The tablet market offers options for every budget, but finding the right one can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the ultra-affordable Alcatel Tetra against the popular Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite to see which delivers the best experience for the price. Let's dive in!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the clear winner. While the Tetra is incredibly budget-friendly, the A7 Lite's significantly faster processor, better display, and Samsung's brand reputation make it a more compelling choice for most users seeking a reliable and enjoyable tablet experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, September. Released 2018, September | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 142.5 x 71.9 x 9.4 mm (5.61 x 2.83 x 0.37 in) | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.2% 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 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739WM (28 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2050 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stealth Black | Gray, Silver |
| Models | - | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 40 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
alcatel Tetra
- Extremely affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Basic functionality for light tasks
- Weak processor
- Low-resolution display
- Limited storage
- Likely shorter battery life
- Uncertain build quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Faster processor
- Better display
- Samsung brand reliability
- Longer battery life
- 15W charging
- More storage options
- More expensive than Tetra
- Plastic build quality
- Not ideal for demanding games
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 than the Tetra's likely smaller and lower-resolution display (specs are limited, but assumed to be around 7-8 inches with a lower resolution). The A7 Lite's screen is better for watching videos and browsing the web.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a priority in budget tablets. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite likely offers slightly better camera performance due to Samsung's image processing and potentially better sensors. Both are expected to produce acceptable photos in good lighting conditions, but don't expect flagship-level results.
Performance
Here's where the A7 Lite truly shines. Its Mediatek Helio P22T chipset with an octa-core processor significantly outperforms the Tetra's older, quad-core MT6739WM. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the A7 Lite. The Tetra will likely struggle with demanding apps and games.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's 5100mAh battery, coupled with its more efficient processor, should provide longer battery life than the Tetra, which likely has a smaller battery. The 15W wired charging on the A7 Lite is a welcome addition for faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Alcatel Tetra is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who primarily need a basic device for light tasks like web browsing and media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is ideal for students, casual gamers, and families looking for a versatile tablet for entertainment, productivity, and light creative work.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Alcatel Tetra worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and only need a basic tablet for very light tasks. Otherwise, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite offers significantly better value.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite handle games?
It can handle casual games and less demanding titles smoothly. However, don't expect to play graphically intensive games at high settings.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each tablet?
The Alcatel Tetra likely offers limited storage (potentially 32GB), while the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite comes in 32GB and 64GB options, with microSD card support for expansion on both.
