Looking for an affordable tablet for browsing, streaming, and light gaming? The Acer Iconia One 8 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are popular contenders in the budget tablet space. But which one offers the best experience for your money? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the clear winner. Its significantly faster processor, improved display, and longer software support make it a more compelling choice despite a slightly higher price. The Iconia One 8 remains a basic option for very budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, April. Released 2015, May | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 213.9 x 127.7 x 9.5 mm (8.42 x 5.03 x 0.37 in) | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 355 g (12.52 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.33 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Intel Atom Z3735G | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 30 min (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4550 mAh, non-removable (17.2 Wh) | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Gray, Silver |
| Models | - | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820
- Extremely affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Decent for basic tasks
- Slow performance
- Outdated chipset
- Limited storage
- Short software support
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Faster performance
- Improved display
- Longer battery life
- More modern design
- Better software support
- Slightly more expensive
- Camera quality is still basic
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite boasts an 8.7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1333 x 800, offering a noticeably sharper and more vibrant picture compared to the Iconia One 8's 8-inch display (1280 x 800). The A7 Lite's slightly larger screen also provides a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a strong point for either tablet, but the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite generally produces slightly better images thanks to its more modern sensor and image processing. Both cameras are best suited for occasional video calls rather than serious photography.
Performance
Performance is where the A7 Lite truly shines. Its Mediatek Helio P22T chipset and octa-core processor deliver significantly faster speeds and smoother multitasking than the Iconia One 8's Intel Atom Z3735G and quad-core CPU. Expect snappier app launches and a more responsive user interface on the A7 Lite.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite offers a larger battery capacity (5100 mAh) compared to the Acer Iconia One 8 (3000 mAh), resulting in longer battery life. Expect several hours of usage on the A7 Lite, while the Iconia One 8 may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Acer Iconia One 8 B1-820? Users on an extremely tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like reading ebooks and light web browsing. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite? Anyone seeking a more responsive and versatile tablet for streaming, casual gaming, and general entertainment, with the benefit of longer software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Acer Iconia One 8 good for gaming?
The Acer Iconia One 8 is only suitable for very basic, lightweight games due to its limited processing power. More demanding games will likely experience significant lag and performance issues.
❓ How long will Samsung support the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite with software updates?
Samsung typically provides 2-3 years of software updates for its tablets, ensuring you receive the latest security patches and features.
