The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but finding the right one for your needs and budget can be tricky. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the budget-friendly Nokia T10 and the older but still capable Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7. Let's dive in to see which tablet comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Despite the Nokia T10's modern software and build, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 wins thanks to its significantly faster processor, superior display, and generally more polished experience. The T10 is a decent budget option, but the S2 offers better overall value.
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 12 | 2015, July. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 20 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 208 x 123.2 x 9 mm (8.19 x 4.85 x 0.35 in) | 237.3 x 169 x 5.6 mm (9.34 x 6.65 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 375 g (13.23 oz) | 389g (Wi-Fi) / 392g (LTE) (13.72 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 9.7 inches, 291.4 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ), 450 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.9 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz) - T810, T815Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53) - T813N, T819N |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Exynos 5433 - T810, T815Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) - T813N, T819N |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-T760 MP6 - T810, T815Adreno 510 - T813N, T819N |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) - T810, T815Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) - T813N, T819N |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 or eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, 1/5.0", 1.65µm | 2.1 MP |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) |
| 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 | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Music play | - | Up to 109 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h (multimedia) (2G) / Up to 30 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5250 mAh | Li-Ion 5870 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue | White, black, gold |
| Models | TA-1503, TA-1472, TA-1462, TA-1457 | SM-T810, SM-T815, SM-T813N, SM-T819N, SM-T819, SM-T813, SM-T815Y, SM-T819Y, SM-T818V |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.57 W/kg (body) | 0.86 W/kg (body) |
Nokia T10
- Affordable price
- Modern Android software
- Durable build quality
- Decent battery life
- Slow performance
- Mediocre display
- Limited storage
- Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7
- Faster performance
- Excellent Super AMOLED display
- Premium design
- Good app support (due to age)
- Older model (potential software updates issues)
- Battery life can vary
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 boasts a Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. It's a noticeable upgrade over the Nokia T10's IPS LCD, which is adequate but lacks the same visual pop. Resolution is similar, but the Tab S2's panel quality is superior.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Tab S2's cameras are slightly better, but both are primarily for basic video calls and occasional snapshots. Don't expect high-quality photos from either device.
Performance
Here's where the Tab S2 truly shines. Its Exynos processor, even though older, significantly outperforms the Unisoc T606 in the T10. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Tab S2. The T10 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
The Nokia T10 generally offers slightly better battery life due to its more efficient chipset and larger battery capacity (8000 mAh vs 5870 mAh). However, the Tab S2's usage patterns and screen technology can impact battery performance. Expect a full day of moderate use from both.
Buying Guide
The Nokia T10 is ideal for users seeking a basic tablet for media consumption, light browsing, and simple tasks on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 is a better choice for those who prioritize performance, a vibrant display, and a more premium feel, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia T10 good for gaming?
The Nokia T10 is not ideal for demanding games due to its underpowered processor. It can handle basic games, but don't expect smooth performance in graphically intensive titles.
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 receive Android updates?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 is an older device and is unlikely to receive further major Android updates. However, it may still receive security patches for a limited time.