The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for casual users, students, and anyone needing a secondary display. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite and Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) represent two popular choices, but significant differences in their underlying hardware dictate vastly different user experiences. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which tablet delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio P22T chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU, provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience than the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD)'s quad-core Helio A22. While both tablets target the budget segment, the A7 Lite offers a better balance of performance and usability.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 27 | 2019, September. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 18 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) | 199.1 x 121.8 x 8.2 mm (7.84 x 4.80 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) | 305 g (10.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| 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 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| 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, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Iron Grey, Platinum Grey |
| Models | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U | TB-8505X, TB-8505F, TB-8505FS |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 0.68 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Significantly faster processor for smoother multitasking.
- More responsive user interface.
- Likely better sustained performance under load.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD).
- Display specifications are not detailed.
Lenovo Tab M8 (HD)
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- Sufficient for extremely basic tasks.
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Slow processor struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
- Limited performance can lead to frustrating lag.
- Display quality is likely basic.
Display Comparison
Neither Samsung nor Lenovo provide detailed display specifications beyond 'HD' resolution. However, given the market positioning, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies in processing power to drive the display. The A7 Lite’s more powerful chipset will likely result in smoother scrolling and animations. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical of this price range. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either, geared towards general consumption rather than color-critical work.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a primary focus in this segment. Both tablets likely feature basic camera sensors suitable for occasional snapshots and video calls. Detailed specifications are scarce, but it’s safe to assume image quality will be limited, particularly in low-light conditions. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; image processing and sensor size are far more important, and neither manufacturer provides this information. The cameras are best considered functional rather than feature-rich.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s Mediatek Helio P22T boasts an octa-core CPU (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53), while the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) is equipped with a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 Helio A22. This translates to a substantial advantage for the A7 Lite in multi-threaded tasks and overall responsiveness. The A22 is sufficient for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications or even multiple apps running simultaneously. The A7 Lite’s CPU architecture, while still Cortex-A53, benefits from the increased core count and higher clock speeds. RAM configurations are not specified, but the A7 Lite is generally available with more RAM options, further enhancing its performance capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, both tablets feature a 12nm process node for their respective chipsets, suggesting reasonable power efficiency. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite supports 15W wired charging, which is a moderate speed. The Lenovo Tab M8 (HD)'s charging speed is likely similar, but not explicitly stated. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the A7 Lite’s more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery (based on typical Samsung tablet sizing) should provide slightly longer runtimes.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite if you need a tablet capable of handling multitasking, light gaming, and streaming video without significant lag. It’s ideal for students, casual gamers, and users who prioritize a responsive user interface. Buy the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) if your primary use case is extremely basic – primarily reading ebooks, browsing the web with few tabs open, and light video playback – and you are prioritizing the absolute lowest price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) struggle with video conferencing apps like Zoom or Google Meet?
Yes, the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD)'s Helio A22 processor and limited RAM are likely to result in noticeable lag and performance issues during video calls, especially with multiple participants or background noise. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite will provide a significantly smoother experience for video conferencing.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite handle casual gaming like Candy Crush or Angry Birds?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's Helio P22T chipset is capable of handling casual games like Candy Crush and Angry Birds without significant issues. However, more demanding 3D games may require lower graphics settings to maintain a playable frame rate. The Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) will struggle with even moderately demanding games.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the two tablets noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing the web and checking email?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. While both tablets can handle basic web browsing and email, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite will feel significantly more responsive and smoother when switching between apps or loading complex web pages. The Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) may exhibit noticeable lag and delays.
