Looking for an affordable Android tablet? The Lenovo Tab M7 (3rd Gen) and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are popular contenders in the budget space. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the clear winner. While the Lenovo Tab M7 is incredibly budget-friendly, the A7 Lite boasts a significantly better display, faster processor, more RAM, and a larger battery, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable user experience.
| 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, 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 | 2021, June 28 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 31 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 176.2 x 102.3 x 8.3 mm (6.94 x 4.03 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 | 237 g (8.36 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TDDI IPS LCD, 350 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8166 - Wi-Fi versionMediatek MT8766 - LTE version | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3750 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Iron Grey | Gray, Silver |
| Models | ZA8C0027US, TB-7306X | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Tab M7 (3rd Gen)
- Extremely affordable
- Compact and portable
- LTE version available
- Low performance
- Small display
- Limited storage
- Short battery life
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Larger and better display
- Faster performance
- Longer battery life
- More RAM
- Better speakers
- Slightly more expensive than Tab M7
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite features an 8.7-inch display with a resolution of 1333 x 800, offering a noticeably larger and sharper viewing experience compared to the Tab M7's 7-inch, 1024 x 800 display. Colors are more vibrant on the A7 Lite, and the larger screen is better for media consumption and multitasking.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a priority in budget tablets, but the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's cameras are slightly better than the Tab M7's. Expect passable photos in good lighting conditions on both devices, but don't expect flagship-level results.
Performance
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's Mediatek Helio P22T chipset and 3GB of RAM (typically) provide a substantial performance boost over the Tab M7's MT8166/MT8766 and 2GB of RAM. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and the A7 Lite handles more demanding games with ease. The Tab M7 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's larger battery (5100 mAh) provides significantly longer battery life than the Tab M7 (3150 mAh). You can expect several hours of streaming or gaming on the A7 Lite, while the Tab M7 may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Lenovo Tab M7 (3rd Gen)? Those on an extremely tight budget who primarily need a basic tablet for light browsing and media consumption. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite? Anyone seeking a more capable and versatile tablet for streaming, gaming, and general use, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo Tab M7 good for kids?
It can be suitable for very young children for basic games and videos, but the limited performance and small screen might be frustrating for older kids.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either tablet?
Yes, both tablets support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add more storage for apps, photos, and videos.
❓ Which tablet has better audio?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite generally offers better audio quality thanks to its improved speakers.
