The budget tablet market is heating up! Both the Honor Pad X8 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) offer compelling features at accessible prices. But which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 edges out the Honor Pad X8 thanks to its smoother software experience, slightly better display, and established brand reputation. However, the Honor Pad X8 offers competitive performance and a lower price point, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.
| 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 | 2022, September 17 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 22 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.6 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.30 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 | 460 g (1.01 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 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | MediaTek MT8786 | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 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 |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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 | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Light Blue | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | AGM3-W09HN | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Honor Pad X8
- More powerful chipset (slightly)
- Lower price
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Sleek design
- Less polished software
- Lower display quality
- Slower charging
- Camera quality is average
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Smoother software experience
- Better display quality
- Established brand reputation
- Faster charging (15W)
- Higher price
- Less powerful chipset compared to X8
- Average camera quality
- Design is somewhat generic
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature a 10.5-inch display, but the Galaxy Tab A8 generally offers better color accuracy and brightness. The Honor Pad X8's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy of the Samsung. Resolution is similar, providing a good viewing experience for both.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in camera quality. The Galaxy Tab A8's cameras are marginally better, offering slightly more detail and better color reproduction. Both are suitable for casual snapshots but not for serious photography. Expect grainy images in low light.
Performance
The Honor Pad X8's MediaTek MT8786 chipset with Cortex-A75 cores provides a slight edge in raw processing power compared to the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Galaxy Tab A8. However, Samsung's optimized software often results in a smoother, more responsive user experience despite the slightly less powerful hardware. Gaming performance is adequate on both, but don't expect high frame rates on demanding titles.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable on both devices, offering around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The Galaxy Tab A8's 15W charging is a bit faster than the Honor Pad X8's charging speed, though neither is particularly speedy.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Honor Pad X8? Users prioritizing affordability and decent performance for basic tasks like browsing and media consumption. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)? Those seeking a more polished Android experience, a slightly better display, and the reliability of the Samsung brand, even at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for streaming videos?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8's slightly better display makes it a better choice for streaming videos, offering more vibrant colors and better contrast.
❓ Can I play demanding games on either of these tablets?
Both tablets can handle casual games, but demanding titles will likely require lower graphics settings and may experience frame rate drops. The Honor Pad X8 has a slight edge in raw power, but optimization is key.
