Looking for an affordable Android tablet? The TCL Tab 10s 5G and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are popular contenders. But which one offers the best value for your money? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL Tab 10s 5G takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster processor and 5G connectivity. While the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite boasts Samsung's brand recognition and a slightly more polished software experience, the TCL offers a noticeable performance boost for a similar price.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 27 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, Q3 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 241.7 x 158.6 x 8.5 mm (9.52 x 6.24 x 0.33 in) | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8771 | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | 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 | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| 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, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | No |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray | Gray, Silver |
| Models | 9183G | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
TCL Tab 10s 5G
- Faster Processor
- 5G Connectivity
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Larger Battery (likely)
- Software may not be as polished as Samsung's
- Brand recognition less than Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Samsung Brand Reputation
- User-friendly Software
- Slightly better front camera (potentially)
- Compact and Portable
- Slower Processor
- No 5G
- Less powerful for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, but the TCL Tab 10s 5G generally has a slightly higher resolution (likely 1920x1200 vs. the A7 Lite's 1920x1200). Color accuracy and brightness are likely comparable, leaning towards Samsung's slightly better calibration. Viewing angles are decent on both.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite likely has a slightly better front-facing camera for video calls. Image quality on both is adequate for casual snapshots, but not a primary selling point. Expect 8MP rear cameras on both.
Performance
This is where the TCL Tab 10s 5G shines. Its Mediatek MT8771 chipset with Cortex-A78 cores provides a substantial performance advantage over the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's Helio P22T. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the TCL.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has a slightly larger battery capacity (5100 mAh vs. likely 6000 mAh on the TCL), but the TCL's more efficient chipset may result in similar real-world battery life. Both should comfortably last a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The TCL Tab 10s 5G is ideal for users who prioritize performance, especially those wanting to stream, browse, or even do some light gaming. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a good choice for casual users, students, or families who value a reliable brand and a user-friendly interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL Tab 10s 5G good for gaming?
Yes, the TCL Tab 10s 5G's more powerful processor makes it a better choice for gaming than the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, although it's still a budget tablet and won't handle the most demanding titles flawlessly.
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
Samsung generally provides longer software update support for its tablets, so the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite might receive updates for a slightly longer period.
