The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper and Huawei MatePad T 10s represent compelling options for budget-conscious consumers. While both aim to deliver a functional tablet experience, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware and target use cases. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which tablet offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper is the better choice. Its newer MediaTek 24E chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Huawei MatePad T 10s’ Kirin 710A, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While charging is slower, the performance advantage outweighs this drawback for typical tablet usage.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 48, 66 - USA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77 SA/NSA - USA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February | 2020, September 09. Released 2020, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 246.1 x 155.9 x 7.8 mm (9.69 x 6.14 x 0.31 in) | 240.2 x 159 x 7.9 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 480 g (1.06 lb) | 450 g (0.99 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | MediaTek 24E | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.2, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by Harman Kardon |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Gold, Deepsea Blue |
| Models | 9199S | AGS3-L09, AGS3-W09, AGS3K-W09 |
| Price | - | About 200 EUR |
TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper
- More powerful MediaTek 24E chipset for smoother performance
- NxtPaper display offers enhanced eye comfort
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Display brightness specifications are unavailable
- Brand recognition is lower than Huawei
Huawei MatePad T 10s
- Established brand reputation with Huawei
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Lower price point in some markets
- Older Kirin 710A chipset offers lower performance
- Slower 10W wired charging
- Standard IPS LCD display lacks unique features
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Huawei provide detailed display specs beyond resolution. However, the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper’s defining feature is its NxtPaper display, designed to mimic the appearance of paper for reduced eye strain. While brightness nits aren’t specified, the focus is on minimizing blue light and glare. The Huawei MatePad T 10s likely utilizes a standard IPS LCD panel. The TCL’s unique display tech is a significant differentiator, particularly for extended reading sessions, while the Huawei’s display is likely adequate for general use but lacks any standout features.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse. Detailed camera specifications are scarce, but focusing on the core chipsets, image signal processing capabilities will be limited on both. The absence of detailed camera specs suggests that image quality is not a primary selling point for either device. Users should expect adequate performance for basic video calls and occasional snapshots, but not professional-grade photography.
Performance
The TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper’s MediaTek 24E chipset, featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a more modern architecture than the Huawei MatePad T 10s’ Kirin 710A (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53). The Cortex-A76 cores in the TCL offer a substantial performance improvement over the A73 cores in the Huawei, especially in single-core tasks. The Kirin 710A, built on a 14nm process, is also less efficient than the MediaTek 24E, potentially leading to slightly higher power consumption. This translates to a snappier experience on the TCL for multitasking and app launches.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper supports 18W wired charging, while the Huawei MatePad T 10s is limited to 10W. This means the TCL will charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the Huawei could offset the slower charging, the MediaTek 24E’s improved efficiency on the TCL may result in comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper if you prioritize performance for everyday tasks like browsing, video streaming, and light gaming, and appreciate the eye-friendly NxtPaper display. Buy the Huawei MatePad T 10s if you are looking for a basic tablet for simple tasks like reading ebooks or video calls, and prefer a more established brand ecosystem, accepting a performance compromise.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the MediaTek 24E in the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper struggle with demanding games?
While the MediaTek 24E is a capable chipset for everyday tasks, it's not designed for high-end gaming. Expect to be able to play less demanding titles smoothly, but graphically intensive games may require reduced settings or experience occasional frame drops. The Huawei MatePad T 10s would likely perform similarly or slightly worse in gaming scenarios.
❓ Is the NxtPaper display on the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper suitable for outdoor use?
The NxtPaper display prioritizes eye comfort and paper-like appearance over peak brightness. While it reduces glare, it may struggle in direct sunlight. The Huawei MatePad T 10s’ standard IPS LCD panel may offer slightly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions, but neither tablet is ideal for prolonged outdoor use.
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad T 10s support Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
Due to ongoing geopolitical factors, the Huawei MatePad T 10s typically ships without full Google Mobile Services (GMS). This means you won't have direct access to the Google Play Store and core Google apps. Huawei offers its own AppGallery as an alternative, but app availability is limited compared to the Play Store. The TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper *does* support GMS.
