Choosing between a smartphone and a tablet can be tough, especially when considering older models. We're pitting the Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016), a once-flagship phone, against the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021), a budget-friendly tablet, to see which offers the best experience today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) wins overall. While the A8 (2016) boasts a more powerful chipset, the Tab A8's larger screen, modern software, and tablet form factor provide a more versatile and enjoyable experience for most users in 2024.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38 - Taiwan | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - UAE | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, September. Released 2016, October | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 76.8 x 7.2 mm (6.17 x 3.02 x 0.28 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP8 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM 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 |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.9 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Music play | Up to 44 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Pink, Silver, Gold | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | SM-A8100, SM-A810F, SM-A810F, SM-A810YZ, SM-A810S | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.13 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016)
- More powerful chipset (initially)
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Compact size
- Good camera for its time
- Outdated software
- Smaller screen
- Shorter battery life
- Limited availability
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Large display for media consumption
- Longer battery life
- Modern software (Android 11, upgradable)
- Affordable price
- Less powerful chipset than A8 (2016)
- Mediocre camera
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
The Tab A8 10.5 (2021) clearly wins here. Its 10.5-inch TFT LCD display offers a significantly larger viewing area compared to the A8's 5.7-inch Super AMOLED screen. While the A8's AMOLED provides vibrant colors and deep blacks, the Tab A8's size is a major advantage for watching videos, browsing the web, and multitasking.
Camera Comparison
The A8 (2016) features a 16MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, while the Tab A8 10.5 (2021) has an 8MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. Image quality on the A8 is generally better, especially in well-lit conditions, thanks to its superior sensor and image processing. The Tab A8's camera is adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
The A8 (2016) initially held an advantage with its Exynos 7420, a more powerful chipset than the Tab A8's Unisoc Tiger T618. However, software optimization and the Tab A8's efficient CPU architecture mean the performance difference is less noticeable in everyday use. The A8 might handle demanding games slightly better, but the Tab A8 is perfectly capable for most tasks.
Battery Life
The Tab A8 10.5 (2021) has a larger 7,040 mAh battery compared to the A8's 3000 mAh battery. This translates to significantly longer battery life on the Tab A8, easily lasting a full day of moderate use, while the A8 requires more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016) is best for users seeking a compact, powerful smartphone for basic tasks and occasional gaming, and who are comfortable with an older operating system. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is ideal for those wanting a large screen for media consumption, light productivity, and casual gaming, especially on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016) still worth buying?
It depends. If you prioritize a compact phone with a good display and don't mind an older operating system, it could be a budget option. However, newer phones offer better features and security updates.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) handle gaming?
Yes, it can handle casual games well. More demanding titles might require lower graphics settings.
