The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2022) and Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) vying for dominance. While both aim to deliver an affordable Android experience, they take different approaches to achieving that goal, particularly in chipset selection and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) with the Snapdragon 680 offers a more compelling experience. Its 6nm fabrication process translates to better efficiency and potentially sustained performance compared to the Samsung Tab A7’s Unisoc T618. The 20W charging is also a significant advantage, offsetting the slightly smaller battery.
| 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 | LTE | 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 | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/75 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 18 | 2022, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 21 | 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 | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 477 g (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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | 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 | Unisoc UMS512 T618 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) - LTE model Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) - Wi-Fi only model |
| GPU | Mali G52 MP2 | Adreno 610 - LTE model Mali-G52 MC2 - Wi-Fi only model |
| OS | Android 12, One UI 4 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB 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 | 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-T509 | - |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.54 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2022)
- Established Brand Reputation (Samsung)
- Simple and User-Friendly Interface
- Potentially Lower Price (depending on retailer)
- Less Efficient Unisoc Chipset
- Slower 15W Charging
- Potentially Lower Performance in Demanding Tasks
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
- More Efficient Snapdragon 680 (6nm)
- Faster 20W Charging
- LTE Connectivity Option (Snapdragon variant)
- MediaTek Helio G80 variant less efficient
- Lenovo Brand Less Recognizable than Samsung
- Software Updates May Be Slower
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, peak brightness, or color gamut makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the display quality will likely be similar, focusing on adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for media consumption rather than professional color accuracy. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices, typical of budget tablets.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with basic camera setups geared towards video calls rather than photography. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be comparable and adequate for casual use. The absence of information regarding features like HDR or image stabilization suggests limited photographic capabilities on both devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) offers two options: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) and the MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, provides a significant advantage in power efficiency and thermal management over the Unisoc UMS512 T618 (12nm) in the Samsung Tab A7. While both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration with similar Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, the Snapdragon 680’s Kryo 265 Gold cores operate at a higher clock speed (2.4 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), promising faster single-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The Wi-Fi only variant of the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus uses the Helio G80, which is still a capable chip, but less efficient than the Snapdragon 680.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) boasts 20W wired charging, a clear advantage over the Samsung Tab A7’s 15W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed will significantly reduce downtime. The Snapdragon 680’s superior power efficiency further contributes to potentially longer real-world battery life on the Lenovo tablet, even if the battery capacity is slightly smaller. Users who frequently use their tablets on the go will greatly benefit from the Lenovo’s faster charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2022) if you prioritize brand recognition and a simple, straightforward Android experience, and your usage is primarily limited to light tasks like web browsing and video playback. Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) if you value performance for multitasking, occasional gaming, and faster charging, especially if you opt for the 4G LTE model with the Snapdragon 680.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T618 in the Samsung Tab A7 struggle with multitasking or demanding apps?
The Unisoc T618 is a capable chip for basic tasks, but it may exhibit slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or playing graphically intensive games. The 12nm process is less efficient than the 6nm Snapdragon 680, leading to potential thermal throttling and reduced sustained performance.
❓ Is the 4G LTE connectivity on the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (Snapdragon variant) worth the extra cost?
If you frequently use your tablet away from Wi-Fi hotspots, the 4G LTE connectivity is a valuable addition. It allows you to stay connected for browsing, streaming, and communication without relying on a Wi-Fi network. However, it will add to the overall cost of the device and require a data plan.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Samsung Tab A7 and the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus?
Both tablets run Android, but Samsung's One UI offers a more polished and feature-rich experience, albeit with some pre-installed bloatware. Lenovo's software is closer to stock Android, offering a cleaner interface but potentially fewer advanced features. Software update support may also be faster on Samsung devices.
