The tablet market offers a wide range of options, from budget-friendly devices to premium powerhouses. Today, we're pitting the TCL Tab 10s 5G, a mid-range contender, against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, a flagship tablet packed with features. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the clear winner, offering vastly superior performance, a stunning display, and a premium experience. The TCL Tab 10s 5G provides a more affordable 5G option, but compromises significantly on power and features. It's a budget choice for basic tasks.
| 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 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 27 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, Q3 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 241.7 x 158.6 x 8.5 mm (9.52 x 6.24 x 0.33 in) | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) |
| | - | Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8771 | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, 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 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Po 11200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray | Graphite |
| Models | 9183G | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 1150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (body) |
TCL Tab 10s 5G
- Affordable
- 5G Connectivity
- Decent Display for the Price
- Lightweight
- Underpowered Processor
- Basic Camera
- Slow Charging
- IPS LCD Display
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Exceptional Performance
- Stunning AMOLED Display
- Versatile Camera System
- Fast Charging
- Premium Design
- Expensive
- Large Size May Not Be Ideal for Everyone
- S Pen Sold Separately
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra boasts a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredibly smooth visuals. The TCL Tab 10s 5G features a smaller 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with a standard refresh rate. The S8 Ultra's display is significantly better in terms of brightness, color accuracy, and overall viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra features a more versatile and higher-quality camera system, including a wide, ultrawide, and depth sensor. The TCL Tab 10s 5G has a basic camera setup that is adequate for casual snapshots but lacks the detail and features of the S8 Ultra's cameras. Video recording capabilities are also superior on the S8 Ultra.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra provides a massive performance advantage over the Mediatek MT8771 in the TCL Tab 10s 5G. The S8 Ultra handles demanding games, multitasking, and creative applications with ease, while the TCL Tab 10s 5G can struggle with more intensive tasks. Expect noticeable lag and slower loading times on the TCL.
Battery Life
While both tablets offer decent battery life, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra's larger battery capacity and faster charging (45W) give it an edge. The TCL Tab 10s 5G's 18W charging is considerably slower. Expect roughly 10-12 hours of moderate use on both, but the S8 Ultra will recharge much faster.
Buying Guide
The TCL Tab 10s 5G is ideal for students or users needing a basic tablet for browsing, light media consumption, and occasional productivity tasks on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is perfect for creative professionals, gamers, and anyone who demands top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and a premium tablet experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL Tab 10s 5G good for gaming?
The TCL Tab 10s 5G is suitable for casual games, but it will struggle with demanding titles due to its underpowered processor. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a much better choice for gamers.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra come with a stylus?
The S Pen is included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. However, it's worth noting that some bundles may not include it, so double-check before purchasing.
