The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for students, casual users, and anyone needing a secondary display. The Blackview Tab 8 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) both aim to deliver an affordable Android experience, but significant differences in their underlying hardware dictate which tablet will better suit your needs. This comparison dives deep into the specs to reveal the true winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the better choice. Its more modern Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset, built on a smaller 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Blackview Tab 8’s older 28nm Unisoc SC9863A. While the Blackview Tab 8 is cheaper, the performance trade-off isn’t worth it for all but the most basic tasks.
| 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 | 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 | 2020, July 21. Released 2020, July | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 243.6 x 162.4 x 8.9 mm (9.59 x 6.39 x 0.35 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 | 600 g (1.32 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~74.8% 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 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 | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, 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 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6580 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Gold | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Blackview Tab 8
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- Acceptable for basic tasks like reading and web browsing.
- Potentially lighter due to simpler hardware.
- Significantly slower performance due to older chipset.
- Less efficient 28nm process leads to potential overheating.
- Slower 10W charging.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Faster and more responsive performance with Unisoc Tiger T618.
- More efficient 12nm process for better battery life and thermal management.
- Faster 15W charging.
- Higher price compared to the Blackview Tab 8.
- May not be a significant upgrade for users with very basic needs.
- Still a budget tablet, so don't expect flagship features.
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Both are likely to utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the specifics are missing. The key difference lies in the processing power driving them. Display quality will likely be similar, with color accuracy and viewing angles being adequate for casual use. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning. Without detailed specs on brightness or color gamut, it's difficult to declare a clear winner.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are likely equipped with basic camera sensors suitable for casual snapshots and video calls. Given the lack of detailed specifications, it’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. Focusing on camera specs in this segment is often misleading; image processing and software optimization play a larger role than sensor size or megapixel count. We can expect similar results from both devices in terms of image quality.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) holds a significant advantage in performance. Its Unisoc Tiger T618, fabricated on a 12nm process, is demonstrably more efficient and powerful than the Blackview Tab 8’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The T618’s CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – is a substantial upgrade over the Tab 8’s 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Tab A8 provide a significant boost in single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness and smoother multitasking. This translates to faster app loading times and a less laggy user experience. The 12nm process also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the exact battery capacity of the Blackview Tab 8 is unknown, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) benefits from 15W wired charging, compared to the Tab 8’s slower 10W charging. This means the Tab A8 will reach a full charge significantly faster. The more efficient Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Tab A8 will also contribute to longer battery life during typical use, offsetting any potential capacity difference. Faster charging is a tangible benefit for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Tab 8 if you need an extremely affordable tablet for very light tasks like reading ebooks, basic web browsing, and occasional video calls, and are willing to accept slower performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive experience for multitasking, streaming, and light gaming, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more capable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Samsung Tab A8 handle light gaming like Asphalt 8 or Subway Surfers?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T618 is capable of running less demanding games like Asphalt 8 and Subway Surfers at playable frame rates with medium settings. While it won't deliver a high-end gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Blackview Tab 8’s chipset for casual gaming.
❓ Is the performance difference between the two tablets noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and email?
Absolutely. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s faster processor and more efficient architecture result in noticeably snappier performance when browsing the web, checking email, and switching between apps. The Blackview Tab 8 may exhibit lag and slowdowns during these tasks, especially with multiple apps open.
❓ How much faster is the 15W charging on the Samsung Tab A8 compared to the 10W charging on the Blackview Tab 8?
While exact times depend on battery level and usage, the 15W charging on the Samsung Tab A8 will likely reduce charging time by approximately 30-50% compared to the Blackview Tab 8. This means a significantly quicker top-up when you're short on time.
