The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) and the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) represent compelling options in the crowded budget tablet space. The Tab A7, released in 2020, offers a familiar Samsung experience at an accessible price point. The M10 Plus, with its newer Snapdragon 680 (LTE) or Helio G80 (Wi-Fi) options, aims to deliver improved performance and features. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet provides the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) is the better choice. Its newer Snapdragon 680 (LTE) or Helio G80 (Wi-Fi) chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Tab A7’s Snapdragon 662, and the 20W charging is a welcome upgrade. While the Tab A7 remains a viable option, the M10 Plus offers a more future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/75 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 02. Released 2020, September 11 | 2022, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 157.4 x 7 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.28 in) | 251.2 x 158.8 x 7.5 mm (9.89 x 6.25 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 476 g (Wi-Fi), 477 g (LTE) (1.05 lb) | 465 g (1.03 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) - LTE model Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi only model |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) - LTE model Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) - Wi-Fi only model |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 - LTE model Mali-G52 MC2 - Wi-Fi only model |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMCP/uMCP |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM Radio |
| 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Silver, Gold | Storm Grey, Frost Blue |
| Models | SM-T500, SM-T505, SM-T505N | - |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.01 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020)
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Generally lower price point
- Older Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially less future-proof
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
- Newer Snapdragon 680 or Helio G80 chipset
- Faster 20W charging
- Improved performance for multitasking and gaming
- Lenovo brand may not have the same recognition as Samsung
- Wi-Fi model uses less powerful Helio G80
- Software updates may be less frequent
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.4-inch displays, but details beyond size are scarce in the provided data. We can infer that both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The lack of information regarding resolution, brightness, or color gamut makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the newer M10 Plus may benefit from panel improvements common in newer generations of tablets, potentially offering slightly better viewing angles and color accuracy. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of budget tablets.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are likely equipped with basic camera setups suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a meaningful comparison. The focus should be on video conferencing capabilities rather than photographic quality.
Performance
The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) holds a clear advantage in performance. The Snapdragon 680 (LTE) is built on a more efficient 6nm process compared to the Tab A7’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). This translates to better thermal management and sustained performance. The 680’s Kryo 265 cores, clocked at up to 2.4 GHz, outperform the 662’s Kryo 260 cores (2.0 GHz). The Wi-Fi only variant with the Helio G80 (12nm) still offers a performance uplift, though not as significant as the Snapdragon 680. The 680’s architecture is more modern, leading to improved efficiency and responsiveness in everyday tasks.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) benefits from 20W wired charging, significantly faster than the Tab A7’s 15W charging. This faster charging speed will reduce downtime and provide a more convenient user experience. The more efficient Snapdragon 680 (or Helio G80) may also contribute to slightly better battery life, even with a similar capacity, due to reduced power consumption.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) if you prioritize brand recognition and a simple, reliable experience for basic tasks like reading and light web browsing, and are on a very tight budget. Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) if you value performance for multitasking, streaming, and occasional gaming, and appreciate faster charging and a potentially more modern feature set.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 680 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but offers a significantly better experience than the Snapdragon 662 in the Tab A7 for gaming.
❓ Is the Wi-Fi only version of the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (with the Helio G80) a worthwhile compromise to save money?
The Wi-Fi only version is a reasonable option if cellular connectivity isn't a priority. However, the Helio G80 is less powerful than the Snapdragon 680, resulting in a noticeable performance difference. Consider whether the cost savings outweigh the performance reduction for your intended use.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Samsung Tab A7 and the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus?
The Samsung Tab A7 runs Samsung's One UI, known for its feature-rich interface and customization options. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus typically runs a near-stock version of Android, offering a cleaner and more streamlined experience. Samsung generally provides longer software support.
