Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 2020 SM-T500 (10.4", WiFi, 32GB/3GB)
eBay with 10% off: $281.61 (Code: PTECH10)
eBay Plus with 15% off: $265.97 (Code: PLUSTC15)
Free shipping
Cheaper than the Big W deal
Reasonable budget tablet for Android
Even though there is a new Galaxy Tab A7 Lite coming in June I can't see it being much cheaper, smaller 8.7 inch screen and weaker processor (P22T).
A7 lite would be great if it at least had a snapdragon processor. 8.7" seems like a good size.
Agreed. Can't see there being much of a discount for a weaker setup that is expected to be announced for sale in June (whether stock is available may be another issue). Stock with this model has fluctuated and so have prices. Most retailers last night dropped the price back down to around $300, perhaps another shipment arrived (or one retailer decided to attempt at competing on price - something rarely done with tech given the current market).
Was looking at the alldocube iplay 30 or iplay 40.
Two issues that made me choose the Samsung.
1) Updates … My Samsung products always get updates.
My current tablet (an Nvidia Shield Tab) never got them. Doubtful that Chinese tablets would get too many into the future.
2) HD support for streaming (Widevine Level 1)
Samsung only gets full updates for a year or 2 max.
After that you won't get new Andriod versions.
I think now they get two major versions plus at least a year of security on these cheaper Samsung tablets. The flagships get 3 Android version updates plus numerous years of security updates. The Tab S2 still gets security updates for instance.
The nvidia shield tablet example above is completely wrong though, it got 3 major updates, that’s more than any Samsung tablet have got at its price point, especially tablets released in 2014 which only Google offered long support at that time and it was still shorter than what nvidia offered.
@Ronnnie: Security updates are a given.
I purchased the flagship Samsung phone (S9+) less than 3 years ago.
Google released Android 11 6 months ago, however Samsung won't release Android 11 my Samsung S9.
They've lost me as a customer.
@JimB: Unfortunately there’s no other alternative for me in the Android world than Samsung with phones. For what it’s worth Google feature updates of Android are mainly implementing the features Samsung have had for years on their phones. I would actually be happier using One UI 1.0 than use Android 11 on a pixel. Missing so many features that I just take for granted. And Apple are years behind again, though I do like their widgets,
@Ronnnie: I've only used Samsung for Android (2 flagship phones and 2 tablets) but when it's time for a new phone it won't be another Samsung.
They use to be well priced, but now are chasing Apple with their $2,000 phones. No expandable memory slot or even a charger. I could live without a charger but the price.. my lord.
Good for Samsung profits, not for consumers. I'll vote with my feet.
FYI: I didn't down vote you.
@JimB: Yeah I’m not in any hurry to replace my Samsung phone, I don’t see the point to be honest. When I need to replace it I’ll be looking at the lower tier models like the S20 FE, but it won’t be for years. I see little point. In terms of support in major Android version, even if you have a device that was stuck on Android 7.0 it still supports most apps. I don’t really care about the new Android 11 or 12 updates my phone hasn’t got and won’t get. Even Android 10 vs 9 wasn’t much of an update. The only thing I care about now is getting regular security updates, and Samsung have been pretty consistent in that regard, not as good as Google though. But they will be pushing updates beyond the 3 year old mark, so that better than what Google typically offers. And I agree with you about the new Samsung models, the S21 is a disappointment IMO.
I agree that a smaller version tablet would be good. That would be like my nvidia shield tablet, which I believe was one of the last reasonable good cheaper smaller Android tablet. I know huawei made some smaller tablets, but they are more expensive. An A7 lite similar in cost to the regular A7 would be a great addition to their line up.
I have an nvidia shield, in terms of updates it shipped with kitkat and ended up on Android 7. That’s the most updated Android device I’ve ever owned. The amount of updates nvidia pushed to their tablet wasn’t the issue, the issue was the quality of said updates.
Could also opt for pricematch at Officeworks if you prefer local pickup (and they have stock).
$298 at Officeworks, $297 at Amazon
$297 x 0.95 = $282.15
Got it during xmas, the systom is not that smooth. Still prefer my 3 years old ipad 6th.
Sold out already :(
Pricematch at OW for $282.15 is probably the best option now.
Back in stock ☺️
Got a message from the retailer saying they've ordered more stock.
Should be available again.
Not a bad price, hopefully is better than the Samsung Tab A 10.1 (2019).
The Samsung Tab A 10.1 (2019) feels sluggish even with a full reset.
I also have a 3yo iPad… much smoother experience.
Next tablet I buy will be an iPad… most likely the upcoming iPad mini.
And how much was your iPad at the time?
Say $450 but sometimes it's worth it to pay more for a better product.
The problem with Apple it usually costs significantly more than just $450, because the base model typically has inadequate storage. That’s one of their little tricks to get you to spend more. The tab A series IMO has sucked up until this A7, this looks like the first real budget tab that actually is a good cheap alternative. I guess getting it down to this price point without too many compromises has been tough. The thing Samsung has to improve on in the future is performance and support. The snapdragon 662 is a good start, it of course not the best chip in world, but it is indeed pretty reasonable for this price point. See those Lenovo offerings at this point usually significantly inferior mtk chips as an example.
@Ronnnie: I bought this a few months ago to move on from iPad Mini and so glad I don't have to use the iPad anymore. Now I only use the iPad solely for 7 eleven price locks LOL
I use it mainly for watching Youtube/Netflix and a bit of Xbox remote play and have no complaints for the price.
Probably a slight upgrade …
11% faster CPU (14nm vs 11nm)
50% more RAM (2GB vs 3GB) depending on 2019 model
6% slimmer (7g heavier due to battery)
14% more battery (6150mah vs 7040mah)
Antutu v7 on the 2019 model = 107.541
Antutu v8 on the 2020 model = 141.000
I'd say that the RAM will make the biggest difference.
I agree. my iPad air from 2014 still runs at decent enough speed for my kids to watch videos and play games. Likewise my iPad pro 10.5 from 2017. Cost is higher but has a longer lifetime.
My $300 nvidia shield tablet from 2014 still runs fine too at those tasks. Cost is lower but still same life. Amazing that, I usually just plug it into my monitor through hdmi and emulate games. Unfortunately my iPad Air 2 can’t do this sort of stuff and collects dust now.
thanks, bought one
thanks got one as well for the kids
got the 2019 one and runs well in kids mode
Thanks OP. I bought one for my kid.
Thanks, purchased also. Can't be as bad as my older tablets. Hopefully I can recoup some costs by selling them cheaply.
Heaps of Samsung price drops
Of course I purchased a S6 lite yesterday and it's dropped by $50 today
Amazon don't have price protection anymore :(
If Amazon price has dropped as well, there is nothing stopping you from buying another one at the lower price and returning under the original order?
Im looking for a tablet to take/write notes on (for school etc), would this be a good recommendation?
Most schools want Apple iPad 8th gen this year. They are undoubtedly a better tablet, although much more expensive.
$450 for the base level 8th gen Apple iPad through JB Hifi education portal or Apple education site.
How about for work and university? I want to use a pen to write on the tablet, would this be good?
Check out YouTube reviews, you might need something higher for Samsung tablets like a Tab S6 lite and above as Tab A7 doesn’t support s pen stylus or any other pen. iPad is probably your go to however you have to buy the pen seperately.
Completely dependent on your budget. Like a PC you can spend thousands or pickup a refurb i5 for a few hundred dollars.
I'd suggest you look into digital pencil options (Logitech, Apple, whatever) and whether its supported for the device that is in your budget.
Not sure but I think the better option would be the iPad, as far as I know only the S series Samsung Tabs support digital pen/pencil.
Cheapest would be around $450 for the device and an extra $100 for the Apple Pencil (1st gen)
https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT211029
Bought a Lenovo Yoga Smart for $300 with the recent sales. I refuse to go below 10 inches (heh). Pretty neat, don't need it to do much but the specs are good for the price and the speakers definitely make it worth. Just had to install Nova Launcher to get rid of some dumb stuff.
Ran out of stock, was topped up again 1/2 hour later.
If you are keen and its not in stock, check back later.
Can u use choice gift card ?
Is a tab s6 lite much more superior than this for roughly $200 more?
At the 500-600 price i feel like you may as well go for the new s7 series or grabbing an ipad. The A7 is a good price with this deal but its currently sold out.
I think getting anything above A7 you may as well buy the S7+ for AMOLED screen. Feels like tablets have gone backwards and look like shit again, after getting good midranges like S5e a few years back.
At $200 more, I’d say no. The s6 lite is pretty similar to the A7, it’s a small upgrade. Basically if you need the S pen and want to go cheap you can opt to get the s6 lite instead of the more premium flagship Samsung tabs. The S5e which was the previous Samsung tab that sold for around the s6 lite price was superior in just about every way except had no S pen. So Samsung obviously decided to make a more affordability alternative to the flagships, unfortunately the S6 lite is a step backwards in just about every other respect. I mean an S5e with an S pen would have been amazing but then I guess too many people would buy that over the more expensive S7+ offering.
Damn, had been looking for a 10 inch tablet for a long time and ended up going for the Huawei Mediapad T5 for only a little cheaper about a week ago. Always the way!
Any recommendations for case thanks
I went for this one. https://www.amazon.com.au/Galaxy-10-4-2020-T500-T505-dp-B08J…
$14 after $1 discount (and I have Prime so free shipping).
There's a slightly cheaper version ($1 less) but I couldn't work out whether the material on the inside touching the screen was a soft felt type fabric like this one.
Depends on use case. If primarily used by children I'd go for something with more protection. Depends if you want screen covered, whether you need the case to act as a stand and so on. Also how soon you need it, Amazon should arrive at the same time as the tablet. Quicker if bought locally although probably more expensive, and who knows how long eBay might take as it can be shipped from wherever (regardless if it lists Australia as the location). All up its cost me $280 inc case and shipping.
Ta bought one
Got this one as well and quality is pretty good. Much better than the other one I bought off Aliexpress. That one feels like the front cover is made out of cardboard.
Bah! I just bought the one from yesterday!