The tablet market offers options for every budget, but choosing the right one can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the budget-friendly BLU M8L 2022 against the established Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) to see which delivers the best experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) generally wins due to its more refined software, better overall performance thanks to the Octa-Core processor, and Samsung's brand reputation. While the BLU M8L 2022 offers a competitive price, the Tab A 8.4 provides a more polished and reliable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February | 2020, March 25. Released 2020, March 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 209 x 126 x 10.6 mm (8.23 x 4.96 x 0.42 in) | 202 x 125.2 x 7.1 mm (7.95 x 4.93 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 360 g (12.70 oz) | 309 g (10.90 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Bronze | Mocha |
| Models | - | SM-T307U |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.35 W/kg (body) |
BLU M8L 2022
- Very Affordable
- Decent for Basic Tasks
- Large Display
- Lower Performance
- Less Refined Software
- LCD Display
- Potentially Lower Build Quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- Super AMOLED Display
- Better Performance (Octa-Core)
- Samsung Brand Reputation
- Smoother User Experience
- Reliable Software Updates
- Higher Price
- Wired Charging Only
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 boasts an 8.4-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The BLU M8L 2022 likely features a standard LCD display, which will have less impressive contrast and color accuracy. Samsung's display is a clear advantage here.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is a photography powerhouse. However, Samsung generally has a slight edge in camera quality due to their image processing algorithms. Expect slightly better photos and videos from the Tab A 8.4, though neither will replace a dedicated camera.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4's Exynos 7904 Octa-Core processor provides significantly better performance than the BLU M8L 2022's Quad-Core Cortex-A75. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Samsung tablet. The Tab A's CPU configuration (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) offers a good balance of power and efficiency.
Battery Life
Battery life is generally comparable, with both tablets offering around 8-10 hours of typical usage. The Samsung Tab A 8.4's efficient processor may give it a slight edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
The BLU M8L 2022 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like browsing and media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) is a better choice for those seeking a more reliable, smoother experience, and the benefits of the Samsung ecosystem, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BLU M8L 2022 good for gaming?
The BLU M8L 2022's processor is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but don't expect smooth performance in graphically intensive titles.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 get software updates?
Samsung typically provides software updates for their tablets for a reasonable period. However, the Tab A 8.4 (2020) is nearing the end of its update cycle.
