The sub-$200 tablet market is heating up, with the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 and Realme Pad 2 Lite vying for dominance. While both aim to provide an affordable Android experience, they take drastically different approaches to achieving that goal, particularly in their core processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme Pad 2 Lite is the superior choice. Its Helio G99 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s MT8766B, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the TCL offers a slightly lower price point, the performance gains of the Realme justify the small premium.
| 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 29 | 2024, September 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September | Available. Released 2024, September 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 241.2 x 156.6 x 8 mm (9.50 x 6.17 x 0.31 in) | 258 x 169.5 x 8.3 mm (10.16 x 6.67 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 472 g (1.04 lb) | 525 g (1.16 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~207 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~79.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 350 nits | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8766B | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 for Pad |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Unspecified |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Panorama |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 8300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Black | Nebula Purple, Space Grey |
| Models | 8192A, 8492A | RMP2402 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 160 EUR |
TCL Tab 10L Gen2
- Lowest possible price point in this category.
- Acceptable for very basic tasks like reading.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Significantly underpowered processor.
- Slow charging speed (10W).
- Likely to struggle with multitasking and demanding apps.
Realme Pad 2 Lite
- Much faster and more efficient Helio G99 processor.
- Faster 15W charging.
- Smoother user experience for everyday tasks.
- Slightly higher price than the TCL Tab 10L Gen2.
- Camera performance is likely to be basic.
- Display specifications are limited.
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Realme provide detailed display specifications beyond screen size. However, the lack of information suggests both utilize standard IPS LCD panels. The Realme Pad 2 Lite’s more powerful processor may allow for smoother scrolling and animations, indirectly improving the perceived display quality. Without knowing peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Realme’s processing power offers a potential advantage in display responsiveness.
Camera Comparison
Both tablets are unlikely to excel in photography. Given their price point, 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. The Realme Pad 2 Lite *may* benefit from slightly better image processing capabilities due to its more powerful chipset, but don’t expect flagship-level results from either device. Focusing on camera performance for either tablet would be a misallocation of expectations.
Performance
The Realme Pad 2 Lite’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) is the clear winner here. Its octa-core configuration, featuring 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, significantly outperforms the TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 processor based on the MT8766B. The Helio G99’s newer architecture and 6nm process node deliver superior efficiency and processing power, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The TCL’s older chipset will struggle with demanding applications and may exhibit noticeable lag during everyday use. The Realme’s GPU is also substantially more capable, making it the better choice for mobile gaming.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s 15W wired charging is a notable advantage over the TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s 10W charging. The faster charging speed will reduce downtime and allow for quicker top-ups. The Helio G99’s 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity differences. In real-world usage, the Realme Pad 2 Lite is likely to offer a more convenient charging experience and potentially comparable or slightly better battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 if you prioritize absolute lowest cost and your tablet usage is limited to very basic tasks like reading ebooks or light web browsing. Buy the Realme Pad 2 Lite if you value a smoother, more responsive experience for streaming video, casual gaming, and multitasking, and are willing to spend a little more for a noticeable performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme Pad 2 Lite handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G99 in the Realme Pad 2 Lite is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s MT8766B will struggle significantly with PUBG, even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Realme Pad 2 Lite a significant improvement over the TCL's 10W?
Yes, the 15W charging on the Realme Pad 2 Lite will noticeably reduce charging times. While a precise 0-100% time isn't available, expect a faster top-up compared to the TCL Tab 10L Gen2, making it more convenient for users who need to quickly recharge their tablet.
❓ Can I expect smooth multitasking with the TCL Tab 10L Gen2?
Multitasking with the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 will likely be sluggish, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. The quad-core MT8766B processor and limited RAM will struggle to handle demanding multitasking scenarios. The Realme Pad 2 Lite offers a much smoother multitasking experience thanks to its more powerful octa-core processor.
