Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 Lite Tablet

Review Update Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 Lite Tablet

Daniel Schuster (translated by Liala Stieglitz), 02/28/2014

Android Tablet

Redundant successor? Samsung launched an entry-level tablet on the market that did not really convince us in several fields with its Galaxy Tab 3 7.0. Now, 7 months later, we have our hands on the Lite version - is it a sensible diet or simply nip/tuck madness?

For the original German review, see here.

Samsung apparently feels the urge to launch new models on the market at leastonce a year. We often question just how much sense that makes. This is presently expressed in the South Korean manufacturer's latest "accomplishment" - the Galaxy Tab 3.0 Lite. The tag "Lite" suggests that the precursor has been put on a radical diet. However, those who have read the review of the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 will know that there was not much room for cutbacks. Thus, we were all the more curious about what we could expect in the test period.

The Tab 3 7.0 Lite is also available in black.

It seems reasonable to assume that some improvements have been made in dimensions. However, this is not the case, and sooner the opposite. The Tab 3 7.0 (188 x 111.1 x 9.9 mm) is slim in contrast to the Lite version's 193.4 x 116.4 x 9.7 mm. There is solely a minimal difference of 0.2 mm in thickness. That is so negligibly small that it is barely noticed in routine use. The same is true for the weight: Our review sample has gained 10 grams compared with last year's model.

So we ask ourselves where the "Lite" approaches are hidden. We soon realize that Samsung has managed to lessen the material quality even more. The Tab 3 7.0 Lite has absolutely nothing in common with the high-quality plastic of, for example, the Galaxy Note 3. The feel comes too short. The brushed aluminum look of the casing's edge has also fallen victim of the cutbacks. The device is neverthelesssolid and rigid.