Looking for an affordable Android tablet? The Lenovo Tab M9 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are popular contenders in the budget space. But which one offers the best value for your money? We'll dive deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab M9 edges out the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite thanks to its more powerful Helio G80 chipset, offering noticeably better performance for gaming and multitasking. While the A7 Lite boasts a slightly faster charging speed, the M9's overall performance makes it the better choice 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 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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, December 20 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 14 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 215.4 x 136.8 x 8 mm (8.48 x 5.39 x 0.31 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 | 344 g (12.13 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~173 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 9.0 inches, 230.0 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | 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, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 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, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, proximity | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Arctic Grey, Frost Blue | Gray, Silver |
| Models | TB310FU | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Tab M9
- More powerful processor (Helio G80)
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- Slightly better display quality
- Modern design
- Slower charging speed (10W)
- Less established brand reputation compared to Samsung
- Camera quality is average
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Compact and lightweight design
- Samsung ecosystem integration
- Faster charging (15W)
- Reliable brand reputation
- Weaker processor (Helio P22T)
- Lower performance
- Average display quality
- Less RAM than some competitors
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, but the Tab M9 generally offers slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The A7 Lite's display is perfectly adequate, but the M9 provides a more enjoyable viewing experience, especially for media consumption. Resolution is similar on both, around 1920x1200.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both feature basic 8MP main cameras and 5MP front-facing cameras. Image quality is acceptable for video calls and casual snapshots, but don't expect stunning photos. The Tab M9 might offer slightly better low-light performance.
Performance
This is where the Tab M9 shines. The Helio G80 chipset is significantly faster than the Helio P22T in the A7 Lite. Expect smoother app loading, better gaming performance, and less lag when multitasking on the M9. The A7 Lite is functional for basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Tab A7 Lite has a slightly larger battery capacity (5100 mAh vs 7040 mAh on the M9), but the M9's more efficient chipset often results in comparable or even slightly better battery life in real-world usage. The A7 Lite's 15W charging is faster than the M9's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Tab M9 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and smoother multitasking, even on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a good option for those who value the Samsung ecosystem, a slightly more compact design, and a more established brand reputation, but are less concerned about raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Lenovo Tab M9 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor. It can handle more demanding games with smoother frame rates.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite worth buying?
The A7 Lite is a decent budget tablet, especially if you're already invested in the Samsung ecosystem. However, the Tab M9 offers better performance for a similar price.
