3 Reasons to Avoid a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Today

If you’re in the market for an affordable mid-range tablet, the Samsung Galaxy A7 is probably on your list. It’s been a popular slate for several years, but is it still a great choice today? We’re going to tell you why you may want to avoid the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 and we have put together a quick list of alternative slates.

Reasons to Avoid a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

Keep reading for an in-depth look at why you should avoid a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 and look at other tablets instead.

It’s a Mediocre Slate

If you need a tablet with plenty of power or a stunning display, you’ll be disappointed by the Tab A7. That’s the biggest reason to avoid a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 today – it’s simply a mid-range tablet. You won’t find any flagship features on this slate, which isn’t in the same category as Samsung’s premium tablets.  

The Galaxy Tab A series tablets are considered mid-range tablets. They are a step above the budget-friendly Galaxy Tab E series but below the Galaxy Tab S line. The Galaxy Tab S7, launched the same year, has an 11-inch panel with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600, more storage, and a much faster processor. The Tab S7+ has an even higher resolution OLED display.

While the Tab A is great for watching Netflix or playing casual games, it’s far from a powerhouse. It’s not the type of tablet you’ll want for editing or graphic design, especially when better options are available.

Newer Galaxy Tablets

Tech ages quickly, especially in the mobile world. Manufacturers like Apple and Samsung often roll out yearly refreshes of their most popular lineups. They use those new features as a selling point to get people to upgrade. While new bells & whistles can do the trick, the most significant changes are generally under the hood.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 arrived in September 2020, making it three years old at this time. That’s not ancient in the tech world, but it is old enough to give potential buyers pause. Samsung has released a “light version of the slate since the original tablet launched, along with three newer models in the Galaxy Tab A8, Galaxy Tab A9, and Galaxy Tab A9+.

There’s no significant difference between the Tab A7 and A8 outside of the stereo speakers, but the A9 has a larger display and ships with a newer version of Android. New models will also have more time left in the software update cycle. That’s important when you’re shopping for tablets in this class and a reason you may want to avoid the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 at this time.

You’re Not Sold on Android

We won’t delve into the Apple vs. Android debate, considering the two operating systems are as different as night and day. Android gives users more freedom with what they can do with their smartphones and slates. That freedom can come at a cost, however.

Apple provides users with a different experience while putting much tighter restrictions. Security is better across the board unless you buy an Android device designed for that purpose. I’ve alternated between the operating systems for years and have experienced fewer issues with Apple devices.

You can do most of the same things on an Android tablet as you can with an iPad from Apple. That includes taking photos, gaming, or watching videos. That’s an area where the Galaxy Tab A7 excels, but Apple’s walled garden provides a much smoother experience overall.  

The Best Alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

Whether you’re not impressed by the Galaxy Tab A7’s power or feel Android isn’t the best choice, there are some great alternatives like these three popular tablets.

Apple iPad 10^th Generation

Best Overall Alternative

Apple iPad (10th Generation)

$399.00

• 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display (2360 x 1640 pixels)
• 64GB storage
• Wi-Fi 6, Touch ID
• A14 Bionic chip 
• 12MP front/12MP back cameras
• Compatible with Apple Pencil (1st generation)

Buy on Amazon

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11/29/2023 08:43 pm GMT

The iPad is the best tablet for people who prefer iOS or want to try that “other” operating system. Apple’s 10^th generation iPad is their best slate to date and it’s an affordable way to break into the company’s ecosystem.

At 10.9 inches, this tablet is larger than the Galaxy Tab A7 and has a much sharper display. The Liquid Retina panel has a resolution of 2,360 x 1,640. It’s vivid, bright, and has plenty of pop, thanks to Apple’s A14 Bionic processor. It’s a step down from the company’s new M2 chips but runs circles around Sammy’s slate.

Connectivity options are strong with Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, and 1^st gen Apple Pencil compatibility. The tablet has Touch ID for security and ease of access as well. While tablets aren’t usually preferred for photos, the iPad is an exception, with 12MP sensors on the front and back. It can handle 4K video and has Center Stage support for video conferencing.

The iPad is more expensive than the Galaxy A7, but it’s a much better tablet from top to bottom. If you’re used to Android, the new OS will take some getting used to, but that’s the only real drawback. This 10th-generation iPad is available in four colors and two storage configurations at 64 or 256GB.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

Newer and Cheaper than the A7

SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab A8 10.5”

$237.00

• Features a 10.5" LCD screen
• 1920 x 1200 resolution
• 128GB storage
• 12-hour battery life with a fast-charging USB C port
• 8MP rear camera

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11/29/2023 08:47 pm GMT

The Galaxy Tablet A8 has plenty in common with the A7, but the differences are significant. It is cheaper than the older model, kid-friendly, and still has the same fantastic battery life that made its predecessor popular. 

This tablet has the same 7,040mAh battery as the A7 but a slightly larger display and a slightly different resolution at 1,920 x 1,200. There are three storage capacities to choose from, including 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB. All allow for expansion, but the 32GB has 3GB of RAM, while the larger variants come with 4GB. A Unisoc Tiger T618 octa-core processor clocked at 2.GHz powers the tablet.

Samsung also included cameras on this Galaxy Tab A8 with an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing sensor. It supports USB-C fast charging, has Bluetooth 5.0, and dual-band Wi-Fi. You’ll also have access to Samsung Kids. This mode provides parents with a safe way to share their slate with their children through curated content.

The Galaxy Tab A8 may not beat the A7 by leaps and bounds, but it’s newer and cheaper than the company’s tablet from 2020. It’s not uncommon to find this affordable slate at a deep discount as Samsung pushes the Galaxy Tab 9, whereas stock on the A7 has dried up.

Google Pixel Tablet

Best Value Android

Google Pixel Tablet with Charging Speaker Dock

$399.00

• Features the Google Tensor G2 chip with Google AI
• Comes complete with a charging speaker dock
• 11-inch screen
• 2560 x 1600 resolution
• 128GB storage

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11/29/2023 08:47 pm GMT

People who love Android, but not necessarily Samsung, will appreciate Google’s latest tablet. The Google Pixel Tablet is a great reason to avoid a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, and while it’s expensive, it’s well worth the price if you want the best.

With an 11-inch screen, this tablet is the largest of our alternatives and has a fantastic display. The resolution will blister your eyeballs at 2,560 x 1,600, while adaptive brightness ensures it’s comfortable to use. The slate features Google’s Tensor G2 processor, so speed won’t be a problem. It also has a whopping 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128 or 256GB of built-in storage.

Split-screen multitasking is a breeze on this tablet, and the battery life is excellent. Other features to note include 8MP cameras on the front and rear, Wi-Fi 6, a fingerprint scanner, and three years of Android updates. You’ll also get five years of guaranteed security updates with this tablet and the unique dock. That dock doubles as a speaker while ensuring your tablet is charged and ready to roll.

Google’s tablet gained a lot of fans after its release, and it’s the best way to enjoy Android without all the bloat. The storage is capped with no microSD card slot, which is a drag, but everything else is top-of-the-line on the Google Pixel Tablet.

Alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Eugenio Marongiu/Shutterstock.com.