UMIDIGI G5 TAB 10.1" 2023, Unisoc T606, 8GB, 128GB, Cellular, Grey

The UMIDIGI G5 Tab is a budget Android tablet that delivers surprising value for around $80 to $90. It has 8GB of RAM, a 6000mAh battery, LTE connectivity, and comes with a stylus and case. The screen is mediocre and quality control is hit-or-miss, but if you get a good unit, it's a great cheap tablet for reading, streaming, and light gaming.

The Unisoc T606 is an 8-core chip that sits right around the middle of the pack in our database. It's not going to win any speed contests, but for scrolling through social media, watching YouTube, and playing lighter games, it gets the job done. The 8GB of RAM is actually generous for this price range and helps keep apps from constantly reloading when you switch between them. Storage is 128GB of eMMC, which is slower than the UFS storage you'd find in pricier tablets, but fine for most people. You can expand it up to 1TB with a microSD card, which is great if you plan to load up on movies or games.

The screen is where things get less impressive. It's a 10.1-inch HD+ panel, and in our database it ranks in the 29th percentile for screen quality. That means text can look a bit soft and colors won't pop the way they do on higher-resolution displays. If you're mostly reading ebooks or watching casual videos, you'll be fine. But if you're picky about display sharpness, this is not the tablet for you. The stylus works for basic note-taking and navigation, but don't expect iPad-level palm rejection or pressure sensitivity.

The UMIDIGI G5 Tab goes up against some serious competition. The Apple iPad 11th Generation is in a completely different league when it comes to screen quality, performance, and app ecosystem, but it also costs significantly more. If you're already in the Apple ecosystem or need a tablet for creative work, the iPad is worth the extra money. The Xiaomi Redmi Pad is probably the closest Android rival. It has a sharper display and better build quality, but you'll pay more for it and you won't get LTE or a stylus in the box. The Lenovo Idea Tab Plus offers a bigger screen and better speakers, but again, the price creeps up.

Where the G5 Tab wins is pure bang for the buck. None of those competitors include a stylus and case at this price point. The trade-off is that you're getting a lower-resolution screen and a processor that's fine but not exciting. If you can live with those compromises, the G5 Tab undercuts the competition by a meaningful margin. If you can't, the Redmi Pad is probably the better Android pick.

At around $80 to $90, the UMIDIGI G5 Tab is hard to argue with on paper. You're getting a tablet with LTE, a stylus, a case, and a screen protector for less than the cost of a nice dinner for two. Compare that to the Apple iPad 11th Generation, which starts at several times the price, and the value proposition becomes obvious. The Lenovo Idea Tab Plus and Xiaomi Redmi Pad are closer competitors in the Android space, but they typically cost more too. If you're on a tight budget and just need something for reading, streaming, and light productivity, this is one of the cheapest ways to get a functional tablet with cellular connectivity.

The UMIDIGI G5 Tab is one of those budget Android tablets that makes you double-check the price tag. For around $80 to $90 depending on where you buy it, you get a 10.1-inch display, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and even LTE connectivity. That's a spec sheet that would have cost three times as much a few years ago. It runs Android 13 out of the box and comes with a stylus in the box, which is a nice touch at this price point.

So is the UMIDIGI G5 Tab good for everyday use? For reading, light gaming, and streaming, the answer is mostly yes. The Unisoc T606 processor isn't going to blow anyone away, but it handles basic tasks without much fuss. The 6000mAh battery is a genuine highlight, easily getting you through a full day of casual use. And the included case and screen protector mean you don't have to spend extra on accessories right away.

But there's a catch. The screen resolution is a weak point, and some buyers have reported receiving units that arrived damaged or looked tampered with. That's a quality control issue worth knowing about before you click buy. If you get a good unit, this is a solid budget tablet. If you don't, you'll be dealing with returns.

Skip the UMIDIGI G5 Tab if you care about screen quality or need a tablet for serious productivity. The HD+ display is noticeably soft compared to higher-resolution panels, and the eMMC storage is slower than what you'd get in a mid-range tablet. If you're doing photo editing, heavy multitasking, or creative work, this isn't the right tool. The quality control issues are also a red flag if you can't deal with the hassle of a possible return. In that case, spend a bit more on the Xiaomi Redmi Pad or a used iPad, both of which offer better build quality and sharper screens. And if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, the iPad 11th Generation is the obvious choice despite the higher price.

Should you buy the UMIDIGI G5 Tab? If you need a cheap tablet for reading, streaming, and light gaming, and you don't want to spend more than $100, this is a solid choice. The battery life is genuinely good, the RAM is generous, and the included accessories sweeten the deal. Most owners seem happy with what they got for the money.

But there's a real risk here. The quality control issues are not something to ignore. Multiple buyers have reported receiving units that arrived damaged or looked like they'd been opened before. That's a gamble you take with budget tablets from lesser-known brands. If you're okay with the possibility of a return, go for it. If you want something you can count on out of the box, save up a bit more and get the Xiaomi Redmi Pad or a used iPad.