The tablet market offers a surprising number of options, even on a budget. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor Pad 5 8 and the Motorola Tab G20. Both promise affordability and decent features, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Pad 5 8 edges out the Motorola Tab G20 thanks to its slightly more powerful Kirin 710 chipset and generally better display. While the Tab G20 offers a clean Android experience and decent battery life, the Honor Pad 5 8 provides a more responsive and enjoyable user experience overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | LTE | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, July | 2021, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 204.2 x 122.2 x 8.2 mm (8.04 x 4.81 x 0.32 in) | 199.1 x 121.8 x 8.2 mm (7.84 x 4.80 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | - | 305 g (10.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TDDI IPS LCD, 350 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.0 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 816 h (2G) / Up to 696 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 46 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Champagne Gold, Dark Gray, Glacial Blue | Platinum Grey |
| Models | JDN2-AL00HN | - |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 130 EUR |
Honor Pad 5 8
- More powerful chipset (Kirin 710)
- Higher resolution display
- Generally smoother performance
- Good value for money
- Camera quality is basic
- Design is somewhat generic
Motorola Tab G20
- Clean Android experience
- Potentially longer battery life
- Very affordable
- Lightweight design
- Less powerful chipset (Helio P22T)
- Lower resolution display
- Can feel sluggish at times
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad 5 8 boasts a 2000x1200 resolution display, offering slightly sharper visuals compared to the Tab G20's 1920x1200 panel. Both feature IPS LCD technology, providing decent viewing angles, but the Honor Pad 5 8's higher resolution gives it a slight edge in clarity and detail. Color accuracy is generally acceptable on both.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both feature basic 5MP front and rear cameras suitable for video calls and casual snapshots. Image quality is unremarkable in both cases, with limited dynamic range and noticeable noise in low-light conditions. Don't expect to use these for serious photography.
Performance
Here's where the Honor Pad 5 8 pulls ahead. The Kirin 710, while older, generally outperforms the Helio P22T in real-world usage. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly better gaming performance on the Honor Pad 5 8. The Tab G20 can feel a bit sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Motorola Tab G20 likely has a slight edge in battery life due to its more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity (though specific capacity figures are often not readily available). Both should comfortably last a full day of moderate use, but the Tab G20 might stretch that a bit further.
Buying Guide
The Honor Pad 5 8 is ideal for students, casual users, and those seeking a tablet for media consumption and light gaming. The Motorola Tab G20 is a good choice for users prioritizing a stock Android experience, long battery life, and a very budget-friendly price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Honor Pad 5 8 is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful Kirin 710 chipset. While neither tablet is a gaming powerhouse, the Honor Pad 5 8 will handle less demanding games more smoothly.
❓ Does the Motorola Tab G20 have expandable storage?
Yes, the Motorola Tab G20 supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase the storage capacity.
