Tablet Comparison: Contixo LA703 Kids versus LeapPad Ultra

Both the Contixo LA703 Kids and the LeapPad Ultra are 7″ tablets aimed at children, but that is where many of the similarities end, although some of the technical specifications are similar, and each has been designed for children with a protective case.. They each have 1024×600 pixel resolution touch screens, but how the tablets actually operate is different.

The LA703 Kids is an Android tablet running Android 4.4 KitKat, whilst the Ultra is an educational tablet running on LeapFrog’s own operating system.

Each tablet has a front facing and a rear facing camera; the front facing camera of the Contixo is 0.3 megapixel (MP) resolution and the rear one is 2.0 MP. Both the front facing and rear facing cameras on the LeapPad Ultra are 2.0 MP.

Both have WiFi, allowing internet access, and parental controls, allowing parents to restrict what their kids have access to. On the LA703 these controls are done through the Zoodles app, whilst on the LeapPad there is only access to LeapFrog approved content, rather than the entire internet. Outside of Kids Mode, the LA703 runs like a normal Android tablet, whilst the Ultra has no comparable parental option. The LeapPad does have peer-to-peer connectivity for playing games using WiFi to other Ultras in close proximity.

Each tablet can be connected to a computer, whether desktop or laptop, using a micro USB port. The LA703 has stereo speakers, compared to the one on the Ultra, and both have headphone jacks and microphones. Each has 8GB of memory, but the Contixo also has a memory expansion card slot which will take memory cards up to 32GB.

It is with apps that the real differences lie. The Contixo LA703 Kids is an Android tablet, with access to the Android app infrastructure through such as Google Play. The LeapPad Ultra will only use LeapFrog apps, as well as some Leapster cartridges, reducing the amount of content available, and making it more expensive. The Contixo LA703 Kids is an Android tablet aimed at children, whilst the LeapPad Ultra is an educational tablet designed solely for children.