Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 vs A8: The Ultimate Tablet Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab A8 offers a noticeable performance boost thanks to its slightly improved CPU and RAM, along with a more modern design. While the A7 remains a solid budget option, the A8's enhancements make it the better overall choice for most users seeking a smooth and versatile Android tablet.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) | Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 02. Released 2020, September 11 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 157.4 x 7 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.28 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 476 g (Wi-Fi), 477 g (LTE) (1.05 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Silver, Gold | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | SM-T500, SM-T505, SM-T505N | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.01 W/kg (body) | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020)
- Affordable
- Decent display
- Good for basic tasks
- Lightweight
- Slower performance
- Older design
- Mediocre camera
- Limited storage options
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Improved performance
- Modern design
- Slightly better display
- More RAM options
- Still not a flagship
- Camera quality remains average
- Price slightly higher than A7
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature a 10.4-inch or 10.5-inch display with a resolution of 2000 x 1200. The A8 has slightly improved color accuracy and brightness, offering a marginally better viewing experience. However, the difference is subtle and likely won't be a dealbreaker for most users.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a strong point for either tablet. The A8 has a slightly better main camera (8MP vs 7MP on the A7), but both produce mediocre results in low light. Front-facing cameras are similar, suitable for video calls but not high-quality photography.
Performance
The A8's Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset, while not a flagship, generally outperforms the A7's Snapdragon 662. The A8's dual Cortex-A75 cores provide a boost in responsiveness for demanding apps and multitasking. The A7 can feel sluggish at times, especially with multiple apps open.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer similar battery life, typically lasting around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The 7040 mAh battery in the A7 and 7040 mAh battery in the A8 contribute to this comparable performance.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020) is ideal for budget-conscious users who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like browsing, streaming videos, and light gaming. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is a better fit for those who want a smoother experience for multitasking, more demanding games, and appreciate a more contemporary design.