The tablet market offers diverse options, but choosing the right one can be tricky. Today, we pit the iconic Apple iPad mini against the budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which tablet reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite offers significantly better performance and a more modern chipset for a lower price. However, the iPad mini boasts Apple's ecosystem, tighter integration, and a generally more polished user experience, justifying its premium price for some.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1454; A1455 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A1454; A1455 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 4, 17 - A1454 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | LTE 700 / 850 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - A1455 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, October. Released 2012, November | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 200 x 134.7 x 7.2 mm (7.87 x 5.30 x 0.28 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 | 312 g (11.01 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 768 x 1024 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~162 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.9 inches, 193.3 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Apple A5 (45 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX543MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | iOS 6, upgradable to iOS 9.3.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 512MB RAM, 32GB 512MB RAM, 64GB 512MB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular | - |
| Single | 1.2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4490 mAh, non-removable (16.7 Wh) | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Slate, White/Silver | Gray, Silver |
| Models | A1454, A1455, iPad2,6, iPad2,7 | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -82.8dB / Crosstalk -80.8dB | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 812:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
Apple iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular
- Premium build quality
- Seamless iOS integration
- Compact and portable
- Access to Apple ecosystem
- Outdated chipset
- Higher price
- Limited storage options
- Slower charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Affordable price
- Modern chipset (Helio P22T)
- Larger display
- Decent battery life
- Plastic build
- Less polished software
- Mediocre camera quality
- Samsung's One UI can be bloated
Display Comparison
The iPad mini features a smaller, but generally higher quality display with better color accuracy. The Tab A7 Lite has a larger screen, which is great for media, but the panel quality isn't as impressive. The iPad mini's contrast ratio (812:1) is respectable, though the Tab A7 Lite's display is likely brighter.
Camera Comparison
The iPad mini's cameras are adequate for basic use, but not exceptional. The Tab A7 Lite's cameras are similarly unremarkable, prioritizing affordability over image quality. Neither tablet is a photography powerhouse.
Performance
Here's where the Tab A7 Lite shines. Its Octa-core processor and 12nm manufacturing process significantly outperform the iPad mini's older, dual-core A5 chip. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness on the Tab A7 Lite.
Battery Life
While specific battery capacities differ, both tablets offer reasonable battery life for everyday use. The Tab A7 Lite's 15W charging is a slight advantage over the iPad mini's likely slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The Apple iPad mini is ideal for users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, those prioritizing a premium build and seamless software experience, and those who value portability. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers, students, and those seeking a versatile tablet for media consumption and light productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iPad mini worth the extra cost?
It depends. If you're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and value a premium build and compact size, then yes. Otherwise, the Tab A7 Lite offers better value for money.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful processor and smoother performance.
