadgets being tested according to literally one or two points of the program from an extensive list and often deliberately do not disclose which tests were passed. Accordingly, the specific features of such protection remain reliably unknown. The standard has been in force since 1962. Each new version of it is indicated by a letter of the Latin alphabet at the end. The further the letter in the alphabet, the more modern the version of the certificate. Since 2008, the MIL-STD-810G specification has been in force everywhere, and in 2019 a new edition of the MIL-STD-810H standard was approved.

The main material used for the body of the tablet.

— Plastic. Plastic enclosures are inexpensive, light in weight, and provide enough strength for everyday use. It is also worth noting that there are many varieties of this material, and the quality of the plastic used for the body usually directly depends on the price category of the tablet. Of the unequivocal disadvantages of this option, low scratch resistance can be called; in addition, if the plastic is glossy, prints and stains instantly appear on it.

— Metal. Most often, in tablet cases, metal refers to aluminium alloy. One of the key advantages of this material is durability. In addition, the metal resists scratches very well and gives the device solidity — both in appearance and in the feel in the hands. It weighs a little more than plastic, but often it is this moment that provides the mentioned solidity. The unequivocal disadvantage of metal cases is a rather high cost.

— Glass. Usually, in this case, it means a back panel made of special high-strength glass, complemented by a metal frame at the ends. Such materials look very good and feel good in the hand, but they are not cheap. In addition, glass, even tempered glass, does not withstand impact well and can crack if dropped or otherwise “trouble” (although the impact still needs to be quite strong for this). Therefore, this option is found only in some top-class models.