Looking for an affordable Android tablet? The TCL Tab 10 HD 4G and Lenovo Tab M7 are popular contenders in the budget space. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? We'll dive deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL Tab 10 HD 4G takes the win thanks to its significantly more powerful processor and larger display. While the Lenovo Tab M7 is compact and portable, the TCL offers a better overall experience for media consumption and light productivity, justifying its slightly higher price.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 20 |
| 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 | 2022, February 27 | 2019, September. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 243.2 x 158.2 x 9.2 mm (9.57 x 6.23 x 0.36 in) | 176.3 x 102.9 x 8.3 mm (6.94 x 4.05 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 448 g (15.80 oz) | 236 g (8.32 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~76.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.3 GHz |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8768E | Mediatek MT8321 (28 nm) - Wi-FiMediatek MT8765B - Wi-Fi/LTE |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-400 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie) - 2GB RAM, Android 9.0 Pie (Go edition) - 1GB RAM |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | Li-Po 3590 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray | Iron Grey, Platinum Grey, Onyx Black |
| Models | - | TB-7305F, TB-7305X, TB-7305I |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 100 EUR |
TCL Tab 10 HD 4G
- Larger, more immersive display
- Significantly faster processor
- 4G connectivity
- More RAM (likely, based on chipset)
- Better multitasking performance
- Slightly more expensive
- 10W charging is slow
- Camera quality is basic
Lenovo Tab M7
- Extremely compact and portable
- Affordable price
- Lightweight design
- Smaller display
- Weaker processor
- Limited performance
- Camera quality is basic
Display Comparison
The TCL Tab 10 HD 4G boasts a 10.1-inch HD display, offering a much more immersive viewing experience compared to the Lenovo Tab M7's smaller 7-inch display. While both displays are HD, the larger size of the TCL makes a noticeable difference for videos and games. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for budget tablets on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both feature basic front and rear cameras suitable for video calls but not for high-quality photography. Expect grainy images and limited low-light performance on both devices. The Lenovo Tab M7's camera is slightly less capable due to the chipset.
Performance
Here's where the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G truly shines. Its Octa-core Mediatek MT8768E processor with a combination of 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz cores provides significantly more processing power than the Lenovo Tab M7's Quad-core 1.3 GHz MT8321. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience. The TCL handles more demanding apps with greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable on both devices, likely offering around 6-8 hours of mixed usage. The Lenovo Tab M7's smaller size and less powerful processor *might* give it a slight edge in battery endurance, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial. Both support 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow.
Buying Guide
The TCL Tab 10 HD 4G is ideal for users who prioritize a larger screen, better performance for streaming and casual gaming, and 4G connectivity. The Lenovo Tab M7 is a good choice for those needing a very compact and lightweight tablet primarily for basic tasks like reading ebooks and browsing the web, and who value extreme portability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference in RAM between the two tablets?
While exact RAM specifications can vary by region, the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G typically comes with 2GB or 3GB of RAM, whereas the Lenovo Tab M7 usually has 1GB. This contributes to the TCL's better multitasking capabilities.
❓ Can I use a SIM card in the Lenovo Tab M7?
The Lenovo Tab M7 has both Wi-Fi only and LTE (4G) versions. Make sure you purchase the LTE version if you need SIM card functionality.
