The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Umidigi G3 Tab and Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) represent compelling options for users seeking affordable Android experiences. This comparison dives deep into their core specifications, focusing on how the chipset differences translate to real-world performance and usability, and ultimately, which tablet delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is the superior choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset, featuring a combination of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, provides a significantly smoother and more responsive experience than the Umidigi G3 Tab’s older Helio A22. While the Umidigi is cheaper, the performance gap justifies the price difference for all but the most basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021. Released 2021 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 244.8 x 162.2 x 10.7 mm (9.64 x 6.39 x 0.42 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 570 g (1.26 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio A22 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, Dark Green, Midnight Blue | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | - | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Umidigi G3 Tab
- Significantly lower price point
- Acceptable for basic tasks like reading
- Lightweight and portable
- Poor performance with the Helio A22 chipset
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Display quality likely inferior to the Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Much smoother performance with the Unisoc Tiger T618
- Better multitasking and app responsiveness
- Faster 15W charging
- Higher price than the Umidigi G3 Tab
- Still not a high-end tablet
- Display lacks advanced features like HDR
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Both utilize 10.5-inch panels, but detailed specifications like resolution and panel type are missing for the Umidigi G3 Tab. The Samsung Tab A8’s display is adequate for media consumption, but lacks features like high refresh rates or HDR support. The absence of detailed display specs for the Umidigi makes a direct comparison difficult, but given its price point, it’s likely to be a lower-quality panel with narrower viewing angles and less accurate color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with basic camera setups. Detailed camera specs for the Umidigi G3 Tab are unavailable, but budget tablets typically feature low-resolution sensors with limited image quality. The Samsung Tab A8’s camera is similarly unremarkable. Focusing on the processor difference is far more important than scrutinizing the camera capabilities of these devices.
Performance
The core difference between these tablets lies in their chipsets. The Umidigi G3 Tab’s Mediatek Helio A22, a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor, is an entry-level chip designed for basic tasks. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618 is an octa-core processor with a more modern architecture – two Cortex-A75 cores for performance and six Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This architectural difference is crucial; the A75 cores offer a substantial performance boost over the A53, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The T618’s integrated GPU also provides a better gaming experience, even if it’s still limited to less demanding titles.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific battery capacities are not provided, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) supports 15W wired charging, which is faster than the Umidigi G3 Tab’s 10W charging. This faster charging speed translates to quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. The more efficient Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Samsung Tab A8 may also contribute to slightly longer battery life during moderate use, despite potentially having a similar capacity battery to the Umidigi.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G3 Tab if you need an extremely affordable tablet primarily for static tasks like reading ebooks or simple web browsing, and performance is a secondary concern. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) if you prioritize a smoother, more versatile experience for multitasking, streaming video, and light gaming, and are willing to spend a bit more for improved performance and a more refined user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Samsung Tab A8 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc Tiger T618 is a capable chip, PUBG Mobile will likely require low to medium graphics settings for a smooth experience. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's significantly better than the Helio A22 in the Umidigi G3 Tab, which would struggle even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the Umidigi G3 Tab suitable for video conferencing?
The Umidigi G3 Tab can handle basic video conferencing, but the Helio A22’s limited processing power may result in occasional lag or stuttering, especially with multiple participants. The Samsung Tab A8’s Unisoc Tiger T618 will provide a more stable and reliable video conferencing experience.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 support expandable storage?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 supports microSD card expansion up to 1TB, allowing you to increase storage for media and files. The Umidigi G3 Tab's storage expansion capabilities are unknown, but it's a feature commonly found in budget tablets.
