The tablet market offers a surprising number of options, even on a budget. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Tab A8 and the Nokia T20. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia T20 edges out the Ulefone Tab A8 thanks to its brighter display, slightly more efficient chipset, and cleaner Android experience. While the Ulefone offers a competitive price, the Nokia's overall polish and reliability make it the better choice for most users.
| 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 - US, LATAM |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 11 | 2021, October 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 11 | Available. Released 2021, November 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 238.7 x 157.5 x 7.4 mm (9.40 x 6.20 x 0.29 in) | 247.6 x 157.5 x 7.8 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 483 g (1.06 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 (~78.7% 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 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V/WD (12 nm) | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6580 mAh | Li-Po 8200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Deep Ocean |
| Models | - | TA-1397, TA-1394, TA-1392 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.35 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Tab A8
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Basic functionality
- Dim display
- Slower performance
- Less reliable brand
- Slow charging
Nokia T20
- Brighter display
- Better performance
- Cleaner Android experience
- Faster charging
- More reliable brand
- Slightly more expensive
- Camera is still basic
Display Comparison
The Nokia T20 boasts a significant advantage with its measured 422 nits of brightness, making it much easier to view outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The 1786:1 contrast ratio also contributes to better image quality. The Ulefone Tab A8's display is likely adequate for indoor use but lacks the vibrancy and visibility of the Nokia.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department, being typical of budget devices. Both likely offer basic 8MP main cameras. Image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots but don't expect exceptional results. The Nokia might have slightly better image processing due to its overall better hardware.
Performance
The Nokia T20's Unisoc T610, featuring Cortex-A75 cores alongside the A55s, provides a noticeable performance boost over the Ulefone Tab A8's MT6762V. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the Nokia. While both have octa-core CPUs, the Nokia's core architecture is more efficient.
Battery Life
Both tablets likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Nokia T20's 15W charging is a slight advantage over the Ulefone's 10W charging, allowing for faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Tab A8 is ideal for users prioritizing the absolute lowest price and basic functionality like web browsing and light media consumption. The Nokia T20 is a better fit for those seeking a more reliable, smoother experience with a brighter screen and longer software support, even if it costs a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
The Nokia T20 is expected to receive longer software updates and security patches due to Nokia's commitment to Android updates.
❓ Is the Ulefone Tab A8 good for gaming?
The Ulefone Tab A8's processor is not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but performance will be limited.
