Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 vs. Tab S7 FE: A Detailed Tablet Showdown

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and Tab S7 FE are both solid Android tablets, but cater to different needs and budgets. The Tab A8 is a budget-friendly option, while the S7 FE offers a more premium experience. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you choose the right one.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance, a brighter display, and faster charging. While the Tab A8 is a budget-friendly choice, the S7 FE's superior features justify its higher price for most users seeking a versatile tablet.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)	Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

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, 40, 41, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	-	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA, LTE - cellular model only	HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2021, December 15	2021, May 25
Status	Available. Released 2022, January 17	Available. Released 2021, June 18

Body
Build	-	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in)	284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM (cellular model only)	Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight	508 g (1.12 lb)	608 g (1.34 lb)
	-	Stylus support

Display
Resolution	1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density)	1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density)
Size	10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio)	12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT LCD	TFT LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) - 5G modelOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi model
Chipset	Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm)	Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi model
GPU	Mali G52 MP2	Adreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi model
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6	Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM

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	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)	Yes, with stereo speakers
	-	Tuned by AKG

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G)
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (5G)

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only)
	-	Samsung DeX

Battery
Charging	15W wired	45W wired, 100% in 190 min
Type	Li-Po 7040 mAh	Li-Po 10090 mAh

Misc
Colors	Gray, Silver, Pink Gold	Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink
Models	SM-X200, SM-X205	SM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735
Price	About 230 EUR	About 650 EUR
SAR EU	0.92 W/kg (body)	1.15 W/kg (body)

Tests
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1886:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-27.2 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 292530 (v8), 355430 (v9) GeekBench: 1904 (v5.1) GFXBench: 9.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)

Affordable
Decent display for the price
Good for basic tasks
Lightweight and portable

Underpowered chipset
Slow charging
Mediocre camera
Lower brightness display

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

Powerful performance
Bright and vibrant display
Fast charging (45W)
Larger screen
S Pen support (included)

More expensive
Can be bulky due to larger size

Display Comparison

The Tab S7 FE boasts a larger 12.4-inch display compared to the Tab A8's 10.5-inch screen. The S7 FE also has a significantly higher brightness (522 nits vs. Tab A8's estimated 330 nits) and a better contrast ratio, resulting in a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Both offer LCD panels, but the S7 FE's is noticeably superior.

Camera Comparison

While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the Tab S7 FE generally offers slightly better image quality thanks to its more capable hardware. Both cameras are primarily intended for video calls rather than serious photography. Expect decent results in well-lit conditions.

Performance

Here's where the S7 FE truly shines. Its Snapdragon 750G or 778G 5G chipset (depending on the model) provides a substantial performance boost over the Tab A8's Unisoc Tiger T618. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S7 FE. The S7 FE's CPU architecture is also more modern and efficient.

Battery Life

The Tab S7 FE has a larger battery capacity and supports 45W fast charging, allowing it to charge much faster than the Tab A8's 15W charging. Both tablets offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, but the S7 FE's faster charging is a significant advantage.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)? Users on a tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like browsing, streaming, and light gaming. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE? Users who want a more powerful tablet for multitasking, creative work, and demanding games, and appreciate a larger, brighter display and faster charging.