Choosing a tablet can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting a classic budget tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7.0 VE, against a more modern contender, the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2. This comparison will help you decide which device best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 is the clear winner. While the Tab 3 Lite offers basic functionality at a low price, the P11 Gen 2 boasts significantly superior performance, a larger and higher-resolution display, and a much longer battery life, making it a worthwhile investment for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, March | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, January |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 193.4 x 116.4 x 9.7 mm (7.61 x 4.58 x 0.38 in) | 269.1 x 169.4 x 7.4 mm (10.59 x 6.67 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 310 g (10.93 oz) | 520 g (1.15 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~61.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC8830 | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android 12L |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF |
| Video | 480p@24fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 71 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Green, Pink, Yellow | Storm Grey, Sage |
| Models | SM-T113, SM-T113NU | TB350FU |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 350 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7.0 VE
- Very affordable
- Compact size
- Simple to use
- Outdated processor
- Low-resolution display
- Short battery life
- Limited storage
Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2
- Powerful processor
- Large, high-resolution display
- Long battery life
- Good value for money
- Expandable storage
- Can get warm during intensive tasks
- Software updates may be limited
Display Comparison
The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 features an 11-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2000 x 1200, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Tab 3 Lite has a tiny 7-inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600, which feels cramped by today's standards. The P11 Gen 2's larger size and higher resolution provide a much more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality isn't a primary concern for most tablet users, but the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 generally offers better image quality thanks to its more modern sensors. The Tab 3 Lite's cameras are quite basic and produce mediocre results. Both are suitable for occasional video calls, but not much else.
Performance
Here's where the difference is most striking. The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset and octa-core processor deliver significantly faster performance than the Tab 3 Lite's Spreadtrum SC8830 and quad-core CPU. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the P11 Gen 2. The Tab 3 Lite struggles with even basic tasks.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 typically offers 8-10 hours of battery life, depending on usage. The Tab 3 Lite's battery life is shorter, often lasting around 4-5 hours. The P11 Gen 2's larger battery capacity and more efficient processor contribute to its longer battery life.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7.0 VE is ideal for users needing a very basic tablet for simple tasks like reading ebooks or browsing the web occasionally, and who are on an extremely tight budget. The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 is perfect for students, casual gamers, and anyone wanting a versatile tablet for entertainment, productivity, and light creative work.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Tab 3 Lite still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and need a very basic tablet for simple tasks. Otherwise, the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 offers significantly better value.
❓ Can the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 handle gaming?
Yes, the Helio G99 chipset provides decent gaming performance for most casual games. More demanding titles may require lower graphics settings.
