The tablet market offers plenty of options, but finding a great budget-friendly device can be tricky. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Huawei MatePad SE and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021). Let's dive in to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers a slightly better overall experience thanks to its faster charging, more established software support, and generally smoother performance. However, the MatePad SE presents a compelling alternative, especially for those deeply integrated into the Huawei ecosystem and prioritizing a compact design.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 28 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 10 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.9 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.31 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 450 g (0.99 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 | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | 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 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 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, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | Ags3K-W20, Ags3K-AL20, AGS5-W09 | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Huawei MatePad SE
- Compact and lightweight design
- Good value for money
- Decent display
- Reverse wired charging
- Slower charging
- Less powerful chipset
- Limited software support (due to Huawei restrictions)
- Lower camera quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Faster charging
- Smoother performance
- Better software support
- Slightly better display
- More versatile
- Larger and heavier than MatePad SE
- Entry-level chipset
- Camera quality is average
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature a 10.4-inch display, but the Tab A8 boasts a slightly higher resolution (1920 x 1200 vs 1920 x 1200). While both are LCD panels, the Tab A8's display tends to offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. The MatePad SE's smaller bezels contribute to a more modern look.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a strong point for either tablet. The Tab A8 typically captures slightly better images in well-lit conditions, but both struggle in low light. Expect decent quality for video calls but not much more.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, powered by the Unisoc Tiger T618, generally delivers smoother performance than the Kirin 710A in the MatePad SE. The A8's Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable boost in responsiveness for multitasking and demanding apps. However, both are entry-level chips and shouldn't be expected to handle intensive gaming.
Battery Life
The Tab A8 has a larger battery capacity (7040 mAh) and faster charging (15W) compared to the MatePad SE (5000 mAh, 10W). This translates to longer battery life and quicker top-ups for the Samsung tablet.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MatePad SE is ideal for students or users who primarily consume media and appreciate a smaller form factor. It's a good choice if you're already invested in Huawei's ecosystem. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is better suited for users who want a more versatile tablet for entertainment, light productivity, and enjoy longer software support and faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers slightly better performance for gaming due to its more powerful chipset, but neither tablet is ideal for demanding games.
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad SE have Google Play Store access?
Due to US restrictions, the MatePad SE does not have direct access to the Google Play Store. Users need to sideload apps, which can be a complex process.
❓ How long does the battery last on each tablet?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 typically offers 8-10 hours of battery life with moderate usage, while the MatePad SE provides around 6-8 hours.
