The demand for the best 7-inch tablet continues to grow day by day as the same devices flood the market. The latest models of tablets are designed to solve a vast number of problems. This ranges from household use, office and work-related tasks, school work, and entertainment among others. Tablets come in different sizes, and with varied features. In this article, we explore the best 7-inch tablets in the market to meet modern-day office, household, and entertainment needs, just to mention a few.
Different manufacturers are actively rolling out new models of 7-inch tablets each day. These technology firms innovate new high-level and customer-oriented configurations to attract specific markets. For instance, Apple has tablets specifically designed for children within a certain age range. Such tablets have been designed to appeal to parents as child-friendly.
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Firms like Lenovo, Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and others have to understand the market needs for them to design a new tablet. So, let’s see why you need a 7- inch tablet. What problems can you solve just by owning one?
Why do you need a 7-inch tablet?
They are user-friendly
This feature is especially great for children. Accessibility to kids’ apps and games tops the priority list for interested parents. In addition to providing a source of entertainment, 7-inch tablets can be used by school-going children for their online learning needs. The height of the COVID-19 pandemic was a perfect example of when such gadgets for learners were most needed.
They are affordable
The demand for 7-inch tablets has peaked since its fall after the invention of smartphones. However, the supply is still far higher than the demand. This means that you, the consumer, have the upper hand in choosing the gadget that best fits your needs, and your budget. Most 7- inch tablets are affordable, some even cheaper than smartphones. Either way, your budget determines the tablet you get.
They are portable
A 7-inch tablet is compact, lightweight, and portable. This is convenient because the tablets can be carried anywhere. A 7-inch tablet also fits perfectly in the hand and can be used for office presentations, schoolwork, online classes, and meetings.
They offer a range of entertainment
Entertainment that can take place on a 7- inch tablet ranges between gaming, browsing, reading, and watching movies among others.
That said, let us explore the best 7- inch tablets, in no specific order.
Which is the best 7-inch tablet?
1. HAOVM MediaPad P7
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The HAOVM Mediapad P7 tablet is one of the best 7-inch tablets that boast quality features and affordability. The multimedia operation of this tablet is seamless as it has a very high processing speed compared to other tablets on the market. It also has superb connectivity options, which ease access to online entertainment. The tablet operates on Android 11, with a 64-bit quad-core CPU processor. It comes with a RAM of 2GB and 32GB internal storage capacity. Notably, its storage has an expandable capacity of up to 128GB via SD Card. Beyond this, the 2800mAh non-removable battery tags along as one of the admirable features of this device. It lasts a range of eight to nine hours when fully charged. A less impressive feature of this 7-inch tablet is the 2MP rear back webcam and 2MP front camera. These cameras do not give the user optimal-quality photos. The tablet comes with a one-year warranty and support.
Pros
- Large expandable internal memory – 32GB
- Relatively long battery life
- Sleek and generally classy
- High processing speed
- High-quality display
Cons
- Low RAM – 1GB
- Display quality is average
- Low camera resolution
2. Amazon Fire 7 Tablet (12th Gen 2022)
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Amazon Fire 7 Tablet is a unique device in this lineup. One of the most important configurations on this tablet is the Operating System. The device uses Fire OS 8, which is quite a responsive operating system enhancing its usability in the streaming arena, browsing needs, and general user needs. Besides the fact that it is fairly affordable, Amazon Fire 7 Tablet comes with a storage capacity of 32GB, which can be expanded to 1TB using microSD.
The processor in this device is 20% more efficient than its predecessors. It also possesses a quad-core processor, which is excellent for online and app support. The battery offers 10 hours of use when fully charged. The compact display of 7 inches is one of its strongest selling points as this is a good size for many tablet users. If you are looking for a tablet that is big enough to accomplish day-to-day tasks yet small enough to carry around, this is a good option.
Pros
- Durable
- Battery- efficient
- Lightweight and compact
- Low budget gadget
Cons
- Comparatively slow
3. Vankyo MatrixPad S7
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The Vankyo MatrixPad S7 is the best 7-inch tablet for consumers who love capturing unforgettable moments. The rear camera gives clearer pictures and videos than devices like Dragon Touch 7. It comes with a 5MP rear camera and 2MP front camera, with a 7-inch display and 1024 by 600 resolution. A major advantage of this device is the fact that it comes with a protective eye health function. If you are one of those people who strain while using their devices at night, Vankyo MatrixPad S7 is for you. The battery life of this device is 8 hours when fully charged.
Pros
- Reasonably affordable
- Clear resolution
- Fast-charging battery and long battery life
- Micro-USB
Cons
- No USB-C
- Low-quality camera
4. Apple iPad mini 5
Image Credits: apple.com
Although this is a 7.9-inch gadget, we’ve decided that it would be fair to call it “the best 7-inch tablet.” Any Apple iPad mini 5 user enjoys plenty of features. The key feature among them is product longevity. This tablet is made of a stainless material that is, steel and aluminum, to which we can attribute its durability and elegance. The tablet has a fingerprint sensor that also enhances the privacy of the user. Besides that, its battery life is a definite win with 10 hours of continuous use, so you’ll have minimal worries about power inconveniences, especially on the go. Another important feature of this tablet is its storage. The gadget comes with 128 GB internal memory. With this, there is sufficient space for storing entertainment material, work documents, school work, and more as the user may deem fit. An A8 chip is installed in this device making it powerful enough to tackle graphic design tasks and movie downloads. If you are looking for quality, Apple iPad Mini 5 should be your go-to tablet. Note, however, that it is fairly more expensive than other 7-inch tablets on the market.
Pros
- Higher quality display
- Large internal memory
- Supports graphic design
- Apple Pencil support
- Compatible with all preceding Apple Mini Accessories
Cons
- Expensive
- No USB-C
- The design has not been improved for 7 years
5. Lenovo Tab M7 3rd Gen
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If you’re on the hunt for the best 7-inch tablet, Lenovo Tab M7 will offer you many advantages. This device is perfect for people who are always running up and down. Lenovo M7 works perfectly as a companion when you’re out and about. With its Octa-core Mediatek processor, it can handle whatever tasks you throw at it. Thanks to this optimized performance, it offers users an optimal experience. The device has a large RAM of 2GB, which is larger than most of the 7-inch tablets on the market. It operates on Android 11 Go Edition and has a battery life of 8 hours, which is lower than most devices in this category.
Lenovo Tab M7 is unfit for heavy-duty gaming due to its slow responsiveness. In addition to that, the device tends to hang during multitasking. These are its main downsides. In case any of these are deal breakers for you, you might want to consider going for a different device.
Pros
- Affordable
- Supports MicroSD card
- Large RAM
Cons
- Short battery life
- Cannot support heavy-duty gaming
- Tendency to hang during multitasking
6. Dragon Touch 7
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The Dragon Touch 7 has many interesting features that attracted our attention during our search for the best 7-inch tablet. The tablet comes with a RAM of 2GB and a storage of 16GB. In addition, its processor is quad-core with a speed of 1.5 GHz, giving you the ultimate experience in gaming, movies, and other entertainment activities. It has a rear camera of 2MP, while the front camera is 0.3MP. This is a downside, especially if you like capturing memorable moments. The camera is of lower quality compared to most tablets in the 7-inch tablet category. While it is fairly lightweight, its battery can only last up to 3 hours when fully charged. You would need to carry your charger with you on most of your long errands.
Pros
- High processing speed
- Large RAM
- Lightweight
Cons
- Very short battery life
- Camera features are the bare minimum
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are tablets with 7-inch displays sufficient for use by kids?
Kids care little about the size of the display of their tablets. A tablet designed for a kid just needs sufficient features for play, and a tablet cover to avoid accidental breakages. A 7-inch tablet is therefore just enough to serve the purpose.
2. What is the best 7-inch tablet to buy?
The guidelines for purchasing a good 7-inch tablet are anchored to the needs it is supposed to meet. For example, in the case of heavy-duty gaming, you need to consider the RAM, internal storage, and processing speed. If you just need a tablet for basic day-to-day activities, consider battery life, storage space, and general connectivity. Personally, although it is pricey, I would purchase the Apple iPad mini 5 as it meets both basic usability and high-end usability.
3. Between Lenovo and Samsung, which is the better brand for a 7-inch tablet?
The fact that Samsung has a larger market share compared to Lenovo does not necessarily mean that it is a better brand. Both companies have produced quality tablets for different users. Some Lenovo tablets are better than those of Samsung, and vice versa. However, for a 7-inch tablet, it is important to factor in your budget, since the configurations of these tablets from the two brands are quite similar.
4. Is Vankyo MatrixPad S7 a good 7-inch tablet to buy?
The Vankyo MatrixPad S7 is a good buy. The tablet’s best selling point is its eye protection function for ease of reading especially at night. Vankyo is a lesser-known brand, but the features of its 7-inch tablet match those of more famous brands. Apart from the fact it comes with low-quality cameras and no USB-C, it is pretty much a good buy.
Conclusion
As we wrap up, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of 7-inch tablets in general.
There are many 7- inch tablets in the market aside from the ones discussed here. More options include Haehne 7-inch Tablet (which comes with a two-year warranty and is more like the iPad Mini 5), Venturer Voyager 7-inch, (the battery life is 5 hours but it is a good buy), and Zonko Android 11.
The main downside of 7-inch tablets is that they are mostly configured to older operating systems. Most of them operate on Android 5 OS yet there are better options in the market. Otherwise, 7-inch tablets are ideal if you have budget constraints and don’t need to perform technical tasks. As we have noted, most of the tablets hang during multitasking. So, if you need an optimized experience, consider a tablet with sufficient app support, a robust operating system, and good battery life.
Having said all this, I would strongly recommend Apple iPad Mini 5. It meets almost all modern-day needs with its unique features. Notably, it has a bigger display, a large internal memory, and supports graphic design. In addition, it comes with Apple Pencil support and is compatible with all preceding Apple Mini Accessories.