Samsung offers a diverse range of tablets, and the Tab S5e and Tab A 8.4 (2020) represent distinct approaches to the Android tablet experience. The Tab A 8.4 (2020) aims for affordability, while the S5e targets a more premium experience with a focus on portability and entertainment. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is the superior choice. Its more efficient Snapdragon 670 chipset, coupled with 18W fast charging, provides a smoother experience and quicker power-ups compared to the Tab A 8.4 (2020)'s Exynos 7904. While the Tab A 8.4 is more budget-friendly, the S5e’s performance gains justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 25. Released 2020, March 25 | 2019, February. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 202 x 125.2 x 7.1 mm (7.95 x 4.93 x 0.28 in) | 245 x 160 x 5.5 mm (9.65 x 6.30 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 309 g (10.90 oz) | 400 g (14.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~288 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Adreno 615 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by AKG/HARMAN |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mocha | Black, Gold, Silver |
| Models | SM-T307U | SM-T725, SM-T720 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 410 EUR |
| SAR | 1.35 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 152610 (v7)
GeekBench: 5684 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- More compact and portable 8.4-inch display
- Lower price point makes it more accessible
- Sufficient for basic tasks like browsing and email
- Less powerful Exynos 7904 chipset
- Slower charging speeds
- Potentially lower display quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 670 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Larger 10.5-inch display for enhanced media consumption
- Slightly larger and less portable
- Higher price compared to the Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- May be overkill for very basic users
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature LCD panels, detailed display specs are missing. However, given the Tab S5e’s positioning, it likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially better color accuracy than the Tab A 8.4 (2020). The Tab A 8.4’s smaller 8.4-inch screen contributes to its portability, while the S5e’s larger display (10.5 inches) enhances media consumption. Bezels are likely more pronounced on the Tab A 8.4 (2020) reflecting its lower price point.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with basic camera setups. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but the Tab A 8.4 (2020) is likely to have a lower-resolution main sensor. Image processing will likely be similar across both devices, prioritizing convenience over photographic quality. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors present on either device should be considered largely for marketing purposes.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tab S5e utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 (10nm), built on a smaller fabrication process than the Tab A 8.4 (2020)’s Exynos 7904 (14nm). This 10nm process generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management. The Snapdragon 670’s CPU, with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 Silver cores, offers a performance edge over the Tab A 8.4’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. Users engaging in multitasking or demanding applications will notice a significant difference in responsiveness on the S5e.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing, but the Tab S5e’s 18W fast charging is a clear advantage. The Tab A 8.4 (2020) is limited to standard wired charging. The Snapdragon 670’s superior power efficiency further extends the S5e’s usable battery life, particularly during video streaming and gaming. Expect the S5e to reach a full charge significantly faster than the Tab A 8.4 (2020).
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) if you need a highly portable and affordable tablet primarily for basic tasks like web browsing, email, and light media consumption. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, longer battery life during video playback, and faster charging speeds, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and productivity on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7904 in the Tab A 8.4 (2020) overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7904 is a capable chip, but its 14nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 670’s 10nm process. While it won’t likely cause severe overheating, expect some thermal throttling during extended gaming, leading to reduced performance. The Tab S5e’s Snapdragon 670 will maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ Is the Tab S5e’s larger screen size a detriment to portability?
The Tab S5e’s 10.5-inch display is larger than the Tab A 8.4 (2020)’s 8.4-inch screen, making it slightly less convenient to carry around. However, the S5e remains relatively lightweight and slim, making it still quite portable for most users. The trade-off for the larger screen is a more immersive viewing experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Tab S5e compared to the Tab A 8.4 (2020)?
The Tab S5e supports 18W fast charging, while the Tab A 8.4 (2020) is limited to standard wired charging. This translates to a significantly faster 0-100% charge time on the S5e. While exact figures are unavailable, expect the S5e to charge at least 50% faster than the Tab A 8.4 (2020).
