The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Cubot Tab 10 and Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) represent compelling options for users seeking affordable Android experiences. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, focusing on the core differences in performance, battery life, and overall value to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) with the Snapdragon 680 chipset is the superior choice. Its more modern 6nm process and faster CPU cores deliver a noticeably smoother experience, despite the Cubot Tab 10’s lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/75 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2022, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2021 | Available. Released 2022, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 243.5 x 164 x 8.8 mm (9.59 x 6.46 x 0.35 in) | 251.2 x 158.8 x 7.5 mm (9.89 x 6.25 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 575 g (1.27 lb) | 465 g (1.03 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~74.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) - LTE model Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi only model |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) - LTE model Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) - Wi-Fi only model |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 610 - LTE model Mali-G52 MC2 - Wi-Fi only model |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMCP/uMCP |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM Radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Storm Grey, Frost Blue |
| Price | - | About 260 EUR |
Cubot Tab 10
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Functional for basic tasks like reading and web browsing.
- Potentially lighter due to simpler components.
- Significantly weaker performance due to the older Unisoc chipset.
- Likely limited software support and updates.
- Battery life may be shorter due to less efficient processor.
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
- Faster and more responsive performance with the Snapdragon 680 (or Helio G80).
- 20W fast charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially longer software support from Lenovo.
- Higher price compared to the Cubot Tab 10.
- Display quality is likely average for the price range.
- May not be significantly better for extremely basic tasks.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing for the Cubot Tab 10. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) benefits from a more modern chipset potentially enabling better image processing. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, typical of budget tablets. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for the price, with neither device targeting professional color work.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a key strength for either tablet. Details regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures are unavailable for both devices. However, given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The focus should be on basic video calling and casual snapshots. Any claims of advanced camera features should be viewed with skepticism. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing, which is likely limited on both.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) offers two chipset options: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) in the 4G LTE model, and the MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm) in the Wi-Fi only version. The Snapdragon 680, with its Kryo 265 Gold cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, represents a substantial leap in CPU performance compared to the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) in the Cubot Tab 10. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 680 also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. The Helio G80, while still an improvement over the Unisoc chip, is less efficient and offers lower peak performance. The Cubot Tab 10’s Cortex-A55 cores, clocked lower at 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Cubot Tab 10, making a direct comparison difficult. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) supports 20W wired charging, a reasonable speed for a tablet in this category. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the more efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset in the Lenovo tablet should provide longer runtimes compared to the older, less efficient Unisoc SC9863A in the Cubot Tab 10. The 20W charging will also allow the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus to recharge faster.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Tab 10 if you need a basic tablet for light tasks like reading ebooks, browsing the web, and occasional video playback, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, smoother multitasking, and the potential for longer software support, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more capable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the Cubot Tab 10 struggle with multiple apps open simultaneously?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A is a relatively low-powered chipset. Expect noticeable slowdowns and app reloading when multitasking with more than a few applications. It's best suited for running one app at a time.
❓ Does the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) support widevine L1 for HD streaming services like Netflix?
The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) *generally* supports Widevine L1, enabling HD streaming on popular platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, this can vary by region and software version, so it's always best to confirm compatibility with your specific model and streaming service.
❓ Is the difference between the Snapdragon 680 and Helio G80 versions of the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus significant enough to justify the price difference?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Helio G80, particularly in sustained workloads and gaming. If you plan on using the tablet for anything beyond basic tasks, the Snapdragon 680 version is worth the extra investment.
