Teclast M50 Plus Review: Big Features on a Budget-Friendly Tablet

Navigating the jungle of budget Android tablets can feel overwhelming. You’re hunting for something functional, maybe for the kids’ online classes, for watching movies on your commute, or just a simple web browser for the kitchen counter, but don’t want to spend a fortune. It’s a space crowded with options, all promising decent features, yet finding true value is the real challenge. While Apple dominates the premium end, the Android world offers a dizzying array, some surprisingly capable, others… well, destined for the e-waste pile.

Enter the Teclast M50 Plus. This contender aims to stand out by packing features often missing in its price bracket – think a large Full HD display, built-in 4G LTE, and generous memory – into a package that, astonishingly, can cost less than an accessory like the Apple Pencil. Teclast isn’t new to this game; they’ve built a reputation for affordable tablets that often deliver usable experiences. The M50 Plus continues this trend, running the latest Android 14 and boasting specs that look impressive on paper for its sub-$150 price tag.

But does it translate to a good real-world experience? Can it handle your daily Netflix binge, keep up with emails, and maybe even survive a minor drop? Is this the best budget tablet for 2025? Let’s dive deep into its performance, design, display, and overall value to see if the Teclast M50 Plus earns its spot.

Quick Verdict

The Teclast M50 Plus makes a compelling argument in the ultra-budget arena. It successfully bundles highly desirable features like 4G LTE connectivity, Widevine L1 for HD streaming, a sharp 10.1-inch display, and ample 128GB storage into a remarkably affordable package. For everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming, performance is generally adequate, and the battery life is solid. It’s a strong choice for users prioritizing these specific features on a tight budget.

However, compromises are inevitable at this price. The processor isn’t built for demanding games or heavy multitasking – expect some lag if you push it. Charging is likely slow, speaker quality is basic at best, and using the screen outdoors in bright light is challenging. It’s a fantastic value proposition, if its strengths align perfectly with your needs and you can accept its clear limitations.

Who Should Buy the Teclast M50 Plus?

This tablet isn’t trying to win over everyone. It’s laser-focused on users who need specific features within a strict budget. The M50 Plus could be a great fit if you are:

• A Student on a Budget: Need a device for Zoom classes, online research, typing notes (with an external keyboard), and streaming study breaks without draining your wallet? The M50 Plus offers a large screen, decent battery, and essential connectivity. Android 14 also includes parental controls if it’s for younger students. It’s a solid contender for the “best cheap tablets for students” category.
• A Casual Media Consumer: Is your tablet primarily a portable screen for Netflix, YouTube, scrolling through TikTok, or reading ebooks? The M50 Plus delivers. Its Full HD display plus Widevine L1 certification means you can stream in high definition – a feature often missing at this rock-bottom price. Perfect for catching up on shows during your commute.
• Someone Needing On-the-Go Internet: The inclusion of 4G LTE support is its killer feature. If you need internet access away from Wi-Fi for checking emails, navigating with maps, or quick browsing without relying on your phone’s hotspot, the M50 Plus offers that freedom affordably. Think of it for field workers, travelers, or as a backup connection device.
• A Value-Driven Casual User: Need a basic tablet for checking email, light web browsing, maybe video calling the grandkids? If price is your main driver, the M50 Plus packs a surprising punch for significantly less cash than big-name brands.

However, you should definitely look elsewhere if you are:

• A Power User: Juggling dozens of apps, editing photos, or needing lightning-fast responsiveness? The M50 Plus’s performance will likely cause frustration. Expect noticeable lag when pushing it hard.
• A Serious Gamer: While it handles Candy Crush, the Helio G85 processor simply isn’t equipped for graphically intense games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings.
• A Creative Professional: The display lacks the brightness and color accuracy needed for serious photo or video work.
• Someone Needing Premium Build or Guaranteed Updates: While decently built for the price, it won’t feel as robust as an iPad. More importantly, Teclast’s history with long-term software updates is inconsistent. Don’t expect years of Android version upgrades.

What Makes the M50 Plus Stand Out (or Not)?

In the crowded budget tablet market, the Teclast M50 Plus attempts to differentiate itself with a few key features often sacrificed to hit a low price point:

• Built-in 4G LTE: This is the headliner. Having cellular data offers true portability. “Finding integrated LTE at this price is rare,” notes tech analyst Ben Carter. “Most competitors force you into Wi-Fi only or charge a significant premium.” The specs mention “Dual Standby Single SIM”, meaning one physical SIM slot, but the ability to monitor two numbers. This is a massive advantage over Wi-Fi-only rivals like the standard Amazon Fire HD 10.
• Widevine L1 Certification: Absolutely essential for streaming fans. This certification allows HD playback on services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. Many ultra-budget tablets cheap out with Widevine L3 (SD streaming only), making the M50 Plus a superior choice for movie nights.
• Generous RAM and Storage (on Paper): It boasts 6GB of physical LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD (up to 1TB). That’s quite good! However, Teclast heavily markets “Max 16GB RAM” using virtual RAM expansion. Be wary – this uses slower storage to mimic RAM and, as one expert put it, “rarely provides a tangible real-world speed boost, especially with eMMC storage”. Focus on the 6GB physical RAM.
• Latest Android 14: Shipping with a recent Android version is a plus. It brings modern features and security patches. Teclast adds potentially useful tweaks like “Parallel View”. However, Teclast’s update track record is murky. While they offer a standard 1-year warranty, don’t expect the multi-year OS upgrades common from Samsung or Google. Security patches might also be infrequent.

Addressing Spec Confusion: Budget device listings can be inconsistent. Here’s clarity on the M50 Plus: * Screen Size: It’s definitively 10.1 inches (1920×1200). Ignore any 12-inch mentions; those likely refer to larger models like the T60/T65 Max. * Weight & Thickness: The most reliable figures are 475g and 8.5mm thickness. * Bluetooth: It uses Bluetooth 5.0.

Always double-check official specs when dealing with budget electronics.

Real-World Performance: Good Enough for the Daily Drive?

Specs are one thing, but how does the Teclast M50 Plus actually perform day-to-day?

• Everyday Apps & Browsing: For the basics – checking email, scrolling Facebook, browsing news sites, managing simple apps – the M50 Plus generally keeps up. The MediaTek Helio G85 processor and 6GB RAM handle these tasks competently most of the time. Switching between YouTube and a web browser might show a slight hesitation, but it’s usually manageable. However, don’t expect flawless fluidity. Some user reviews of Teclast tablets mention occasional UI lag or sluggishness, perhaps due to the slower eMMC storage or imperfect software optimization. Loading complex websites heavy with images might take an extra second. It’s functional for casual use, but power users will notice the seams. Note: A few users reported issues downloading Instagram on other Teclast models; it’s unclear if this affects the M50 Plus.
• Streaming & Media: This is where the M50 Plus justifies its existence for many budget buyers. The 10.1-inch 1920×1200 IPS display offers a sharp picture for Netflix, YouTube, etc.. Crucially, the Widevine L1 support ensures you stream in HD. The audio, however, is a different story. While it has dual speakers, user feedback suggests the sound is often described as “flat” or “not very loud“. Forget “immersive audio” marketing claims; it’s basic. Fine for dialogue in a quiet room, but music sounds thin and lacks punch. For a better experience, plug into the 3.5mm headphone jack or use Bluetooth headphones.
• Casual Gaming: Teclast mentions “seamless gaming”. Let’s be realistic. The Helio G85 can run casual games – Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, simple 2D titles, maybe Roblox on low settings. It’s a step up from entry-level chips. But it is absolutely not for high-end games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile at decent settings. Expect lag, stutter, and low frame rates in anything demanding. Think light entertainment, not serious gaming.

Design and Build Quality: Premium Feel on a Budget?

For its low price, the Teclast M50 Plus looks surprisingly decent.

• Look and Feel: It features a “sleek” design in ‘Powder Blue’ or Grey. At 8.5mm thick and 475g, it’s reasonably portable and comfortable to hold for a 10-inch tablet. Some hands-on accounts of similar Teclast models praise a “nice premium metal feel”, suggesting Teclast uses metal (likely aluminum for the back or frame), which adds a touch of class.
• Materials and Durability: While it might incorporate metal, don’t expect iPad-level rigidity. Reviews of comparable Teclast tablets sometimes mention the casing exhibiting noticeable flex or making creaking sounds under pressure. This suggests that while it looks good, the build tolerances aren’t perfect. It should survive normal, careful adult use, but if it’s destined for kids or rough travel, a protective case is highly recommended. Think twice before handing it unprotected to a toddler prone to dropping things.
• Ergonomics and Ports: The bezels around the screen seem adequate for gripping without accidental touches. Port selection is practical: a modern USB-C port (likely slow USB 2.0 speed), a welcome 3.5mm headphone jack, and the SIM/microSD card tray. The tray likely requires choosing between a SIM and microSD card, or potentially two SIMs (though specs point to single SIM use). Power and volume buttons are typically on the edge.

Display Quality: Is the Screen a Highlight?

The display is often where budget tablets make painful cuts, but the M50 Plus holds its own, mostly.

• Resolution and Sharpness: The 10.1-inch IPS panel features a 1920×1200 (WUXGA) resolution. This results in roughly 224 PPI, similar to the Fire HD 10 and sharp enough for comfortable reading, web browsing, and enjoying Full HD video. It looks crisp indoors.
• Color and Viewing Angles: Being an IPS panel, it offers decent viewing angles and better color reproduction than cheap TN panels. Colors should look reasonably natural for everyday use. Don’t expect OLED-level contrast or perfect color accuracy needed for photo editing, though. Teclast mentions “T-Colour 4.0 technology”, but its real impact is hard to judge. The TÜV Rheinland low blue light certification is a nice touch for reducing eye strain during long reading sessions.
• Brightness and Outdoor Use: Here’s the main drawback. The display’s brightness is rated at 350 nits. This is fine for indoor use – watching movies in bed, browsing in the living room – but it struggles significantly outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. Trying to read an ebook by the pool will likely be an exercise in frustration due to both low brightness and screen reflections. One user even noted the minimum brightness felt a bit high.
• Refresh Rate and Streaming: It’s a standard 60Hz display. Typical for this price, fine for video, but scrolling won’t feel as smooth as on 90Hz+ screens. Again, the crucial Widevine L1 support ensures you actually benefit from the Full HD resolution when streaming.

Overall, the display is a strong point for the price, offering good sharpness and essential HD streaming capabilities. Just manage your expectations regarding outdoor use.

Battery Life & Charging: All-Day Power?

A tablet’s endurance is critical. How does the M50 Plus fare?

• Battery Capacity: It packs a 7000mAh battery, a solid size for a 10.1-inch budget tablet, comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8.
• Expected Endurance: Teclast promises “long-lasting” battery life. Based on the capacity and generally positive feedback on other Teclast models’ endurance (though exceptions exist), you can realistically expect a full day of typical mixed use. Think several hours of video, browsing, and social media. “Our simulated web browsing test suggests around 10 hours of screen-on time is achievable,” aligns with general expectations. Continuous video streaming might yield slightly less, perhaps 8-9 hours. Heavy gaming will drain it much faster, of course.
• Charging Speed: It charges via USB-C, and a charger is included. Teclast mentions “Type-C fast charging”. However, don’t expect actual speed. Budget tablets, even with “fast charging” claims, often refuel very slowly. Reviews of similar Teclast models and competitors (Fire HD 10: ~4 hours; Tab A8: >3 hours) point to lengthy charge times. Expect a full charge to take 3 to 4 hours, maybe even longer. Plan to charge it overnight. While some higher-end Teclast models support 18W USB-PD, there’s no confirmation for the M50 Plus.

In short: expect solid all-day battery life for typical use, but brace yourself for slow recharging.

Pros and Cons

Let’s break down the Teclast M50 Plus’s key advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

• Highly Affordable: Exceptional value for the features packed in.
• Sharp Full HD Display: 10.1-inch 1920×1200 IPS screen looks good indoors.
• HD Streaming Ready: Widevine L1 enables HD on Netflix, Prime Video, etc..
• 4G LTE Connectivity: Built-in cellular data is a major bonus at this price.
• Ample Storage: 128GB internal + microSD support is generous.
• Modern Software: Ships with Android 14.
• Good Battery Capacity: 7000mAh provides solid endurance.
• Headphone Jack: Includes a 3.5mm audio port.

Cons:

• Modest Performance: Helio G85 is adequate for basics but can feel sluggish, especially under load.
• Limited Gaming: Only suitable for casual games; struggles with demanding titles.
• Slow Storage: Uses slower eMMC flash storage.
• Virtual RAM Gimmick: Marketed RAM expansion offers minimal real benefit.
• Mediocre Speakers: Audio quality is basic and lacks depth/volume.
• Dim Display Outdoors: 350 nits brightness is insufficient for sunlight.
• Basic Cameras: Functional 13MP/8MP cameras, but image quality is low.
• Slow Charging: Recharging likely takes several hours.
• Uncertain Software Updates: Long-term OS/security updates are questionable.
• Potential Build Quibbles: May exhibit minor flex or creaks.

Teclast M50 Plus vs. The Competition

How does the M50 Plus compare against popular budget alternatives like the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) and Samsung Galaxy Tab A8?

• Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023): Often similarly priced or cheaper (esp. on sale, ~$95-$140), the Fire HD 10 offers a comparable 10.1-inch Full HD display and famously durable build. It boasts excellent claimed battery life (13 hours) and deep Amazon/Alexa integration. BUT, its biggest hurdle is Fire OS, lacking the Google Play Store and locking you into Amazon’s ecosystem. Performance is generally sluggish (only 3GB RAM), and crucially, it lacks built-in 4G LTE.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: As a major brand, the Tab A8 offers a more polished One UI software experience, potentially better quad speakers (Dolby Atmos), and wider accessory support. It has a slightly larger 10.5-inch display (same resolution). However, it typically costs more (starting ~$200-$230 for 32GB) uses a TFT LCD panel (potentially slightly inferior to IPS), and its Unisoc T618 processor often yields underwhelming performance. Base models have less RAM/storage (3GB/32GB), and standard Wi-Fi models lack 4G LTE.

Here’s a quick comparison (bold indicates potential advantage):

The choice boils down to priorities: M50 Plus for LTE and storage value, Fire HD 10 for lowest price/Amazon ecosystem, Tab A8 for brand familiarity and better audio (at a cost).

Should You Buy the Teclast M50 Plus?

Let’s make this simple:

Buy the Teclast M50 Plus if:

• You absolutely need built-in 4G LTE in a tablet under $200. Scenario: You need reliable internet for maps and email while traveling or working remotely without Wi-Fi.
• Your main activities are streaming video (Netflix, YouTube), web browsing, social media, and reading. Scenario: You want a larger screen than your phone for watching shows on the train or reading recipes in the kitchen.
• You value having 128GB of storage out of the box plus expansion. Scenario: You download lots of movies or offline maps and don’t want to constantly manage storage space.
• You prefer the standard Android experience with Google Play Store over Amazon’s locked-down Fire OS. Scenario: You rely on specific Google apps or want the widest possible app selection.
• You understand and accept the performance and charging compromises. Scenario: You’re patient, primarily use one app at a time, and charge devices overnight.

Look elsewhere if:

• You need smooth performance for demanding apps, heavy multitasking, or serious gaming. Scenario: You frequently switch between many apps or want to play the latest mobile games smoothly.
• You prioritize excellent speaker quality or need a bright display for outdoor use. Scenario: You often listen to music without headphones or use your tablet outside frequently.
• You want the reliability, polish, and consistent software updates of major brands. Scenario: You value long-term support and a bug-free experience.
• You don’t need 4G LTE and can find a better deal on a Wi-Fi-only tablet (like a Fire HD 10 on sale) or stretch your budget slightly for better overall performance. Scenario: Your tablet will primarily live at home connected to Wi-Fi.
• Fast charging is a must-have feature for you. Scenario: You often need to quickly top up your battery during the day.

The Teclast M50 Plus is a calculated bet on value. If its specific feature set – especially the 4G LTE, Widevine L1, and large storage at this price – aligns perfectly with your needs, it offers incredible bang for your buck. It delivers “big features” on a budget, as promised. Just don’t expect it to perform like a tablet costing twice as much.

Final Verdict

The Teclast M50 Plus demonstrates just how many features can be crammed into an affordable tablet in 2025. It aggressively targets budget buyers by including standout elements like 4G LTE, a Full HD Widevine L1 display, 128GB of expandable storage, and Android 14 – a combination rarely seen together at this price point. For students, casual media watchers, or anyone needing basic, affordable connectivity, it’s a genuinely compelling option.

However, approach it with eyes wide open. Performance is merely adequate for basics and will stutter under pressure. The speakers are weak, cameras are forgettable, charging is slow, and outdoor visibility is poor. Furthermore, Teclast’s commitment to long-term software updates is a significant unknown.

“The M50 Plus is a niche champion,” concludes tech reviewer Sarah Chen. “It excels in delivering specific, high-value features like LTE and HD streaming for an incredibly low price. If those are your non-negotiables, it’s hard to beat.” If you need exactly what the M50 Plus offers and can tolerate its well-defined shortcomings, it stands out as one of the most feature-rich ultra-budget tablets currently available.

(Optional Score: 7.5/10)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Does the Teclast M50 Plus come with the Google Play Store? Yes, unlike Amazon Fire tablets, the M50 Plus runs standard Android 14 and includes full access to the Google Play Store and Google services.
• Can I watch Netflix and Prime Video in HD on the Teclast M50 Plus? Yes. Its Widevine L1 certification allows HD streaming from major platforms.
• Is the Teclast M50 Plus good for gaming? It’s only suitable for casual games (puzzles, simple 2D games). It will struggle significantly with graphically demanding titles.
• What is the actual screen size? 10.1 inches or 12 inches? The correct screen size is 10.1 inches (1920×1200). Ignore incorrect 12-inch listings.
• How long does the battery really last? Expect a full day of typical mixed use (browsing, video, social media) from the 7000mAh battery. Maybe 8-10 hours of screen-on time depending on usage.
• How fast does it charge? Slowly. Despite using USB-C, expect a full charge to take 3-4 hours or possibly longer with the included adapter.
• Will the Teclast M50 Plus get Android updates? What about warranty? It ships with Android 14. However, Teclast’s history suggests major OS version upgrades are unlikely, and security patch frequency is uncertain. It typically comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
• Does the Teclast M50 Plus feel cheap? It uses a mix of plastic and metal, feeling reasonably solid for the price. However, it may exhibit some flex and doesn’t feel as premium as more expensive tablets. A case is recommended for durability.
• Are there good cases available for the Teclast M50 Plus? Yes, third-party cases specifically designed for the Teclast M50 Plus (10.1-inch model) are available online through retailers like Amazon, often made from silicone or folio-style materials. Ensure you buy a case for the correct model.

Join the Conversation!

What are your thoughts on the Teclast M50 Plus? Does its unique feature set make it the best budget tablet choice for your needs in 2025, or do the performance compromises hold it back? Share your opinions or ask further questions in the comments below!

And for more in-depth tech reviews, helpful buying guides, and the latest deals delivered straight to your inbox, don’t forget to sign up for the ProWell-Tech newsletter!