The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G and Nokia T10 are two strong contenders. Both aim to deliver an affordable Android experience with 4G connectivity, but they take different approaches to achieving that goal, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dives deep into the hardware to determine which tablet offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia T10 emerges as the slightly better choice. While both tablets share a 10W charging rate, the Nokia T10’s Unisoc T606, built on a more modern 12nm process, provides a more efficient and generally snappier experience than the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G’s Mediatek MT8768E.
| 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, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 27 | 2022, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June | Available. Released 2022, August 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 243.2 x 158.2 x 9.2 mm (9.57 x 6.23 x 0.36 in) | 208 x 123.2 x 9 mm (8.19 x 4.85 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 448 g (15.80 oz) | 375 g (13.23 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | 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 MT8768E | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 2 MP, 1/5.0", 1.65µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | 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, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | Li-Po 5250 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray | Ocean Blue |
| Models | - | TA-1503, TA-1472, TA-1462, TA-1457 |
| Price | About 180 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 HD 4G
- Potentially lower price point.
- 4G connectivity for on-the-go access.
- Suitable for basic media consumption.
- Older Mediatek MT8768E chipset.
- Less efficient CPU architecture.
- Likely slower app loading times.
Nokia T10
- More modern Unisoc T606 chipset.
- Improved CPU architecture for better performance.
- More efficient power consumption.
- Snappier user experience.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Still limited to 10W charging.
- Camera performance likely remains basic.
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Nokia provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, the focus here isn't display quality, but rather the impact of the chipsets on rendering. The Mediatek MT8768E will likely struggle more with graphically intensive tasks on the display compared to the Unisoc T606, due to its older architecture and potentially less optimized GPU. Expect similar color accuracy and viewing angles given the price point of both devices.
Camera Comparison
Both tablets are unlikely to excel in photography. Given the target market, camera quality is not a primary focus. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but it's safe to assume both feature basic sensors suitable for casual snapshots. Any differences in image quality will likely be minimal and overshadowed by the limitations of the sensors themselves. Focusing on the chipset's image signal processor (ISP) capabilities, the Unisoc T606 likely has a slight edge due to its newer design, but this won't be a game-changer.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The TCL Tab 10 HD 4G utilizes the Mediatek MT8768E, featuring an octa-core configuration split between 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Nokia T10, conversely, employs the Unisoc T606, built on a 12nm process and boasting a more modern CPU arrangement: two 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and six 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Cortex-A75 cores in the T10 represent a significant architectural leap over the A53 cores in the TCL, offering substantially improved single-core performance – crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. While both are octa-core, the Unisoc T606’s architecture translates to a smoother, more fluid user experience, especially when multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G and Nokia T10 are equipped with 10W wired charging. This slow charging speed is a common compromise in this price segment. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Unisoc T606’s 12nm process offers better power efficiency than the Mediatek MT8768E. This means the Nokia T10 is likely to achieve comparable or slightly better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity, and will generate less heat during prolonged use.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G if you prioritize a potentially lower initial price and are primarily focused on basic tasks like video playback and light web browsing. Buy the Nokia T10 if you value a more responsive user interface, slightly better multitasking capabilities, and a chipset built on a more efficient manufacturing process, even if it means spending a little more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G struggle with multiple apps open simultaneously?
Yes, the Mediatek MT8768E chipset, with its older Cortex-A53 cores, is less adept at multitasking than the Unisoc T606. Expect noticeable slowdowns and app reloading when switching between several applications on the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G.
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the Nokia T10 powerful enough for casual gaming?
The Unisoc T606 can handle casual games without issue. However, demanding titles will likely require lower graphics settings and may still experience occasional frame drops. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's a significant step up from the Mediatek MT8768E for gaming performance.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either tablet from 0%?
Given the 10W charging rate on both devices, expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours. The slower charging speed is a common limitation in this price segment, and neither tablet offers fast charging capabilities.
❓ Does the Nokia T10 benefit from software optimizations beyond the chipset?
Nokia is known for providing relatively clean Android builds with timely security updates. This software optimization, combined with the more efficient chipset, contributes to a smoother and more responsive user experience compared to the TCL Tab 10 HD 4G, which may receive less frequent software support.
