Looking for an affordable tablet for streaming, browsing, and light gaming? The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are popular contenders. But which one offers the best value? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite edges out the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 thanks to its slightly faster processor, better charging speed, and generally more polished Samsung experience. However, the Lenovo offers a competitive price and decent performance for basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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, September | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 239.8 x 158.6 x 8.5 mm (9.44 x 6.24 x 0.33 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 | 460 g (1.01 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 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 320 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12 | 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 | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMCP or 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 | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes, with stereo 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, OTG, magnetic connector | 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 | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Storm Grey | Gray, Silver |
| Models | - | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3
- Competitive price
- Decent display for media consumption
- Lightweight and portable
- Expandable storage via microSD
- Slower processor
- Slow charging
- Mediocre camera
- Less polished software experience
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Faster processor
- Faster charging
- Better software experience (One UI)
- More reliable brand
- Slightly better display
- Slightly more expensive
- Limited expandable storage (1TB max)
- Camera still not great
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, but the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite generally offers slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. The Lenovo's display is adequate but can appear a bit washed out in certain lighting conditions. Resolution is similar, around 1920x1200.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's cameras are marginally better, but both produce mediocre results in low light. Expect grainy photos and limited detail. These are not tablets to rely on for serious photography.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's Helio P22T chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Lenovo's Unisoc T610. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming is more enjoyable on the A7 Lite. The Lenovo is sufficient for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's 5100mAh battery offers slightly better longevity than the Lenovo's, especially considering its faster charging speed (15W vs 10W). Both tablets should provide a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 is ideal for users on a tight budget who primarily need a tablet for media consumption and basic web browsing. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a better choice for those who want a slightly more responsive experience, faster charging, and the reliability of the Samsung brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the better choice for gaming due to its faster processor and smoother performance.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either tablet?
Yes, both tablets support microSD card expansion, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has a maximum capacity of 1TB, while the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3's limit may vary.
❓ Which tablet has a better operating system?
Samsung's One UI on the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is generally considered more polished and user-friendly than Lenovo's Android skin.
