The budget tablet market is heating up, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Nokia T10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020). Both offer affordable access to Android, but which one delivers the better overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) edges out the Nokia T10 thanks to its superior processor, brighter display, and generally smoother performance. While the T10 boasts a larger battery, the Tab A 8.4's compact design and refined software make 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 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 12 | 2020, March 25. Released 2020, March 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 20 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 208 x 123.2 x 9 mm (8.19 x 4.85 x 0.35 in) | 202 x 125.2 x 7.1 mm (7.95 x 4.93 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 375 g (13.23 oz) | 309 g (10.90 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ), 450 nits (peak) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, 1/5.0", 1.65µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | Wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5250 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue | Mocha |
| Models | TA-1503, TA-1472, TA-1462, TA-1457 | SM-T307U |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (body) | 1.35 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.57 W/kg (body) | - |
Nokia T10
- Excellent battery life
- Rugged design
- Larger screen size
- Android 12 (upgradeable)
- Slower performance
- Lower screen quality
- 10W charging is slow
- Plastic build feels less premium
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Faster performance
- Compact and premium design
- Samsung's One UI is well-optimized
- Shorter battery life
- Smaller screen size
- Charging speed is slow
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) features an 8.4-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. The Nokia T10 has a larger 10.1-inch IPS LCD display, but the image quality is noticeably less impressive, lacking the contrast and color accuracy of the AMOLED panel. Brightness is also higher on the Samsung.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both offer basic 5MP front and rear cameras suitable for video calls but not for high-quality photography. Image quality is comparable and generally underwhelming in both devices.
Performance
The Samsung's Exynos 7904 chipset, while slightly older, generally outperforms the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia T10. The Cortex-A73 cores in the Samsung provide a noticeable boost in responsiveness for everyday tasks and light gaming. The T10 can feel sluggish at times, especially with multitasking.
Battery Life
The Nokia T10 has a larger 8000 mAh battery, providing significantly longer battery life than the Samsung's 5000 mAh battery. Expect all-day usage with the T10, while the Tab A 8.4 will likely require a charge before the end of the day with heavy use.
Buying Guide
The Nokia T10 is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a rugged build for basic tasks like browsing and media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) is better suited for those seeking a more responsive experience, a vibrant display, and a more premium feel, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for streaming videos?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) is better for streaming due to its superior display quality and faster processor, resulting in a smoother viewing experience.
❓ Can I play games on these tablets?
Both tablets can handle casual games, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) will provide a more enjoyable gaming experience thanks to its more powerful chipset.
