TCL Tab 10s vs Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite: Which Budget Tablet Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite emerges as the slightly better choice. While both tablets utilize the Mediatek MT8768 family, the Tab A7 Lite’s MT8768T variant boasts higher CPU clock speeds, translating to a snappier user experience. The Samsung’s established software support and brand recognition further solidify its position.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | TCL Tab 10s | Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 12 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 26 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 241 x 158.6 x 8.3 mm (9.49 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 (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 464 g (1.02 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 (~77.4% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8768 | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | 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 | Gray, Silver | Gray, Silver |
| Models | 9080G, 9081X | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 170 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
- Potentially larger display for immersive viewing.
- Faster 18W wired charging.
- May offer a lower price point.
- Slower CPU clock speeds compared to the A7 Lite.
- Less efficient chipset fabrication process.
- Potentially less responsive user experience.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Faster CPU clock speeds for improved performance.
- More efficient 12nm chipset fabrication.
- Samsung’s software ecosystem and support.
- Slightly smaller display.
- Lower 15W wired charging.
- May be slightly more expensive.
Display Comparison
Both tablets likely feature IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, specific details like resolution and brightness are not provided. The TCL Tab 10s’ larger size suggests a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. The Samsung Tab A7 Lite, being more compact, may offer slightly better pixel density. Without concrete brightness data, it’s difficult to assess outdoor visibility, but Samsung generally calibrates its displays for accurate color reproduction, potentially giving it an edge in color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both will likely feature basic camera setups suitable for casual snapshots and video calls. Details regarding sensor size and aperture are unavailable, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The focus should be on functionality rather than image quality. Any differences in image processing will likely be minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Both use Mediatek’s MT8768, but the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite utilizes the MT8768T Helio P22T, fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process. This translates to a CPU clock speed bump – 2.3 GHz vs 2.0 GHz for the Cortex-A53 cores – and 1.8 GHz vs 1.5 GHz for the efficiency cores. While both are octa-core configurations, the higher clock speeds on the A7 Lite will result in faster application launches and smoother multitasking. The 12nm process also suggests slightly better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The RAM configuration is not specified, but the chipset’s performance will be the primary bottleneck.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s 15W charging, while lower than the TCL Tab 10s’ 18W, isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. The more efficient MT8768T chipset and potentially optimized software could offset the lower charging wattage, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. The 18W charging on the TCL Tab 10s may offer a slightly faster 0-100% charge time, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10s if you prioritize a larger display and are comfortable with potentially less responsive performance for basic tasks like web browsing and video playback. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite if you value a more fluid user experience, faster app loading times, and the benefits of Samsung’s software ecosystem, even if it means a slightly smaller screen.