The Oscal Tiger 12 is a budget-friendly tablet that aims to provide an accessible option for those looking for a versatile device for multimedia, browsing, and basic productivity. Equipped with a large display, quad-core processor, and decent battery life, the Tiger 12 is a promising choice for budget-conscious consumers. However, as with many affordable devices, it has a few reported issues and performance quirks. In this article, we’ll explore common problems with the Oscal Tiger 12, offer troubleshooting tips, and assess if it’s a worthy purchase or if there are better alternatives on the market.
Key Specifications of the Oscal Tiger 12
- Model: Oscal Tiger 12
- Operating System: Android 12 (Go Edition)
- Processor: Quad-core MediaTek MT8768
- Memory and Storage: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (expandable via microSD up to 256GB)
- Display: 10.1-inch HD IPS, 800 x 1280 pixels resolution
- Camera: 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Battery: 6,000mAh with 10W charging support
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C, optional LTE (in select models)
1. Display Quality and Related Issues
The Oscal Tiger 12 comes with a 10.1-inch HD IPS display offering decent visuals for basic media consumption and browsing. However, there are a few issues with the display quality that users commonly report.
Low Resolution: With a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels, the display may not be as sharp as some users would expect, particularly on a screen of this size. This may result in pixelated text and images, which is noticeable if you’re accustomed to higher-resolution displays.
Brightness Levels: The screen may be dim in bright lighting or outdoor environments, making it challenging to use under direct sunlight.
“The display works fine indoors, but when I take it outside or sit by a window, it’s hard to see anything clearly,” shared one user.
Potential Solutions:
- Use Indoors or Adjust Settings: The display performs best indoors. Adjusting brightness settings to the maximum can help, but may still be limited outdoors.
- Enable Dark Mode: Dark Mode can improve readability and reduce eye strain, especially in low-light conditions.
- Consider Screen Protectors: If brightness is low, using a matte screen protector may reduce glare and improve visibility in sunlight.
2. Battery Life and Charging Issues
The 6,000mAh battery on the Tiger 12 is one of its more attractive features, aiming to deliver long usage times between charges. However, users have reported a few battery-related concerns.
Slow Charging Speed: With only 10W charging, the device can take up to 3-4 hours to fully charge, which may not be ideal for users who need quick top-ups.
Battery Drain with Heavy Use: While battery life is generally good for light browsing and occasional video playback, heavy use (such as streaming videos or gaming) can drain the battery faster than expected.
Potential Solutions:
- Charge Overnight: Since charging is slow, many users find it helpful to charge the device overnight.
- Limit Power-Draining Activities: To extend battery life, consider lowering the screen brightness, reducing the use of power-intensive apps, and switching off background processes.
- Enable Battery Saver Mode: Activating Battery Saver Mode can help conserve power by limiting background activity.
3. Performance and Lag Issues
The quad-core MediaTek MT8768 processor paired with 4GB of RAM is suitable for basic tasks like browsing, video playback, and social media. However, users have reported some performance limitations.
Lag During Multitasking: When multiple apps are open, especially heavier apps like games or streaming services, the device may lag or become unresponsive, which can interrupt the experience.
Occasional Freezing: Some users experience occasional freezing or app crashes, particularly with resource-intensive apps.
“The tablet works fine for casual browsing, but it can get quite slow when I have multiple apps open or try to switch between them quickly,” noted a user review.
Potential Solutions:
- Close Background Apps: Closing unused apps can help free up memory and improve performance.
- Limit to Basic Tasks: The Tiger 12 is best suited for lighter applications; sticking to basic functions can help maintain responsiveness.
- Clear Cache Regularly: Clearing cache memory periodically can help reduce the chances of lagging and freezing.
4. Camera Performance and Bugs
The 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera on the Oscal Tiger 12 are sufficient for casual photos and video calls. However, the cameras are limited in quality, especially in low light.
Poor Low-Light Performance: The cameras struggle in low-light conditions, often producing grainy or blurry images.
Slow Shutter Speed: Some users experience a delay between pressing the shutter and capturing the photo, which can result in missed shots.
Camera App Lag: The camera app may sometimes lag or become unresponsive, especially if other apps are running in the background.
Potential Solutions:
- Use in Well-Lit Conditions: For best results, use the cameras in bright or natural lighting to capture clearer photos.
- Clear Camera Cache: Periodically clearing the cache for the camera app can help reduce lag and improve performance.
- Consider Third-Party Camera Apps: Installing a third-party camera app may offer additional options for camera controls and potentially better performance.
5. Software and User Interface Glitches
The Tiger 12 runs on Android 12 (Go Edition), which is a lightweight version of Android designed for entry-level devices. While it’s designed to work efficiently on lower-end hardware, some users have reported software issues.
Random Freezes or Crashes: Users may experience occasional freezing or app crashes, particularly if too many apps are open.
Limited App Compatibility: Some apps may not be compatible with the Go Edition, which can restrict functionality and prevent access to certain popular applications.
Delayed Software Updates: Budget devices like the Tiger 12 may receive software updates infrequently, which can leave bugs unresolved for extended periods.
Potential Solutions:
- Limit Background Apps: Closing unused apps can help reduce the likelihood of freezes and crashes.
- Use Lightweight Apps: Installing lightweight versions of apps (like Facebook Lite, YouTube Go, etc.) may improve performance.
- Restart the Device Periodically: A periodic restart can clear temporary memory and help prevent software glitches.
6. Connectivity Issues
The Oscal Tiger 12 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 for basic connectivity, as well as optional LTE in certain models. However, some users have reported issues with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Weak Wi-Fi Signal: Users report that Wi-Fi connectivity may be inconsistent, with signal drops or weak reception when moving further from the router.
Bluetooth Connectivity Drops: Some users experience connection drops with Bluetooth, particularly when paired with wireless headphones.
GPS Inaccuracy: Users have also reported that the GPS can be inaccurate or slow to lock on, which can impact navigation and location-based apps.
Potential Solutions:
- Reset Network Settings: This option in the settings can help resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues.
- Check Router Placement: Ensuring the router is positioned in a central area may improve Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Toggle Airplane Mode: Turning Airplane Mode on and off can reset connections without requiring a full restart.
Conclusion: Is the Oscal Tiger 12 Worth Buying?
The Oscal Tiger 12 is a budget-friendly tablet that offers basic functionality with a large display, decent battery life, and essential features for everyday use. It’s best suited for users who primarily need a tablet for light tasks, such as browsing, video playback, and reading. However, it does come with limitations in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and connectivity.
Is it worth buying?
For budget-conscious consumers or those looking for a secondary device, the Oscal Tiger 12 offers decent value. However, its performance limitations and display quality may disappoint users looking for more robust functionality.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re considering other budget-friendly tablets, here are a few comparable options:
- Amazon Fire HD 10 - Known for a similarly sized display and decent performance for the price, it also has a larger selection of apps through Amazon's app store.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite - A reliable entry-level tablet with better display quality and a more refined software experience, plus regular updates from Samsung.
- Lenovo Tab M10 - Provides similar specs but has a better screen resolution, build quality, and more responsive performance.
Final Recommendation: The Oscal Tiger 12 is a solid choice for light tasks, and it delivers good value at its price point. However, if you need a smoother performance or a sharper display, the alternatives listed may offer a better experience within the budget segment.
