Looking for an affordable Android tablet? The Huawei MatePad SE and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are strong contenders. Both offer a compelling blend of features and price, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite edges out the MatePad SE thanks to its faster charging, slightly better display, and wider availability. However, the MatePad SE offers a competitive price and decent performance for everyday tasks, making it a solid budget option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 28 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 10 | 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 | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | 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 | HarmonyOS 2.0 | 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 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 |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Gray, Silver |
| Models | Ags3K-W20, Ags3K-AL20, AGS5-W09 | 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) |
Huawei MatePad SE
- Competitive price
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Reverse wired charging
- Slower charging
- Less vibrant display
- Limited app availability due to Huawei's restrictions
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Faster charging
- Slightly better display
- Wider app availability
- More established ecosystem
- Slightly more expensive
- Performance not exceptional
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.4-inch displays, but the Tab A7 Lite boasts a slightly higher resolution (800x1200 vs 1280x800) and generally offers better color accuracy. The MatePad SE's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy of the Tab A7 Lite.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a strong point for either tablet. The Tab A7 Lite generally produces slightly better images in well-lit conditions, but both struggle in low light. Expect decent front-facing cameras for video calls.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's Helio P22T chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Kirin 710A. While both are suitable for everyday tasks, the Tab A7 Lite handles multitasking and slightly more demanding apps with greater ease. Gaming performance is also better on the Tab A7 Lite.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer all-day battery life for moderate usage. However, the Tab A7 Lite's 15W charging is significantly faster than the MatePad SE's 10W charging, reducing charging times considerably.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MatePad SE is ideal for students or users primarily needing a tablet for media consumption and basic productivity tasks. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a better choice for those who value faster charging, a slightly more vibrant display, and a more established ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite offers better gaming performance due to its more powerful chipset.
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad SE have Google Play Store access?
Due to Huawei's restrictions, the MatePad SE may require alternative app stores or sideloading to access all apps. The Tab A7 Lite has full Google Play Store access.
❓ Which tablet has better battery life?
Both offer all-day battery life with moderate use. However, the Tab A7 Lite charges significantly faster.
