The early tablet market was a wild west of experimentation. We revisit two key players from that era – Apple’s original iPad with 3G connectivity and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7.0 VE – to understand how their fundamentally different approaches to hardware have aged, and which offers a more usable experience in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking basic tablet functionality, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7.0 VE is the more practical choice. While the iPad’s brand recognition and initial software polish are appealing, the Spreadtrum SC8830’s quad-core architecture provides a noticeable performance advantage over the aging single-core Apple A4, making it better suited for modern app compatibility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, January. Released 2010, March | 2015, March. Released 2015, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 242.8 x 189.7 x 13.4 mm (9.56 x 7.47 x 0.53 in) | 193.4 x 116.4 x 9.7 mm (7.61 x 4.58 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | No |
| Weight | 730 g (1.61 lb) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 768 x 1024 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~132 ppi density) | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) |
| Size | 9.7 inches, 291.4 cm2 (~63.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~61.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz |
| Chipset | Apple A4 (45 nm) | Spreadtrum SC8830 |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX535 | Mali-400MP |
| OS | iOS 4, upgradable to iOS 5.1.1 | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 256MB RAM, 32GB 256MB RAM, 64GB 256MB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 480p@24fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, LE |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML (Safari) | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 71 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Po 6600 mAh battery (24.8 Wh) | Li-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | White, Black, Green, Pink, Yellow |
| Models | iPad1,2 | SM-T113, SM-T113NU |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Apple iPad Wi-Fi + 3G
- Brand recognition and historical significance
- Potentially better display calibration (based on Apple’s history)
- Early iOS ecosystem access
- Severely outdated processor
- Limited app compatibility
- Poor multitasking performance
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7.0 VE
- Quad-core processor offers better performance
- Wider app compatibility (Android)
- More affordable
- Lower build quality
- Less refined software experience
- Likely inferior display quality
Display Comparison
Display specifications are largely unavailable for both devices beyond screen size. However, the iPad’s initial release benefited from Apple’s established display calibration expertise, likely resulting in more accurate color reproduction. The Galaxy Tab 3 Lite, being a budget device, likely utilized a lower-quality panel with narrower viewing angles. The iPad’s larger screen size (assumed, based on typical iPad 1 dimensions) provides a more immersive experience, but both devices lack the high resolutions and refresh rates of modern tablets.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices was never a strong suit. Details are scarce, but both likely featured low-resolution cameras suitable only for basic snapshots. The focus should not be on image quality, as both will produce subpar results by today’s standards. Any comparison here is largely academic, as neither device was intended as a photography powerhouse.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPU architecture. The iPad’s 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8, powered by the Apple A4 (45nm), was innovative for its time, but is severely outmatched by the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite’s quad-core 1.3 GHz Spreadtrum SC8830. The SC8830’s multi-core design allows for better multitasking and handling of more complex applications. The A4’s single-core nature will struggle with even basic web browsing and app loading times in 2024. The 45nm process node of the A4 also implies higher power consumption and heat generation compared to the SC8830, though the latter’s efficiency is limited by its budget positioning.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are unavailable for both devices. However, the iPad’s larger size likely allowed for a physically larger battery. The A4’s less efficient architecture, however, would negate some of that advantage. The SC8830, while not particularly power-efficient, benefits from being a newer chipset, potentially offering slightly better battery life under similar usage scenarios. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns and app optimization, but the SC8830’s architecture offers a marginal advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Wi-Fi + 3G if you prioritize historical significance and a curated, albeit limited, app ecosystem. It’s a collector’s item or a device for those specifically needing to run older iOS applications. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7.0 VE if you prefer a more versatile tablet capable of running a wider range of modern Android apps, even if at a reduced performance level, and require a more affordable entry point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the iPad run modern apps like YouTube or Facebook?
Highly unlikely. The iPad’s iOS version is too old to support the latest versions of these apps. Even if you could find older compatible versions, the A4 processor will struggle to run them smoothly, if at all.
❓ Can I update the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite to a newer version of Android?
The Galaxy Tab 3 Lite likely reached its end-of-life for software updates long ago. It’s likely running a very old version of Android, and further updates are unavailable. However, it still supports a wider range of apps than the iPad due to the more open nature of the Android ecosystem.
❓ Is the 3G connectivity on the iPad still functional in 2024?
It's possible, but highly dependent on your carrier and their continued support for older 3G networks. Many carriers have sunsetted their 3G networks, rendering the iPad’s 3G functionality useless. It's best to consider it a Wi-Fi only device at this point.
