Samsung's Galaxy Tab A7 Lite and S6 Lite both aim to deliver an Android tablet experience without breaking the bank. However, they target slightly different users. The A7 Lite focuses on extreme affordability and portability, while the S6 Lite attempts to balance price with a more premium feature set and improved performance. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the better choice. Its Exynos 9611 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the A7 Lite’s Helio P22T, making it more capable for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the S6 Lite’s superior processing power justifies the price difference.
| 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) / 1800 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE-A |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 27 | 2020, April 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 18 | Available. Released 2020, May 16 |
| 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) | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) | 467 g (1.03 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| 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 |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| 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, gyro |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray |
| Models | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U | SM-P610N, SM-P615, SM-P610 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR | 0.68 W/kg (body) | 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Significantly more affordable
- Highly portable and lightweight
- Decent battery life for basic tasks
- Noticeably slower performance
- Less capable for multitasking and gaming
- Lower quality display panel
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- Superior performance with Exynos 9611
- Better multitasking and gaming capabilities
- More responsive user experience
- Higher price point
- Charging speed is relatively slow
- Still utilizes a TFT LCD panel
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.4-inch TFT LCD displays, but the internal differences matter. While specific brightness data isn't provided, the S6 Lite benefits from a more powerful processor capable of driving a potentially higher quality panel. The A7 Lite’s Mediatek Helio P22T may struggle with demanding graphical tasks, impacting visual fidelity. Bezels are comparable on both devices, focusing on cost reduction rather than an immersive edge-to-edge experience. Color accuracy is likely similar, leaning towards Samsung’s typically vibrant but not color-critical tuning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most tablet buyers, but the S6 Lite likely holds an advantage. While both tablets likely feature similar primary camera sensors, the Exynos 9611’s image signal processor (ISP) will deliver better image processing, resulting in sharper images and more accurate colors. The A7 Lite’s Helio P22T ISP is less sophisticated. Any secondary cameras (likely 2MP macro/depth sensors) on either device are largely irrelevant due to their low resolution and limited functionality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tab S6 Lite’s Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, significantly outperforms the A7 Lite’s Mediatek Helio P22T (12nm). The Exynos utilizes Cortex-A73 cores in its CPU configuration (4x2.3 GHz) compared to the A7 Lite’s Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.3 GHz), offering a substantial improvement in single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The A7 Lite’s CPU, while octa-core, relies on less efficient Cortex-A53 cores for all tasks. Thermal management is less of a concern on both due to the relatively low TDP of these chips, but the S6 Lite will handle sustained loads better.
Battery Life
Both tablets share a 15W wired charging capability. While battery capacity isn't specified, the S6 Lite’s more efficient Exynos 9611 chipset may contribute to slightly longer real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the A7 Lite. The 15W charging speed is relatively slow compared to modern smartphones, meaning a full charge will take approximately 3-4 hours for both devices. The difference in battery life will be more noticeable during demanding tasks where the A7 Lite’s less efficient processor will drain the battery faster.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite if you need a highly portable and incredibly affordable tablet primarily for basic tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light reading. It’s ideal for children or as a secondary device. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite if you prioritize performance for multitasking, note-taking with the S Pen, and occasional gaming. It’s a better fit for students, professionals, or anyone who wants a more versatile tablet experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Tab S6 Lite overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is a relatively efficient chip and is unlikely to overheat significantly during gaming. While it may get warm, the tablet’s design should provide adequate cooling to prevent throttling and maintain stable performance for most games. However, demanding titles at maximum settings for prolonged periods may cause some performance reduction.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Helio P22T and Exynos 9611 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. While both tablets can handle basic tasks, the Exynos 9611 in the S6 Lite provides a smoother and more responsive experience. Web pages load faster, apps launch quicker, and multitasking feels less sluggish. The A7 Lite may exhibit occasional lag or stuttering during these tasks, especially with multiple apps open.
❓ Can the Tab A7 Lite handle popular mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Tab A7 Lite can *run* these games, but the experience will be compromised. Expect lower frame rates, reduced graphics settings, and potential lag, even on the lowest settings. The Helio P22T simply lacks the graphical power to deliver a smooth gaming experience in demanding titles.
❓ Does either tablet support Samsung DeX?
No, neither the Tab A7 Lite nor the Tab S6 Lite supports Samsung DeX. DeX functionality is typically reserved for Samsung’s higher-end tablets and smartphones.
