The sub-$150 Android tablet market is fiercely competitive. Both the Lenovo A7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite aim to deliver a functional tablet experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with distinct chipset choices impacting performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which tablet offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Lenovo A7’s Unisoc SC9863A, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the A7 is cheaper, the A7 Lite’s performance advantage justifies the slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April 13. Released 2019, April 13 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 155 x 75 x 12 mm (6.10 x 2.95 x 0.47 in) | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | - | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~78.3% 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | 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 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Gray, Silver |
| Models | L19111 | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo A7
- Potentially larger screen size for media consumption.
- Lowest possible price point in the budget tablet segment.
- Simple and straightforward Android experience.
- Less powerful Unisoc SC9863A chipset.
- Larger 28nm process leads to lower efficiency.
- Likely slower charging speeds.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- More efficient Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T chipset.
- 12nm process for better battery life and thermal management.
- Faster 15W wired charging.
- More responsive user experience.
- Slightly smaller screen size.
- Higher price compared to the Lenovo A7.
- Still a budget tablet with inherent limitations.
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, details like peak brightness and color accuracy are unavailable. The A7 Lite’s slightly smaller screen size (8.7 inches vs. the A7’s 10.1 inches) may result in a higher pixel density, potentially offering a sharper image, but this is speculative. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning. The lack of information prevents a definitive winner, but the A7 Lite’s smaller size could be preferable for portability.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are likely equipped with basic cameras suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Details on sensor size and aperture are unavailable, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The A7 Lite’s camera is likely marginally better due to Samsung’s image processing algorithms, but neither will compete with smartphone cameras. Focusing on camera specs is a misdirection; these tablets are not designed for photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T, fabricated on a 12nm process, is a clear advantage over the Lenovo A7’s Unisoc SC9863A, which uses a larger 28nm node. The 12nm process inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal characteristics. While both are octa-core CPUs, the A7 Lite’s Cortex-A53 cores are clocked higher (2.3 GHz vs 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz on the A7), resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive user interface. The A7 Lite is the clear winner for users who plan to do more than basic tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the A7 Lite’s more efficient Mediatek chipset, built on a 12nm process, will likely result in longer battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity. The A7 Lite also supports 15W wired charging, which is a benefit over the A7, which likely has slower charging speeds. The combination of efficiency and faster charging gives the A7 Lite a significant advantage in real-world usability.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo A7 if your primary use case is extremely light – primarily reading ebooks, basic web browsing, and occasional video playback – and you are prioritizing the absolute lowest price. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite if you want a tablet capable of handling more demanding tasks like light gaming, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek Helio P22T in the Tab A7 Lite struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
While the Helio P22T isn't a gaming powerhouse, it can handle less graphically intensive games smoothly. PUBG may be playable at lower settings and frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but it's a viable option for casual gaming. The Lenovo A7's Unisoc chip will likely struggle even more with such titles.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Tab A7 Lite significantly faster than the Lenovo A7?
Yes, 15W charging is a noticeable improvement over the likely 5W or 10W charging on the Lenovo A7. While not 'fast charging' in the smartphone sense, it will reduce the time to fully charge the Tab A7 Lite, making it more convenient for users who rely on their tablet throughout the day.
❓ How does the Unisoc SC9863A chipset perform for multitasking on the Lenovo A7?
Multitasking on the Lenovo A7 with the Unisoc SC9863A will be limited. Switching between apps may be slow, and running multiple apps simultaneously can lead to noticeable lag. It's best suited for single-tasking or very light multitasking with only a few apps open.
❓ Are both tablets suitable for video streaming services like Netflix and YouTube?
Yes, both tablets are capable of handling video streaming from services like Netflix and YouTube. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s more powerful chipset will provide a smoother streaming experience, especially with higher resolution content. The Lenovo A7 may experience occasional buffering or lag with HD videos.
