The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for streaming, light gaming, and everyday tasks. We pit the Doogee T10S, a newcomer focused on value, against the established Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) to determine which delivers the best experience for the price. Both tablets utilize Unisoc chipsets, but subtle differences in CPU clock speeds and features could significantly impact performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the better choice. While the Doogee T10S offers a compelling price, the Tab A8’s slightly faster Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset and Samsung’s software optimizations provide a smoother, more responsive user experience. The 15W charging is also a benefit for those needing quicker top-ups.
| 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 | LTE | 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, July 01 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 20 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 8.4 mm thickness | 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 | 563 g (1.24 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 | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | 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 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP
secondary unspecified camera | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Unspecified | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 6600 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Neptune Blue, Space Gray | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Doogee T10S
- Potentially lower price point
- Unisoc T606 chipset offers adequate performance for basic tasks
- Likely large battery capacity for extended use
- Slower CPU clock speed compared to the Tab A8
- Unknown charging speed – potentially slower
- Less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Faster Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset for smoother performance
- 15W wired charging for quicker top-ups
- Samsung’s optimized software experience
- Slightly higher price point
- Battery capacity not significantly larger than competitors
- Still utilizes an IPS LCD panel
Display Comparison
Neither Doogee nor Samsung specified display details beyond size. However, both tablets likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness. The lack of high refresh rate or advanced features like LTPO on either device means display quality will be adequate for media consumption but not exceptional. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, typical of budget tablets.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for buyers in this segment. Details are scarce, but both tablets will likely feature basic camera setups suitable for casual snapshots. Focusing on the main sensor, the Tab A8’s image processing benefits from Samsung’s software expertise, potentially yielding slightly better image quality than the Doogee T10S. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means low-light performance will be limited.
Performance
The core difference here is the chipset: the Doogee T10S features the Unisoc T606, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 utilizes the Unisoc Tiger T618. Both are octa-core CPUs with the same Cortex-A75 (2x) and Cortex-A55 (6x) configuration, but the T618 boasts a 2.0 GHz clock speed compared to the T606’s 1.6 GHz. This 20% clock speed increase translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the Tab A8 in CPU-intensive tasks and app loading times. While both likely pair with similar amounts of RAM (spec not provided), the T618’s architecture provides a more responsive overall experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Doogee T10S, but given its focus on affordability, it’s likely comparable to the Tab A8’s. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 supports 15W wired charging, a significant advantage over an unknown charging speed for the Doogee. This faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, reducing downtime and improving usability for users who rely on their tablet throughout the day. The efficiency of the Unisoc T618 may also contribute to slightly better battery life in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee T10S if you prioritize absolute affordability and are willing to accept minor performance compromises for basic tasks like web browsing and video playback. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you value a more polished software experience, slightly faster performance for multitasking and light gaming, and the convenience of faster charging, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T618 in the Tab A8 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc Tiger T618 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s capable of providing an enjoyable experience for casual gamers. The T606 in the Doogee T10S will likely require even lower settings.
❓ Is the lack of Google Kids Space on the Doogee T10S a significant drawback for parents?
Google Kids Space is a feature exclusive to certain Samsung tablets, offering a curated environment for children. The absence of this feature on the Doogee T10S means parents will need to rely on third-party parental control apps to manage their child’s tablet usage.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 support expandable storage via microSD card?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 supports microSD card expansion up to 1TB, providing ample storage for media files and apps. The Doogee T10S’s microSD support is unconfirmed, but likely present given its target market.
