Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 vs Galaxy Tab A 10.1: A Detailed Comparison

Choosing a budget-friendly Android tablet can be tricky. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) and the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) are both popular contenders, offering a blend of affordability and Samsung's signature features. But which one is right for you?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) edges out the Tab A 10.1 (2019) thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 662 chipset and improved overall performance. While both are great for media consumption, the A7 offers a smoother experience for everyday tasks and light gaming.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/50 Mbps - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, September 02. Released 2020, September 112019, February 15. Released 2019, April
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions247.6 x 157.4 x 7 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.28 in)245.2 x 149.4 x 7.5 mm (9.65 x 5.88 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight476 g (Wi-Fi), 477 g (LTE) (1.05 lb)469 g (1.03 lb)
Display
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density)1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density)
Size10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio)10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCDTFT LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Exynos 7904 (14 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G71 MP2
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Features-Panorama
Single8 MP, AF8 MP, f/2.0, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP5 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model onlyGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS - cellular model only
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassAccelerometer, gyro, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging15W wired-
TypeLi-Po 7040 mAhLi-Po 6150 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsDark Gray, Silver, GoldBlack, Gold, Silver
ModelsSM-T500, SM-T505, SM-T505NSM-T515, SM-T510
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR-0.92 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.01 W/kg (body)1.36 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020)

  • Faster Processor (Snapdragon 662)
  • Improved Performance
  • Slightly Better Display
  • Better Front Camera for Video Calls
  • Modern Design

  • Slightly Smaller Battery (though comparable battery life)
  • 15W Charging (relatively slow)

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019)

  • Larger Battery Capacity (7300 mAh)
  • Slightly Larger Screen (10.1 inch vs 10.4 inch)
  • Generally More Affordable

  • Slower Processor (Exynos 7904)
  • Laggy Performance
  • Older Design
  • Weaker Front Camera

Display Comparison

Both tablets feature a 10.4-inch display (Tab A7) and a 10.1-inch display (Tab A 10.1) with a resolution of 2000 x 1200. The Tab A7 generally offers slightly better color accuracy and brightness, resulting in a more vibrant viewing experience. Both use TFT LCD panels.

Camera Comparison

Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Tab A7 has an 8MP main camera and a 5MP front camera, while the Tab A 10.1 has a 8MP main camera and a 2MP front camera. Image quality is adequate for video calls and casual snapshots, but don't expect stunning results. The Tab A7's front camera is slightly better for video conferencing.

Performance

This is where the Tab A7 shines. The Snapdragon 662 chipset is a noticeable upgrade over the Exynos 7904. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the Tab A7. The Tab A 10.1 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.

Battery Life

The Tab A7 has a 5100 mAh battery, while the Tab A 10.1 has a 7300 mAh battery. Despite the larger capacity, real-world battery life is comparable, with both tablets offering around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The Tab A7's more efficient chipset helps offset the smaller battery size.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) is ideal for students, casual users, and families looking for a reliable tablet for streaming, browsing, and light productivity. The Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) remains a solid choice for those on a tighter budget who prioritize a slightly larger screen and don't need top-tier performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Galaxy Tab A7 worth the extra money?
Yes, if performance is important to you. The Snapdragon 662 provides a significantly smoother experience than the Exynos 7904 in the Tab A 10.1.
❓ Which tablet is better for watching videos?
Both are good for video playback, but the Tab A7's slightly better display and faster processor make it a more enjoyable experience overall.