The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but finding a balance between affordability and performance can be tricky. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Blackview Tab 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021). Let's dive in to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers a significantly smoother experience thanks to its superior chipset and software support. While the Blackview Tab 7 is a budget-friendly option, the A8's better performance, display, and brand reputation make it the clear winner for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 05 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 05 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 241.3 x 160 x 8.9 mm (9.50 x 6.30 x 0.35 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 536 g (1.18 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Glass | - |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.8 | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6580 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Grey, Blue, Silver | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | - | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Blackview Tab 7
- Better Performance
- Larger, Higher-Resolution Display
- Samsung Brand & Software Support
- Slightly Better Camera
- Longer Battery Life
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- More Affordable
- Decent for Basic Tasks
- Lower Performance
- Smaller, Lower-Resolution Display
- Limited Software Updates
- Less Responsive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 boasts a 10.5-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Blackview Tab 7 likely has a smaller, lower-resolution display, resulting in a less immersive viewing experience. The A8's larger screen size also makes it better for multitasking and content creation.
Camera Comparison
While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 generally offers slightly better image quality due to its superior processing capabilities. Both cameras are primarily intended for video calls rather than serious photography.
Performance
Here's where the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 truly shines. Its Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset with an octa-core CPU provides significantly better performance than the Blackview Tab 7's quad-core Unisoc Tiger T310. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and better gaming performance on the A8. The A8's extra cores and higher clock speeds make a noticeable difference.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer decent battery life for their class. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8's larger battery capacity (7040 mAh) and more efficient chipset likely give it a slight edge in overall battery endurance, allowing for longer usage between charges.
Buying Guide
The Blackview Tab 7 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like web browsing and media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is a better choice for those who want a more responsive tablet for gaming, streaming, and multitasking, and appreciate the Samsung ecosystem and longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Blackview Tab 7 good for gaming?
The Blackview Tab 7 is suitable for very light gaming, but don't expect to play demanding titles smoothly. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers a much better gaming experience.
❓ How long will Samsung provide software updates for the Galaxy Tab A8?
Samsung typically provides several years of software updates for its tablets, ensuring a more secure and up-to-date experience compared to Blackview.
