The mid-range tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Motorola Moto Tab G70 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto Tab G70 edges out the Galaxy Tab A8 thanks to its significantly more powerful processor, offering smoother performance for gaming and multitasking. While the Tab A8 boasts Samsung's brand recognition and One UI, the G70's raw power makes it the better choice for most 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, 4, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 12 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 13 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| 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 | 500 g (1.10 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| | Water repellent design | - |
| 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 6GB 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 |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - 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, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7700 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Modernist Teal, Blue | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Motorola Moto Tab G70
- Superior Performance (Helio G90T)
- Larger Battery Capacity
- Slightly Higher Resolution Display
- Competitive Price
- Less Established Brand (compared to Samsung)
- Charging Speed (20W) could be faster
- Camera Quality is Average
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Samsung Brand Recognition & One UI
- Sleek Design
- Good for Basic Tasks
- Reliable Software Updates
- Weaker Processor (Unisoc Tiger T618)
- Slower Performance
- 15W Charging is Slow
- Average Camera Quality
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature a 10.5-inch display, but the Moto Tab G70 boasts a 2000 x 1200 resolution compared to the Tab A8's 2000 x 1200. While both are LCD panels, the G70's slightly better resolution could translate to marginally sharper visuals. Viewing angles and color accuracy are generally comparable across both devices.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Moto Tab G70 has a 13MP main camera, while the Tab A8 has an 8MP main camera. Image quality is decent in good lighting conditions, but both suffer in low light. Front-facing cameras are similarly unremarkable, suitable for basic video calls.
Performance
This is where the Moto Tab G70 truly shines. The Helio G90T chipset is considerably more powerful than the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Tab A8. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience on the G70. The Tab A8 is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Moto Tab G70 packs a larger 7,701 mAh battery compared to the Tab A8's 7,040 mAh. While both offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, the G70's larger capacity provides a slight advantage, especially for power users.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto Tab G70 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and gaming on a budget. It's a great choice for students or anyone needing a tablet for media consumption and light productivity. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is a solid option for those deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem, preferring a familiar user interface, and needing a reliable tablet for basic tasks like browsing and streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto Tab G70 good for gaming?
Yes, the Moto Tab G70's Helio G90T chipset provides a significantly better gaming experience compared to the Galaxy Tab A8. You can expect smoother gameplay and better performance in most games.
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
Samsung generally offers better and more consistent software updates for its tablets, including the Galaxy Tab A8. Motorola's update schedule can be less predictable.
