The budget tablet market is heating up, and the Realme Pad Mini and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are two strong contenders. Both offer a compelling blend of affordability and features, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite edges out the Realme Pad Mini thanks to its slightly better performance, more established brand reputation, and wider software support. However, the Realme Pad Mini offers reverse charging and a competitive price, making it a solid option for budget-conscious 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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, April 04 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 08 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 211.8 x 124.5 x 7.6 mm (8.34 x 4.90 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 | 372 g (13.12 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | 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 | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 2 MP |
| 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, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6400 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Gray, Silver |
| Models | RMP2105, RMP2106 | 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) |
Realme Pad Mini
- Affordable price
- Reverse wired charging
- Decent display
- Lightweight design
- Slightly underpowered chipset
- Less established brand
- Basic camera quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Smoother performance
- Better software support
- Reputable brand
- Slightly brighter display
- Slower charging
- Less competitive price than Pad Mini
- Basic camera quality
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 8.7-inch displays with a resolution of 1300 x 800. The Tab A7 Lite's display is slightly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility. Color accuracy is decent on both, suitable for everyday use but not ideal for professional photo editing. The Tab A7 Lite has slightly smaller bezels, giving it a more modern look.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is not a strong point for either tablet. The Tab A7 Lite has an 8MP main camera, while the Pad Mini has a 5MP camera. Image quality is acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and lack of detail in low light. Front-facing cameras are similarly basic, suitable for video calls but not high-quality selfies.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, powered by the MediaTek Helio P22T, generally offers a smoother and more responsive experience than the Realme Pad Mini's Unisoc Tiger T616. While both are entry-level chipsets, the Tab A7 Lite's slightly higher clock speeds and better optimization give it an edge in multitasking and gaming. Expect occasional stutters on the Pad Mini when running demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Realme Pad Mini boasts a larger 5000mAh battery compared to the Tab A7 Lite's 5100mAh. However, the Tab A7 Lite's more efficient chipset and software optimization often result in slightly better real-world battery life. Both tablets should comfortably last a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Realme Pad Mini is ideal for students or casual users who prioritize affordability and need a secondary device for media consumption and light tasks. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a better choice for those seeking a more reliable and versatile tablet with a smoother user experience and longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite generally handles games better due to its slightly more powerful chipset and optimized software.
❓ Does the Realme Pad Mini get software updates?
Realme's software update support is not as extensive as Samsung's. Expect fewer updates and a shorter support lifespan compared to the Tab A7 Lite.
❓ Can I use the Realme Pad Mini to charge my phone?
Yes, the Realme Pad Mini supports reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices using its battery.
