The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Blackview Tab 60 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) represent compelling options for users seeking affordable Android experiences. Both tablets aim to deliver essential functionality without breaking the bank, but subtle differences in their chipsets and features can significantly impact performance and usability. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which tablet offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly smoother performance and a more established brand reputation, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset, with higher clocked Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable edge in responsiveness, despite both tablets utilizing the same 12nm process. However, the Blackview Tab 60 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, September | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 211.7 x 124.4 x 8.4 mm (8.33 x 4.90 x 0.33 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 338 g (11.92 oz) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~180 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.68 inches, 213.9 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 13, Doke OS_P 3.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | 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, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 6050 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Grey, Blue, Green | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | - | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Blackview Tab 60
- More affordable price point
- Potentially lighter weight (speculation based on build materials)
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Slightly slower processor than the Tab A8
- Less established brand reputation
- Likely slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Faster processor for smoother multitasking
- 15W fast charging support
- Samsung’s established brand and software ecosystem
- Higher price compared to the Blackview Tab 60
- May not offer significant performance gains for very basic use cases
- Potentially heavier build
Display Comparison
Neither Blackview nor Samsung provide detailed display specifications beyond the 10.5-inch size. However, given the price points, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies in processing power, which can affect display responsiveness. While both will likely offer similar color accuracy for everyday use, the Tab A8’s slightly more powerful chipset may translate to smoother scrolling and animations. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of tablets in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for buyers in this segment. Both tablets likely feature basic camera setups geared towards video calls and occasional snapshots. Detailed camera specs are scarce, but focusing on the primary sensor resolution is misleading; image quality is more dependent on sensor size and image processing. Expect similar results from both, adequate for casual use but not competitive with smartphone cameras.
Performance
The core distinction between these tablets is their chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) features the Unisoc Tiger T618, boasting 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Blackview Tab 60 utilizes the Unisoc T606, with 2x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This 0.4 GHz clock speed difference on the A75 cores, while seemingly small, translates to a tangible performance advantage for the Tab A8 in CPU-intensive tasks and multitasking. Both use a 12nm process, meaning thermal efficiency will be similar, but the Tab A8 will likely sustain higher performance for longer periods. RAM configurations are not specified, but the Tab A8 is often found with 3GB or 4GB, which will impact multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Blackview Tab 60, but given its focus on affordability, it’s likely comparable to or slightly smaller than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s battery. The Tab A8 supports 15W wired charging, a significant advantage over potentially slower charging speeds on the Blackview Tab 60. While both tablets should provide a full day of light to moderate use, the Tab A8’s faster charging will minimize downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Tab 60 if you need a highly affordable tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light document editing, and are comfortable with a less-known brand. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you prefer a more polished software experience, slightly faster performance for multitasking, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsung's established ecosystem and 15W fast charging support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T618 in the Tab A8 handle light gaming like Candy Crush or Angry Birds?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T618 is more than capable of handling casual games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds without significant lag. While it’s not a gaming powerhouse, the higher clocked CPU cores provide sufficient processing power for these types of titles. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings.
❓ Is the Blackview Tab 60 a good choice for video conferencing?
The Blackview Tab 60 is adequate for basic video conferencing using apps like Zoom or Google Meet. However, the camera quality is likely to be limited, and the processor may struggle with multiple apps running simultaneously, potentially impacting call quality. The Tab A8 would offer a slightly smoother experience.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) support expandable storage via microSD card?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) does support expandable storage via a microSD card up to 1TB. This is a crucial feature for users who plan to store a large number of files, photos, or videos on their tablet.
