The sub-$200 tablet market is heating up, with the Realme Pad Mini and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite vying for dominance. Both offer a portable Android experience, but diverge significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dives deep into the chipset differences, battery performance, and overall value proposition to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme Pad Mini emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, delivers noticeably snappier performance than the Samsung Tab A7 Lite’s Helio P22T, making it more responsive for everyday tasks and light gaming. While charging is slightly faster on the Samsung, the Realme’s performance advantage is more impactful.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 27 | 2022, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 18 | Available. Released 2022, April 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends | - |
| Dimensions | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) | 211.8 x 124.5 x 7.6 mm (8.34 x 4.90 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) | 372 g (13.12 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo 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 | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 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 | 18W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | 6400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Gray, Blue |
| Models | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U | RMP2105, RMP2106 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | 0.68 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Established Brand Reputation: Samsung is a well-known and trusted brand.
- Slightly Faster Charging: 15W charging is adequate, though not class-leading.
- Polished Software Experience: Samsung's One UI offers a refined Android experience.
- Inferior Chipset: The Helio P22T is an older, less powerful chipset.
- Slower Performance: Noticeably less responsive than the Realme Pad Mini.
Realme Pad Mini
- Superior Performance: The Unisoc Tiger T616 delivers a smoother experience.
- Faster Charging: 18W charging allows for quicker top-ups.
- Reverse Wired Charging: Can act as a power bank for other devices (5W).
- Less Brand Recognition: Realme is a relatively newer brand.
- Software Experience: Realme UI may not be as refined as Samsung's One UI.
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, given their price point. Specifics like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable, but we can infer that they are similar. The focus here is portability, and both tablets deliver on that front with their compact form factors. Bezels are likely comparable, and neither device is expected to offer high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a primary concern in this price bracket. Both tablets likely feature basic camera setups, and image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots and video calls. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume they are modest. Focusing on the chipset differences is far more relevant to the overall user experience than any marginal improvements in camera performance.
Performance
This is where the Realme Pad Mini pulls ahead. The Unisoc Tiger T616 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture is significantly more modern and efficient than the Samsung Tab A7 Lite’s MediaTek Helio P22T, which relies on four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. While the P22T’s higher clock speed might seem advantageous, the A75 cores in the T616 offer superior single-core performance, translating to a smoother user experience. The T616’s architecture is better suited for handling modern apps and multitasking. The A7 Lite's older architecture will show its age more quickly.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both are likely in the 6000-7000 mAh range, typical for tablets of this size. The Realme Pad Mini supports 18W wired charging, while the Samsung Tab A7 Lite is limited to 15W. This means the Realme Pad Mini will charge slightly faster, potentially shaving off 15-20 minutes for a full charge. However, the more efficient Unisoc T616 chipset in the Realme Pad Mini may also contribute to longer battery life during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite if you prioritize brand recognition and a slightly more polished software experience, and your usage is limited to basic tasks like reading and light web browsing. Buy the Realme Pad Mini if you value performance and responsiveness for multitasking, streaming, and casual gaming, and are comfortable with a less established brand. The Pad Mini is the better option for users who want a tablet that *feels* faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme Pad Mini handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc Tiger T616 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate. It's suitable for casual gaming, but don't expect a flagship gaming experience.
❓ Is the Samsung Tab A7 Lite a good choice for students taking notes?
The Tab A7 Lite is adequate for basic note-taking, but the slower processor may cause lag when using more complex note-taking apps or multitasking. The Realme Pad Mini's faster processor would provide a more responsive experience for students.
❓ Does the Realme Pad Mini support expandable storage?
Yes, the Realme Pad Mini supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity. This is a valuable feature for users who plan to store a lot of media or files on their tablet.
❓ How does the software update policy differ between the two tablets?
Samsung generally offers more consistent and longer-term software updates compared to Realme. However, both brands are improving in this area, and the difference may not be significant for the lifespan of these budget tablets.
