The mid-range tablet market is heating up, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. Both offer a compelling blend of features and affordability, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus edges out the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 thanks to its significantly more powerful processor, resulting in smoother performance for gaming and demanding apps. While the Tab A8 boasts Samsung's reliable software and brand recognition, the P11 Plus offers better value for performance-focused users.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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 | 2021, June 28 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 29 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 258.4 x 163 x 7.5 mm (10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 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 | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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 |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| 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 | FM radio | 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, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7700 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Slate Grey, Platinum Grey, Modernist teal | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | ZA940124SE | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
- More powerful processor
- Better gaming performance
- Slightly better display
- Larger battery capacity
- Software updates may be less frequent than Samsung
- Design is less premium than Tab A8
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Samsung's One UI software
- Reliable brand reputation
- Sleek and modern design
- Good for media consumption
- Weaker processor
- Lower gaming performance
- Slower app loading times
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature a 10.5-inch display, but the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus typically has a slightly higher resolution (2000 x 1200 vs 2000 x 1200) and often boasts a more vibrant color profile. The Tab A8's display is perfectly adequate for everyday use, but the P11 Plus offers a marginally better viewing experience, especially for video content.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Tab A8 generally has slightly better image processing, but both produce mediocre results in low light. Don't expect to use either tablet as your primary camera.
Performance
This is where the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus truly shines. The Mediatek Helio G90T chipset is considerably more powerful than the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Tab A8. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the P11 Plus. The Tab A8 is sufficient for basic tasks, but struggles with more intensive workloads.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two, typically offering around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus's larger battery capacity (7700 mAh vs 7040 mAh) gives it a slight edge, but real-world performance is similar.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is ideal for students, casual gamers, and anyone who needs a tablet for multitasking and running moderately demanding applications. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is a great choice for media consumption, light browsing, and users who prefer a streamlined Samsung experience and a more familiar ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and GPU.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 get frequent software updates?
Samsung is known for providing relatively consistent software updates for its tablets, although the frequency may decrease over time.
❓ Which tablet has a better build quality?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 generally has a slightly more premium feel due to its design and materials.
❓ Are the tablets expandable with a microSD card?
Yes, both tablets support microSD card expansion for increased storage.
