The budget tablet market is heating up, and the Nokia T20 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are two strong contenders. Both offer affordable access to Android, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite edges out the Nokia T20 thanks to its slightly faster processor and more polished software experience. However, the Nokia T20 boasts a cleaner Android build and potentially longer software support, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - US, LATAM | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 06 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 02 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 157.5 x 7.8 mm (9.75 x 6.20 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 | 465 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (LTE) (1.03 lb) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~78.9% 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 (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 13 | 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 |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| 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 | 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 | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8200 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Ocean | Gray, Silver |
| Models | TA-1397, TA-1394, TA-1392 | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.34 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.35 W/kg (body) | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Display | 1786:1 contrast ratio, 422 nits max brightness (measured) | - |
Nokia T20
- Clean Android experience
- Guaranteed software updates (Android 17 and security updates for 3 years)
- Durable build quality
- Good contrast ratio display
- Slightly slower performance
- Less polished UI compared to Samsung
- Basic camera quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Slightly faster processor
- Familiar Samsung One UI
- Compact and lightweight design
- Good value for money
- Less frequent software updates compared to Nokia T20
- Average display quality
- Basic camera quality
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 8.4-inch displays, but the Nokia T20 boasts a higher contrast ratio (1786:1) and a measured brightness of 422 nits, suggesting potentially better image quality, especially in brighter environments. The Tab A7 Lite's display is generally considered adequate but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both tablets is not a strong point. The Nokia T20 has an 8MP main camera, while the Tab A7 Lite has a 5MP main camera. Expect decent results for casual snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level photography. Video recording capabilities are similarly basic on both.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's MediaTek Helio P22T chipset offers a slight performance advantage over the Nokia T20's Unisoc T610. While both are adequate for basic tasks, the Tab A7 Lite handles multitasking and slightly more demanding apps with a bit more ease. Gaming performance will be similar on both.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer a respectable battery life, typically lasting a full day of moderate use. While specific battery capacities are similar (around 5100mAh), software optimization and usage patterns will ultimately determine real-world battery performance. Neither offers exceptionally fast charging.
Buying Guide
The Nokia T20 is ideal for users who prioritize a clean Android experience, longer software support, and a more durable build. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is better suited for those seeking a slightly faster performance for everyday tasks and a more familiar Samsung interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
The Nokia T20 offers guaranteed Android updates for 3 years, including security patches, making it a better choice for long-term software support.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite good for gaming?
While not a dedicated gaming tablet, the Tab A7 Lite's slightly faster processor allows for smoother gameplay in less demanding games. Both tablets are suitable for casual gaming.
