The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei MatePad SE and Nokia T10 represent two compelling options. Both aim to deliver a functional Android experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset architecture and overall design. This comparison will dissect their key specifications to determine which tablet offers the best value for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia T10 emerges as the slightly better choice. While the Huawei MatePad SE benefits from a more mature chipset architecture with its Cortex-A73 cores, the Nokia T10’s newer 12nm Unisoc T606 offers a more efficient process, potentially leading to better sustained performance and thermal management in everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 28 | 2022, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 10 | Available. Released 2022, August 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.9 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.31 in) | 208 x 123.2 x 9 mm (8.19 x 4.85 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 450 g (0.99 lb) | 375 g (13.23 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ), 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4 | 2 MP, 1/5.0", 1.65µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5250 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Ocean Blue |
| Models | Ags3K-W20, Ags3K-AL20, AGS5-W09 | TA-1503, TA-1472, TA-1462, TA-1457 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.57 W/kg (body) |
Huawei MatePad SE
- Proven Kirin 710A chipset architecture
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance
- Older 14nm manufacturing process
- Potentially lower battery life
- May experience more thermal throttling
Nokia T10
- More efficient 12nm Unisoc T606 chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Streamlined Android experience
- Less powerful CPU cores (A75 vs A73)
- No reverse wired charging
- Unisoc chipset may have less software support
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it's difficult to declare a clear winner. However, the focus should be on practical usability – both will suffice for media viewing and web browsing. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are geared towards basic video calls and occasional snapshots. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both feature modest camera setups. Focusing on megapixel counts alone would be misleading; image processing and sensor size are far more critical. Given the price point, expect limited low-light performance from both devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei MatePad SE’s Kirin 710A (14nm) utilizes a combination of Cortex-A73 and A53 cores. The A73 cores, while older, offer higher peak performance than the Cortex-A55 cores found in the Nokia T10’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). However, the Unisoc T606 benefits from a more modern 12nm process, which generally translates to improved power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling under sustained load. The Nokia T10’s two Cortex-A75 cores, while fewer in number, are more efficient than the A73 cores in the MatePad SE. This suggests the T10 might maintain performance for longer periods during tasks like video editing or gaming. The impact of RAM speed (likely LPDDR4X in both) is less significant than the chipset architecture.
Battery Life
Both tablets feature 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience. The actual battery capacity isn’t specified, but the Unisoc T606’s 12nm process in the Nokia T10 suggests it may offer slightly better battery life than the MatePad SE, despite potentially having a similar capacity. The 5W reverse wired charging on the MatePad SE is a niche feature, allowing it to act as a power bank for smaller devices, a capability absent on the Nokia T10.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad SE if you prioritize a chipset with a proven track record and potentially smoother performance in demanding applications, even if it comes at the cost of slightly less efficient power consumption. Buy the Nokia T10 if you value a more modern manufacturing process, potentially better battery life, and a generally more streamlined Android experience, making it ideal for casual users and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710A in the MatePad SE struggle with multitasking compared to the Unisoc T606 in the T10?
While the Kirin 710A has faster individual cores, the Unisoc T606’s more efficient architecture and process node may allow it to handle sustained multitasking more effectively. The T10 is likely to maintain smoother performance over longer periods, especially with multiple apps open.
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the Huawei MatePad SE actually useful?
The 5W reverse charging is a niche feature. It's slow and only suitable for topping up very small devices like Bluetooth earbuds or a smartwatch. Don't expect to significantly charge a smartphone with it, but it can be a convenient emergency power source.
❓ Which tablet is likely to receive more software updates?
Huawei's software update track record has been inconsistent due to geopolitical factors. Nokia, backed by HMD Global, generally provides more reliable and timely Android updates, making the T10 the safer bet for long-term software support.
