Looking for an affordable Android tablet? The BLU M8L and Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) are popular contenders in the budget space. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) edges out the BLU M8L thanks to its more established brand reputation, slightly better performance, and generally more polished software experience. While the BLU M8L is cheaper, the Samsung offers a more reliable and user-friendly experience overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August. Released 2020, August | 2019, July 05. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 208 x 125 x 9 mm (8.19 x 4.92 x 0.35 in) | 210 x 124.4 x 8 mm (8.27 x 4.90 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 352 g (12.42 oz) | 345g (Wi-Fi), 347g (LTE) (12.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 504 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB 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 | 2 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Carbon Black, Silver Gray |
| Models | - | SM-T290, SM-T295 |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
BLU M8L
- Very affordable
- Octa-core processor (on paper)
- Unknown display quality
- Limited information available
- Likely shorter battery life
- Potentially less reliable software
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019)
- Reputable brand
- Smoother performance
- Better display quality
- Longer battery life
- More reliable software updates
- Slightly more expensive
- Basic performance (not for demanding games)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) features an 8.0-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800. The BLU M8L likely has a similar sized display, but details are scarce. Samsung's display generally offers better color accuracy and viewing angles. Both are adequate for media consumption, but Samsung's is slightly superior.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on budget tablets is rarely impressive. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) likely has a slightly better front-facing camera for video calls. Both tablets likely have basic rear cameras suitable for occasional snapshots, but not for serious photography.
Performance
While the BLU M8L boasts an Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 CPU, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019)'s Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 (12 nm) with a Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and likely more optimized software, provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. The Samsung's chipset is more efficient and generally performs better in real-world usage.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) has a 5150 mAh battery, offering decent battery life for everyday use. The BLU M8L's battery capacity is unknown, but given its lower price point, it's likely smaller, resulting in shorter battery life.
Buying Guide
The BLU M8L is a good choice 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 8.0 (2019) is ideal for those seeking a more reliable and versatile tablet with a smoother user experience and a bit more processing power for light gaming and multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BLU M8L good for gaming?
The BLU M8L's performance is likely limited, making it unsuitable for demanding games. Basic games might run, but don't expect a smooth experience.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) get software updates?
Samsung generally provides software updates for its tablets, although the frequency may be limited compared to smartphones. Expect security patches and occasional Android version updates.
