Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE vs S7: A Deep Dive into Samsung's Tablet Lineup

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S7 FE and S7 both aim to deliver a premium tablet experience, but cater to different priorities. The S7 FE focuses on affordability and a larger display, while the S7 prioritizes raw performance. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE offers a compelling balance of features and price. While the S7 boasts a significantly more powerful processor, the S7 FE’s larger screen, 5G option, and lower cost make it the better choice for everyday tasks, media consumption, and students.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model onlyHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, May 252020, August 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 18Available. Released 2020, August 21
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in)253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in)
SIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight608 g (1.34 lb)498 g (Wi-Fi), 500 g (LTE), 502 g (5G) (1.10 lb)
 Stylus supportStylus support, 9ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)
Display
Resolution1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density)1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density)
Size12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCDTFT LCD, 120Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-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 modelOcta-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi modelQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi modelAdreno 650
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.0
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, AF-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
 Tuned by AKGTuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G)5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model onlyGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (5G)Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Samsung DeXSamsung DeX
Battery
Charging45W wired, 100% in 190 min45W wired
TypeLi-Po 10090 mAhLi-Po 8000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic PinkMystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Silver, Phantom Navy
ModelsSM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735SM-T870, SM-T875, SM-T876B
PriceAbout 650 EURAbout 700 EUR
SAR-1.26 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.15 W/kg (body)1.38 W/kg (body)
Tests
DisplayContrast ratio: 1886:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker-27.2 LUFS (Good)-
PerformanceAnTuTu: 292530 (v8), 355430 (v9) GeekBench: 1904 (v5.1) GFXBench: 9.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

  • Larger display for enhanced multitasking
  • More affordable price point
  • 5G connectivity option (select models)

  • Significantly less powerful processor
  • Potentially lower display quality compared to S7

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 865
  • Potentially better display quality
  • Faster overall responsiveness

  • Higher price tag
  • Smaller display size

Display Comparison

Both tablets feature LCD panels, but differ in size and measured brightness. The Tab S7 FE boasts a larger display, though it achieves a measured peak brightness of 522 nits compared to the S7’s (spec not provided, but generally higher in flagship models). The S7 FE’s 1886:1 contrast ratio is respectable, but the S7 likely offers superior color accuracy and viewing angles due to its higher-end panel. The larger screen of the S7 FE is beneficial for split-screen multitasking and digital art, while the S7’s potentially superior panel quality enhances media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Neither tablet excels in the camera department, but the S7 likely has a slight edge due to its flagship status. Specific camera specs are not provided for either device, but Samsung typically equips its flagship tablets with better sensors and image processing. The S7 FE’s camera is adequate for video calls and casual snapshots, but shouldn’t be considered a primary camera for serious photography. Focusing on the processor difference is more important than camera differences here.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant difference. The Tab S7 FE utilizes either the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G (5G model) or the SM7325 Snapdragon 778G (Wi-Fi model), both built on 8nm and 6nm processes respectively. The S7, however, is powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+, a 7nm+ chip. The Snapdragon 865’s Cortex-A77 cores, clocked at 3.09 GHz, significantly outperform the Kryo 570 and Cortex-A78 cores found in the S7 FE. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive experience, especially in graphically intensive tasks. The 6nm Snapdragon 778G in the Wi-Fi FE model offers a slight efficiency advantage over the 8nm 750G, but still falls short of the 865’s raw power.

Battery Life

Both tablets support 45W wired charging, with the S7 FE taking approximately 190 minutes to reach 100%. Battery capacity isn’t specified for either model, but the S7 FE’s larger size suggests a potentially larger battery. However, the Snapdragon 865 in the S7 is less power-efficient than the Snapdragon 778G in the Wi-Fi S7 FE, potentially offsetting the capacity difference. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the S7 FE’s more efficient processor could provide longer endurance for typical tasks.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE if you need a larger screen for multitasking, appreciate the convenience of 5G connectivity (on select models), and prioritize value over absolute performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 if you demand the fastest possible performance for demanding applications like video editing, gaming, or professional creative work, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Wi-Fi S7 FE model offer enough performance for demanding apps like Adobe Lightroom?
While the Snapdragon 778G is a capable processor, it won’t match the performance of the Snapdragon 865 in the S7 for resource-intensive tasks like Lightroom. Expect longer processing times and potential lag when editing large files. The S7 is the better choice for professional creative workflows.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the S7 FE worth the extra cost if I have reliable Wi-Fi access?
If you consistently have access to fast and reliable Wi-Fi, the 5G connectivity on the S7 FE is likely unnecessary. The primary benefit of 5G is portability and connectivity on the go. If you frequently travel or work in areas with limited Wi-Fi, the 5G model could be a worthwhile investment.
❓ How does the S7 FE handle multitasking with multiple apps open simultaneously?
The S7 FE’s larger display and 6GB/8GB of RAM (spec not provided, but typical for this segment) allow for decent multitasking. However, the Snapdragon 778G may exhibit some slowdown when running numerous demanding apps concurrently. The S7, with its more powerful processor, handles multitasking more smoothly.