Lenovo Idea Tab vs Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: A Deep Dive into Performance and Battery Life
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and sustained performance, the Lenovo Idea Tab emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a performance edge and significantly better battery endurance (94:01h) compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Lenovo Idea Tab | Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - cellular model only | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 / 1800 - cellular model only | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - cellular model only | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - cellular model only | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 07 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 254.6 x 166.2 x 7 mm (10.02 x 6.54 x 0.28 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 | 480 g (1.06 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits | TFT LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 | 8 MP, (wide), AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, accessory connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 7040 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Luna grey, Polar blue | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | TB336FU, TB336ZU | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | $ 119.99 | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 94:01h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class E | - |
| Free fall | Class E (9 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class A | - |
Lenovo Idea Tab
- Superior chipset performance with the Mediatek Dimensity 6300
- Exceptional battery life (94:01h endurance)
- Faster 20W wired charging
- Display specifications are unknown
- Brand recognition may be lower than Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Familiar Samsung Android experience
- Established brand reputation
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Less efficient Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset
- Shorter battery life
- Slower 15W charging
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so we must infer. Given the A8's positioning, it likely features a standard LCD panel. The Idea Tab, benefiting from a newer chipset, *could* support a higher resolution or refresh rate display, but this is unconfirmed. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this price segment. Color accuracy will likely be standard for both, geared towards general consumption rather than professional color work.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent for both devices. However, given their price points, we can expect basic camera setups focused on video calls and casual snapshots. It's unlikely either tablet will excel in photography. The absence of details suggests neither is a key selling point.
Performance
The Lenovo Idea Tab’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618 (12nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency and transistor density, translating to improved performance per watt. While both utilize an octa-core configuration with 2x high-performance Cortex-A76/A75 cores and 6x efficiency cores, the A76 cores in the Dimensity 6300 are a generation newer and more efficient. This means the Idea Tab will likely handle demanding tasks and multitasking with greater ease and less thermal throttling. The larger process node of the Unisoc T618 will likely result in higher power consumption for similar workloads.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Idea Tab’s 94:01h endurance is a standout feature, dwarfing what we’d expect from the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. This is a direct result of the Dimensity 6300’s superior power efficiency. While the Tab A8’s 15W charging is slower than the Idea Tab’s 20W, the difference is less critical given the A8’s lower capacity needs due to its less efficient chipset. The Idea Tab’s reported 1000 charge cycles also suggest a focus on long-term battery health.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Idea Tab if you need a tablet that can reliably last through a full day of heavy use, including video streaming and multitasking, and if you value a more modern chipset architecture for future software support. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you prioritize brand recognition within the Samsung ecosystem and are looking for a basic tablet for light tasks like web browsing and casual video consumption, accepting a trade-off in performance and battery life.