The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the TCL 10 TabMid and Realme Pad 2 Lite are two contenders vying for your attention. While both aim to provide an affordable tablet experience, they take different approaches to achieving that goal, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications to determine which tablet offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Realme Pad 2 Lite emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G99, built on a more efficient 6nm process, delivers noticeably improved performance over the TCL 10 TabMid’s Snapdragon 665, despite the slightly slower charging speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 03. Released 2021, Q1 | 2024, September 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2024, September 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 209.4 x 125.2 x 8.6 mm (8.24 x 4.93 x 0.34 in) | 258 x 169.5 x 8.3 mm (10.16 x 6.67 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 325 g (11.46 oz) | 525 g (1.16 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~207 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~79.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, TCL UI | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 for Pad |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Unspecified |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
Reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | 8300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prime Black | Nebula Purple, Space Grey |
| Models | - | RMP2402 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 160 EUR |
TCL 10 TabMid
- Reverse wired charging allows it to act as a power bank.
- Potentially faster charging speed (18W vs 15W).
- Established TCL brand reputation for value.
- Older Snapdragon 665 chipset offers lower performance.
- Less efficient 11nm process node.
- Likely shorter software support lifespan.
Realme Pad 2 Lite
- More modern and efficient Mediatek Helio G99 chipset.
- 6nm process node for improved performance and battery life.
- Potentially better long-term software support.
- Slower charging speed (15W).
- Lacks reverse wired charging functionality.
- Realme's software experience can be divisive.
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Realme provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel size. However, the core difference lies beneath the surface. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Realme Pad 2 Lite benefits from the more efficient Helio G99 chipset, potentially allowing for a slightly brighter display without significant battery drain. Bezels are expected to be similar on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for this price range, with neither tablet expected to cover 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet, given their budget nature. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but it's safe to assume both feature basic rear and front-facing cameras suitable for video calls and casual snapshots. Focusing on megapixel counts alone would be misleading; image quality will be heavily influenced by software processing and sensor size, neither of which are specified. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests low-light performance will be limited.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Realme Pad 2 Lite’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) boasts a more modern architecture – two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz – compared to the TCL 10 TabMid’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 6nm process node of the Helio G99 translates to improved power efficiency and thermal management, meaning sustained performance will be higher. While the Snapdragon 665 has eight cores (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver), the older architecture and larger process node result in lower single-core and multi-core scores. This difference will be noticeable in app loading times, multitasking, and gaming.
Battery Life
The TCL 10 TabMid offers 18W wired charging with reverse wired charging capability, a feature absent on the Realme Pad 2 Lite which is limited to 15W. While 18W is faster on paper, the more efficient Helio G99 in the Realme Pad 2 Lite will likely offset this difference in real-world usage. Both tablets will likely achieve a full charge in around 3-4 hours. The actual battery capacity of both devices is not specified, but the more efficient chipset in the Realme Pad 2 Lite will likely translate to longer battery life during typical usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 10 TabMid if you prioritize reverse wired charging for topping up other devices and are primarily focused on basic tasks like reading and light web browsing. Buy the Realme Pad 2 Lite if you need a more responsive tablet for multitasking, streaming, and occasional gaming, and value a more modern chipset architecture for longer-term software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme Pad 2 Lite struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While not a dedicated gaming tablet, the Helio G99 in the Realme Pad 2 Lite is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but it's a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 665 in the TCL 10 TabMid, which would likely require lower settings and may still experience noticeable lag.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the TCL 10 TabMid useful for more than just phones?
Yes, the TCL 10 TabMid’s reverse wired charging can be used to charge other devices with a USB-C connector, such as wireless earbuds, portable speakers, or even another tablet (though charging speeds will be slower). It’s a convenient feature for travelers or anyone who frequently finds themselves needing to top up other devices on the go.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on each tablet?
TCL's software support track record is generally shorter than Realme's. While neither company guarantees extensive updates, the Realme Pad 2 Lite, benefiting from a newer chipset, is more likely to receive at least one major Android version update and several security patches compared to the TCL 10 TabMid.
