Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series)
Shop Samsung Galaxy Tab
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021)
Starting at
£116.50£180.00 new
iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series)
Starting at
£316.24£669.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) and iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series)?
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and screen type. Refurbished, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) starts at £116.50, £199.74 less than the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series). The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) is the newer model, released in 2022.
Refurbished from
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Weight
- The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) has more RAM: 8 GB vs 2 GB.
- The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) has a bigger screen: 10.9 inch vs 8.7 inch.
- Screen type: TFT LCD on the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021), Liquid Retina display on the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series).
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) specs
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) is a compact tablet that suits everyday tasks like reading, browsing, and light gaming with a smaller screen and simpler performance. It offers a good balance of portability and basic features. The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) is aimed at users who want a larger, sharper display and more powerful performance with the Apple M1 chip and 8 GB of RAM. It suits productivity, detailed video, and photo tasks, and higher storage options.
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) price
Colour
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) battery life and software updates
Durability covers software support and the operating systems these tablets run. Both devices receive updates, but the supported OS versions and platforms differ.
Operating System Updates
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite supports up to Android 14, while the iPad Air 5 runs up to iPadOS 18. This means both will receive ongoing software improvements, though each follows its own platform's update schedule.
Operating Systems
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite runs Android, which offers wide app availability and customisation. The iPad Air 5 uses iPadOS, designed for Apple's ecosystem and optimised for its hardware. Your choice here depends on which operating system you prefer and which apps you use regularly.
Battery
Maximum operating system supported
Software updates
Year of release
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) performance
Performance depends on the processor, memory, and storage options. These specs influence how smoothly apps run and how much you can keep open at once.
Processor Power
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite features a Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T processor, suitable for everyday use such as browsing and light apps. The iPad Air 5 comes with the Apple M1 chip, which is significantly more powerful and better suited to demanding tasks like multitasking and creative apps.
Memory Size
With 2 GB of RAM, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite handles basic apps and light multitasking smoothly. The iPad Air 5's 8 GB of RAM keeps everyday apps running smoothly and supports more complex workflows or multiple apps open simultaneously.
Storage Options
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is stocked here with 32 GB, enough for everyday files and apps. The iPad Air 5 offers larger storage at 64 GB and 256 GB, which suits users with bigger app libraries, photos, videos, or documents.
Chipset
Processor
Processor brand
Processor core
Processor speed ghz
RAM
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) screen
Screen quality affects how content looks and feels to use. Size, resolution, pixel density and display type all contribute to viewing comfort and image sharpness.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has an 8.7 inch screen with a resolution of 800 by 1340 pixels, making it compact and easy to hold for reading or casual use. The iPad Air 5 has a larger 10.9 inch screen with a much higher resolution of 2360 by 1640 pixels, offering more room for work or entertainment with sharper detail.
Pixel Density and Display Type
With 180 pixels per inch, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite shows clear images for everyday tasks. The iPad Air 5's 264 pixels per inch and Liquid Retina display deliver more vivid colours and finer detail, ideal for photo viewing, video, and detailed work.
Screen Glass
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite features a glass front, offering durability and a smooth touch experience. The iPad Air 5 has a standard display glass type as specified, suited to its Liquid Retina technology.
Brightness
Display glass
Pixel density
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
True tone
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) camera
Audiovisual specs include cameras, speakers and video recording quality. These matter if you use your tablet for calls, photography or media.
Camera Resolution
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has a 2 megapixels front camera and an 8 megapixels rear camera, suitable for casual video calls and snapshots. The iPad Air 5 offers higher resolution cameras with 12 megapixels on both front and rear, capturing more detail for photos and video calls.
Video Recording
Video recording on the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is 1080p at 30 frames per second, good for standard video tasks. The iPad Air 5 supports 4K video at 60 frames per second, which suits users creating higher quality videos with smoother motion.
Speakers
Both tablets have stereo speakers, offering balanced sound for music, video or calls. This makes either device suitable for media consumption and communication.
Front camera definition
Rear camera definition
Speakers
Video recording
Webcam
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) size and design
Other features include connectivity, physical size, and ports. These affect how you use the tablet day to day and with accessories.
Connectivity and Ports
Both devices have Bluetooth 5.0 and unlocked carrier compatibility, giving flexible wireless and network options. Both use USB Type-C connectors. However, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack for wired audio, while the iPad Air 5 uses its USB Type-C port for headphones.
Dimensions and Weight
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is smaller and lighter at 8.7 inches, 212.5 mm height, 124.7 mm width and 366 g weight, which makes it easy to hold and carry. The iPad Air 5 is larger with a 10.9 inch screen, 247.6 mm height, 178.5 mm width and weighs 462 g, offering more screen space but less compactness.
Wi-Fi Technology
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, providing solid wireless connectivity for most networks. The iPad Air 5 supports Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax, which offers faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks.
SIM and Carrier
Both tablets accept Nano SIM cards and are unlocked, making it easy to use mobile data with any compatible network.
120hz
Apple pen compatible
Bluetooth version
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Double sim
Face
Generation number
Headphones connectivity
Height
Lidar scanner
Megapixels
Minimum system requirements mac
Minimum system requirements windows
Promotion
Sim format
Touch
Weight
Width
Wifi technology
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) or iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series): which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £116.50, £199.74 less than the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series)
- you want a lighter build (366 g vs 462 g)
Buy the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (10.9 inch vs 8.7 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) appreciate its compact size and suitability for reading, browsing, and general use. They describe it as comfortable to hold and good for everyday tasks like streaming and light gaming. The battery life generally lasts through a full day, and the device feels solid and quick to start. Some users find it meets their needs well at its price point. The device looks clean and well maintained in refurbished condition.
Customers of the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) praise its speed and smooth performance thanks to the M1 chip and 8 GB of RAM. They find the screen sharp and excellent for video streaming and creative use. The battery life holds up well over the day, and the device often looks like new with minimal marks. Some mention better experiences with premium conditions and enjoy pairing it with accessories like the Apple Pencil. A few note differences in certain models regarding features like Apple Intelligence or FaceTime.
Overall, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite suits those seeking a smaller, simpler tablet for reading and light tasks. The iPad Air 5 fits users who want a larger, faster device for productivity, media, and creative work, valuing screen quality and higher memory.
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) FAQs
Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and screen type. The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) has more RAM: 8 GB vs 2 GB. The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) has a bigger screen: 10.9 inch vs 8.7 inch.
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) is cheaper refurbished, from £116.50 compared with £316.24 for the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series).
We don't have published update dates for the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021). The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) is still supported and can run iPadOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (8.7", 2021) comes in 32GB, and the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) in 64GB and 256GB.
