TCL TCL Tablet (Renewed) (Tab Pro 5G (10.4" | Review

For under $100, the renewed TCL Tab Pro 5G is a stellar deal for a big-screen streaming tablet. Its 10.4-inch 2K display is sharp, and the built-in 5G is a rare find at this price. Just know that performance is slow for anything beyond basic media consumption. If you just want to watch videos on the go cheaply, it's a great pick.

Let's be real, you're probably looking at this TCL Tab Pro 5G because of the price. At under a hundred bucks for a renewed unit, it's a fraction of what you'd pay for a new iPad or Galaxy Tab. This is a Verizon 5G tablet, which means it's built for mobile data, but it also works just fine on Wi-Fi. The main draw here is the 10.4-inch screen and the promise of a full day of battery life, all wrapped up in a package that won't make your wallet cry.

So who is this for? Honestly, it's for the budget-conscious streamer, the casual reader, or someone who needs a secondary screen for the couch or kitchen. Our data shows it scores best for entertainment and reading, landing in the low 40s out of 100. That's not chart-topping, but it's perfectly usable for YouTube, Kindle, and light browsing. Where it falls flat, scoring a 29.5, is productivity. Don't plan on doing serious multi-tasking or heavy document editing.

What makes it interesting is the combo of that big, sharp screen and the 5G connectivity. The Snapdragon 480 chipset isn't a powerhouse, but it's designed for efficient 5G streaming. You're getting a tablet that can pull down high-quality video anywhere you have a signal, and the 8000 mAh battery should keep it going. It's a specific tool for a specific job, and at this price, that job is mostly consumption.

Performance is a mixed bag, which is exactly what you'd expect from a budget chipset in a renewed tablet. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 lands in the 43rd percentile for CPU performance in our database. In plain English, that means it's slower than about 57% of other tablets we track. For everyday tasks like launching apps, scrolling through social media, or watching videos, it's fine. You'll notice some hesitation if you try to do too much at once, but for one thing at a time, it gets the job done.

The GPU sits in a similar spot at the 45th percentile, so light gaming is possible, but don't expect to run the latest 3D titles on high settings. The real performance stars here are the screen and connectivity. The 10.4-inch, 2540x1500 display hits the 70th percentile, which is genuinely good for the price. Colors and sharpness are a strong point. And the connectivity, thanks to that built-in 5G modem and Wi-Fi 6, scores in the 72nd percentile. That means faster downloads and smoother streaming when you're connected, which is the whole point of this device.

The value proposition here is brutally simple: screen and connectivity per dollar. You are not paying for top-tier performance or build quality. You're paying under $100 to get a large, high-resolution display and 5G internet in a tablet form factor. That's it. Compared to even budget new tablets from brands like Amazon or Samsung, this is significantly cheaper, though you are trading the assurance of 'new' for 'renewed'.

Is it worth it? If your primary uses are watching videos, reading, and browsing the web, and you need the option for mobile data, then absolutely. You'd struggle to find another device that offers this specific combination of features at this price. Just go in with the right expectations: this is a media consumption device, not a workhorse.

The most direct competitor isn't another Android tablet, it's the Amazon Fire HD 10. The Fire tablet is often around $100 new, has a similar screen size, but lacks 5G and has a more locked-down, ad-supported version of Android. The TCL Tab Pro gives you a cleaner Android experience and that valuable cellular option, but the Fire tablet might feel snappier for basic tasks and has the full weight of Amazon's ecosystem.

If you step up in price, you hit the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro or Samsung Galaxy Tab A series. These offer better performance, more RAM, and newer software, but you're looking at $200-$300. You lose the 5G, but you gain a much more capable all-around tablet. The Apple iPad (base model) is in another league entirely for performance and software support, but it starts at over $300 and cellular models are even more. The TCL carves its niche by being the cheapest gateway to a big screen with built-in mobile data.

Skip this tablet if you need a primary device for work or school. Our data gives it a dismal 29.5 out of 100 for productivity. The combination of limited RAM (likely 4GB), slower processor, and older Android 11 will make multitasking, using office apps, and video calls a frustrating experience. You'll feel the lag.

Also, skip it if you're a mobile gamer or want the latest software. The Snapdragon 480 isn't built for gaming, and Android 11 is several years old, meaning you'll miss out on new features and security updates. If these are your priorities, you should look at a newer Samsung Galaxy Tab A series or even a previous-generation iPad, though you'll need to spend more. This TCL is a specialist, not a generalist.

Buy this TCL Tab Pro 5G if you want a big-screen tablet almost exclusively for watching videos, reading, and light browsing, and you really value having 5G connectivity as an option. For under $100, it delivers on that promise better than almost anything else. The screen is great, the battery is big, and you can take your streaming anywhere.

Do not buy this tablet if you need to do real work, if you want a fast and fluid experience for gaming or multitasking, or if you're bothered by using an older version of Android. Look at the renewed or previous-generation Samsung Galaxy Tabs or Amazon Fire tablets instead for a smoother general-use experience, or increase your budget for a more capable all-rounder.