Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) vs. Galaxy Tab A8 (2021): A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) is the clear winner. While the Tab A 8.0 (2019) is a decent budget option, the A8’s larger screen, faster processor, and improved features like faster charging make it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) | Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, July 05. Released 2019, July | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 210 x 124.4 x 8 mm (8.27 x 4.90 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 | 345g (Wi-Fi), 347g (LTE) (12.24 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 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 504 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB 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 | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | 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 | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Carbon Black, Silver Gray | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | SM-T290, SM-T295 | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019)
- Very affordable
- Compact and portable
- Decent for basic tasks
- Outdated processor
- Smaller screen
- Slow charging
- Limited storage
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Larger display
- Faster processor
- Improved multitasking
- Faster charging
- More storage options
- Still a budget device (compromises exist)
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
The Tab A8 boasts a significantly larger 10.5-inch display compared to the Tab A 8.0's 8.0-inch screen. This larger size makes a noticeable difference for watching videos, browsing the web, and multitasking. Both have TFT LCD panels, so don't expect OLED quality, but the A8's extra real estate is a major advantage.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality isn't a primary focus for budget tablets, and both devices offer modest results. The Tab A8 generally produces slightly better images, but neither tablet is suitable for serious photography. Expect decent quality for video calls.
Performance
The Tab A8's Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset with an octa-core processor offers a substantial performance boost over the Tab A 8.0's Snapdragon 429. The A8 handles multitasking and more demanding apps with greater ease, resulting in a smoother overall user experience. The Cortex-A75 cores in the A8's CPU are a significant upgrade.
Battery Life
While both tablets offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, the Tab A8's larger size allows for a slightly larger battery capacity. The inclusion of 15W wired charging on the A8 is also a welcome improvement over the A8.0's slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is a good choice for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a basic tablet for light tasks like web browsing and media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) is ideal for students, casual gamers, and anyone wanting a more versatile tablet with better performance and a larger display for entertainment and productivity.