The sub-$100 tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering basic functionality for media consumption and light tasks. We pit the Wiko Sunny3, a straightforward entry-level tablet, against the Lenovo Tab M7, which boasts a more sophisticated chipset, to determine which provides the best user experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Lenovo Tab M7 is the better choice. While both tablets feature a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, the Lenovo’s Mediatek MT8321 chipset, built on a 28nm process, offers a more refined architecture and connectivity options, resulting in smoother performance and greater versatility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, Q1. Released 2019, Q1 | 2019, September. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 74 x 10 mm (5.78 x 2.91 x 0.39 in) | 176.3 x 102.9 x 8.3 mm (6.94 x 4.05 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 236 g (8.32 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~63.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~76.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT8321 (28 nm) - Wi-FiMediatek MT8765B - Wi-Fi/LTE |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | Mali-400 |
| OS | Android 8.0 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 9.0 (Pie) - 2GB RAM, Android 9.0 Pie (Go edition) - 1GB RAM |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Languages | Anthracite, Gold, Silver, Bleen, Cherry Red | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3590 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | - | Iron Grey, Platinum Grey, Onyx Black |
| Models | - | TB-7305F, TB-7305X, TB-7305I |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.80 W/kg (body) | - |
Wiko Sunny3
- Potentially lower price point.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Less powerful processor.
- Limited connectivity options.
- Likely lower build quality.
Lenovo Tab M7
- More powerful Mediatek MT8321 chipset.
- Potential for LTE connectivity (MT8765B variant).
- Better graphics performance.
- Slightly higher price.
- May not offer significantly improved battery life.
- Still limited by low-resolution display.
Display Comparison
Neither device provides display specifications beyond size, making direct comparison difficult. However, given the price point, both likely utilize TN panels with limited viewing angles and color accuracy. The Lenovo Tab M7’s potential for LTE connectivity suggests a slightly more advanced display driver, potentially offering better responsiveness. The absence of information regarding resolution or brightness suggests both are geared towards basic visual tasks.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either device. Both tablets likely feature low-resolution cameras suitable for basic video calls and occasional snapshots. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be limited, particularly in low-light conditions. Focusing on camera specs would be a misdirection given the target market.
Performance
Both tablets are equipped with a quad-core 1.3 GHz CPU, but the Lenovo Tab M7’s chipset, the Mediatek MT8321, represents a significant architectural advantage. Built on a 28nm process, the MT8321 integrates a Mali-450 MP4 GPU, offering superior graphics performance compared to the Wiko Sunny3’s Cortex-A7 based processor. This translates to smoother scrolling, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Lenovo. The MT8765B variant adds LTE connectivity, a feature absent in the Wiko Sunny3, broadening its usability.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Mediatek MT8321’s 28nm process offers better power efficiency compared to the Wiko Sunny3’s Cortex-A7. This, combined with potential software optimizations, suggests the Lenovo Tab M7 may deliver slightly longer battery life despite potentially similar battery capacities. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are likely to utilize standard micro-USB charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Wiko Sunny3 if you need an extremely basic tablet solely for static tasks like reading ebooks or displaying photos, and prioritize absolute minimal cost. Buy the Lenovo Tab M7 if you prefer a tablet capable of handling light multitasking, streaming video with greater stability, and benefiting from Wi-Fi/LTE connectivity options, even if it means a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lenovo Tab M7 handle streaming video services like Netflix and YouTube smoothly?
The Mediatek MT8321 chipset and Mali-450 MP4 GPU in the Lenovo Tab M7 are capable of decoding 720p video content without significant issues. While 1080p streaming may experience occasional stuttering, it's generally suitable for casual video consumption. The Wiko Sunny3's processor may struggle with consistent 720p playback.
❓ Can the Lenovo Tab M7 be used for basic web browsing and email?
Yes, the Lenovo Tab M7 is well-suited for basic web browsing and email. The MT8321 chipset provides sufficient processing power for loading web pages and managing email accounts. The potential for LTE connectivity (depending on the model) further enhances its usability for on-the-go browsing.
❓ Is the Wiko Sunny3 a good choice for children?
The Wiko Sunny3's simplicity and potentially lower price make it a viable option for children, particularly for supervised use with pre-loaded educational apps. However, its limited performance may become frustrating for more demanding applications or games.