The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, with the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 and Nokia T10 vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver an affordable Android experience, but they take different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dissects their core components to reveal which tablet offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia T10 emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring an octa-core configuration, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s quad-core Mediatek MT8766B, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading, despite both sharing 10W charging.
| 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, 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 | 241.2 x 156.6 x 8 mm (9.50 x 6.17 x 0.31 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 | 472 g (1.04 lb) | 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 (~78.3% 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 | Quad-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8766B | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP, 1/5.0", 1.65µm |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | 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 | GPS - cellular model only | 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 Black | Ocean Blue |
| Models | 8192A, 8492A | TA-1503, TA-1472, TA-1462, TA-1457 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.57 W/kg (body) |
TCL Tab 10L Gen2
- Established brand with wider product range
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Simple and straightforward Android experience
- Inferior processor performance (Mediatek MT8766B)
- Less efficient CPU architecture
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Nokia T10
- More powerful and efficient processor (Unisoc T606)
- Octa-core CPU for smoother multitasking
- Modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75 cores)
- Less well-known brand in some markets
- 10W charging is slow
- Basic camera capabilities
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Nokia provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, the focus here isn't display quality, but performance impact. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO suggests neither tablet is geared towards visually demanding tasks. The real difference lies in how efficiently the chipsets can drive the displays.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are positioned as budget devices, and detailed camera specs are scarce. Expect basic image quality suitable for casual snapshots and video calls. Focusing on the chipset's image signal processor (ISP) capabilities, the Unisoc T606 likely offers slightly better image processing due to its more modern architecture, but the difference will be minimal in real-world usage. The absence of OIS or high-resolution sensors on both devices reinforces their focus on core functionality.
Performance
The Nokia T10’s Unisoc T606 (12nm) is the clear winner in this category. Its octa-core CPU, comprised of 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, offers a significant architectural advantage over the TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s Mediatek MT8766B quad-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). The Cortex-A75 cores in the T10 provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the additional cores improve multitasking. The 12nm process node of the Unisoc chip also suggests better power efficiency compared to the likely larger node process of the Mediatek chip, though both are limited by 10W charging.
Battery Life
Both tablets feature 10W wired charging, a limitation in this price segment. Battery capacity isn't specified, but the more efficient Unisoc T606 in the Nokia T10 will likely translate to longer real-world battery life despite potentially similar capacity. The 12nm process node contributes to reduced power consumption, allowing the T10 to sustain usage for a longer duration between charges. The slow charging speed means neither tablet will quickly recover from heavy use.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 if you prioritize a brand with a wider ecosystem of devices and are primarily seeking a tablet for very basic tasks like static content consumption and light web browsing. Buy the Nokia T10 if you value a more responsive user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and a more modern processor architecture for the same price point, making it ideal for students or casual users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia T10 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Nokia T10 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and frame rates. The Unisoc T606 is not a gaming powerhouse, and sustained performance may lead to some frame drops. It's best suited for casual gaming rather than competitive play.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either tablet sufficient for daily use?
10W charging is slow by modern standards. Both tablets will take several hours to fully charge from 0%. It's best to charge them overnight to ensure they're ready for the next day's use. Consider this a trade-off for the lower price point.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 and Nokia T10?
Both tablets run Android, but Nokia is known for its commitment to clean, near-stock Android with guaranteed software updates. TCL's software experience may include more pre-installed apps and a slightly modified user interface. This can be a preference point for users who prefer a minimalist approach.
