The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Doogee T10E and Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) represent compelling options for users seeking affordable entertainment and productivity. Both tablets utilize Unisoc chipsets, but subtle differences in CPU clock speeds and charging capabilities could sway your decision. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which tablet delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a slightly smoother experience and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T618, with its 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable performance edge over the Doogee T10E’s T606, despite both being 12nm chips. However, the Doogee T10E remains a viable option for those on a very tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 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 | 2023, August 04 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 240.8 x 159.8 x 8.7 mm (9.48 x 6.29 x 0.34 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 427 g (15.06 oz) | 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 (~76.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 360 nits | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM 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 | 8 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6580 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Space Gray, Classic Black | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Doogee T10E
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable for light media consumption
- Slower processor than the Tab A8
- Slower 10W charging
- Limited software support expected
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Faster Unisoc Tiger T618 processor
- Faster 15W charging
- Established brand with better software support
- Slightly higher price
- Still a budget device with limitations
- May not be significantly faster for very basic tasks
Display Comparison
Neither Doogee nor Samsung provide detailed display specifications beyond the 10.5-inch size. However, the display is likely to be the biggest differentiator in user experience. While both are likely IPS LCD panels, Samsung’s history suggests better color calibration and potentially higher peak brightness. The lack of information on PWM dimming frequency is concerning for both, but users sensitive to flicker should investigate further before purchasing. Bezels are expected to be similar on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are expected to feature basic camera setups geared towards video calls rather than photography. Details are scarce, but it’s safe to assume both will have a rear-facing camera and a front-facing camera for video conferencing. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; image quality will be heavily dependent on software processing and sensor size, neither of which are specified. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device would be largely inconsequential.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 utilizes the Unisoc Tiger T618, featuring two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores also at 2.0 GHz. The Doogee T10E, conversely, employs the Unisoc T606, with two Cortex-A75 cores clocked lower at 1.6 GHz, and six Cortex-A55 cores also at 1.6 GHz. This 0.4 GHz difference in core clock speed translates to a tangible performance advantage for the Tab A8 in CPU-intensive tasks like multitasking and app loading. While both use the same Mali-G52 MP2 GPU, the faster CPU will indirectly benefit graphics performance. The RAM configuration is not specified, but the Tab A8 is often found with 3GB or 4GB, which will impact multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 boasts 15W wired charging, a significant improvement over the Doogee T10E’s 10W charging. This faster charging speed will translate to quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the Doogee T10E could offset the slower charging, the Tab A8’s faster charging is a more immediately noticeable benefit for most users. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Tab A8’s more efficient chipset could contribute to slightly longer runtimes.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee T10E 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 Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you prefer a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and a brand with a more established software support track record, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Doogee T10E struggle with multiple apps open simultaneously?
Yes, the Unisoc T606, with its lower clock speeds, is more likely to exhibit slowdowns when multitasking compared to the T618 in the Tab A8. While sufficient for basic web browsing and a single app, running several apps concurrently will likely strain the processor and reduce responsiveness.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Doogee T10E with its 10W charging?
Given the 10W charging rate and assuming a battery capacity around 6000-7000mAh (typical for this class of tablet), a full charge from 0% to 100% could take upwards of 4-5 hours. This is significantly slower than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s 15W charging.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 a good choice for playing demanding mobile games?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is not ideal for demanding mobile games. While the Unisoc Tiger T618 can handle some lighter titles, it will struggle with graphically intensive games at higher settings. Expect to lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame rate drops.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect from Doogee for the T10E?
Doogee’s software update track record is less consistent than Samsung’s. Expect limited software updates, primarily focused on security patches, and potentially no major Android version upgrades. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is more likely to receive at least one major Android version update.
