The tablet market offers a compelling middle ground between smartphones and laptops, and the TCL Tab 10s 5G and Nokia T20 represent two affordable options vying for your attention. The TCL prioritizes connectivity with its 5G capabilities, while the Nokia T20 focuses on a more refined display experience. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which tablet delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing mobile connectivity and occasional performance boosts, the TCL Tab 10s 5G is the better choice. Its Mediatek MT8771 chipset, while not a powerhouse, offers a more modern architecture than the Nokia T20’s Unisoc T610. However, the Nokia T20’s superior display brightness makes it preferable for outdoor use and media consumption.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - US, LATAM |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 27 | 2021, October 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, Q3 | Available. Released 2021, November 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 241.7 x 158.6 x 8.5 mm (9.52 x 6.24 x 0.33 in) | 247.6 x 157.5 x 7.8 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 465 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (LTE) (1.03 lb) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~78.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8771 | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Po 8200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray | Deep Ocean |
| Models | 9183G | TA-1397, TA-1394, TA-1392 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.35 W/kg (body) |
TCL Tab 10s 5G
- Faster charging with 18W support
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A78)
- 5G connectivity for on-the-go access
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially lower brightness
- 5G connectivity can impact battery life
Nokia T20
- Brighter display with 422 nits peak brightness
- High contrast ratio (1786:1) for vibrant visuals
- Potentially better battery life due to Wi-Fi-only focus
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- Slower charging at 15W
Display Comparison
The Nokia T20 distinguishes itself with a measured peak brightness of 422 nits and a 1786:1 contrast ratio, offering a significantly more vibrant and visible experience, particularly outdoors. The TCL Tab 10s 5G’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a more standard LCD panel likely with lower brightness. This difference is crucial for users who frequently consume media in bright conditions. While the TCL may offer adequate viewing indoors, the Nokia T20 provides a superior visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specifications are lacking. Given the market segment, it’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups primarily intended for video calls and casual snapshots. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner; however, the TCL’s more modern chipset *may* offer slightly improved image processing capabilities.
Performance
The TCL Tab 10s 5G leverages the Mediatek MT8771, featuring a more modern CPU architecture with 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Nokia T20’s Unisoc T610, which utilizes 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Cortex-A78 cores in the TCL offer a performance advantage over the A75 cores in the Nokia, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The Unisoc T610, built on a 12nm process, is also likely to be less power efficient than the MT8771, potentially impacting battery life under sustained load.
Battery Life
The TCL Tab 10s 5G supports 18W wired charging, while the Nokia T20 is limited to 15W. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the TCL provides a practical advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups. The difference of 3W may not seem substantial, but it can translate to a noticeable reduction in charging time, especially for users who frequently use their tablets throughout the day. The TCL’s 5G connectivity, however, will likely draw more power than the Nokia’s Wi-Fi-only focus.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10s 5G if you need reliable 5G connectivity for on-the-go productivity or entertainment, and value a more recent processor architecture for smoother multitasking. Buy the Nokia T20 if you prioritize a brighter, more visible display for media consumption, especially in well-lit environments, and are less concerned with 5G capabilities or demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the TCL Tab 10s 5G’s 5G connectivity significantly impact battery life compared to the Nokia T20?
Yes, utilizing 5G will inherently consume more power than Wi-Fi. While the TCL Tab 10s 5G doesn’t have a specified battery capacity, expect shorter battery life when actively using 5G data compared to the Nokia T20, which is primarily designed for Wi-Fi connectivity. However, the faster charging may mitigate this concern.
❓ Is the Unisoc T610 in the Nokia T20 sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing and video streaming?
The Unisoc T610 is capable of handling everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and video streaming without significant issues. However, it will struggle with more demanding applications or heavy multitasking. The TCL Tab 10s 5G’s Mediatek MT8771 offers a noticeable performance improvement for these scenarios.
❓ Does the Nokia T20’s display support wide color gamut (WCG) for more accurate color reproduction?
The provided specifications do not mention wide color gamut support for the Nokia T20’s display. While the 422 nits brightness and 1786:1 contrast ratio are commendable, the absence of WCG suggests color accuracy may not be its strongest suit, potentially impacting the viewing experience for color-critical tasks.
