The tablet market offers a wide range of options, from premium powerhouses to budget-friendly choices. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Tab A8, a budget-focused tablet, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e, a more established and feature-rich device. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance, a superior display, and a more polished user experience. While the Ulefone Tab A8 provides a budget-friendly entry point, the S5e's investment is justified for those seeking a smoother, more versatile tablet.
| 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, 13, 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 | 2019, February. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 11 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 238.7 x 157.5 x 7.4 mm (9.40 x 6.20 x 0.29 in) | 245 x 160 x 5.5 mm (9.65 x 6.30 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 483 g (1.06 lb) | 400 g (14.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~288 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V/WD (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 615 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by AKG/HARMAN |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6580 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black, Gold, Silver |
| Models | - | SM-T725, SM-T720 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 410 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 152610 (v7)
GeekBench: 5684 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Ulefone Tab A8
- Affordable
- Decent for basic tasks
- Relatively lightweight
- Slow performance
- Mediocre display
- Limited features
- Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
- Excellent performance
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Sleek design
- Fast charging
- Good battery life
- Expandable storage
- Higher price
- No headphone jack (adapter required)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e boasts a stunning 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. The Ulefone Tab A8 features an 8-inch IPS display, which is adequate but lacks the punch and clarity of the S5e's AMOLED panel. The S5e's higher resolution also contributes to a sharper image.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e has a slightly better rear camera, but both produce mediocre results in low light. Camera quality isn't a primary focus for either device.
Performance
Here's where the S5e truly shines. Its Snapdragon 670 chipset and Octa-core CPU provide significantly faster performance than the Ulefone Tab A8's MT6762V/WD. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the S5e. The S5e's Kryo 360 Silver cores offer a noticeable performance boost.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e generally offers better battery life due to its more efficient chipset and optimized software. While both tablets have decent battery capacity, the S5e's 18W fast charging provides a significant advantage over the A8's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Tab A8 is ideal for users on a tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like browsing, reading, and light media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is perfect for students, professionals, or anyone who wants a powerful and versatile tablet for productivity, entertainment, and on-the-go use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Tab A8 good for gaming?
The Ulefone Tab A8's performance is limited, so it's not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but don't expect smooth gameplay with high graphics settings.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either tablet?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e supports microSD card expansion. The Ulefone Tab A8 also supports microSD cards, offering flexibility for storing more files.
