Galaxy Tab A7 Lite Review: Versatile Lifestyle Accessory

August 29, 2021 Off By Rowena Cletus

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Performance: Mediatek Helio P22T, 4GB RAM
Display: 8.7-inch (1340 x 800) WXGA+
Weight: 366g
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 5,100 mAh
Features: FHD (1920 x 1080) video recording
Rear Camera: 8 MP
Front Camera: 2 MP
Rating: 8/10
Price:RM699.00

The modern smartphone has made our lives far more convenient than we could have ever dreamed possible. Besides a phone, it also functions as a camera, calculator, diary, music player, mini TV and pocket computer. That’s in addition to its ability to connect to the internet and effectively place the world in the palm of your hand.

It’s only limitation is its screen size. That’s what makes the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite an appealing prospect to own. It has the same functionality of a typical smartphone, but offers far more screen real-estate. Unlike regular sized tablets, it’s lightweight, easy to carry and can be operated one-handed.

Have you become accustomed to keeping your work documents, emails, presentations and photos of friends and family on your electronic devices? When you juggle between multiple devices, it’s easy to lose track of what you’re doing, but having an ecosystem that keeps everything in a single place, can take the tedium out of managing your digital life.

The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite can be synced with your phone and to an extension, devices that are connected to it. This can be achieved if both Galaxy devices are signed in to the same Samsung account. The tablet can then send and receive messages as well as answer calls. The paired Galaxy Buds and other accessories are able to seamlessly work with the tablet.

It’s a similar case with clipboards of Galaxy devices that are linked to the tablet. You can paste data from your phone onto the Tab A7 Lite. That’s not all, you can pick up where you left off with any device. It’s Samsung’s way of creating an ecosystem where data across multiple devices can be synced and accessed at any time.

Keeping said data safe while you’re on the move, is of paramount importance. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite comes equipped with Samsung Knox to make sure that whatever is on your tablet is kept safe from prying eyes of cyber criminals. Parents can also use the included security features to restrict and adjust app access for children with Samsung Kids.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Handle with One Hand
If you’re an event planner or someone who is constantly managing several tasks at once, it would be counterproductive to keep both hands on a tablet. This is exactly why the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is equipped with One Hand Operation+. It’s a feature that lets you fully utilize the tablet’s functions with the use of a single hand.

With the One Hand Operation+, you can use it in over 40 different ways. These combinations allow it to adapt to your needs. Switching between apps, answering a call or adjusting the screen brightness can be done with a single gesture. It’s a Godsend for when you’re crossing off items on your list at a crowded grocery store.

The tablet has an 8.7″ WXGA+ screen with a resolution of 1366 x 800 pixels. Despite this, it’s no bigger than its predecessor thanks in part to thinner bezels. Moreover, it includes dual speakers with Dolby Atmos, which delivers a somewhat immersive entertainment experience. At maximum volume, what you’re watching can be heard by others from across the room.

It’s slender silhouette leads one to believe that the tablet’s battery life won’t be great. However, the contrary is true. Samsung managed to squeeze a 5,100mAh battery into it. If you choose to use it as you would a smartphone, the Tab A7 Lite should provide a full day’s worth of use. There’s also support for 15W fast charging for quick top-up sessions.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Tab A7 Lite Is Perfect For Kids
Weighing just 366 grams, it’s a perfect tablet for kids because of how small and lightweight it is to carry. Bumps and scrapes don’t seem to do it much harm but it’s advisable to cover the tablet with a silicon case. That way, if the little one accidentally drops one onto a concrete floor, the Tab A7 Lite should come out unscathed.

In the past year, many families and students have adapted quickly to online classes and home-based learning. The demand for tablets has never been greater for teens who are preparing for final exams or kindergarteners experiencing their first digital device. These budget tablets are now considered essential tools.

Samsung’s tools ensure that parents remain in control while allowing their children to learn and explore the digital world in a safe environment. Parents can also monitor their children’s usage and playtime through Parental Control, so they can limit how long their kids spend on said devices.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Control Centre For Smart Devices
The SmartThings app allows a Samsung device to control and manage smart appliances throughout a home. This is where the Tab A7 Lite shines the most. It can be used as a central command centre to switch on/off lights, air-conditioners, smart speakers, TVs, vacuum cleaners and various other devices.

Compared to conventional smart displays or tablets, this one requires less energy to hold, carry and use. And when you’re done with it for the day, the Tab A7 Lite can be chucked into a shelf or a small backpack. If need be, it can be mounted on a wall or table top as a central remote control for a smart home – the possibilities are endless.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Lifestyle Companion
The Tab A7 Lite offers the convenience of an e-reader with the practicality of a traditional tablet. And as such, it’s the perfect size for reading e-books or e-magazines. But once you’re done with that, it can be used as a regular tablet to stream content or scroll through your Twitter and Instagram feeds.

There are several posh covers available for this tablet, but we would advise against purchasing one. Its main selling point is its lightweight and compact properties. A fancy cover will not only add significant heft to the device, but make it very bulky to carry. A simple silicone case would be the best option.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

That way, when you pull it out of your bag at a cafe while enjoying a cup of coffee or at the gym during your cooling down session, it’s still enjoyable to hold and use. Unlike its more expensive siblings, the Tab A7 Lite only comes in Silver and Grey. The fabled Rose Gold colour scheme that is offered with more expensive options, is absent here.

The silver version comes with white bezels but the grey option gets full black ones. They both look good, but the former lends a touch of class to the overall aesthetics. To the untrained eye, the shell looks like it’s made of metal instead of plastic. At first glance, the Tab A7 Lite looks like a premium tablet, so worry not about it grabbing the wrong kind of attention.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In terms of performance, it handles most tasks with relative ease. There isn’t a hint of hesitation when asked to launch an app or a task. Even with multiple chrome tabs open on one half of the screen while the other displays a YouTube video, everything runs smoothly.

Admittedly, it’s Achilles heel is its camera sensors. The front and rear shooters capture ‘ok’ photos at best, so it would be best to leave the photography work to your smartphone of choice. With decent lighting you could get decent shots – but what’s the premise for taking photos with a budget tablet instead of your smartphone?

Truth be told, I didn’t think that this tablet could win me over. It costs RM699, is made from plastic and doesn’t come with a 1080p display. On paper at least, this doesn’t seem to be a winner. But in reality, it’s a darn good device. It doesn’t cost an arm or a leg to purchase, yet handles everything I ask of it with great aplomb.