Which Tablet is Better, the Sprout Channel Cubby or the LeapPad Platinum?

Sprout Channel CubbyThe Sprout Channel Cubby and the LeapPad Platinum are both 7″ tablets designed for children, but they are very different items. Both tablets screen’s have the same resolution, 1024×600 pixels. The Cubby has a protective silicone bumper to reduce the chance of the tablet being damaged if it is dropped, whilst the Platinum has a specially designed protective case, not merely a protective bumper.

The Cubby is an Android tablet, running Android 4.4 KitKat, with access to the Android ecosystem of apps and content, including Google Play. The Platinum is not an Android tablet, but instead runs LeapFrog’s own operating system, which isn’t based on Android at all, and consequently only has access to apps and other content from LeapFrog’s App Center, all of which have been specifically designed for children. In addition, the Platinum also has a cartridge slot, which will take suitable LeapFrog cartridges. The Cubby has a quad core processor which is more powerful than that of the Platinum.

The Cubby has 16 gigabytes (GB) of internal memory, double the 8GB of the Platinum. It also has a micro SD card slot, capable of taking memory cards up to 32GB in size, whilst the Platinum lacks this. Both tablets have a 3.5mm headphone jack, but the Cubby has stereo speakers compared to the single speaker on the Platinum.

Each tablet has both a front facing and a rear facing camera; those on the Cubby are both 2.0 megapixels (MP) in resolution, as are both the cameras on the Platinum. Each tablet has a micro USB port, but the Cubby also has an HDMI port, which enables it to be connected to suitable televisions, and other appropriate devices.

Each tablet has WiFi, allowing internet access, but the Cubby also has Bluetooth, allowing it to be connected to other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Each comes with parental controls, but those on the Platinum are far stronger, as the tablet’s user can only visit LeapFrog approved sites, but far less flexible. The Platinum cannot be used like a regular tablet. The Cubby has educational uses; the Platinum only has educational uses.

These are two completely different types of tablet designed for completely different markets. The Cubby is an Android tablet intended to be used by children. The Platinum is an educational tablet for children. The Cubby has uses outside of the educational; realistically, the Platinum does not. The Platinum is a much sturdier tablet, and the parental controls are incredibly strong. It is also more expensive and, because the only content available has to be purchased from LeapFrog, the content is substantially more expensive too. The Cubby is a general Android tablet, whilst the Platinum is a niche, educational only, tablet.