The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for students, casual users, and anyone needing a secondary display. The Honor Pad X7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) are two leading contenders, but they take different approaches to achieving affordability. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which tablet provides the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Pad X7 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and thermal management than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618. While the Tab A8 offers slightly faster charging, the X7’s superior processing power makes it the better option for multitasking and demanding applications.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, July 24 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 24 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 211.8 x 124.8 x 8 mm (8.34 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 365 g (12.87 oz) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 625 nits (HBM) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | 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 | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | 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 | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 7020 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Honor Pad X7
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Better thermal management for sustained performance
- Potentially longer battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Slower 10W charging
- Limited information on display quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Slightly larger 10.5-inch display
- Faster 15W charging
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Less efficient Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset
- Potential for thermal throttling under load
- Likely lower sustained performance
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable. The Tab A8’s 10.5-inch screen offers a slightly larger viewing area, potentially beneficial for media consumption. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning. Without specific display calibration data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner; however, Samsung’s history suggests slightly better color accuracy in their displays.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both will feature basic camera setups geared towards video calls rather than photography. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are scarce, but it’s safe to assume both utilize low-resolution sensors. Focusing on the available data, neither device is likely to excel in low-light conditions or offer significant image detail. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and offers minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad X7’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618 (12nm). The 6nm fabrication process inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal performance, meaning the X7 is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The Snapdragon 680’s CPU configuration – Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) – provides a more balanced approach than the Tab A8’s (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The Cortex-A75 cores in the Tab A8 are powerful, but the lack of efficiency cores and the larger process node will result in higher power draw and potentially lower sustained performance. This translates to a smoother experience on the X7 when multitasking or running more demanding apps.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) supports 15W wired charging, while the Honor Pad X7 is limited to 10W. This suggests the Tab A8 could potentially achieve a faster 0-100% charge time. However, the Snapdragon 680’s superior power efficiency in the X7 could offset the slower charging speed, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. The more efficient chipset will draw less power during typical usage, potentially extending the time between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad X7 if you prioritize performance for everyday tasks, light gaming, and smoother multitasking. Its more modern chipset provides a more responsive experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you value brand recognition and a slightly faster charging solution, and your usage is primarily limited to basic media consumption and web browsing where raw processing power isn't critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Tab A8 struggle with multitasking or demanding apps?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T618, while capable for basic tasks, is likely to exhibit slowdowns and lag when running multiple apps simultaneously or playing graphically intensive games. Its 12nm process and CPU architecture are less efficient than the Snapdragon 680, leading to potential thermal throttling and reduced performance.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Honor Pad X7 a significant drawback?
While slower than the Tab A8’s 15W charging, the Snapdragon 680’s power efficiency means the X7 may not require charging as frequently. The difference in charge times will likely be noticeable, but the improved battery life during use could mitigate this concern.
❓ Can either of these tablets handle light gaming like Candy Crush or Angry Birds?
Both tablets should be capable of handling casual games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds without significant issues. However, more demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile will likely require significant graphics settings reductions on both devices, and the Honor Pad X7 will provide a smoother, more consistent frame rate due to its superior chipset.
