The tablet market offers diverse options, and choosing the right one can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the LG Ultra Tab against the Samsung Galaxy A21s, two Android tablets targeting budget-conscious users. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which device emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A21s edges out the LG Ultra Tab thanks to its superior battery life and slightly better display. While the Ultra Tab boasts a more modern chipset, the A21s' longevity and established Samsung ecosystem make it a more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 05 | 2020, May 15. Released 2020, June 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 05 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 157.3 x 7.1 mm (9.75 x 6.19 x 0.28 in) | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | No | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 458 g (1.01 lb) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | MIL-STD 810G
Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.35 inches, 304.9 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4/6GB RAM |
| | UFS | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 16W wired, QC3 | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 7040 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Gray | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | 10A30Q | SM-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1287:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107157 (v8)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG Ultra Tab
- Newer Snapdragon 680 chipset
- 6nm manufacturing process (potentially more efficient)
- QC3 fast charging
- Less information available on display quality
- Likely shorter battery life compared to A21s
- Potentially less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- Exceptional battery life (119h endurance rating)
- Bright and vibrant display (490 nits)
- Established Samsung ecosystem and software support
- Reliable brand reputation
- Older Exynos 850 chipset
- 8nm manufacturing process
- 15W wired charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A21s boasts a measured peak brightness of 490 nits and a contrast ratio of 1287:1, offering a visually appealing experience. While the LG Ultra Tab's display details are less readily available, it's likely to be adequate for everyday use. The A21s' brightness advantage makes it better suited for outdoor viewing.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is often secondary on tablets, but both devices offer basic photo and video capabilities. Neither is expected to excel in this area. The Samsung's established camera software might provide a slightly more user-friendly experience.
Performance
The LG Ultra Tab's Snapdragon 680 (6nm) chipset offers a performance advantage over the Galaxy A21s' Exynos 850 (8nm). The Kryo 265 cores in the Snapdragon 680 are generally more efficient and provide a snappier feel, especially in multitasking and gaming. However, real-world performance differences might be subtle for typical tablet usage.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A21s shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 119 hours. This significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the LG Ultra Tab, making it a clear winner for users who need all-day power.
Buying Guide
The LG Ultra Tab is ideal for users prioritizing a newer chipset and potentially smoother performance in demanding apps. The Samsung Galaxy A21s is a better fit for those who value exceptional battery life, a reliable brand, and a vibrant display for media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The LG Ultra Tab's newer chipset and potentially more powerful GPU give it a slight edge for gaming, although the difference might not be significant for casual games.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A21s still a good tablet in 2024?
Yes, the Galaxy A21s remains a solid choice, especially if battery life is a priority. Its age means it's likely available at a very competitive price.
