The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but finding the right one for your needs can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the budget-friendly Ulefone Tab A8 and the popular Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021). Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which tablet reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the clear winner. While the Ulefone Tab A8 offers a lower price point, the Samsung's superior processor, better display, and more polished software experience make it the better overall choice for most users. It's a more reliable and enjoyable tablet experience.
| 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, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 11 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 11 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 238.7 x 157.5 x 7.4 mm (9.40 x 6.20 x 0.29 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 483 g (1.06 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V/WD (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| 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 | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6580 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Tab A8
- Very affordable
- Decent for basic tasks
- Large screen size
- Weak performance
- Lower quality display
- Limited software updates
- Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Better performance
- Vibrant display
- Reliable brand
- Longer battery life
- Faster charging
- More expensive than Ulefone Tab A8
- Camera quality is average
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 boasts a 10.5-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Ulefone Tab A8 has a smaller 10.1-inch display, likely with a lower resolution, resulting in a less immersive viewing experience. Samsung's display is noticeably better in terms of brightness and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both offer basic cameras suitable for occasional video calls or quick snapshots. The Samsung likely has slightly better image processing, but don't expect high-quality photos from either device. Expect around 5-8MP front and rear cameras on both.
Performance
Here's where the Samsung truly shines. The Unisoc Tiger T618 with its dual Cortex-A75 cores provides significantly better performance than the Ulefone's MT6762V. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Samsung. The Ulefone will struggle with more demanding apps and games.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 has a larger battery capacity (7040 mAh) compared to the Ulefone Tab A8 (5000 mAh). Coupled with its more efficient processor, the Samsung offers longer battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The Ulefone will require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Tab A8 is best suited for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like web browsing and media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is ideal for students, casual gamers, and anyone seeking a versatile tablet with good performance and a reliable brand reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Tab A8 good for gaming?
The Ulefone Tab A8's processor is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but expect lag and low frame rates.
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
Samsung provides more frequent software updates and security patches for the Galaxy Tab A8, ensuring a more secure and up-to-date experience.
