The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but finding the right balance between price and performance can be tricky. We pit the Lenovo Pad, a value-focused offering, against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE, a more feature-rich contender, to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE emerges as the superior choice. While pricier, its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 750G/778G chipset, brighter display, and S Pen support justify the cost, offering a smoother and more versatile experience. The Lenovo Pad remains a viable option for extremely budget-conscious users.
| 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, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 24 | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 01 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 258.4 x 163 x 7.5 mm (10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 in) | 284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 608 g (1.34 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TDDI IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) - 5G modelOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi model |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi model |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi model |
| OS | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP
TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (5G) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Face recognition, accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only) |
| | - | Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, QC3 | 45W wired, 100% in 190 min |
| Type | Li-Po 7700 mAh | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink |
| Models | ZA7R0232CN | SM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 650 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.15 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1886:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -27.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 292530 (v8), 355430 (v9)
GeekBench: 1904 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 9.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo Pad
- Significantly lower price point
- Compact and lightweight design
- Adequate for basic tasks
- Underpowered Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Less vibrant display
- Slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Powerful Snapdragon 750G/778G chipset
- Brighter and larger display
- S Pen support for note-taking and creativity
- Faster 45W charging
- Higher price tag
- Larger and heavier than the Lenovo Pad
- Software bloatware (typical of Samsung)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 522 nits, compared to the Lenovo Pad’s unspecified brightness. This makes the S7 FE far more usable outdoors or in brightly lit environments. Both tablets share a similar 1886:1 contrast ratio, suggesting comparable color depth and black levels. However, the larger screen size of the S7 FE (12.4 inches vs. the Lenovo Pad’s 10.1 inches) provides a more expansive viewing experience. The Lenovo Pad’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially lower-quality panel overall.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE likely holds a slight edge due to its potentially better image signal processing. Detailed camera specs for the Lenovo Pad are unavailable, making a direct comparison difficult. The S7 FE’s camera system benefits from Samsung’s software optimizations, potentially delivering more pleasing images in good lighting conditions. Given the primary use case of tablets, camera quality is less critical than other factors.
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Lenovo Pad utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, while the Galaxy Tab S7 FE comes in two variants: one with the Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) and another with the more powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). The 6nm Snapdragon 778G, found in the Wi-Fi model, offers a significant architectural advantage with its Cortex-A78 cores, resulting in faster CPU performance for demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 750G is still a considerable upgrade over the 662. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the S7 FE. The Lenovo Pad’s Snapdragon 662 is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with more intensive applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE supports 45W wired charging, completing a full charge in approximately 190 minutes. The Lenovo Pad, with its 20W charging and QC3 support, will take considerably longer to charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the S7 FE’s faster charging capability is a significant advantage, minimizing downtime. The more efficient Snapdragon 750G/778G chipsets in the S7 FE also contribute to potentially longer battery life during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Pad if you prioritize absolute affordability and primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, video calls, and light media consumption. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE if you value performance for multitasking, gaming, note-taking with the S Pen, and a brighter, more vibrant display for immersive entertainment. The S7 FE is also the better choice for users invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy Tab S7 FE offer a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 750G?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G, built on a 6nm process with more powerful Cortex-A78 cores, provides a significant performance improvement over the Snapdragon 750G. You'll experience faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance with the 778G variant.
❓ Is the S Pen included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE worth the extra cost for someone who doesn't typically take handwritten notes?
Even if you don't regularly take notes, the S Pen offers versatility. It can be used for precise photo editing, navigating the interface, and even as a remote shutter for the camera. It expands the tablet's functionality beyond basic touch input.
❓ How does the Lenovo Pad handle multitasking with several apps open simultaneously?
The Lenovo Pad's Snapdragon 662 chipset and limited RAM may struggle with heavy multitasking. Expect some lag and slowdown when switching between multiple apps, especially demanding ones. It's best suited for running one or two apps at a time.
❓ What type of storage does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE use, and is it expandable?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE utilizes UFS 2.1 storage, which is faster than the eMMC storage often found in budget tablets. It also supports microSD card expansion up to 1TB, allowing you to easily increase storage capacity.
