The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus and Acer Iconia Tab A101 were popular Android tablets in their time, offering a blend of portability and functionality. But with age, how do they stack up against each other? This detailed comparison will help you decide which one might still be worth considering.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus edges out the Acer Iconia Tab A101 thanks to its significantly better display contrast and impressive battery life. While both offer dual-core performance, the Samsung's screen and endurance give it a slight advantage for general use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, September. Released 2011, October | 2011, February. Released 2011, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 193.7 x 122.4 x 9.9 mm (7.63 x 4.82 x 0.39 in) | 195 x 117 x 13.1 mm (7.68 x 4.61 x 0.52 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 345 g (12.17 oz) | 470 g (1.04 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~58.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~60.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | LCD |
| | - | Acer UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Exynos 4210 | Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | ULP GeForce |
| OS | Android 3.2 (Honeycomb), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UX UI | Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP, aptX | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | 2.0 (TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | HDMI port
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
XviD/MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 1000 h (2G) / Up to 1000 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 40 h (2G) / Up to 20 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 4000 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Po 1530 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black/Red, Black/Blue |
| Models | GT-P6200 | - |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.71 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.5dB / Crosstalk -83.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 63h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1236:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 65dB
| - |
Samsung P6200 Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus
- Superior Display Contrast
- Excellent Battery Life
- Slightly Faster Processor
- Compact and Portable
- Older Device
- Limited App Compatibility
- Basic Camera
Acer Iconia Tab A101
- More Affordable (potentially)
- Compact and Portable
- Decent for Basic Tasks
- Weaker Performance
- Lower Display Quality
- Shorter Battery Life
- Older Device
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 1236:1, delivering noticeably richer colors and deeper blacks compared to the Iconia Tab A101. While both have 7-inch displays, the Samsung's screen quality is a clear winner. The Iconia Tab A101's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy of the Samsung.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices was never a strong point. Both feature basic photo and video capabilities suitable for quick snapshots, but don't expect high-resolution images or impressive video quality. Image quality will be grainy and limited in low light.
Performance
Both tablets feature dual-core Cortex-A9 processors, but the Samsung utilizes an Exynos 4210 clocked at 1.2 GHz, while the Acer has an Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 at 1.0 GHz. The Samsung's slightly faster clock speed and potentially more efficient architecture give it a performance edge, though both will struggle with demanding modern apps. Expect some lag on both devices.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 63 hours. This is a significant advantage over the Acer Iconia Tab A101, which offers considerably less runtime. The Samsung will easily last a full day of moderate use, while the Acer may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a vibrant display and long battery life for media consumption and light productivity. The Acer Iconia Tab A101 might appeal to budget-conscious buyers seeking a basic tablet for web browsing and simple tasks, though performance will be noticeably slower.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these tablets still worth buying in 2024?
Given their age, finding one in good condition might be challenging. While they can still handle basic tasks, modern tablets offer significantly better performance and features. Consider them only if you find a very cheap option and don't need the latest technology.
❓ What Android version do these tablets run?
Both tablets originally shipped with Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) and 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Official updates were limited, so they likely run older versions. App compatibility may be an issue with newer Android apps.
