SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 3 LITE 7.0

As the name belies, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7.0 is a trimmed-down version of the Galaxy Tab 3, itself said to be the world’s most popular 7” tablet device. This trimming down makes for an odd beast, indeed, however: Is $100 or $200 in savings worth a slow processor, a bit less weight and (most egregious of all) clearly poorer screen resolution? This may be the proverbial hard sell…

This Galaxy Tab obviously lives up to the “Lite” part of its name in measuring in at just 310 grams; in another of many bizarre design choices, the Lite 7.0 is actually taller and wider than the standard Galaxy Tab 3. Why bizarre? One of the most-loved features on the smaller Galaxy Tabs is ease of use of telephone apps – thus a “Lite” version of a jumped-up phablet should be bigger? Gone as well is the leather-like backer worn by many Samsung tablets.

Thankfully, the Lite 7.0 is available in 3G- and/or LTE-compatible versions because nearly every other area sees unwelcome cuts. The sound system – often a highlight in Samsung devices – has been reduced to a single speaker in the back, while the front-facing camera has been eliminated.

And yes, that resolution. Would you believe 1024 x 600? In 2014? On a Samsung device? After a couple years of being impressed with nearly everything the big electronics manufacturer throws down the pike, Tablet2Cases classifies the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7.0 as a disappointment. Mere confirmation of the fact, we suppose, that nobody wins ‘em all.