The budget tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Honor Pad X8 Lite and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. Both offer affordable access to Android, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite edges out the Honor Pad X8 Lite thanks to its slightly better performance, more polished software, and Samsung's brand reputation. However, the Honor Pad X8 Lite offers a compelling alternative with a larger screen and potentially better value depending on pricing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 15 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.6 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.30 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 | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~156 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 9.7 inches, 272.8 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8786 | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Blue | 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) |
Honor Pad X8 Lite
- Larger 10.1-inch display
- Potentially better value for money
- Slightly more powerful CPU (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75)
- Performance slightly behind the Tab A7 Lite
- Charging speed likely slower
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Slightly better performance
- Samsung's One UI software experience
- More established brand reputation
- 15W charging
- Smaller 8.7-inch display
- Potentially higher price
- Basic camera quality
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad X8 Lite boasts a larger 10.1-inch display compared to the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's 8.7-inch screen. Both feature HD+ resolution, but the extra real estate on the Honor Pad X8 Lite makes it more enjoyable for watching videos and browsing the web. The Tab A7 Lite's smaller size does make it more portable.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both feature basic 5MP front and rear cameras suitable for video calls and casual snapshots. Image quality is generally acceptable in good lighting conditions but suffers in low light. Don't expect to use these tablets for serious photography.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's MT8768T Helio P22T chipset, while still a budget processor, generally offers slightly better performance than the Honor Pad X8 Lite's MT8786. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the Tab A7 Lite. Both tablets are suitable for everyday tasks but may struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer decent battery life, typically lasting a full day of moderate use. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's 15W charging is a slight advantage over the Honor Pad X8 Lite's likely slower charging speed (specs not explicitly provided, assuming standard 10W). Battery capacity is similar, around 5100mAh.
Buying Guide
The Honor Pad X8 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing a larger screen for media consumption and casual gaming on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a better choice for those seeking a smoother, more reliable experience with access to Samsung's ecosystem and a more established brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite offers slightly better performance, making it a marginally better choice for casual gaming. However, neither tablet is designed for demanding games.
❓ Is the Honor Pad X8 Lite worth buying if I just want to watch videos?
Yes, the Honor Pad X8 Lite's larger screen makes it a great option for watching videos. The slightly lower performance won't be noticeable for most streaming content.
