iPad mini 2021 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite: The Ultimate Tablet Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad mini 2021 is the clear winner in performance and display quality, thanks to the A15 Bionic chip and vibrant screen. However, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite offers exceptional value for money, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize portability and basic functionality.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad mini (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 24 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Stylus support (2nd gen only) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | - |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight | Gray, Silver |
| Models | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loudspeaker | -29.7 LUFS (Average) | - |
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Blazing-fast A15 Bionic chip
- Stunning, high-resolution display
- Premium build quality
- Excellent app ecosystem
- Compact and portable design
- Higher price point
- Limited storage options on base models
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Affordable price
- Portable and lightweight
- Decent battery life
- Expandable storage via microSD card
- Underpowered processor
- Mediocre display quality
- Plastic build feels less premium
- Slower performance
Display Comparison
The iPad mini 2021 boasts a significantly superior display with a 1325:1 contrast ratio and 518 nits of brightness, offering vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. The Tab A7 Lite's display is adequate but lacks the same level of clarity and color accuracy. Its resolution is lower, resulting in a less immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the iPad mini 2021 generally offers slightly better image quality due to Apple's image processing. Both cameras are primarily suitable for video calls and casual snapshots.
Performance
The A15 Bionic chip in the iPad mini 2021 provides a massive performance advantage over the Helio P22T in the Tab A7 Lite. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is smooth, and demanding games run flawlessly on the iPad mini. The Tab A7 Lite can handle basic tasks, but struggles with more intensive applications and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer decent battery life for everyday use. The Tab A7 Lite's battery capacity is slightly larger, but the iPad mini's efficient A15 chip often results in comparable real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Apple iPad mini (2021) is ideal for users who demand top-tier performance, a stunning display, and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. It's perfect for creative tasks, gaming, and those who appreciate a premium experience. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a great option for students, casual users, and families seeking an affordable, portable tablet for entertainment and basic productivity.