Looking for an 7-8" tablet

[Jake.Werecat]

Hey guys,
I'm in a need for a small decent tablet for air-navigation purpose. 7 or 8 inch maximum. It has to run Android and it would be nice for it to have a USB-C (I already almost forgot that microUSB ever existed, and would like to keep it that way).
I'm not much into tablets, but for me it doesn't sound like anything super special, but it appears that it is really hard to find anything matching that requirements.
Again I don't need it to be super fancy, but most 7" tablets appears to have super [censored] hardware. 2GB of ram in 2022? For real? My 3 years old phone has 6GB...
I'd highly appreciate any hints or suggestions how to find one...unless it's a total unobtainium. And if so... why?

[unix_joe]

The Android tablet market is pretty sparse.

You are looking at Samsung and maybe Amazon Kindle.

Google let the Android tablet market die half a decade ago. They will try to kickstart the Android tablet market a third time with Android 13 starting in 2023, but that's a way off and there's no guarantee it takes off.

The iPad Mini 6 is probably your best bet. It also has USB-C and will get security updates for half a decade.

[Jake.Werecat]

Hmmm, tablets were never quite my thing, as they're not very convenient for anything in my opinion; the only reason I need one is for aircraft navigation, mobile phone has to small screen, and fitting a laptop in a cockpit is virtually impossible; but I never considered android tablets dead,I though they're quite in fashion theses days... are they not?
Apple is an absolute no go. For multiple reasons. Samsung I'd like, but I see no 7" models from them...

[unix_joe]

Hmmm, tablets were never quite my thing, as they're not very convenient for anything in my opinion; the only reason I need one is for aircraft navigation, mobile phone has to small screen, and fitting a laptop in a cockpit is virtually impossible; but I never considered android tablets dead,I though they're quite in fashion theses days... are they not?
Apple is an absolute no go. For multiple reasons. Samsung I'd like, but I see no 7" models from them...

iPads are popular, but Android tablets have been an abandoned market for half a decade now. Google will be starting a new effort to explore the market soon with Android 13, but the Pixel-brand tablet is a 2023 thing. When people talk about the tablet market, they are exclusively talking about iPads. Not Surfaces, not Kindles, Samsung or whatever.

The Android tablet market the past few years has been just cheap mainland tablets with zero software support or security updates, and Google Play support if you're lucky; Kindles for obvious reasons; Samsung because they can throw that kind of money, and that's about it.

Samsung has the A7 Lite in 8.7" which is probably your best bet. Their tablet ecosystem is probably the most refined in the Android world, mostly out of the "we don't want you to try the Apple ecosystem" mindset over actually wanting a pleasant experience. Android applications still do not scale up well. If LineageOS is a must, the A6 lite from 2019-2020 is the most recent version supported.

[Jake.Werecat]

Huh. Here in Europe Apple definitely is a thing, but is absolutely less popular then in US. There are WAAAY more brand new tablets with Android then with iOS sold. Here's a screenshot from a local online shop (allegro.pl) :

"Pozostale" means "Others".

Thanks for advice, Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 seems to be an option indeed. It's physical size is within my limits (not bigger then A5 paper sheet), it has USB C and it's made by recognizable brand. The only thing is poor CPU and only 3GB RAM... That's almost hilarious for a brand new device. Android version and updates don't bother me at all, I still use Blackberry mobile phone on Android 8.1 Oreo

[pianowizard]

In general I am a big fan of Samsung's Android tablets, but I have played with the Tab A7 Lite and it has two major flaws: performance feels sluggish, and the screen resolution of 800x1340 is way too low for 8.7" -- the individual pixels are easy to discern.

Why don't you use this search engine to look for tablets that meet your criteria: https://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3?mode=tablet

[Jake.Werecat]

Wow! Thanks, this website is gorgeous! Though search results... not so much. It appears that there is only one <8.4" tablets with >4GB RAM and Android - Huawei MediaPad M6 8.4
And it seems to be the ideal choice.... but it's nowhere to be bought. So we're basicaly back to Samsung A7 lite. What a weird situation.

[Jake.Werecat]

Or Lenovo TAB4 8 Plus. Up to 4GB RAM and Snapdragon 625. And I think I'll go for it...

[pianowizard]

I am reasonably happy with my Samsung Tab A 8.0 (2019) and recommend you consider it: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy ... )-9651.php

Specifically, I own the SM-P205 version (not officially sold in the US but available in Asia and probably Europe) which doubles as a phone. I need my phone to be as large as possible and since 2015 I have been using Samsung's 8-inch tablets as phones, because even the biggest smartphones are too small for me. First I had the Samsung Tab S (SM-T705) with 8.4" 1600x2560, and then the Samsung Tab S2 (SM-T715) with 8.0" 1536x2048, both of them non-US models because the US models lack phone functionality. I love the Tab S2 but it wouldn't work for you as it uses microUSB. I bought the Tab A 8.0 (SM-P205) to replace the Tab S2 once my phone carrier phases out 3G, since the former has voLTE while the latter does not.

[Jake.Werecat]

Huh... I'm the complete opposite. I cannot understand how nowadays smartphones have grown to such enormous size, and I have really difficulty finding a small one... I use Blackberry with Android daily, to which I got used to, but I still find it big (too big actually).
As for tablets - 8" is just the perfect size - it's more or less an A5 paper size, so can be easily fit into a kneeboard.
I went for Lenovo Tab4 8. It has 4GB RAM, a newer Snapdragon 625 CPU, it has USB-C, no glass on a back side (hate those glassy backs) and they make them black! So it's almost a perfect fit. And it's the best hardware specs that exist among 8" Android tablets. Thank you guys for all advice. It was that website pianowizard suggested that helped me find it.
I just made a purchase, it should be home next week.

[Jake.Werecat]

And it turns that I returned that tablet. It appeared that the version I bought was without SIM card slot, and also was "new, but not new" and back side was scratched. I also disliked the glass on the backside - it basically has no grip, and device almost slipped out of my hands during testing.
Still looking to buy something. I learned that those Samsung A7 lite are made in 64/4GB version as well, but are as scarce as hen's teeth. So are Lenovo Tab4 8 with LTE and 64/4GB config Ehhhh....

[pianowizard]

It appeared that the version I bought was without SIM card slot

In the opening post you said you wanted something fairly basic, nothing fancy. I would say that tablets with SIM card are pretty fancy. This requirement dramatically narrows your options.

I also disliked the glass on the backside - it basically has no grip, and device almost slipped out of my hands during testing.

Most tablets are like that. You increase grip by adding a TPU case.

Still looking to buy something. I learned that those Samsung A7 lite are made in 64/4GB version as well, but are as scarce as hen's teeth. So are Lenovo Tab4 8 with LTE and 64/4GB config Ehhhh....

Let me again recommend the Samsung Tab A SM-P205.

[Jake.Werecat]

In the opening post you said you wanted something fairly basic, nothing fancy. I would say that tablets with SIM card are pretty fancy. This requirement dramatically narrows your options.

It cannot be narrowed any more then it already is Lenovo Tab4 8 & Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 lite are basically the only two options out there. I see nothing fancy in SIM card slot, every smartphones has it. My SIM-slot-less Lenovo even was complaining that "NO SIM CARD INSERTED!", even though it had no slot... Both models (Tab4 8 and A7 lite) are made with or without SIM card slot and are easily buyable. It's the 4GB RAM versions that is a rare bird, I got excited finding one and forgot to check if there is a SIM slot, entirely my bad.

Most tablets are like that. You increase grip by adding a TPU case.

So is most of the smartphones these days. I have absolutely NO clue why, it's super impractical. I was holding it with dry hands and I saw it slooowly sliping down if I was not gripping it really firmly. But grip is one thing - another is one bang, and that rear glass is gone. I was surprised because a lesser Lenovo model, which my friends has has plastic matte back, with way more grip. But I must admit, that I was a little bit disappointed with overall quality build, I expetec way more from Lenovo. The plastic sides were made from really soft material, and it was already scratched when it arrived (outlet purchase).

Let me again recommend the Samsung Tab A SM-P205.

That is basically not to be bought here, so I either could have choosen an identical Lenovo Tab 4 but with SIM slot and unfortunately only 3GB of RAM or that Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 lite, also with SIM slot and only 3GB of RAM. As the latter has metal sides, metal back and also a smidge bigger screen, I decided to give it a go. This time it's a used unit, but in tip-top shape. It was also a little bit cheaper and it has way newer Android version (11 with 12 update coming next month vs 8 on Lenovo). I'm looking forward to having it delivered on Tuesday and we shall see. I'd prefer a Lenovo as I'm kiiiinda brand-fan, but it's better to stay practical, more pros for Samsung. If only that 3GB and [censored] CPU appears enough to handle navigation software then I will be happy. I'd eagerly pay twice the price for better hardware, but there's none... Even those 4GB RAM/64GB storage versions, which apparently are a real thing are nowhere to be bought, not to mention anything better which just doesn't exist at all... e.g. Galaxy Tab A8 lite or something similar would be nice...

[Puppy]

Stay away from Lenovo tablets, their support is a joke. I bought Tab P11 Plus (the most expensive 6 GB RAM and LTE model). Support for security updates is 18 months only (till July 2023), latest security update is from March 2022 and the promised Android 12 update (May 31) is still not delivered. Asking in Lenovo forum makes it even worse, as you will get a total nonsense answers only.

You can get a 6.8" phone.

[Puppy]

Even those 4GB RAM/64GB ROM versions

ROM means Read Only Memory. The 64 GB storage can apparently write data as well

[Jake.Werecat]

Stay away from Lenovo tablets, they support is a joke. I bought Tab P11 Plus (the most expensive 6 GB RAM and LTE model). Support for security updates is 18 months only (till July 2023), latest security update is from March 2022 and the promised Android 12 update (May 31) is still not delivered. Asking in Lenovo forum makes it even worse, as you will get a total nonsense answers only.

Tab4 8 is stuck on Android 8 with no updates available... but on the other hand so is my Blackberry phone... and I just have to live with that fact. But when it comes to Lenovo - poor quality of build worries me more then lack of updates. In any case, Iwent for Samsung instead of Lenovo this time, let's see how's gonna be.

ROM means Read Only Memory. The 64 GB storage can apparently write data as well

It was a brief moment of insanity XD Pay no attention

[pianowizard]

That is basically not to be bought here...Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 lite, also with SIM slot and only 3GB of RAM. As the latter has metal sides, metal back and also a smidge bigger screen, I decided to give it a go.

With a little bit of patience, you can get virtually anything through eBay or Amazon's 3rd party sellers. The Samsung P205 is not officially sold in the US, so I got mine from an eBay seller who had imported it from Asia. As I said earlier, I have tested a Tab A7 Lite thoroughly and found it inferior to the P205 in terms of performance and screen quality. I do hope you will like this A7 Lite you just ordered, but you would have preferred the P205.

Stay away from Lenovo tablets, their support is a joke.

Puppy and I have agreed on many things and this is yet another example. About 7 or 8 years ago I bought a Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx tablet and its construction was so crappy that I sold it in less than a week. Later I bought a Lenovo Phab 2 Pro giant smartphone. Build quality was much better, but it was needlessly heavy, and the OS was stuck at Android 6 even though other manufacturers were providing Android 7 for some older phones. No more Lenovo for me.

You can get a 6.8" phone.

With aspect ratios getting increasingly tall and narrow, even some of the 6.8" or larger phones are actually rather skinny. If the OP wants to try this route after getting disappointed by the Tab A7 Lite, I suggest going to the GSM Arena phone finder and, under "Body", slide the minimum width all the way to the right. If the body is wide, chances are the screen is pretty wide too. To calculate the exact screen width, use the Pythagorean theorem.

[Jake.Werecat]

I agree wit you, but also I don't I mean yes, you're 100% correct, that with some patience you can get a hold of almost everything, I often do that when I specifically need something special, like a part for my 30 y.o. car, especially something premium, or not sold in Europe (e.g. I bought manual wheel hubs in US) or if you want to get sth cheaper, sometimes it's really convenient to buy stuff from abroad, I bought my sailing gear from UK this way and paid 40% less. But a tablet... well first it's more of a tool, second I kinda needed it now, not within 6 months, and last but not least, this A7 lite was bought on domestic market with invoice and warranty. It's convenient. I am a long Blackberry user, and I learned the hard way that having no guarantee service at your country really sucks.... iy was easier to have my KeyOne fixed fully-paid at my hometown repair shop, and it took 1 day, then to send it to UK at my own cost, and wait 3 weeks to have it fixed.

In any case Samsung arrived, I finished personalization, and I am getting used to it. Weird thing for me, I never had a device without keyboard (blackberry freak), but it won't be used for writing so it's OK. Other then that I'm really happy with it, Im sorry to say that, but the quality of build is faaaar superior to Lenovo, nice solid metal case (back and sides), nicer overall feel, newer android, bigger screen and a SIM slot. And most importantly it does its job, so full success. Of course it would be nice to have better CPU & RAM, as sometimes it's a little bit laggy, but I can live with it, besides there's no alternative in this size other then iPad mini and I am not buying Apple product ever.

[Puppy]

Not that Samsung support would be much better. Their tablets have quarterly or biannual update cadence only. It is sad that nothing can get even close to Windows support, regular monthly updates at exact date for almost unlimited time. My ThinkPad 8 tablet got free Windows 10 update, it had 8 years of regular monthly security updates (2014 to 2022). Unfortunately the battery started to leak, so it had ended up in e-waste.

[Jake.Werecat]

As for support - I'd like to have it fix for free during warranty period - that's important to me. As for updates - well, I couldn't care less, but actually I think that Android 11 with update to 12 coming in August this year is really nice, let me remind you that my phone is stuck on Android 8 and there's nothing to be done about it
For using windows - i have a beautiful ThinkPad T470, tablet was meant to be a lightweight mobile device that fits into my kneeboard and is compatible with digital map software,. This new Samsung fulfills this task very well

[Jake.Werecat]

Well, I decided to chime in, just to share that are some favorable developments on the market in this segment.
Samsung recently issued a Galaxy Tab A9 - an 8.7" android tablet with decent refreshed hardware and 8GB RAM. It's a big change in comparison to older A7 lite with 3GB being more then unadequate to modern standards.
I've just sold my A7 lite the day before yesterday and purchased a new A9 from an outlet, expecting it to arrive in the beginning of the next week. Hoping for a nice improved experience!
Btw. I thought that as the nomenclature is a bit... off with a reversion in naming, so I will clarify the symbols:

A7 - 10.4"
A7 LITE - 8.7"

A8 - 10.5" and there was no smaller version of this generation


A9 is now the name of the smaller 8.7" variant
A9 + (plus) is the new 11" tablet

[pianowizard]

Despite my earlier negative review -- see my June 14, 2022 post above -- I actually ended up buying a Tab A7 Lite through eBay a few months ago because the price was quite appealing: $60.42 including shipping and sales tax, for the version that can make phone calls (SM-T225). It was heavier than expected and became even heavier and bulkier after adding a protective case. I never used it much until a couple days ago when I realized it was pretty good for displaying two pages of sheet music, side by side (I am a pianist as you can tell from my forum username). For this purpose the Tab A7 Lite is better than the aforementioned 8.0" Tab A SM-P205 since its screen is wider in landscape orientation: 18.97 cm for the A7 Lite, 17.23 cm for the P205. Luckily, even with the case, the A7 Lite still fits most of my pants' pockets, so it is as mobile as the P205.

[Jake.Werecat]

A7 lite also served me well for 2 years, unyil recently when I updated it to A9