TCL Communication Ltd. TCL TAB 10 Gen 4 Android Tablet, 10.1” FHD IPS Review

The TCL TAB 10 Gen 4 is a budget Android tablet with a premium metal build and a sharp 10.1-inch FHD screen. It's great for media consumption and light tasks, but its 4GB of RAM and Wi-Fi 5 connectivity hold it back from being a true standout. For casual users under $200, it's a decent pick.

Looking for a budget Android tablet that doesn't feel cheap? The TCL TAB 10 Gen 4 is a solid contender in the under-$200 space. It's got a 10.1-inch FHD screen, 128GB of storage, and promises smooth performance with its octa-core MediaTek chip and Android 15. For students, young adults, or anyone who just wants a device for streaming and light browsing, it's a tempting option. But with so many tablets in this price range, does it actually stand out? We dug into the specs and user feedback to find out.

Let's be real: you're not buying this for hardcore gaming or video editing. The MediaTek processor and 4GB of physical RAM (plus some software-expanded memory) put performance in the lower-mid range. In our database, its CPU lands in the 42nd percentile and GPU in the 44th. That translates to a perfectly fine experience for YouTube, social media, and reading e-books. Apps open quickly enough, and the interface feels responsive. But if you try to run too many things at once or play anything more demanding than casual games, you'll notice some slowdown. It's built for one or two things at a time, not power users.

At around $160, the TCL TAB 10 Gen 4 sits in a crowded field. You're getting a nice screen, good build quality, and modern software. The value really depends on what you compare it to. It undercuts the base iPad by a huge margin, but it also gives up a lot of performance and app ecosystem. Against other Android tablets like the Lenovo Tab M11 or Samsung Galaxy Tab A9, it's a tougher call. If a metal body and Android 15 are your top priorities, it's a fair deal. If raw speed or future-proof connectivity matter more, you might want to look elsewhere.

The most direct competition is the Lenovo Tab M11, which often goes on sale for a similar price. The Lenovo has a slightly larger 11-inch screen and often benchmarks a bit higher, but its build is plastic. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 is another strong rival with better brand support and a similar media-focused experience. Then there's the elephant in the room: the base model iPad (10th gen). It's more expensive, but the Apple ecosystem and app support are in a different league. For Android purists on a tight budget, the TCL holds its own on build and screen quality, but it loses on raw performance and connectivity specs compared to these alternatives.

Skip this tablet if you're a power user who needs to run several apps at once, a student who relies on a stylus for notes, or a gamer who plays anything beyond simple titles. The 4GB of RAM and mid-tier processor will frustrate you. Also, if future-proof connectivity is important, the lack of Wi-Fi 6 is a downside. In those cases, consider stretching your budget for an iPad or a higher-end Android tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE.

Should you buy the TCL TAB 10 Gen 4? If you want a well-built Android tablet for under $200 and your needs are simple—streaming, reading, light browsing—then yes, it's a good choice. The metal body and FHD screen are highlights you don't always get at this price. But if you need a tablet for serious multitasking, note-taking with a stylus, or you just hate the idea of Wi-Fi 5 in 2025, you should probably keep looking. It's a solid B- student in a class of budget tablets: does the job, looks presentable, but isn't winning any awards.