The Lenovo M10 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) represent compelling options in the crowded budget tablet space. Both aim to deliver a functional Android experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dives deep into the core differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) offers a slightly more refined experience thanks to its more efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset and faster 15W charging. While the Lenovo M10 Plus is a capable device, the Snapdragon’s performance edge and quicker power-up times give Samsung a slight advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 27. Released 2020, March 27 | 2020, September 02. Released 2020, September 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 244.2 x 153.3 x 8.2 mm (9.61 x 6.04 x 0.32 in) | 247.6 x 157.4 x 7 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 476 g (Wi-Fi), 477 g (LTE) (1.05 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.3 inches, 307.6 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 330 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Iron Grey | Dark Gray, Silver, Gold |
| Models | TB-X606, TB-X606F, TB-X606X, TB-X606V | SM-T500, SM-T505, SM-T505N |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.01 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo M10 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Adequate for basic tasks
- Decent battery life (estimated)
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging speed
- Potential for throttling under load
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020)
- More powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Faster 15W charging
- Smoother user experience
- Slightly higher price
- Similar display quality to Lenovo
- Camera performance likely similar
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly standout display. Both are likely to feature 10.4-inch IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The key difference lies under the hood: processing power impacts UI smoothness. While display quality is similar, the Snapdragon 662 in the Tab A7 will ensure a more fluid experience when navigating the interface and scrolling through content.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for buyers in this segment. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups. Given the market positioning, it's safe to assume both will have a primary rear camera and a front-facing camera for video calls. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; image processing and software optimization are more critical. The Samsung Tab A7 likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), potentially offering slightly better image quality in favorable lighting conditions.
Performance
The core of the difference between these tablets is the chipset. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) utilizes the Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm), built on a more efficient manufacturing process than the Lenovo M10 Plus’s MediaTek MT6762 Helio P22T (12 nm). The Snapdragon 662’s Kryo 260 cores, while also octa-core, offer a performance advantage over the Cortex-A53 cores in the Helio P22T. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Lenovo's Helio P22T is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both tablets are likely to house batteries in the 6000-7000 mAh range. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) has a clear advantage in charging speed with its 15W wired charging support, compared to the Lenovo M10 Plus’s slower 10W charging. This means the Tab A7 will reach a full charge significantly faster, minimizing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the Lenovo might offer slightly longer runtime, the faster charging of the Samsung is a more tangible benefit for everyday use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo M10 Plus if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are primarily focused on basic tasks like web browsing and video playback, and aren't concerned with demanding multitasking. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) if you value smoother performance, faster charging, and a more responsive user experience, even if it means spending a bit more upfront. The Tab A7 is better suited for users who occasionally game or run multiple apps simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P22T in the Lenovo M10 Plus struggle with graphically intensive games?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P22T is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can handle casual games, demanding titles will likely experience significant frame rate drops and lag. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) with its Snapdragon 662 will provide a noticeably smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 15W charging on the Samsung Tab A7 compared to the 10W charging on the Lenovo M10 Plus?
While exact charge times depend on battery capacity, 15W charging will typically reduce the 0-100% charge time by approximately 30-50% compared to 10W charging. This means you'll spend less time tethered to an outlet with the Samsung Tab A7.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 662 in the Samsung Tab A7 sufficient for multitasking between several apps?
The Snapdragon 662 is well-suited for moderate multitasking. You should be able to comfortably switch between several apps like web browsers, email clients, and social media without significant slowdowns. However, running numerous resource-intensive apps simultaneously may still cause some performance degradation.
