The 8-inch tablet market offers great value, but choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 against the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017) to see which delivers the best experience for your money. Let's dive in!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 edges out the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 thanks to its superior processor and slightly better audio. Both are solid budget options, but the M3 Lite 8 offers a more responsive and enjoyable overall experience, especially for media consumption.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, June. Released 2017, June | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 213.3 x 123.3 x 7.5 mm (8.40 x 4.85 x 0.30 in) | 212.1 x 124.1 x 8.9 mm (8.35 x 4.89 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 310 g (10.93 oz) | 364 g (12.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8940 Snapdragon 435 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat), EMUI 5.1 | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 4GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/1.9, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 153 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 14 h (multimedia) (2G) / Up to 36 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, white, space grey | Black, Gold |
| Models | CPN-AL00, CPN-W09, CPN-L09 | SM-T380, SM-T385, SM-T385M |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8
- Better Processor (Snapdragon 435)
- Octa-Core CPU for smoother performance
- Improved Audio Quality
- Slightly better viewing angles
- Slightly shorter battery life than Samsung
- Camera quality is average
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017)
- Reliable Brand (Samsung)
- User-friendly Interface
- Slightly longer battery life
- Good for basic tasks
- Weaker Processor (Snapdragon 425)
- Quad-Core CPU can feel sluggish
- Average display quality
- Less responsive than Huawei
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 8-inch IPS LCD displays with a resolution of 1280 x 800. While the color accuracy is decent on both, the Huawei generally offers slightly better viewing angles. Neither display is particularly bright, making outdoor use challenging.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet boasts impressive cameras. The front and rear cameras on both devices are adequate for basic video calls but don't expect high-quality photos. Image quality is generally soft and lacks detail. The Samsung's camera software might offer slightly more user-friendly features.
Performance
The Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8's Octa-core Snapdragon 435 provides a noticeable performance boost over the Samsung's Quad-core Snapdragon 425. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the Huawei. Gaming performance is also better on the Huawei, though neither is a powerhouse.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017) typically offers slightly longer battery life than the Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8, though both should comfortably last a full day of moderate use. Battery capacity is around 4200mAh for the Samsung and 4800mAh for the Huawei, but software optimization plays a significant role.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and audio quality for media streaming and light gaming. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017) is a good choice for those seeking a reliable, user-friendly tablet primarily for basic tasks like web browsing and reading, and who value Samsung's brand reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful processor.
❓ Are these tablets expandable with a microSD card?
Yes, both tablets support microSD card expansion for increased storage.
❓ Which tablet has the better software support?
Samsung generally provides longer software update support than Huawei, though both are limited on budget devices.
