TCL Tab 10 HD 4G vs. Apple iPad Air (2022): A Detailed Tablet Comparison

The tablet market offers a wide range of options, from affordable basics to premium powerhouses. Today, we're pitting two very different tablets against each other: the budget-conscious TCL Tab 10 HD 4G and the high-performance Apple iPad Air (2022). Let's see how they stack up.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPad Air (2022) is the clear winner in terms of performance, display quality, and overall features. However, the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G offers incredible value for those on a tight budget who primarily need basic tablet functionality like browsing and media consumption.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL Tab 10 HD 4G Apple iPad Air (2022)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2589
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2589, A2591
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2591
Launch
Announced2022, February 272022, March 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JuneAvailable. Released 2022, March 18
Body
Build-Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions243.2 x 158.2 x 9.2 mm (9.57 x 6.23 x 0.36 in)247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight448 g (15.80 oz)461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb)
 -Stylus support (2nd gen)
Display
Protection-Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density)1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)
Size10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.9% screen-to-body ratio)10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDLiquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz)
ChipsetMediatek MT8768EApple M1
GPUPowerVR GE8320Apple GPU (8-core graphics)
OSAndroid 11iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal32GB 3GB RAM64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, EDR
NFCNoNo
PositioningNoGPS, GLONASS (5G model only)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired-
TypeLi-Po 5500 mAhLi-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh)
Misc
ColorsDark GraySpace Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue
Models-A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 550 EUR

TCL Tab 10 HD 4G

  • Affordable
  • 4G connectivity
  • Decent for basic tasks
  • Lightweight

  • Low performance
  • Basic display
  • Limited storage
  • Slow charging

Apple iPad Air (2022)

  • Blazing-fast performance (M1 chip)
  • Stunning Liquid Retina display
  • Excellent camera system
  • Long battery life
  • Premium design

  • Expensive
  • Limited ports
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

The iPad Air (2022) boasts a stunning Liquid Retina display with vibrant colors, excellent brightness, and True Tone technology for comfortable viewing. The TCL Tab 10 HD 4G has a more basic HD display, which is adequate for everyday use but lacks the sharpness and color accuracy of the iPad.

Camera Comparison

The iPad Air (2022) features a significantly better camera system than the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G, offering improved image quality and video recording capabilities. Both are primarily for video calls, not serious photography.

Performance

The Apple M1 chip in the iPad Air (2022) is a game-changer, delivering blazing-fast performance for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The Mediatek MT8768E in the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G is sufficient for basic tasks but will struggle with more intensive applications.

Battery Life

The iPad Air (2022) generally offers longer battery life than the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G, thanks to its more efficient chip and larger battery capacity. Both should provide a full day of moderate use.

Buying Guide

The TCL Tab 10 HD 4G is ideal for students, casual users, or anyone needing a secondary tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, email, and light media consumption. The iPad Air (2022) is perfect for creative professionals, students needing powerful apps, or anyone who wants a premium tablet experience with top-tier performance and features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G good for gaming?
The TCL Tab 10 HD 4G is not ideal for demanding games. Its processor struggles with graphically intensive titles, resulting in lag and poor performance. Simpler games are playable, but don't expect a smooth experience.
❓ Can the iPad Air (2022) be used with an Apple Pencil?
Yes, the iPad Air (2022) is compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), making it a great option for note-taking, drawing, and creative tasks. This is a significant advantage for students and artists.