The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei MatePad C5e and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are two of the leading contenders. Both aim to deliver a functional Android experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dives deep into their specifications and performance to determine which tablet offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite emerges as the slightly better choice. While the MatePad C5e offers reverse wired charging, the Tab A7 Lite’s more modern 12nm process and slightly faster CPU cores translate to a smoother, more responsive user experience, justifying its marginal price premium.
| 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, October 19 | 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 7.9 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.31 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 | 450 g (0.99 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 | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4 | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | 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 2.0, 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 | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deepsea Blue | Gray, Silver |
| Models | BZI-W00 | 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) |
Huawei MatePad C5e
- Reverse wired charging for topping up other devices.
- Potentially lower price point.
- Huawei’s EMUI software offers customization options.
- Older Kirin 710A chipset may struggle with demanding tasks.
- 14nm process is less efficient than the Tab A7 Lite’s 12nm.
- Lack of Google Mobile Services may limit app availability.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- More modern MediaTek Helio P22T chipset offers better performance.
- 12nm process provides improved power efficiency.
- Full access to Google Play Store and Google Mobile Services.
- Slightly higher price point.
- No reverse wired charging capability.
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive.
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs TFT) and resolution are missing, but both are likely 1080p. The key difference lies in the underlying efficiency. While both are likely LCDs, the lack of detailed specs makes a direct comparison difficult. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong suit on either, geared towards general consumption rather than color-critical work.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with basic camera setups geared towards video calls and occasional snapshots. Details regarding sensor size and aperture are unavailable, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization. Image quality will likely be acceptable in well-lit conditions but suffer significantly in low light.
Performance
The performance gap is where the differences become more apparent. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s MediaTek Helio P22T (12nm) benefits from a more modern fabrication process compared to the Huawei MatePad C5e’s Kirin 710A (14nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Tab A7 Lite features faster Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz versus the C5e’s 1.7 GHz. This translates to quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking. The Kirin 710A, while capable, is an older design and will likely exhibit more noticeable slowdowns under moderate load. RAM configurations are crucial here, but not specified; however, the more efficient chipset in the Tab A7 Lite will likely mitigate the impact of lower RAM more effectively.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific mAh capacities are not provided, both tablets should offer a full day of moderate use. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has a charging advantage with 15W wired charging compared to the MatePad C5e’s 10W. This faster charging speed will reduce the time spent tethered to a power outlet. The MatePad C5e’s 5W reverse wired charging is a unique feature, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices, but this comes at the cost of slower overall charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad C5e if you prioritize the convenience of reverse wired charging to top up other devices on the go, and are comfortable with potential software limitations due to the lack of Google Mobile Services. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite if you prefer a more streamlined Android experience with full Google Play Store access, and value a slightly more responsive performance for everyday tasks and light multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 710A in the MatePad C5e struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Kirin 710A, being an older chipset built on a 14nm process, is likely to exhibit slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously. While suitable for basic tasks, heavy multitasking or demanding applications may result in noticeable lag.
❓ What is the impact of not having Google Mobile Services on the Huawei MatePad C5e?
The absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS) means you won't have direct access to the Google Play Store. Instead, you'll rely on Huawei's AppGallery and potentially sideloading apps, which can be less convenient and may raise security concerns. Some popular Google apps may not be readily available.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Tab A7 Lite significantly faster than the 10W charging on the MatePad C5e?
Yes, 15W charging will noticeably reduce charging times compared to 10W. While a precise 0-100% time isn't available, expect the Tab A7 Lite to charge considerably faster, especially from lower battery percentages.
❓ How useful is the reverse wired charging feature on the MatePad C5e in real-world scenarios?
The 5W reverse wired charging is best suited for topping up small devices like earbuds or smartwatches in emergencies. It's not powerful enough to quickly charge a smartphone, but it can provide a small boost when a power outlet isn't available.
