Both the Honor Pad 5 8 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) occupy the highly competitive entry-level tablet space. While both aim to deliver an affordable Android experience, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving that goal, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and determines which tablet offers the best value for everyday tasks.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Honor Pad 5 8 emerges as the better choice. Its Kirin 710 chipset, with its octa-core configuration, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 429 in the Tab A 8.0, making it more suitable for demanding applications and smoother overall usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, July | 2019, July 05. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 204.2 x 122.2 x 8.2 mm (8.04 x 4.81 x 0.32 in) | 210 x 124.4 x 8 mm (8.27 x 4.90 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | - | 345g (Wi-Fi), 347g (LTE) (12.24 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 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Kirin 710 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 504 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| 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, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Champagne Gold, Dark Gray, Glacial Blue | Carbon Black, Silver Gray |
| Models | JDN2-AL00HN | SM-T290, SM-T295 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
Honor Pad 5 8
- More powerful Kirin 710 processor for smoother performance
- Octa-core CPU enables better multitasking
- Potentially larger screen size for enhanced media consumption
- Brand recognition may be lower than Samsung
- Software updates may be less frequent
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019)
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Potentially better color calibration
- Significantly weaker Snapdragon 429 processor
- Quad-core CPU limits multitasking capabilities
- May struggle with demanding applications
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both are likely to feature IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing. Given Samsung's history, the Tab A 8.0 might have slightly better color calibration, but the Honor Pad 5 8's larger screen real estate (assuming a similar aspect ratio) could be preferable for media consumption. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for buyers in this segment. Both tablets likely feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it's safe to assume image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots but not competitive with smartphones. The presence of a camera is more for video calls than photography. Any differences in image processing will likely be minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad 5 8’s Kirin 710, built on a 12nm process, features an octa-core CPU (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53). This architecture provides a significant advantage over the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019)’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 429, a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor, also on a 12nm node. The Cortex-A73 cores in the Kirin 710 are considerably more powerful than the A53 cores found in the Snapdragon 429, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The extra cores also allow for better background task handling. While both use the same process node, the architectural superiority of the Kirin 710 translates to a tangible performance boost.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given their similar screen sizes and chipsets, battery life is expected to be comparable. The Snapdragon 429 is generally more power-efficient, but the Kirin 710’s performance advantage might offset this. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are likely to support standard 5W or 10W charging, resulting in relatively slow charging times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad 5 8 if you need a tablet capable of handling moderate multitasking, streaming video without significant lag, and light gaming. Its more powerful processor makes it a better long-term investment for users who anticipate pushing the device beyond basic web browsing and media consumption. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) if you prioritize brand recognition and a simple, streamlined experience, and your usage is limited to very basic tasks like reading ebooks and occasional web browsing. It's a functional device, but its performance limitations are more pronounced.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor Pad 5 8 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Kirin 710 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a stable experience. It's not a gaming tablet, but it's capable of casual gaming, unlike the Tab A 8.0 which will likely struggle even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) a good choice for reading ebooks and browsing the web?
Yes, the Tab A 8.0 is perfectly adequate for basic tasks like reading ebooks and browsing the web. However, its slower processor may result in occasional lag when loading complex webpages or switching between apps. If your usage is strictly limited to these tasks, it's a functional option.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the two tablets?
The Honor Pad 5 8 likely runs EMUI based on Android, which offers a range of customization options but can sometimes feel cluttered. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) runs Samsung's One UI, known for its cleaner interface and user-friendliness. Software update support may be more consistent on the Samsung device.
