New Delhi: HMD Global has released the T21 TA-1596, a tablet that balances price with decent performance. This gadget is aimed at customers seeking a high-performance tablet to use at work, for entertainment, and for creative purposes. The HMD T21 has a slim profile, a big screen, and a powerful battery, so it wants to be a hit in the inexpensive tablet market. It provides contemporary features such as active pen support and 4G connectivity, which make it flexible among students, professionals, and casual users.
The HMD T21 is sold at a competitive price and offers value in its 10.36-inch 2K screen and 8200 mAh battery. It has dual SIM 4G connectivity and also comes with Google Kids Space that makes it friendly to the entire family. Although it cannot be compared to high-end tablets, its high-quality construction and ergonomic functionality are its strong selling points. This is a closer peek at what HMD T21 has to offer.
Its IP52 rating ensures basic dust and splash resistance, ideal for everyday use. (Image Credit: Pragya Singha Roy/News9)
HMD T21 design and build
The HMD T21 has a height of 247.5 mm, a width of 157.3 mm, and a depth of 7.5 mm, and it weighs467 grams. It is made of a lightweight but sturdy slim aluminium body. The IP52 rating is simple water and dust resistance to make it durable in daily use. The tablet is available in Blacksteel and has got a modern and minimalist design. The flexibility of storage and connectivity is provided through the hybrid dual SIM slot and the microSD support (up to 512 GB).
The 10.36-inch IPS 2K display delivers sharp visuals for streaming and work. (Image Credit: Pragya Singha Roy/News9)
HMD T21 display
The display is a 2000 x 1200 pixel 10.36-inch (26.31 cm) IPS screen with a 5:3 aspect ratio. It provides crisp images to stream, play games, and surf the web. It has 360 nits of brightness and is certified with SGS Low Blue Light, which makes it comfortable to view in most lighting conditions. The screen is safeguarded by toughened glass, and active pen support (pen sold separately) is available to increase productivity when it comes to note-taking and sketching.
HMD T21’s display. (Image Credit: Pragya Singha Roy/News9)
The HMD T21 package includes a 20W charger, a USB Type-C cable, a SIM pin, a user guide, and a safety booklet. The packaging is environmentally friendly with recycled material, which demonstrates the sustainability approach of HMD. This is a good addition considering that some of the premium-priced devices lack a charging adapter.
HMD T21 in box items. (Image Credit: Pragya Singha Roy/News9)
HMD T21 cameras
The HMD T21 has 8 MP front and rear cameras, both of them having autofocus and LED flash. The cameras are good at video calls and casual photography. They are not outstanding but have fair pictures to use in documents or social media. The rear camera only supports 3264 x 2448 pixels on photos and 1080p video at 30 fps, which is sufficient for its simple imaging requirements.
HMD T21 performance
BGMI in HMD T21.
The T21 has an 8-core CPU (2x A75 and 6x A55 at 1.8 GHz) and an ARM Mali-G57 GPU fuelled by the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, which makes it easy to multitask. It has 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage and can run Android 13 with an upgrade to Android 14. There are pre-installed applications such as Google Entertainment Space, which can make the device easier to use, but the storage has been used up by system files. The experience of playing BGMI on this phone is incredibly smooth, and there is no lag. The benchmark scores are also good and suitable within this price range.
HMD T21 battery and charging
The battery is non-removable and 8200 mAh. It also has USB Type-C, capable of 20W fast charging (PD 3.0), and a charger comes in the box. HMD states that after 800 charging cycles, the battery still maintains an 80 percent capacity, which makes it last long. This renders T21 suitable for a long period of use without recharging. The battery is durable and long-lasting, which makes it an ideal product for both students and working individuals.
HMD T21 SIM slot. (Image Credit: Pragya Singha Roy/News9)
HMD T21 connectivity and audio
The T21 is 4G, Wi-Fi (dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), and Bluetooth 5.0. GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo make sure that the location is tracked properly. Media and calls are immersive with the 3.5 mm headphone jack and OZO Spatial Audio using two speakers and two microphones. It comes with the versatile hybrid dual SIM slot supporting voice calling and SMS.
The T21 is clean to use with the Google Kids Space and Entertainment Space running Android 13. It comes with three years of security updates at a monthly frequency, securing it until summer 2027. The sensors of the tablet (compass, proximity, accelerometer, and ambient light) make it easier to use. The buttons to control power and volume are placed conveniently.
It has a sleek, modern aesthetic. (Image Credit: Pragya Singha Roy/News9)
Verdict
The HMD T21 is an attractive low-cost tablet, costing Rs. 14,499, with a vivid 10.36-inch 2K display, powerful 8200 mAh battery, and flexible 4G connectivity. Its active pen support and Google Kids Space make it the best option for students, professionals, and families. It has a larger screen and better battery life compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 (Rs. 12,999-14,999) but is heavier. The Lenovo Tab M10 (Rs. 13,999) has lower RAM and battery, and the Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE (Rs. 14,999) has a smoother display but less storage and lower charging speeds. Compared to the Nokia T21 (Rs. 19,999) by HMD, the T21 is almost the same but cheaper, as HMD targets price reduction and rebranding.
The T21 has low-end 8 MP cameras and a Unisoc T612 chipset, which is not as powerful as the more expensive Xiaomi Pad 7 (Rs. 29,999). Its inability to include a bundled active pen and the camera features may not appeal to creative users. Nevertheless, the T21 performs very well with regard to endurance and display, which is why it is a leading option in the Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 15,000 segment. The longevity, security updates, and user-friendliness features of HMD make the T21 an affordable and sensible option. The HMD T21 is a great tablet that offers exceptional value to anyone who needs a robust, yet affordable, slate to use at work, in school, or at home.
7.2/10