The Acer Iconia A16 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 LTE represent distinct eras in Android tablet design. The Tab 4, released in 2014, aimed for affordability with a mature but aging chipset. The Iconia A16, a more recent offering, leverages a newer Allwinner A733 to deliver a significantly improved user experience, particularly for multitasking and media consumption. This comparison dissects the core differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Acer Iconia A16 is the clear winner. Its Allwinner A733 chipset, featuring a modern Cortex-A76 core, provides a substantial performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 LTE’s aging Exynos 3470. While the Tab 4 may offer a slightly more established brand reputation, the A16 delivers a far more responsive and future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 03 | 2014, April. 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) | 186.9 x 107.9 x 9 mm (7.36 x 4.25 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | No | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 980 g (2.16 lb) | 276 g (9.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~142 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 16.0 inches, 742.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 142.1 cm2 (~70.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Allwinner A733 (12 nm) | Exynos 3470 Quad |
| GPU | IMG BXM-4-64 MC01 | Mali-400MP4 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), TouchWiz UX UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 1.3 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 190 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 10 h (multimedia) |
| Type | 8000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Vapor Silver | White, Black |
| Models | A16-M1N | SM-T235, SM-T235Y, SM-T239 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Acer Iconia A16
- Significantly faster processor with modern architecture
- More responsive user experience
- Likely better display quality (IPS vs TN)
- Potentially faster charging
- Brand recognition may be lower than Samsung
- Long-term software support is uncertain
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 LTE
- Established brand reputation
- Potentially longer standby time due to less powerful processor
- Compact and portable 7-inch form factor
- Lower initial purchase price (likely)
- Outdated processor struggles with modern apps
- Slow performance and laggy multitasking
- Likely inferior display quality
- Limited software updates
Display Comparison
Details regarding the displays of both tablets are unavailable. However, given the Tab 4’s release date, it likely features a TN panel with limited viewing angles and color accuracy. The Iconia A16, being a more recent device, may utilize an IPS panel offering wider viewing angles and improved color reproduction. The 7-inch form factor of the Tab 4 suggests a focus on portability, while the A16’s display quality will likely be a key differentiator for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Details are limited, but both likely feature basic cameras suitable for casual snapshots. The Iconia A16 may benefit from newer image processing algorithms, but the core hardware limitations will remain. Focusing on sensor size or aperture would be speculative without further data.
Performance
The performance gap between these two tablets is substantial. The Acer Iconia A16’s Allwinner A733, built on a 12nm process, boasts an octa-core configuration with two high-performance 2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and six efficiency-focused 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts sharply with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 LTE’s Exynos 3470 quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor. The A76 architecture represents a significant leap in IPC (Instructions Per Clock) compared to the A7, resulting in faster application loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved responsiveness. The A733’s higher clock speeds and core count further amplify this advantage. The Tab 4’s Exynos 3470 will struggle with modern, demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the Tab 4’s battery capacity is unknown, its less powerful processor will likely result in longer standby times. However, the Iconia A16’s more efficient A733 chipset, despite handling more demanding tasks, could offer comparable or even superior battery life during active use. Charging speeds are also unknown for both devices, but the A16 likely supports faster charging standards due to its newer design.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acer Iconia A16 if you need a tablet capable of handling modern apps, streaming high-resolution video, and light gaming without significant lag. It’s ideal for students, casual users, and anyone prioritizing performance on a budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 LTE if you prioritize a well-known brand and require a basic tablet for extremely light tasks like reading ebooks or simple web browsing, and are willing to accept significantly slower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Exynos 3470 in the Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 LTE overheat during prolonged use?
The Exynos 3470 is a relatively low-power chip, so overheating is unlikely during typical usage. However, even moderate tasks can cause noticeable slowdowns due to thermal throttling, as the chip lacks advanced cooling solutions. It's not a performance issue of heat, but of the chip being unable to sustain peak performance.
❓ Is the Allwinner A733 in the Acer Iconia A16 powerful enough for gaming?
The Allwinner A733 is capable of handling casual gaming and older titles without significant issues. However, demanding 3D games may require lower graphics settings to maintain a playable frame rate. It's not a dedicated gaming tablet, but it offers a far superior gaming experience compared to the Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 LTE.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 LTE?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 LTE is quite old and has likely reached its end-of-life for software updates. It likely runs an older version of Android (KitKat or Lollipop) and will not receive further security patches or feature updates. This poses a security risk and limits access to newer apps.
❓ Does the Acer Iconia A16 support Google Play Services?
Yes, the Acer Iconia A16 fully supports Google Play Services, allowing access to the Google Play Store and a wide range of Android applications. This is a crucial feature for modern tablet usage.
