The Alcatel 3T 8 and Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820 represent the lower end of the Android tablet market, targeting users who need basic functionality without breaking the bank. Both devices offer an 8-inch display and Android OS, but diverge significantly in their underlying hardware. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which tablet provides the best experience for everyday tasks.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly more modern architecture, the Alcatel 3T 8 emerges as the better choice. While the Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820 boasts a marginally higher clock speed, the Mediatek MT8765 chipset offers a more efficient and capable platform for typical tablet workloads.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71 | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Speed | LTE | - |
| Technology | LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, October 08. Released 2018, October 08 | 2015, April. Released 2015, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 209.5 x 125 x 8.3 mm (8.25 x 4.92 x 0.33 in) | 213.9 x 127.7 x 9.5 mm (8.42 x 5.03 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | No |
| Weight | 279 g (9.84 oz) | 355 g (12.52 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.28 GHz | Quad-core 1.33 GHz |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8765 | Intel Atom Z3735G |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.8, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.65µm | VGA |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h 30 min (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Po 4080 mAh | Li-Ion 4550 mAh, non-removable (17.2 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, White |
| Models | 9027Q, 9027W, 9032X, 9032T, 9032X_EEA | - |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 180 EUR |
alcatel 3T 8
- More modern chipset architecture (Mediatek MT8765)
- Potentially smoother performance for everyday tasks
- Likely better GPU performance for casual gaming
- Lower CPU clock speed compared to Acer
- Unknown RAM configuration may limit performance
Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed (Intel Atom Z3735G)
- Potential for longer software support (Intel history)
- Familiar Intel brand
- Older chipset architecture (Intel Atom Z3735G)
- Potentially slower performance in multi-tasking
- May exhibit narrower viewing angles and less accurate colors
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a stunning visual experience. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it's difficult to declare a clear winner. However, the Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820, being an older model, may exhibit narrower viewing angles and less accurate color reproduction. The 8-inch size is consistent, suggesting similar portability, but bezel size is likely larger on the Acer due to its age.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be underwhelming. Both tablets likely feature low-resolution sensors, primarily intended for video calls rather than photography. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be poor in anything other than ideal lighting conditions. Focusing on camera specs here is largely irrelevant given the target market and price point.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Alcatel 3T 8’s Mediatek MT8765, while a quad-core 1.28 GHz processor, benefits from a more modern architecture compared to the Acer’s Intel Atom Z3735G (quad-core 1.33 GHz). The Intel Atom Z3735G is based on the older Silvermont architecture, while the MT8765 utilizes a more efficient core design. This translates to better multi-tasking and smoother app launches on the Alcatel, despite the slightly lower clock speed. The MT8765 also likely features a more capable GPU, improving graphics performance for casual gaming. RAM configurations are unknown, but both are likely to be 1GB or 2GB, limiting overall performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given their similar size and target market, battery life is likely comparable – around 5-7 hours of moderate use. The Mediatek MT8765’s more efficient architecture *could* translate to slightly longer battery life for the Alcatel 3T 8, but this difference would likely be minimal. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are expected to charge slowly via micro-USB.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel 3T 8 if you need a tablet for casual browsing, video streaming, and light productivity tasks where responsiveness is key. Its Mediatek chipset provides a smoother experience for these common uses. Buy the Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820 if you prioritize a potentially longer software support lifecycle due to Intel’s historical commitment to updates, and are willing to accept slightly slower performance in exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Alcatel 3T 8 handle basic games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds?
Yes, the Mediatek MT8765 chipset in the Alcatel 3T 8 should be capable of running casual games like Candy Crush and Angry Birds without significant issues. While it won't handle graphically demanding titles, it offers a more capable GPU than the Intel Atom Z3735G in the Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820, resulting in a smoother gaming experience.
❓ Is the Intel Atom Z3735G in the Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820 likely to receive future Android updates?
Given the age of the Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820 and the Intel Atom Z3735G chipset, the likelihood of receiving further Android updates is low. Intel has largely exited the mobile processor market, and support for older devices is often discontinued. The Alcatel 3T 8, while also a budget device, may have a slightly better chance of receiving at least one security update due to Mediatek’s ongoing support.
❓ Which tablet is better for reading ebooks and browsing the web?
Both tablets are suitable for reading ebooks and browsing the web. However, the Alcatel 3T 8’s more responsive chipset should provide a smoother and more enjoyable experience when navigating web pages and turning pages in ebooks. The slightly more modern architecture of the Mediatek processor contributes to a more fluid user interface.
