The budget tablet market is heating up, with the Cubot Tab 65 and Nokia T21 vying for attention. Both leverage Unisoc chipsets to deliver affordable Android experiences, but they diverge significantly in battery endurance and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right tablet for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing all-day battery life and longevity, the Cubot Tab 65 emerges as the winner. Its exceptional 92:02h endurance rating significantly surpasses the Nokia T21, making it ideal for travel or extended use. However, the Nokia T21 offers the convenience of 18W PD3.0 charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - US, LATAM |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, May | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May | Available. Released 2022, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 241.4 x 160.2 x 8.3 mm (9.50 x 6.31 x 0.33 in) | 247.5 x 157.3 x 7.5 mm (9.74 x 6.19 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 466 g (1.03 lb) |
| | - | Splash resistant
Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 6 | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T615 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (Wi-Fi/LTE model only / TA-1521) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 6200 mAh | Li-Po 8200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Charcoal Grey |
| Models | - | TA-1495, TA-1521, TA-1505, TA-1487 |
| Price | - | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.56 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 92:02h endurance, 1400 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class E | - |
| Free fall | Class E (52 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Cubot Tab 65
- Exceptional battery life (92:02h endurance)
- High battery cycle count (1400 cycles)
- Competitive performance with Unisoc T615
- Charging speed is unspecified, likely slower than Nokia T21
- Camera specifications are unknown
Nokia T21
- Faster charging with 18W PD3.0 support
- Slightly faster Cortex-A55 cores for potential multi-tasking gains
- Nokia's brand reputation for software support
- Inferior battery endurance compared to Cubot Tab 65
- Battery cycle count is not specified
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided, so a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the price point, both tablets likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The Nokia T21, benefiting from Nokia's brand reputation, *may* offer slightly better color calibration, but this is speculative. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the budget constraints.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent, making a meaningful comparison impossible. Given the target market, both tablets likely feature basic camera setups focused on video calls and casual snapshots. Expect modest image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of details suggests neither tablet prioritizes camera performance as a key selling point.
Performance
Both the Cubot Tab 65 and Nokia T21 are powered by Unisoc chipsets, but with subtle differences. The Cubot Tab 65 utilizes the Unisoc T615, while the Nokia T21 features the Tiger T612. Both employ an octa-core configuration with 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Nokia T21’s slightly faster Cortex-A55 cores (1.8 GHz vs 1.6 GHz) *suggest* a marginal improvement in multi-threaded tasks, but the real-world impact will likely be minimal. The 12nm process node is identical for both, indicating similar thermal characteristics. The lack of information on RAM type and speed prevents a complete performance assessment.
Battery Life
The Cubot Tab 65 boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 92:02h rating. This is a substantial lead over what is expected from the Nokia T21, which lacks a published endurance figure. The Cubot Tab 65 also claims 1400 charge cycles, indicating superior long-term battery health. The Nokia T21 compensates with 18W wired charging and PD3.0 support, allowing for faster top-ups, but this doesn't negate the Cubot's superior overall runtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Tab 65 if you need a tablet that can reliably last through a full day – or multiple days – of moderate use, and you value long-term battery health with its 1400 charge cycles. Buy the Nokia T21 if you prioritize faster charging speeds and appreciate the convenience of the PD3.0 standard, even if it means more frequent charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Unisoc T615 in the Cubot Tab 65 compare to the Tiger T612 in the Nokia T21 for gaming?
While both chipsets are capable of handling casual gaming, the slight difference in Cortex-A55 clock speeds on the Nokia T21 may offer a marginal improvement in frame rates for less demanding titles. However, neither chipset is designed for graphically intensive games, and performance will likely be similar overall. The lack of GPU details prevents a more precise assessment.
❓ What does the 1400 charge cycle claim mean for the Cubot Tab 65's long-term battery health?
A 1400 charge cycle rating indicates that the Cubot Tab 65's battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its original capacity after being fully charged and discharged 1400 times. This is a substantial number, suggesting the battery will maintain good health for several years of typical use, outperforming tablets with lower cycle counts.
❓ Does the Nokia T21's PD3.0 charging offer a significant speed advantage over a standard charger?
Yes, PD3.0 (Power Delivery 3.0) allows the Nokia T21 to negotiate a higher power input with compatible chargers, resulting in faster charging speeds. While the exact 0-100% time isn't specified, it will be noticeably quicker than charging with a standard 5W or 10W charger.
