iPad mini (2021) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and a premium experience, the Apple iPad mini (2021) is the clear winner. Its A15 Bionic chip delivers significantly faster processing speeds, justifying the higher price. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 offers a compelling value proposition for casual users focused on media consumption and basic tasks.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad mini (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 24 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Stylus support (2nd gen only) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loudspeaker | -29.7 LUFS (Average) | - |
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Exceptional performance with the A15 Bionic chip
- Bright and high-contrast display
- Highly portable and compact design
- Higher price point
- Limited storage options at base price
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Affordable price
- Larger 10.5-inch display
- Decent battery life for casual use
- Significantly slower performance
- Lower display quality
- Slow 15W charging
Display Comparison
The iPad mini (2021) boasts a superior display experience, achieving a measured peak brightness of 518 nits compared to the Tab A8’s unspecified brightness. While the Tab A8 offers a larger 10.5-inch screen, the iPad mini’s 8.3-inch display compensates with a significantly higher 1325:1 contrast ratio, resulting in richer colors and deeper blacks. The lack of information regarding the Tab A8’s panel technology suggests it likely lacks features like variable refresh rate (LTPO) found in higher-end tablets, impacting smoothness during scrolling and video playback. Bezels on the Tab A8 are also noticeably larger, diminishing the immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn’t a primary focus for either tablet, but the iPad mini (2021) likely holds an advantage due to Apple’s superior image signal processing. While specific camera specs are not provided in the context data, Apple generally prioritizes image quality even in its smaller devices. The Tab A8’s camera system is likely geared towards basic video calls and casual snapshots. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Tab A8 is largely inconsequential, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Apple iPad mini (2021) is powered by the 5nm Apple A15 Bionic chip, a hexa-core processor with two high-performance cores clocked at 2.93 GHz. This architecture delivers significantly faster CPU and GPU performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5’s Unisoc Tiger T618 (12nm). The T618, while an octa-core processor, utilizes less efficient Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, resulting in lower single-core and multi-core scores. The A15 Bionic’s advanced manufacturing process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, minimizing performance throttling during sustained workloads. The iPad mini will handle demanding apps and games with ease, while the Tab A8 may struggle with more intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Battery life will vary based on usage, but the iPad mini (2021) benefits from the efficiency of the A15 Bionic chip. The Tab A8’s 15W wired charging is relatively slow compared to the faster charging speeds offered by many modern tablets. While the Tab A8 may have a slightly larger battery capacity (spec not provided), the A15’s power efficiency could result in comparable or even superior real-world battery life for the iPad mini, especially during demanding tasks. The slower charging speed on the Tab A8 means longer downtime between uses.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad mini (2021) if you need a highly portable tablet for demanding tasks like photo editing, gaming, or note-taking with Apple Pencil support. Its superior processing power and brighter display make it ideal for creative professionals and power users on the go. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you prefer a larger screen for comfortable media consumption, casual gaming, and basic productivity, all at a significantly lower price point. It’s a great choice for families or users who don’t require top-tier performance.