So you’re on the lookout for a new tablet, and you have your heart set on something from the Samsung catalog. There are some great options in there, but you like the Galaxy Tab A7 as much as the Galaxy Tab S7. Which one do you choose? In a battle of Galaxy Tab A7 vs S7, which tablet would be more suitable for your specific needs? Well, there’s only one way to find out, and that’s pitting these two amazing tablets in a head-to-head comparison. Let’s take a look at all the features, the bells and whistles, the dealbreakers, and the extras.
Galaxy Tab A7 vs S7
Before we list the features and explain each of them and highlight the differences, let’s first analyze the pros and cons of each of these devices. We begin with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Pros
- Has an excellent display for the price point.
- The quad-speakers are equally good and support Dolby Atmos technology.
- The battery backup is something that many users and reviewers are happy about.
- Good build quality.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Cons
- Struggles a bit when you play demanding games, and you can see a bit of latency.
- The storage maxes out at 64GB, which may be insufficient for some users.
- Fast charging is restricted to 15W, which is not great.
- Does not support stylus usage.
- The camera could have been better.
Related Read: Our Galaxy Tab A vs Tab A7 comparison
That’s the summary for the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7. Let’s now break it down for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Pros
- A stunning display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Comes with the S-pen stylus, and it works great.
- The performance is great, and there’s never lag even during gaming or with multiple apps open.
- The camera delivers the goods.
- Has sufficient storage options with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models.
- It has a massive 8000mAh battery that also supports 45W fast charging.
- Is 5G-ready.
- Has a fingerprint sensor to unlock the tablet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Cons
- The UI (One UI 4) is a bit buggy, and the software experience is okay-ish even in DeX mode.
- The price makes you question the value for money.
- Even though you have a huge battery, the powerful processor and display tend to burn through the battery quite quickly.
| Model | Galaxy Tab A7 | Galaxy Tab S7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 10.4 inches, TFT, 1200 x 2000 pixels | 11.0 inches, TFT,1600 x 2560 pixels120Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 | Snapdragon 865 5G+ |
| Battery | 7040mAh15W fast charging | 8000mAh45W fast charging |
| Memory | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| OS | One UI 3.1, Android 11 | One UI 4, Android 12 |
| Rear Camera | 8MP | 13MP + 5MP (ultrawide) |
| Front Camera | 5MP | 8MP |
| SD Card Support | Yes, eMMC 5.1 | Yes, UFS 3.0 |
| Ports | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2, Magnetic connector |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Stylus | No | Yes, Comes with S Pen |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 9.75 x 6.20 x 0.28 inches | 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in |
| Weight | 1.05lbs | 1.10 lbs |
| Price | $229.99 to $279.99 | $649.99 to $829.99 |
Here’s a video review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 that can give you some perspective:
Galaxy Tab A7 vs S7: Face to Face
If you’ve skimmed through the table above, you should have a fair idea of the major differences between these two gadgets. Now let’s take a look at each feature, side by side.
Design
When you buy a Samsung device, one thing you can be confident about is the design and aesthetics. Both the Galaxy Tab A7 and the Galaxy Tab S7 are gorgeous to look at and are premium in touch and feel. The Galaxy Tab A7 comes in Dark Gray, Silver, and Gold color variants. The Galaxy Tab S7 offers slightly a more exciting look than the A7 and is available in Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Silver, and Phantom Navy color options.
Dimensions-wise, the A7 is a smidge smaller than the S7 and is 9.75 inches on its longest side and 6.2 inches wide. In comparison, the Tab S7 is almost 10 inches long and 6.51 inches wide. There is a slot for the S Pen on the back of the Galaxy Tab S7, and we absolutely love how it adds to the aesthetic of the tablet. Both tablets weigh more or less the same, coming in just under 500 grams or just over 1 lb.
Display
You know Samsung never compromises on its displays, and thankfully both of these tablets are beauties! But take a closer look, and you start to see the differences. Starting with the refresh rate — while the Galaxy Tab A7 offers 60Hz, the Tab S7 offers 120Hz, which makes a world of difference in usage. There is a difference in screen size, too, as the Tab A7 measures 10.4 inches diagonally while the Tab S7’s display measures 11 inches.
The resolution of the Galaxy Tab S7 is higher than the Tab A7, as it offers 1600 x 2560 pixels compared to the 1200 x 2000 pixels on the A7. Pixel density varies on the A7 and S7, as you get 224ppi (pixels per inch) on the former and 274ppi on the latter. The screen on the S7 is HDR10+ capable, whereas the Galaxy Tab A7’s display is not.
Audio
The Galaxy Tab A7 comes with stereo speakers, just like the Tab S7, which means you’re in for an immersive audio experience whenever you watch your favorite movies or shows. Both of these tablets come with quad speakers, that’s two on each side. These tablets both offer Dolby Atmos, but the only difference is that the listening experience is tuned by AKG for the Galaxy Tab S7. Another difference between the audio specs of these tablets is that the Tab A7 has a 3.5mm jack whereas the Tab S7 does not.
Hardware
The hardware on both of these tablets is impressive but the S7 clearly wins against the A7 when it comes to the build material, chipset, and memory specs. The Galaxy Tab S7 has a flat frame and a design aesthetic that is similar to the new iPad Pro models, and it makes this device very premium to the touch. While both tablets have metal bodies, the Tab S7 is made of better materials.
The Galaxy Tab A7 comes with a Snapdragon 662 chipset under the hood, which is pretty decent in terms of performance, given the price tag. You’ll only sense it struggling when you play a demanding game or try to multitask with too many heavy apps. Comparatively, the Tab S7 carries a beast of a chipset — the Snapdragon 865. The difference in chipset generations is rather noticeable when you switch between these tablets.
And did we mention that the Galaxy Tab S7 will allow you to access 5G networks when they launch sometime later this year (or next)? This means lightning-fast internet access speeds, even on the move.
Software
The Galaxy Tab A7 comes pre-loaded with One UI 3.1 and has received Samsung updates to upgrade it all the way to Android 11. Here again, the Galaxy Tab S7 one-ups its cousin as it features One UI 4, which got the Android 12 update a while ago. The Galaxy Tab S7 supports DeX mode, which is Samsung’s proprietary technology that allows you to use your tablet like a PC, by connecting a mouse and keyboard and changing the UI to a more traditional desktop mode.
Performance
The A7 comes with a Snapdragon 662 chipset whereas the Tab S7 has a 5G-ready Snapdragon 865 SoC (system on chip) inside it. The S7 has more RAM as well with a 6GB RAM version and an 8GB version, which eclipses the modest 3GB RAM on the Tab A7.
Thanks to the superior chipset (and graphics processor) and more RAM inside the Tab S7, performance gets a bump. You can comfortably open up multiple tabs on your browse or rapidly switch between apps and not see any glitches. It also helps that the display has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which adds to the smooth experience of using the Tab S7.
Camera
In the camera department, the Tab S7 outshines the A7 yet again. In fact, the 13MP primary snapper on the Tab S7 is refreshing to use, as tablet cameras generally offer mediocre results. It also features an ultrawide 5MP secondary camera, but this works well only in brightly-lit conditions because it struggles in places with low light. The 8MP camera on the front of the S7 does a good job as well, be it video calls or the occasional selfie.
The A7 has an 8MP camera on the back, which just about gets the job done, but chances are you’re better off using your smartphone camera. On the front, you get a 5MP camera, which quite honestly, shoots pictures that aren’t very impressive.
Accessories / Peripherals
A huge win for the Tab S7 is the fact that you get an S Pen free with it. Being an entry-level Samsung tablet, the A7 does not even support the use of a stylus. You also get a 45W charging brick with the S7 whereas the Tab A7 comes with a 15W fast charger. Both tablets get Samsung accessories in the form of keyboards (that you have to buy separately), but the Samsung keyboard for the Tab S7 is distinctively superior, with larger keys and a touchpad.
User Interface
Both the tablets run on Android, but the Tab A7 runs Android 11 with One UI 3.1 baked on top of it, while the Galaxy Tab S7 runs Android 12 under the One UI 4 skin. Additionally, the Tab S7 features Samsung’s DeX mode, which allows you to use your tablet as a desktop computer. You can connect the Tab S7 to an external monitor with a Type-C to HDMI adapter and you will feel like you’re working on a full-fledged PC!
Battery
Both tablets feature fast charging, but that term changes meaning every passing year. At one point in time, a 10W charger would be considered fast! On that note, the Tab A7 comes with a 15W charger for its 7040mAh battery, whereas the Tab S7 has a much bigger 8000mAh battery and features a 45W fast charging block.
Memory
You get better memory specs on the Tab S7 in comparison to the Galaxy Tab A7 — in fact, storage for the Tab A7 maxes out at 64GB on the top model, along with 3GB of RAM. The Tab S7, on the other hand, has an 8GB 512GB model, which is more than sufficient for people who require more storage space. Thankfully, you do get SD card slots on both devices.
Galaxy Tab A7 vs S7: Quality and Reliability
With either of these devices, you can bet that you’re looking at getting many years of happy usage out of them. Samsung has an excellent reputation when it comes to both quality and reliability, and their after-sales support system is impressive as well.
Warranty
Both the Galaxy Tab A7 and the Galaxy Tab S7 come with Samsung’s 1-year warranty on the tablet. Note that this does not cover the battery or peripherals and accessories. While the battery is covered for 12 months, your charger will be under warranty coverage only for six months. Additional 2-year and 3-year Samsung Care+ plans can be considered when purchasing the tablet.
Customer support
If at any point you need help with your tablet, you can reach out to Samsung’s customer care team, and they will gladly assist you with your issues. You can reach out to them at this link: Samsung Customer Support. The level of assistance you will get from them will be equal regardless of which tablet you own.
Standout features
When it comes to standout features, the Galaxy Tab S7 easily trumps the Tab A7. From the design elements to the cameras, from performance to features, from software experience to battery life, the S7 wins each and every round against the A7. But this is understandable, as they are in different price slabs. When it comes to value for money, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 wins comfortably.
By the way, we also wrote an article about Samsung tablets vs Lenovo tablets. Want to see who won that battle? Click that link and find out!
Price
Here’s the pricing for both the Galaxy Tab A7 and the S7’s different models:
Galaxy Tab A7
Galaxy Tab S7
Note that Samsung also offers trade-ins, so make sure you explore those. You can also get the Tab S7 on Verizon/T-Mobile, but you can only buy the 128GB Mystic Black option — and this is priced at $849.99.
Conclusion
As our Galaxy Tab A7 vs S7 comparison draws to an end, it is safe to say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 comfortably crushes the Galaxy Tab A7. But that is pretty understandable, as both tablets target completely different markets. So if you’re on the lookout for a tablet that you can use for casual browsing, watching videos, and playing the occasional game, then the best option would be the Tab A7. But if you want a workhorse that will always impress you and offers the best of the Android tablet world, then go for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. Leave us a comment if you have any questions about these tablets!
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