The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two Samsung tablets against each other: the older, premium Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 3G and the more budget-friendly Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which is best for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Note Pro 12.2 3G boasts significantly more power and a larger, higher-resolution display. However, the Tab A7 Lite offers a more modern chipset, improved efficiency, and a lower price point. For raw performance and screen quality, the Note Pro wins, but budget-conscious users will find the A7 Lite more appealing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, March | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 295.5 x 204 x 8 mm (11.63 x 8.03 x 0.31 in) | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 753 g (1.66 lb) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~247 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.2 inches, 431.6 cm2 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super clear LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.3 GHz Cortex-A7) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 5420 Octa (28 nm) | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T628 MP6 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat), TouchWiz UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 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 | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 3.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Music play | Up to 131 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h (multimedia) (2G) / Up to 54 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 9500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Gray, Silver |
| Models | SM-P901 | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 640 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.58 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.67 W/kg (body) | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 3G
- Large, high-resolution display
- Powerful processor (for its age)
- Generous battery capacity
- S Pen support (stylus)
- Older chipset
- Potentially slower performance with demanding apps
- Larger and heavier
- Less modern design
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Affordable price
- Modern chipset with good efficiency
- Compact and lightweight
- Improved front camera for video calls
- Smaller display
- Lower resolution
- Less powerful than Note Pro
- No stylus support
Display Comparison
The Note Pro 12.2 3G features a massive 12.2-inch Super Clear LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, offering exceptional detail and clarity. The Tab A7 Lite has an 8.7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1333 x 800 pixels. The Note Pro's larger size and higher resolution provide a significantly more immersive viewing experience, especially for multitasking and content creation.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices is not a primary strength. The Note Pro 12.2 3G has an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. The Tab A7 Lite features a 5MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. Image quality is adequate for casual snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The A7 Lite's front camera is slightly better for video calls.
Performance
While the Note Pro 12.2 3G's Octa-core Exynos 5420 is powerful for its age, the Tab A7 Lite's Mediatek Helio P22T offers a more modern architecture and improved efficiency. The A7 Lite's chipset handles everyday tasks and light gaming smoothly. The Note Pro might struggle with demanding applications and newer games, though it still holds up reasonably well.
Battery Life
The Note Pro 12.2 3G has a 8000 mAh battery, providing decent battery life for its size and power. The Tab A7 Lite has a 5100 mAh battery. While the Note Pro has a larger capacity, the A7 Lite's more efficient chipset allows it to achieve comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 3G is ideal for power users, creative professionals, and those who prioritize a large, high-quality display for productivity and media consumption. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a great choice for students, casual users, and families seeking an affordable tablet for entertainment and basic tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Note Pro 12.2 3G still worth buying in 2024?
If you prioritize a large, high-quality display and don't need the absolute latest performance, the Note Pro 12.2 3G can still be a good option, especially if you find it at a discounted price. However, be aware of its age and potential software limitations.
❓ Can the Tab A7 Lite handle streaming video?
Yes, the Tab A7 Lite is perfectly capable of streaming video from services like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu. The display is adequate for enjoyable viewing, although not as impressive as the Note Pro's.
