The sub-$200 Android tablet market is fiercely competitive. Both the TCL Tab 10 Gen2 and the Nokia T10 aim to deliver a functional tablet experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their choice of chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet offers the best value for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia T10 emerges as the slightly better choice. While both tablets share a 10W charging limitation, the Nokia T10’s Unisoc T606 chipset, with its Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge in everyday tasks and light multitasking compared to the TCL Tab 10 Gen2’s older Helio P22T.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 29 | 2022, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September | Available. Released 2022, August 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 244.9 x 154.7 x 7.4 mm (9.64 x 6.09 x 0.29 in) | 208 x 123.2 x 9 mm (8.19 x 4.85 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 425 g (14.99 oz) | 375 g (13.23 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.36 inches, 305.5 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 350 nits | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ), 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22T (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP, 1/5.0", 1.65µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5250 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Glacier Blue | Ocean Blue |
| Models | 8196G, 8496G | TA-1503, TA-1472, TA-1462, TA-1457 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.57 W/kg (body) |
TCL Tab 10 Gen2
- Potentially wider retail availability through TCL's network.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- May be slightly cheaper depending on promotions.
- Older and less efficient Mediatek Helio P22T chipset.
- Slower performance in multitasking and app loading.
- Limited future software update support.
Nokia T10
- More modern Unisoc T606 chipset with Cortex-A75 cores.
- Noticeably smoother performance for everyday tasks.
- Potentially better battery efficiency.
- May have limited retail availability in some regions.
- 10W charging is slow on both devices.
- Unisoc chipset may have less community support.
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Nokia provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. Given the price point, expect both to utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of information regarding peak brightness or color gamut coverage suggests neither tablet will excel in outdoor visibility or color accuracy. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, contributing to a larger overall footprint. The focus here is functionality, not visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with basic camera setups geared towards video calls rather than photography. Detailed specifications are scarce, but given the target market, expect low-resolution sensors and limited image quality. Focusing on camera specs would be a misdirection; these tablets are not designed for serious photography.
Performance
This is where the key difference lies. The TCL Tab 10 Gen2 utilizes the Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22T, featuring a mix of Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz. The Nokia T10, however, employs the Unisoc T606, boasting two Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.6 GHz. The Cortex-A75 cores represent a significant architectural improvement over the A53, offering substantially better single-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother scrolling on the Nokia T10. While both chipsets are 12nm, the architectural advantage of the Unisoc T606 is crucial. The TCL's older chipset will struggle more with multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the TCL Tab 10 Gen2 and Nokia T10 are limited to 10W wired charging. This slow charging speed means a full charge will take a considerable amount of time. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the power efficiency of the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia T10 might offer slightly better real-world battery life, offsetting any potential capacity differences. Expect around 3-4 hours of sustained video playback on both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10 Gen2 if you prioritize a potentially wider availability through TCL’s established retail channels and are primarily focused on very basic tasks like static content consumption. Buy the Nokia T10 if you value a more responsive user experience, even for light multitasking, and appreciate the slightly more modern processor architecture that the Unisoc T606 offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia T10 struggle with video streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube?
While the Unisoc T606 isn't a powerhouse, it's capable of handling 1080p video streaming on platforms like Netflix and YouTube without significant issues. However, expect some buffering if your internet connection is unstable. The TCL Tab 10 Gen2 might exhibit more noticeable lag during streaming.
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 chipset known for overheating issues?
The Unisoc T606 is generally well-behaved in terms of thermal management. It's not a high-performance chip, so it doesn't generate excessive heat. Prolonged gaming or demanding tasks might cause some warming, but it's unlikely to lead to significant throttling or discomfort. The TCL Tab 10 Gen2's older chipset may also warm up, but likely won't perform as well under load.
❓ Can either of these tablets be used for light gaming?
Both tablets can handle very light gaming, such as casual puzzle games or older titles. However, don't expect to run demanding 3D games smoothly. The Nokia T10’s Unisoc T606 will provide a slightly better experience for less demanding games due to its more efficient architecture.
