The LG G Pad 5 10.1 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite represent distinct approaches to the budget tablet market. The LG, leveraging an older but powerful Snapdragon 821, aims for performance, while the Samsung opts for efficiency with a Mediatek Helio P22T. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing responsiveness and demanding applications, the LG G Pad 5 10.1 is the better choice, thanks to its Snapdragon 821. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite offers a more power-efficient experience and potentially longer battery life for everyday tasks, making it ideal for casual users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, November | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 247.2 x 150.7 x 8 mm (9.73 x 5.93 x 0.31 in) | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 498 g (1.10 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 (~79.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 530 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Gray, Silver |
| Models | LM-T600L, T600L | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
LG G Pad 5 10.1
- More powerful Snapdragon 821 processor
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better multitasking performance
- Less power-efficient processor
- Potential for thermal throttling
- Likely higher price
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- More power-efficient Helio P22T processor
- Potentially longer battery life
- More affordable price
- Slower processor
- Slower 15W charging
- Less capable for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, but detailed display specs are unavailable. Given LG’s history with IPS LCDs, the G Pad 5 likely offers good color accuracy. The Samsung Tab A7 Lite, typical of the A-series, will likely prioritize cost-effectiveness over display fidelity. The lack of high refresh rate panels on either device suggests they are geared towards media consumption rather than fast-paced gaming. Bezels are expected to be moderate on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Details on camera sensors are unavailable, but both are expected to feature basic cameras suitable for casual snapshots. The focus should be on video conferencing rather than photography. Given the market segment, image quality will likely be similar, with limited low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG G Pad 5 10.1’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 (14nm) boasts a quad-core configuration with a peak clock speed of 2.15 GHz. This is a significantly more powerful processor than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s Mediatek Helio P22T (12nm) octa-core CPU, clocked at 2.3 GHz. While the Helio P22T has more cores, the Snapdragon 821’s Kryo cores offer superior individual performance. The 14nm process of the Snapdragon 821 is less efficient than the 12nm process of the Helio P22T, potentially leading to more heat generation under sustained load. This means the LG G Pad 5 may experience some throttling during extended gaming sessions, while the Samsung Tab A7 Lite will likely maintain consistent performance for longer, albeit at a lower overall level.
Battery Life
The LG G Pad 5 10.1 supports 18W wired charging, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is limited to 15W. While the wattage difference isn’t massive, it suggests the LG G Pad 5 could charge slightly faster. However, the more efficient Helio P22T in the Samsung Tab A7 Lite will likely result in longer battery life during typical usage scenarios, offsetting the slower charging speed. Actual battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Samsung has an advantage in endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG G Pad 5 10.1 if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding apps, multitasking, or light gaming without significant slowdown. It's suited for users who value performance over ultimate battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite if you prioritize portability, all-day battery life for basic tasks like browsing and video streaming, and a more affordable price point. It’s ideal for students or those seeking a secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 821 in the LG G Pad 5 10.1 struggle with modern games?
While the Snapdragon 821 was a flagship processor in its time, modern games are more demanding. It can handle many titles at medium settings, but you may experience frame drops or need to lower graphics settings for more intensive games. The Helio P22T in the Tab A7 Lite will struggle even more with demanding games.
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio P22T sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and streaming?
Yes, the Helio P22T is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and social media. It’s designed for efficiency and will provide a smooth experience for these common use cases. However, it will show its limitations when multitasking or running more demanding applications.
❓ How much does the difference in charging speed (18W vs 15W) actually matter in real-world use?
The 3W difference in charging speed isn't dramatic, but it will result in a slightly faster charge time for the LG G Pad 5 10.1. Expect a difference of around 15-30 minutes for a full charge, depending on battery level.
