The budget tablet market is booming, offering affordable options for entertainment and basic productivity. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Blackview Tab 6 and the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD). But which one delivers the best experience for your money? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) edges out the Blackview Tab 6 thanks to its slightly more refined software experience and generally better availability. While the Tab 6 boasts a more modern CPU architecture, the M8's overall package feels more polished and reliable for everyday use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 15 | 2019, September. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 207.6 x 124 x 9.5 mm (8.17 x 4.88 x 0.37 in) | 199.1 x 121.8 x 8.2 mm (7.84 x 4.80 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 365 g (12.87 oz) | 305 g (10.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Innolux Glass | - |
| 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 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5580 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Gold, Blue | Iron Grey, Platinum Grey |
| Models | - | TB-8505X, TB-8505F, TB-8505FS |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
Blackview Tab 6
- Modern CPU architecture (potential for better single-core performance)
- Competitive price
- Decent RAM (often 4GB)
- Less polished software
- Potentially limited software updates
- Display quality could be better
Lenovo Tab M8 (HD)
- Smoother software experience
- Better availability
- Generally reliable performance
- Slightly better battery life
- Older chipset (though well-optimized)
- Basic camera
- Can feel a bit plasticky
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature HD displays, but the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Tab 6's display is adequate but may appear a bit washed out in direct sunlight. Screen sizes are similar, around 8 inches, making them both portable and suitable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both offer basic cameras suitable for occasional video calls or quick snapshots. Image quality is generally low, with limited detail and poor performance in low light. Don't expect to use these tablets for serious photography.
Performance
The Blackview Tab 6's Unisoc Tiger T310 has a more modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75 core) which *could* translate to slightly better single-core performance. However, the Mediatek Helio A22 in the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) is generally well-optimized and provides a smooth experience for everyday tasks. Real-world performance is likely to be quite similar for most users.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) typically offers slightly better battery life due to its efficient chipset and software optimization. Expect around 8-10 hours of moderate use on both devices, but the M8 might squeeze out a bit more.
Buying Guide
The Blackview Tab 6 is ideal for users prioritizing raw processing power on a tight budget and are comfortable with potentially less polished software. The Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) is a better choice for those seeking a reliable, readily available tablet with a smoother user experience and broader software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
Neither tablet is a gaming powerhouse. Both are suitable for casual games, but demanding titles will struggle. The Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) might offer a slightly smoother experience due to its better software optimization.
❓ Are software updates guaranteed for either tablet?
Software updates are less frequent on the Blackview Tab 6. Lenovo generally provides more consistent updates for the Tab M8 (HD), though major Android version upgrades are not always guaranteed.
