Looking for an affordable tablet for browsing, streaming, and light tasks? The Ulefone Tab A8 and Tab A7 are both contenders in the budget tablet space. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Tab A8 edges out the A7 thanks to its more powerful chipset and newer 12nm manufacturing process, resulting in better overall performance. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the A8's improved processing power makes it the slightly 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 11 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 11 | Available. Released 2021, May 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 238.7 x 157.5 x 7.4 mm (9.40 x 6.20 x 0.29 in) | 243.6 x 162.4 x 7.9 mm (9.59 x 6.39 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 483 g (1.06 lb) | 566 g (1.25 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~74.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V/WD (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6580 mAh | Li-Po 7680 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Space Gray |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 130 EUR |
Ulefone Tab A8
- More powerful chipset
- 12nm manufacturing process (more efficient)
- Likely slightly better display brightness
- Improved multitasking performance
- 10W charging is slow
- Camera quality is basic
- May be slightly more expensive than the A7
Ulefone Tab A7
- More affordable
- Decent battery life
- Suitable for basic media consumption
- Less powerful chipset
- 28nm manufacturing process (less efficient)
- Slower performance
- May struggle with demanding apps
Display Comparison
Both tablets likely feature similar 10.1-inch IPS displays with a resolution around 1280x800. Expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction for the price point, but don't anticipate flagship-level display quality. The A8 *might* have slightly improved brightness due to its newer design, but this is not confirmed.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is likely to have exceptional cameras. Expect basic 5-8MP front and rear cameras on both devices, suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. No significant difference is expected between the two.
Performance
This is where the A8 has a clear advantage. The Mediatek MT6762V/WD chipset, built on a 12nm process, is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) in the A7. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the A8. The A7 will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both tablets likely feature a 5000mAh battery, providing similar battery life for typical usage. Expect around 8-10 hours of mixed use. The 10W wired charging is relatively slow, so be prepared for a longer charging time.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Tab A8 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and responsiveness for everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming. The Ulefone Tab A7 remains a solid option for those on a very tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic media consumption and reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference in performance between the Ulefone Tab A8 and A7?
The Ulefone Tab A8 has a significantly more powerful chipset (Mediatek MT6762V/WD) compared to the A7 (Unisoc SC9863A), resulting in smoother performance and faster app loading times.
❓ How long does the battery last on each tablet?
Both tablets likely offer around 8-10 hours of battery life with typical usage, thanks to their similar 5000mAh batteries.