The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Lenovo M10 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) are two of the leading contenders. Both aim to deliver a capable experience for media consumption, light productivity, and casual gaming, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset design and charging capabilities. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which tablet offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Lenovo M10 Plus’s Helio P22T, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The 15W charging also offers a quicker top-up than the Lenovo’s 10W.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | 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 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 27. Released 2020, March 27 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 244.2 x 153.3 x 8.2 mm (9.61 x 6.04 x 0.32 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 | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.3 inches, 307.6 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 330 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22T (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB 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 |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Iron Grey | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | TB-X606, TB-X606F, TB-X606X, TB-X606V | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo M10 Plus
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Adequate for basic tasks like reading and video playback.
- Familiar Android experience.
- Older and less efficient Helio P22T chipset.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Likely struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset with Cortex-A75 cores.
- Faster 15W wired charging.
- Smoother and more responsive user experience.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Lenovo M10 Plus.
- Unisoc chipset may have less software optimization compared to MediaTek.
- Camera performance is likely basic.
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.1-inch to 10.5-inch displays, but detailed display specs like resolution and panel type are missing. However, the core difference lies in the processing power driving the UI. A smoother experience on the A8 will make the display *feel* more responsive. Bezels are likely comparable given the price point, and color accuracy is expected to be standard for IPS LCD panels in this segment.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is expected to excel in photography. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but given the market segment, we can anticipate basic sensors. Focusing on the processor's image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, the Unisoc T618 likely offers slightly better image processing than the Helio P22T, but the difference will be minimal. Users shouldn't expect high-quality photos from either device.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset is the clear winner here. While both chips are built on a 12nm process, the T618’s CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – is significantly more modern and efficient than the Lenovo’s Helio P22T with its 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. The A75 cores offer a substantial performance boost in single-core tasks and improved multitasking capabilities. This translates to faster app loading times and a more responsive UI. The Helio P22T is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s 15W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Lenovo M10 Plus’s 10W charging. This means the A8 will reach a full charge considerably faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the M10 Plus could partially offset this, the faster charging speed of the A8 is a more tangible benefit for daily use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo M10 Plus if you prioritize a slightly lower initial cost and are primarily focused on static media consumption like reading ebooks or watching pre-downloaded videos. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you value a more fluid user experience, faster charging, and the ability to handle light multitasking and gaming without significant slowdowns. The A8 is the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 handle light gaming like Asphalt 8 or PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Tab A8 is capable of running less demanding games like Asphalt 8 at medium settings. PUBG Mobile may be playable at lower settings with reduced graphics. The Lenovo M10 Plus’s Helio P22T will struggle with these titles, likely resulting in significant frame rate drops and lag.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P22T and the Tiger T618 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and email?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Tiger T618 provide a significant boost in single-core performance, making web browsing, app switching, and email handling feel much smoother and more responsive on the Tab A8 compared to the M10 Plus.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 support expandable storage via microSD card?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) does support expandable storage via a microSD card, allowing you to increase the storage capacity beyond the internal options. The Lenovo M10 Plus also supports microSD expansion.
❓ Which tablet is better for video streaming services like Netflix and YouTube?
Both tablets are suitable for video streaming. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s more powerful processor will provide a smoother experience when navigating streaming apps and potentially offer better support for higher resolution video playback. The faster charging also means less downtime between viewing sessions.
