The Acer Iconia A16 and HP 7 Plus represent different ends of the budget Android tablet spectrum. While both aim for affordability, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware. The Iconia A16, powered by the newer Allwinner A733, promises a substantial performance uplift compared to the HP 7 Plus’s older Allwinner A31. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which tablet delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Acer Iconia A16 is the clear winner. Its Allwinner A733 chipset, featuring a modern octa-core CPU, provides a significantly smoother and more responsive experience than the HP 7 Plus’s quad-core A31. While both tablets target the budget market, the Iconia A16 offers a future-proofed experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 03 | 2014, May. Released 2014, May |
| Status | Coming soon. Exp. release 2026, January | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 369.5 x 240.2 x 8.9 mm (14.55 x 9.46 x 0.35 in) | 192.5 x 121.9 x 8.1 mm (7.58 x 4.80 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 980 g (2.16 lb) | 294.8 g (10.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~142 ppi density) | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) |
| Size | 16.0 inches, 742.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~58.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Allwinner A733 (12 nm) | Allwinner A31 |
| GPU | IMG BXM-4-64 MC01 | - |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | VGA |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h 30 min (multimedia) |
| Type | 8000 mAh | Li-Po 2800 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Vapor Silver | Silver |
| Models | A16-M1N | - |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 70 EUR |
Acer Iconia A16
- Significantly faster processor (Allwinner A733)
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A76)
- Potentially better power efficiency
- More responsive user experience
- Display specifications unknown
- Camera quality likely basic
HP 7 Plus
- Lower price point (likely)
- Functional for basic tasks
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Outdated processor (Allwinner A31)
- Slow performance
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Poor gaming performance
Display Comparison
Details regarding display resolution, panel type, and brightness are absent from the provided data. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both tablets utilize IPS LCD panels. The Iconia A16’s more powerful chipset *could* support a higher resolution display, but this is unconfirmed. The HP 7 Plus likely prioritizes cost savings, potentially resulting in a lower resolution and narrower viewing angles. The absence of information prevents a detailed comparison of color accuracy or peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not provided for either device. Given their budget nature, it’s safe to assume both tablets feature basic camera setups. Image quality is unlikely to be a key selling point for either device, and users should not expect flagship-level photography performance. The A733’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) *may* offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but this is speculative without further information.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Acer Iconia A16’s Allwinner A733, built on a 12nm process, boasts an octa-core CPU configuration – two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the HP 7 Plus’s Allwinner A31, a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor clocked at 1.0 GHz. The A76 cores in the A733 represent a significant architectural improvement over the A7, offering substantially higher single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and the ability to handle more demanding applications. The 12nm process node of the A733 also suggests better power efficiency compared to the A31, though real-world battery life depends on battery capacity (unspecified).
Battery Life
Battery capacity and charging wattage are not specified. The Allwinner A733’s improved power efficiency *could* translate to longer battery life on the Iconia A16, even with a similar battery capacity to the HP 7 Plus. However, without concrete numbers, it’s impossible to determine which tablet offers superior battery performance. Charging speeds are also unknown, making it difficult to assess the convenience of topping up the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acer Iconia A16 if you need a tablet capable of handling multitasking, streaming video, and light gaming without significant lag. It’s ideal for users who want a more responsive and enjoyable Android experience. Buy the HP 7 Plus if your needs are extremely basic – primarily reading ebooks, browsing the web with few tabs open, and simple note-taking. It’s a functional device for those prioritizing absolute minimum cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Acer Iconia A16 be able to run demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
While the Allwinner A733 is a significant improvement over the A31, it's still a budget chipset. Expect to play these games at lower settings and frame rates. The experience won't be comparable to flagship devices, but it should be playable, unlike the HP 7 Plus which would likely struggle significantly.
❓ Is the HP 7 Plus suitable for streaming video services like Netflix or YouTube?
The HP 7 Plus can likely handle basic video streaming, but the older processor may result in buffering or lag, especially with higher resolution content. The Acer Iconia A16, with its more powerful chipset, will provide a smoother and more reliable streaming experience.
❓ Can I expect regular software updates on either of these tablets?
Given their budget nature and the manufacturers' track records, regular software updates are unlikely for either the Acer Iconia A16 or the HP 7 Plus. Don't purchase these tablets expecting the latest Android features or security patches.
