The tablet market offers a surprising number of options, even on a budget. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Honor Pad X8 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. Both promise affordability and decent features, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite edges out the Honor Pad X8 thanks to its slightly better performance, more polished software experience, and Samsung's brand reputation. However, the Honor Pad X8 offers a larger screen and potentially better value depending on pricing and promotions.
| 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 17 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 22 | 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 | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT 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 | Mali-G52 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 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 |
| 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 | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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 | Dark Blue, Light Blue | Gray, Silver |
| Models | AGM3-W09HN | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Honor Pad X8
- Larger 12-inch display
- Potentially lower price
- Decent audio quality
- Slightly slower performance
- Unspecified charging speed
- Less polished software
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Slightly better performance
- Samsung's One UI software
- More reliable brand reputation
- 15W charging
- Smaller 10.4-inch display
- Potentially higher price
- Basic camera quality
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad X8 boasts a larger 12-inch display compared to the Tab A7 Lite's 10.4-inch screen. Both utilize an LCD panel with a resolution of 2000 x 1200, offering decent clarity. However, the Honor Pad X8's larger size makes it more immersive for watching videos and browsing the web, though it can be less 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 unremarkable in both devices, especially in low-light conditions. Don't expect to use these tablets for serious photography.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's MT8768T Helio P22T chipset, while older, generally performs slightly better than the Honor Pad X8's MT8786. The Tab A7 Lite's CPU architecture and optimizations provide a more responsive feel for everyday tasks and light gaming. The Honor Pad X8's chipset is adequate but may exhibit occasional lag.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer respectable battery life, typically lasting a full day of moderate use. The Tab A7 Lite's 15W charging is a slight advantage over the Honor Pad X8's likely slower charging speed (specific charging wattage not readily available). Battery capacity is similar, around 5100mAh for both.
Buying Guide
The Honor Pad X8 is ideal for users prioritizing a larger screen for media consumption and those seeking the absolute lowest price. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a better choice for those who value a smoother user experience, reliable performance for everyday tasks, and the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite generally offers a smoother gaming experience due to its slightly more powerful chipset.
❓ Is the Honor Pad X8 worth buying if I just want to watch videos?
Yes, the Honor Pad X8's larger screen makes it a good choice for video consumption, especially if you're on a tight budget.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite have expandable storage?
Yes, the Tab A7 Lite supports microSD card expansion up to 1TB.
