The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for streaming, light gaming, and everyday tasks. We pit the Cubot Tab 60, powered by an Allwinner A523 chipset, against the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021), featuring a Unisoc Tiger T618, to determine which provides the best balance of performance and value for cost-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the better choice. While the Cubot Tab 60 offers a lower price point, the Tab A8’s more powerful Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset and faster 15W charging provide a noticeably smoother user experience and quicker power-ups, justifying the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 24 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, March | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 241.4 x 160.2 x 8.3 mm (9.50 x 6.31 x 0.33 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.5% 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 1.8 GHz | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Allwinner A523 | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | - | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | 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 | 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 60
- Lower price point makes it highly accessible.
- Octa-core processor provides adequate performance for basic tasks.
- Potential for longer battery life due to lower performance demands (speculation).
- Less powerful processor compared to the Tab A8.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Limited information available regarding display quality.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset for smoother performance.
- Faster 15W wired charging.
- Benefit from Samsung’s display expertise and software optimization.
- Higher price compared to the Cubot Tab 60.
- May not be significantly better for extremely basic tasks.
- Still utilizes an IPS LCD panel, lacking the vibrancy of OLED.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both are likely to utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, specifics like resolution and peak brightness are missing for the Cubot Tab 60. The Tab A8’s 10.5-inch display benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, likely offering better color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of details regarding the Cubot Tab 60’s panel suggests a potential cost-cutting measure in this area.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are expected to feature basic camera setups. Details are lacking for both devices, but given the price point, image quality will likely be adequate for casual snapshots but not much more. Focusing on the processor and display is more important than camera specs in this segment.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618, built on a 12nm process, features a more sophisticated CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Cubot Tab 60’s Allwinner A523, an octa-core 1.8 GHz processor. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Tab A8 provide a significant performance boost in demanding tasks, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The 12nm process of the Unisoc chip also suggests better power efficiency compared to the likely larger node process of the Allwinner A523.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the charging speeds offer a clear advantage to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. Its 15W wired charging is 50% faster than the Cubot Tab 60’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly less time tethered to a power outlet, a crucial benefit for on-the-go users. Even with a similar battery capacity, the faster charging of the Tab A8 will provide a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Tab 60 if you need an extremely affordable tablet for basic tasks like reading ebooks, browsing the web, and light video playback, and are willing to accept compromises in performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you prioritize a more responsive experience for multitasking, streaming, and occasional gaming, and value faster charging speeds and a more established brand reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Allwinner A523 in the Cubot Tab 60 struggle with multitasking between several apps?
Yes, the Allwinner A523 is less powerful than the Unisoc Tiger T618. While it can handle basic multitasking, expect slowdowns and lag when switching between multiple apps simultaneously, especially more demanding ones like video editors or games.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Cubot Tab 60 from 0% with the 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, expect a full charge to take approximately 4-5 hours, potentially longer depending on usage during charging. This is considerably slower than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s 15W charging, which will significantly reduce charging time.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Samsung Tab A8 capable of handling light gaming?
The Unisoc Tiger T618 is capable of handling light gaming, such as casual puzzle games and older titles. However, demanding games with high graphics settings may experience frame rate drops and lag. It's not a gaming-focused tablet, but it offers a better gaming experience than the Cubot Tab 60.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 support expandable storage via microSD card?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 supports expandable storage via microSD card up to 1TB, allowing you to increase storage capacity for photos, videos, and other files. The Cubot Tab 60's microSD support is unconfirmed, but likely present given the target market.
