A decent entry-level tablet
If you’re looking for a decent entry-level tablet and don’t need a lot of frills, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 might fit the bill. Ideal for a child, secondary tablet for use at home or on the go, or for casual browsing, gaming, entertainment and more, it still has some impressive features.
For
- Slightly larger display
- It supports up to Android 13
- More RAM
- Can actually find it cheaper
Against
- Older model
- Low resolution screen
Save some money
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is a much older model, introduced way back in 2020, which means you won’t be able to take advantage of the latest Android operating system for years to come. But for occasional use, and if you can find it for a theft, it might be worth the investment. That said, you might get more bang for your buck by spending a little more on a newer model.
For
- It has the same cameras
- Slightly higher resolution screen
- Oddly more expensive
Against
- Older model
- Not much RAM
The Samsung Galaxy A8 vs. Galaxy A7 seems like an obvious choice, with the former one step ahead of the latter. But it’s not a step forward in every respect and, in some cases, the differences are marginal. We are here to help you make the choice between them.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7: appearance and basic features
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Available in gray, silver or rose gold, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 has a 10.5-inch TFT LCD touchscreen with 1,920 x 1,200 WXGA resolution. It’s ultra-slim and features a sleek metal body, with the screen complemented by quad speakers with Dolby Atmos surround sound for clear, powerful sound. It is slightly wider and a little heavier than the Galaxy Tab A7, but also a little thinner. Complete the look with an optional book cover or case.
With up to 4GB of RAM and an octa-core processor, it also boasts up to 128GB of storage (the 3GB RAM variant only ships with 32GB), and you can expand it up to 1TB with a card. optional microSD. Battery life is great with the 7,040mAh battery supporting 15W fast charging.
Running Android 11 but upgradable to Android 13, it’s outdated but not yet ancient. It has an 8MP rear and a 5MP front camera along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C connectivity options. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack but no NFC for tap-to-pay or other touch-enabled features.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, meanwhile, comes in gray, silver or gold and has a slightly smaller 10.4-inch screen. But it’s also a higher resolution at WUXGA 2,000 x 1,200 which might be what really makes the difference when choosing between the two. It also had four speakers, however, which support Dolby Atmos content.
It’s also slim, if a little thicker, and offers a metal design with the same symmetrical bezel all around. Consider that there is also the Samsung Galaxy A7 Lite variant, which is lighter, thinner, more compact and even sturdier, which you may prefer if you are looking to take it on trips or hand it to a child with slippery fingers.
It, too, has the same long-lasting 7,040mAh battery that charges via USB-C and supports fast charging. But since it’s an older model, it only comes loaded with Android 10, which might be a deal breaker for some. But it can be upgraded to Android 12 and some say Android 13 works too.
A real deal breaker might be that it only comes with 3GB of RAM maxed out, though it also has an octa-core processor. It also only comes with 32GB or 64GB of storage, expandable up to 1TB, which limits how much you can store without shelling out the extra dough for a microSD card.
With the same 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera, there are no differences in this department. It too has a 3.5mm stereo jack, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, but no NFC.
With both, you can easily connect them to other compatible Samsung devices to share photos, memos, notes and calendar events thanks to the integration of the Samsung One user interface. Both also include biometric security, facial unlock, and Knox security, which are useful for those who might use them for work. However, neither are among the Samsung Galaxy tablets that support the Samsung S Pen.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7: appearance and basic features
Let’s take a look at how these two tablets stack up when comparing specs.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 | Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 10.5 inches | 10.4 inches |
| Screen resolution | 1920 x 1200 WUXGA TFT screen | 2,000 x 1,200 WUXGA TFT screen |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi Direct, USB 2.0, 3.5mm, Smart Switch | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi Direct, USB 2.0, 3.5mm, Smart Switch |
| Speaker | Dolby Atmos quad speaker system | Dolby Atmos quad speaker system |
| Camera | 8MP rear, 5MP front AF | 8MP rear, 5MP front AF |
| Processor | Unisoc Tifer T618 octa-core | Octa-core Snapdragon 662 |
| Colors | Grey, Silver, Rose Gold | Dark grey, silver, gold |
| Operating system | Android | Android |
| Internal memory | 32GB, 64GB, 128GB (expandable up to 1TB via microSD card) | 32GB, 64GB (expandable up to 1TB via microSD card) |
| RAM | 3GB RAM (32GB model), 4GB RAM (64GB, 128GB) | 3GB RAM |
| Drums | 7,040mAh | 7,040mAh |
| Dimensions | 9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 inch | 9.75 x 6.2 x 0.28 inch |
| Weight | 508 grams | 476 grams |
It seems that these two tablets go toe to toe in many ways with specs that look nearly identical.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7: What else sets them apart
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 includes Samsung TV Plus for access to free streaming TV, including news, sports, movies, kids’ content and more. Speaking of the latter, you can also set up a special Samsung Kids section that offers improved parental controls, a customizable home screen, and age-appropriate built-in content. This makes it a viable option as a tablet for kids.
You also get a two-month YouTube Premium membership with your purchase, which adds even more content to the experience. Please note, however, that this offer may vary by country and by time of device purchase.
There are other great features like Screen Recorder which can record your screen if you are watching a live online lecture, for example, while you can take notes at the same time. This is great if you could use it for things like cooking classes, fitness classes, and more.
With the multi-window experience, you can handle two tasks simultaneously, though if you plan on doing so, you should upgrade to the 4GB RAM version to make sure it can handle multitasking sufficiently and keep up with your needs. You can drag and drop, even sharing content between apps, like a photo or web page within a group chat.
If you opt for the Samsung Galaxy A7, you can expect the same two-month trial of YouTube Premium (may vary by country and by date of purchase) and features like dark mode to reduce eye strain and save time of the battery. There’s also a nice feature called Auto Hotspot that will automatically connect the tablet to your Galaxy smartphone when you’re out of Wi-Fi range if you enable it. (Just watch out for this feature if you have children, including teenagers!)
With this tablet, you can also set up Samsung Kids, making it a good option for the little ones too.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7: which one to buy?
It’s time for decisions. When considering the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 versus the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, which is the better fit? The Galaxy Tab A8 is the newest model, which automatically makes it the best option to ensure you can use it for years to come. With confirmation that it runs on the latest Android 13, however, you may not be able to update it much beyond potentially Android 14 once it’s released. So, you will have to keep this in mind. That said, if it’s for light use and if security updates are still available, you might not care so much.
However, bear in mind that the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 has a slightly lower resolution screen, even if it is a bit larger. But it has bigger onboard memory options and the faster 4GB RAM option might be the only reason you choose this one. The maximum RAM of 3GB for the Galaxy Tab A7 might end up being too slow for even a fussy kid who wants to stream videos, play games, and more.
These are the biggest differentiating factors between the two. Despite the screen with a slightly lower resolution, it is better to choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, if only for more RAM and more storage space. Plus, it’s available right now for a lower price, making it an easy option between the two.
Ideally, you’d consider some of the other best budget Android tablets; note that we name the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 as the best overall option in this space. If you’re willing to spend a little more (in some cases, much more) and want something a lot newer, consider one of the best Android tablets overall.
The best option
Both tablets are older models but between these two, you are betting on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. It has a slightly lower resolution screen, but the option for more RAM (definitely goes with 4GB) along with more storage. Everything else is pretty much the same, but in this case, newer is better and you’ll get more value for your buck.
For the truly budget conscious
If you’re pinching pennies, you’ll still get many of the same features with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 that you would with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. You’ll also get a slightly higher resolution screen. But this isn’t a work tablet. It’s great for little ones, for casual surfing, web browsing, and watching videos on the go.
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