The Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen) and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are both popular budget tablets vying for your attention. Both offer a decent entry point into the tablet world, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite edges out the Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen) thanks to its slightly better software support, more refined design, and faster charging. While both share the same chipset, Samsung's optimizations and added features give it a slight advantage for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 19, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 28 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 199.1 x 121.8 x 8.2 mm (7.84 x 4.80 x 0.32 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 | 305 g (10.76 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) - 2 GB RAM versionAndroid 11 - 3 GB RAM version | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | 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, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, 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 | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Iron Grey, Platinum Grey | Gray, Silver |
| Models | - | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | - | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen)
- Very affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Decent for basic tasks
- Mediocre display
- Slow charging
- Limited software updates
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Better display quality
- Faster charging (15W)
- Slightly better performance
- Longer software support
- More expensive than Tab M8
- Camera quality is still limited
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature an 8-inch display, but the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite generally offers slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Tab M8's display is adequate, but the A7 Lite's is a noticeable step up for media consumption. Resolution is similar, around 1280 x 800.
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 most lighting conditions. These are not tablets to rely on for serious photography.
Performance
Despite sharing the same Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T chipset, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite often feels snappier due to Samsung's software optimizations. Both tablets are suitable for everyday tasks, but demanding games or multitasking will reveal their limitations. Expect some lag with heavier applications.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's 5100mAh battery offers slightly better longevity than the Tab M8's, and the inclusion of 15W fast charging is a significant advantage. The Tab M8 typically charges slower, which can be frustrating.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen) is ideal for users seeking a very affordable tablet primarily for basic tasks like browsing, reading, and light media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a better choice for those who want a slightly more premium feel, longer software support, and faster charging for a bit more money.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite generally receives longer software updates and security patches compared to the Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen).
❓ Can I play games on these tablets?
Both tablets can handle casual games, but demanding titles may experience lag and performance issues. Neither is ideal for serious mobile gaming.
