Vastking Kingpad M10 Review: A Budget Tablet Done Right

While Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, Android tablets haven’t quite hit the home run for a lot of users—one of the primary reasons being the lack of proper software optimization for the larger form-factor. On that note, I’ve got the new Vastking Kingpad M10 tablet in for review which I have been using for about a month now. Manufacturers such as Samsung, Lenovo, Xiaomi, and others have been trying to keep the Android tablet market at a good pace. So, does Vastking's new tablet provide this space a strong push? Let's find out in this review.

Vastking Kingpad M10 Specifications:

• Dimensions: 246.38 x 154.94 x 7.62mm, 450 grams
• Display: 10.36″ IPS, 2K resolution (2000 x 1200), 60Hz
• Software: Android 11
• Processor: Unisoc T618 (12nm)
• CPU: Octa-core (2×2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
• GPU: ARM Mali-G52 MP2
• Memory: 4GB RAM, 128GB internal storage (expandable up to 2TB)
• Rear Camera: 13MP
• Front Camera: 8MP
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Dual-band WiFi, 4G LTE, USB-C, SIM/microSD (Hybrid)
• Audio: Quad-speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Security: Face unlock
• Battery: 6000 mAh, 10W charging
• Extras: Compatible keyboard
• Price in Nepal: N/A (USD 229)

Vastking Kingpad M10 Review:

Performance

• Octa-core Unisoc T618 4G (12nm)
• 4GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable)
• Android 11

The M10 is available in a sole configuration with 4GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Thankfully, if 128 gigs of storage aren’t sufficient, you can upgrade it to 2TB with a microSD card. That reminds me, this tablet has a hybrid SIM slot, meaning you get to use either two nano-SIMs or configure it with a SIM and a microSD card.

Despite this, the Kingpad M10 is certainly not looking to be a laptop replacement. It is powered by the entry-level Unisoc T618 octa-core chipset—which is pretty much the same as MediaTek’s Helio G88. And it delivers respectable performance for everyday use. Now, getting into its real-time performance, as I mentioned earlier, it can handle everyday lightweight tasks with ease and is well-optimized for multitasking as well—despite the minor hiccups every now and then. Moreover, Vastking ships the M10 with stock Android 11 out of the box, which means no custom skin or bloatware apps on top. And the entire UI/UX seems quite streamlined as well. Also, I am delighted to report that the app load time on this thing is never unbearably slow like other budget tablets while its RAM management is excellent too. So, good job Vastking!

Gaming

With decent typical usage, I also tried playing a few games such as PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, and Pokémon Unite here to test its gaming capability. Here, Pokémon Unite managed to provide consistent performance in Medium graphics, whereas PUBG Mobile yielded better results at Smooth graphics and High frame rates. Likewise, the Call of Duty Mobile renders stable gameplay under Medium graphics and Low frame rate settings. To note, continuous gaming for about an hour or so gets it warm around the camera module at the back. Overall, this tablet is a safe bet for folks whose primary requirements consist of watching videos, browsing the web, attending Zoom meetings, taking notes, and performing other basic everyday tasks. Still, I feel like its performance could’ve been noticeably better—especially in multitasking scenarios—if Vastking also had a 6GB RAM variant to offer. Unfortunately, you’ll have to make do with just 4GB.

Design

• 246.38 x 154.94 x 7.62mm, 450 grams
• Metal-plastic hybrid build material
• Compatible with keyboard, case accessory

Anyway, let’s now focus on the design. The Kingpad M10 is a sleek device with squared-off edges and 7.62mm of thickness that weighs 450 grams. While the company claims to have a full metal body design, the back panel does have a plastic-made portion that catches fingerprints rather easily.

That might be to conceal the antenna line since you can’t spot them at any other place in the tablet. Moreover, you can change this thing into a portable workstation by adding a keyboard deck which is obviously going to cost you extra pennies. For further durability, you may also buy a screen protector, case, and other stuff directly from their site. In my case—pun intended—I have the case and keyboard, which really adds up to the overall experience. The M10, when closed with a case and a keyboard resembles a small clamshell laptop. The outer top and bottom lids have a grey matte texture to them, while the interior holds and connects the tablet and the keyboard via a 5-pin magnetic connector.

Easy-to-do

Despite its compact body, this keyboard pretty much fits all the essential keys, including a row of specialized Function keys at the very top. As a result, I can alter the brightness and volume levels here the same way I would on a Windows PC.

The buttons on this keyboard are obviously smaller than those on a laptop or a standalone keyboard, but they aren't necessarily that difficult to get used to. Personally, it took me a few hours of office work to adjust to this layout. The keys aren't backlit either, although they have excellent feedback and a good keystroke. The touchpad, on the other hand, is rather small and is tough to get accustomed to—especially for someone like me who rarely uses one even on a laptop. Nevertheless, you can use it to scroll through web pages or over your social media feeds.

Display

• 10.36-inches IPS, 60Hz refresh rate
• 2K resolution (2000 x 1200 pixels)

Over on the display, you get a big 10.36-inch IPS panel with 2K resolution here. This touchscreen delivers clear and easy-to-read text and graphics although it isn't as vibrant as an OLED panel.

Plus, it does not support a higher refresh rate either, so if you're coming from a 90Hz or a 120Hz panel, you'll feel the difference right away. There’s also a noticeable delay in the app load time or when scrolling through the UI. Similarly, the screen's brightness is adequate for indoor usage or on an overcast day, although the colors appear somewhat subdued under direct sunlight. Moreover, like with other Android tablets, there are minimal options for customizing the home screen. But things are bound to change with the launch of Android 12L—a new operating system designed exclusively for tablets, foldable, and ChromeOS devices. Anyway, this display has good viewing angles, so there’s no drop in image quality when looking at it from the sides. Unfortunately, because it is just Widevine L3 certified, you can only stream videos at SD resolution on OTT platforms like Netflix.

Audio

• Quad-speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack

On the audio front, the Kingpad M10 has a quad-speaker configuration. While the specification seems appealing enough, the audio doesn’t get particularly loud, and neither can you enjoy deep bass here. Despite this, the mids and vocals sound pretty clear—although it gets slightly murky when turning up the volume to the max. Similarly, it has a 3.5mm headphone socket on the rounded corner whose audio output is adequate too.

Camera

• Single 13MP rear camera
• 8MP selfie camera (landscape layout)

Now, let's talk about the cameras, which certainly aren't the best aspect of this tablet—or any other budget tablet for that matter. To be clear, you won't be getting Insta-worthy photos but the M10 is capable enough to capture a few moments here and there. Here, the images from the 13MP camera at the back have a reddish tint. And when zoomed in, their lack of detail doesn’t come as a surprise either. Similarly, it also struggles with exposure control, whereas its dynamic range is also among the worst on a budget tablet. It’s the same with the selfie camera as well. The images from this 8MP sensor come off quite hazy along with an uneven contrast level. However, for indoor usages like online classes and meetings, it works just fine and the videos have boosted black levels. This front-facing camera also supports face unlocks. For the most part, it works wonderfully during the day. Nevertheless, in a dimly lit environment, the camera expectedly has difficulty identifying your face.

Battery

• 6000mAh battery with 10W charging

Moving on to the battery, the Kingpad M10 is fueled by a 6,000mAh cell, which is just about modest considering you can find Android tablets with a massive 10,000mAh unit as well. With a full charge, I got about 6-7 hours of screen-on time here—where my usage consisted of attending 2-3 hours of online meetings, a few gaming sessions, browsing through social media, and other regular tasks.

On the contrary, its 10W charging is quite a disappointment as it takes almost three and a half hours to fully juice up the battery to 100%. Given the tablet’s big size, Vastking should have managed to fit in a 7,000mAh or bigger battery—or at the very least offered 15/25W fast charging capability. However, it falls short in both these areas.

Vastking Kingpad M10 Review: Conclusion

So wrapping up this review, the Vastking Kingpad M10 ticks most of the boxes for a decent budget Android tablet. True, it would have been even better if the company had included a larger battery and better cameras. But for the most part, it's a good go-to tablet—while the detachable keyboard accessory is sure to assist students or business owners to turn it into a portable workstation as well.

Vastking Kingpad M10 Review: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Metal body design
• Decent 2K display
• Keyboard works perfectly
• Stock Android UI
• Good for media consumption
• Decent performance
• Supports face unlock

Cons:

• No high-refresh-rate display
• Not so good cameras
• Sub-par speaker setup
• Comparatively smaller battery
• Slow charging speed