The tablet market offers a surprising number of options, even on a budget. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Nokia T20 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021). Both promise affordability and decent performance, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) edges out the Nokia T20 thanks to its slightly faster processor and generally more polished software experience. While the T20 offers a clean Android build, the A8's performance and broader appeal make it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - US, LATAM | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 06 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 02 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 157.5 x 7.8 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.31 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 | 465 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (LTE) (1.03 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~78.9% 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 (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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 | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8200 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Ocean | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | TA-1397, TA-1394, TA-1392 | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 1.34 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.35 W/kg (body) | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Display | 1786:1 contrast ratio, 422 nits max brightness (measured) | - |
Nokia T20
- Clean Android experience
- Durable build quality
- Good contrast ratio on display
- Affordable price
- Lower resolution display
- Slightly slower performance
- Basic camera quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Slightly faster performance
- Higher resolution display
- More polished software experience
- Better overall value
- Samsung's One UI can be bloated
- Camera quality is average
- Plastic build feels less premium
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature a 10.5-inch display, but the Samsung Tab A8 boasts a slightly higher resolution (1920 x 1200 vs 1200 x 800 on the T20). While the Nokia T20 advertises a 1786:1 contrast ratio and 422 nits brightness, the Tab A8's display generally appears more vibrant and detailed. Viewing angles are good on both.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Nokia T20 has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, while the Tab A8 features an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality is adequate for video calls and casual snapshots, but don't expect stellar results. Low-light performance is weak on both.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 holds a slight advantage here. Its Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset, with its slightly faster CPU cores (2.0 GHz vs 1.8 GHz on the T20's Unisoc T610), translates to snappier performance in everyday tasks and multitasking. Both tablets have 6GB of RAM, which helps with multitasking, but the A8's CPU provides a noticeable boost.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer a respectable battery life, typically lasting a full day of moderate use. While both have 5000mAh batteries, the Tab A8's slightly more efficient chipset might give it a marginal edge in overall battery endurance.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia T20? Users prioritizing a clean, stock Android experience and a durable build. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)? Those seeking a more versatile tablet with slightly better performance for everyday tasks and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor, although neither tablet is a gaming powerhouse.
❓ Does the Nokia T20 receive regular software updates?
Nokia promises regular security updates for the T20, but major Android version updates may be limited. Samsung generally provides longer software support for its tablets.
