The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for casual users, students, and families. Both the Cubot Tab 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) aim to deliver an affordable Android experience, but they take different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which tablet provides the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Cubot Tab 10’s SC9863A, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the Cubot Tab 10 may offer a lower price point, the A8’s superior processing power justifies the slight premium.
| 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 | 2021 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 243.5 x 164 x 8.8 mm (9.59 x 6.46 x 0.35 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 575 g (1.27 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~74.1% 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 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | 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, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| 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, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | - | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Cubot Tab 10
- Potentially lower price point
- May be lighter due to simpler components
- Basic functionality for simple tasks
- Less powerful Unisoc SC9863A chipset
- Larger 28nm process leads to lower efficiency
- Missing display specifications raise concerns
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset
- 12nm process for improved efficiency
- Samsung brand reliability and software support
- Slightly higher price
- 15W charging is not the fastest available
- Camera quality is still limited
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both are 10.1-10.5 inch panels, but details regarding resolution, brightness, and color accuracy are missing for the Cubot Tab 10. The Samsung Tab A8 10.5 (2021) likely benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, offering potentially better viewing angles and color reproduction. The absence of information on PWM dimming frequency for the Cubot Tab 10 raises concerns for users sensitive to screen flicker, while Samsung typically employs higher frequencies in its tablets.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are positioned as budget devices, and camera quality is typically compromised. Details regarding sensor size and image processing are scarce for both. However, the focus should be on basic video calling and occasional snapshots, not photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential due to its limited resolution and image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) utilizes the Unisoc Tiger T618, fabricated on a 12nm process, featuring a more modern CPU architecture with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Cubot Tab 10’s Unisoc SC9863A, built on a larger 28nm node, and its less efficient CPU configuration of 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The A75 cores in the T618 provide a significant performance boost in single-core tasks and improved responsiveness. The 12nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Tab A8 will likely handle multitasking and demanding apps more effectively.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for the Cubot Tab 10. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) features 7040mAh battery and supports 15W wired charging. While the larger battery capacity of the A8 provides a longer runtime, the more efficient Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset also contributes to improved battery life. The 15W charging, while not exceptionally fast, is adequate for topping up the battery overnight. Without battery capacity information for the Cubot Tab 10, it’s difficult to assess its real-world endurance, but the less efficient chipset suggests it may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Tab 10 if you prioritize absolute lowest cost and basic functionality for tasks like reading ebooks or light web browsing. It’s a suitable option for users who need a secondary display for static content. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you value a more fluid user experience, better performance for everyday tasks, and the reliability of the Samsung brand. It’s ideal for students, families, and anyone who wants a tablet that can handle multitasking and light gaming without significant lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Samsung Tab A8 powerful enough for light gaming like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T618 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a playable experience for casual gamers. The more efficient CPU and GPU architecture compared to the Cubot Tab 10’s chipset contribute to smoother gameplay.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) support expandable storage via microSD card?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) includes a microSD card slot, allowing you to expand the internal storage up to 1TB. This is a significant advantage for users who plan to store a large number of files, such as movies, music, or photos, directly on the tablet.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the Cubot Tab 10?
Cubot's software update track record is less consistent than Samsung's. Users should expect fewer and potentially slower software updates for the Cubot Tab 10 compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021), which benefits from Samsung's commitment to Android updates.
