The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for users who need basic functionality without breaking the bank. We're pitting the BLU Touchbook G7, a no-frills entry, against the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, a more refined and powerful offering, to determine which provides the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio P22T chipset delivers significantly superior performance compared to the BLU Touchbook G7’s aging Cortex-A7, making it better suited for multitasking, streaming, and even light gaming. While the G7 is cheaper, the A7 Lite’s improved experience justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - P240U | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - P240L | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 197.2 x 107 x 8.9 mm (7.76 x 4.21 x 0.35 in) | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 298 g (10.51 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~65.3% 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 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 190 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Gold, Grey | Gray, Silver |
| Models | - | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | - | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
BLU Touchbook G7
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for very basic tasks
- Lightweight and portable
- Extremely limited performance
- Outdated processor architecture
- Likely poor display quality
- Unknown battery capacity
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Significantly faster processor
- More responsive user experience
- Acceptable display quality
- 15W fast charging
- Samsung’s software ecosystem
- TFT LCD panel isn't as vibrant as IPS
- Camera quality is basic
- Still a budget device with plastic construction
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. The BLU Touchbook G7’s display specifications are unavailable, but given its price point, it likely utilizes a TN panel with limited viewing angles and color accuracy. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite features an 8.7-inch TFT LCD. While TFT technology isn't as vibrant as IPS, Samsung’s tuning generally provides acceptable color reproduction for everyday use. The A7 Lite’s resolution (1340 x 800) is also higher, resulting in a sharper image than the G7 likely offers. Bezels are substantial on both devices, typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a strength for either tablet. The BLU Touchbook G7’s camera specifications are unknown, but it’s safe to assume it’s a low-resolution sensor suitable only for basic snapshots. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite features an 8MP main camera and a 2MP front-facing camera. While the 8MP sensor isn’t going to rival smartphone cameras, it’s adequate for video calls and casual photos. The 2MP front camera is sufficient for basic video conferencing, but image quality will be limited. Neither tablet is intended for serious photography.
Performance
This is where the gulf between these tablets becomes apparent. The BLU Touchbook G7 is equipped with a dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 processor. This architecture dates back several years and struggles with even moderate multitasking. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T features an octa-core configuration (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) built on a more efficient 12nm process. This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and the ability to handle more demanding applications. The A7 Lite’s GPU is also far superior, enabling basic gaming experiences that would be unplayable on the G7.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for the BLU Touchbook G7 is not specified. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite packs a 3600mAh battery and supports 15W wired charging. While not exceptional, 15W charging is reasonable for a tablet of this size and price. The A7 Lite should provide around 7-8 hours of moderate use, such as web browsing and video streaming. The G7’s battery life will depend heavily on its capacity and the efficiency of its older processor, but it’s unlikely to match the A7 Lite’s endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Touchbook G7 if you need an extremely basic tablet solely for static tasks like reading ebooks or displaying information, and your budget is severely limited. It's a functional device for minimal use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite if you prioritize a smoother user experience, want to stream videos without stuttering, or occasionally play mobile games. The A7 Lite offers a more versatile and future-proof experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio P22T isn't a gaming powerhouse, the Tab A7 Lite can run PUBG Mobile at lower settings (balanced graphics, medium frame rate). Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action, but it's playable. The BLU Touchbook G7 would likely be unable to run the game at all.
❓ Is the 2MP front camera on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite good enough for video calls?
The 2MP front camera is sufficient for basic video calls on platforms like Zoom or Google Meet, but image quality will be soft and lack detail. It's adequate for seeing and being seen, but don't expect high-resolution video conferencing.
❓ How much storage does the BLU Touchbook G7 offer, and is it expandable?
Storage capacity for the BLU Touchbook G7 is not publicly available. However, given its price point, it likely offers limited internal storage (potentially 16GB or 32GB). Expandability via microSD card is also unknown, but highly probable given the target market.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite support Samsung DeX?
No, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite does not support Samsung DeX. DeX is typically reserved for higher-end Samsung tablets and smartphones with more powerful processors and RAM.
