The sub-$200 Android tablet market is fiercely competitive. Both the Motorola Tab G20 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) aim to deliver a functional tablet experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with distinct chipset choices and varying charging capabilities. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which tablet offers the best value for your money.
🏆 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 Motorola Tab G20’s Helio P22T, resulting in a smoother user experience, especially for multitasking and light gaming. While the G20 is cheaper, the A8’s performance advantage justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 30 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 02 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 199.1 x 121.8 x 8.2 mm (7.84 x 4.80 x 0.32 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 305 g (10.76 oz) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TDDI IPS LCD, 350 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 MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | 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 | 32GB 3GB 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 | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Platinum Grey | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Motorola Tab G20
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- Acceptable for basic tasks like reading and web browsing.
- Potentially longer battery life due to less demanding chipset (though unconfirmed).
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Tab A8.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Less responsive user experience.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Unisoc T618.
- Faster 15W charging.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- Samsung’s software optimization.
- Slightly higher price than the Tab G20.
- Battery life may be slightly shorter due to more powerful chipset (though unconfirmed).
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Both utilize 10.5-inch panels, but detailed specifications like resolution and panel type are missing. However, the focus here is on performance, and display differences are likely minimal. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for this price bracket. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either, geared towards general consumption rather than color-critical work.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are expected to feature basic camera setups, and detailed specifications are scarce. Focusing on the primary sensors, the A8 likely has a slight edge due to Samsung’s image processing expertise, but don’t expect flagship-level results. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device are largely irrelevant and should be disregarded.
Performance
This is where the key difference lies. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset is a significant step up from the Motorola Tab G20’s Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T. The T618 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, while the P22T relies solely on four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. The A75 cores offer a substantial architectural improvement over the A53, leading to faster single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and better multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural advantage of the Unisoc chipset is clear. The Tab A8 will handle more demanding apps and light gaming with greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both are likely to offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) has a charging advantage with 15W wired charging, compared to the Motorola Tab G20’s slower 10W charging. This means the A8 will reach a full charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While a larger mAh capacity is always preferable, the faster charging speed of the A8 partially mitigates any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Tab G20 if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a tablet for very basic tasks like reading ebooks or light web browsing. Its lower price point makes it suitable for users on a strict budget or as a secondary device. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you value a more responsive user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and faster charging. It’s ideal for students, casual gamers, and anyone who wants a tablet that feels more modern and capable.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Galaxy Tab A8 struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
While the T618 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Don't expect a flawless experience at maximum settings, but it's a significant improvement over the Tab G20's Helio P22T, which would likely struggle even at lower settings.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Motorola Tab G20 noticeably slow in everyday use?
Yes, 10W charging is quite slow by today's standards. Expect it to take several hours to fully charge the Tab G20 from 0%. This can be inconvenient if you frequently use the tablet throughout the day and need to quickly top up the battery.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 support expandable storage via microSD card?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) does support microSD card expansion up to 1TB, allowing you to easily increase storage for media and files. The Motorola Tab G20 also supports microSD expansion.
