The tablet market offers a surprising number of options, even on a budget. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Nokia T21 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. Both promise affordability and decent features, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia T21 edges out the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite thanks to its faster chipset, faster charging, and cleaner Android experience. While the A7 Lite boasts Samsung's brand recognition and a slightly better screen, the T21 offers a more responsive and future-proof performance.
| 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 - 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 | 2022, September 01 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 01 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 247.5 x 157.3 x 7.5 mm (9.74 x 6.19 x 0.30 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 | 466 g (1.03 lb) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| | Splash resistant
Stylus support | - |
| 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 (~79.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 360 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 Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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 | 8 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 | Yes (Wi-Fi/LTE model only / TA-1521) | No |
| Positioning | GPS - 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/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD3.0 | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8200 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Grey | Gray, Silver |
| Models | TA-1495, TA-1521, TA-1505, TA-1487 | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.56 W/kg (body) | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Nokia T21
- Faster Processor (Unisoc T612)
- Longer Battery Life (8000 mAh)
- Faster Charging (18W PD3.0)
- Cleaner Android Experience
- Expandable Storage (MicroSD)
- Less Bright Display than A7 Lite
- Camera Quality is Average
- Design is somewhat basic
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Brighter Display
- Samsung Brand Recognition
- Familiar Samsung UI
- Compact and Lightweight
- Slower Processor (Helio P22T)
- Shorter Battery Life
- Slower Charging (15W)
- Less RAM than T21
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 8.7-inch displays with a resolution of 1333 x 800. The Tab A7 Lite's display is slightly brighter, offering better visibility outdoors. However, the T21's display is generally well-calibrated and provides accurate colors. The A7 Lite has a slightly more vibrant feel, but the difference is subtle.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Tab A7 Lite has an 8MP main camera, while the T21 has a 13MP main camera. Image quality is adequate for casual snapshots, but don't expect stunning results. Low-light performance is poor on both devices.
Performance
Here's where the Nokia T21 shines. The Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, while not a flagship, outperforms the Helio P22T in the Tab A7 Lite. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the T21. The A7 Lite can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Nokia T21 packs a larger 8,000 mAh battery compared to the Tab A7 Lite's 5,100 mAh. This translates to significantly longer battery life on the T21, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The A7 Lite requires more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Nokia T21 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a clean Android experience, especially those who enjoy multitasking or light gaming. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a good choice for those deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem, or those who value a familiar user interface and a slightly brighter display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Nokia T21 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful processor. While neither tablet is a gaming powerhouse, the T21 will handle less demanding games more smoothly.
❓ Does the Nokia T21 have expandable storage?
Yes, the Nokia T21 supports expandable storage via a MicroSD card slot, allowing you to increase its storage capacity.
❓ Which tablet has a better user interface?
The Nokia T21 offers a cleaner, more stock Android experience. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite uses Samsung's One UI, which some users may prefer, but it can feel a bit cluttered compared to the T21's interface.
