OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
Scored using Tablets Methodology v3.0
Tablets Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Tablets Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Tablets Methodology v3.0

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 S Pen 1 Cellular (5GB + 16GB) review: 168 specs compared

Avg. price:~£300RAM capacity:2 GBInternal storage:16 GBScreen size:9.7 inchesChipset:Qualcomm Snapdragon 410

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 S Pen 1 Cellular (5GB + 16GB) Review: Compare 168 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Tablets category and whether it is worth buying.

6.8/10

Overall score

Score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components

35%

5.6

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.4, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 60% of tablets
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the tablet's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a tablet with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

8.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 62%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
Score components

22%

5.1

Performance

20%

4.6

Display

16%

5.9

Camera

14%

6.1

Battery

12%

6.4

Connectivity

8%

5.5

Software

5%

7.3

Design

3%

5.7

Audio

â–¼Worse than 68%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.4 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.4.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £300
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 S Pen 1 Cellular (5GB + 16GB)

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
Score components:

22%

5.1

Performance

20%

4.6

Display

16%

5.9

Camera

14%

6.1

Battery

12%

6.4

Connectivity

8%

5.5

Software

5%

7.3

Design

3%

5.7

Audio

5.6
Reviews score
7.4
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the tablet's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a tablet with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
Score components:

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

8.9

Price

7.4
RAM capacity
2 GB
Market range: <1 GB – >8 GB
This tablet has 2 GB of RAM, which is less than 61.3% of tablets and equal to 15.5% of tablets.
Process node
28 nm
Market range: <4 nm – >40 nm
This tablet is built on a 28 nm process, which is larger than 65.1% of tablets and equal to 17.6% of tablets.
Internal storage
16 GB
Market range: <16 GB – >256 GB
This tablet has 16 GB of internal storage, which is less than 78.8% of tablets and equal to 14.8% of tablets.
Geekbench 6 single-core score
?
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 410
This tablet runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, which is more advanced than 52.1% of tablets and equal to 0.6% of tablets.
Show more
Screen resolution
1024×768
This tablet has a 1024×768 screen, which is less sharp than 90.5% of tablets and equal to 2.2% of tablets.
Refresh rate
60 Hz
Market range: <60 Hz – >120 Hz
This tablet has a 60 Hz screen, which is smoother than 0.1% of tablets and equal to 73.4% of tablets.
Display type
TFT LCD
This tablet uses a TFT LCD display type. 89.9% of tablets use this display technology.
Pixel density
132 ppi
Market range: <149 ppi – >291 ppi
This tablet has a pixel density of 132 ppi, which is lower than 97.6% of tablets and equal to 0.9% of tablets.
Display glass type
?
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
This tablet does not support optical stabilisation. 0.4% of tablets offer this.
Main camera megapixels
5 MP
Market range: <3.15 MP – >13 MP
This tablet has a rear camera with 5 MP resolution, which is lower than 63.7% of tablets and equal to 26% of tablets.
Front camera megapixels
2 MP
Market range: <1.2 MP – >9 MP
This tablet has a front camera with 2 MP resolution, which is lower than 53.8% of tablets and equal to 25.5% of tablets.
Main camera aperture
f/2.2
This tablet has a main camera aperture of f/2.2, which is wider than 30.1% of tablets and equal to 27.3% of tablets.
Optical zoom
1xxx
This tablet has 1xx optical zoom, which is stronger than 18.2% of tablets and equal to 80.9% of tablets.
Show more
Battery capacity
6,000 mAh
Market range: <4k mAh – >10.1k mAh
This tablet has 6,000 mAh battery capacity, which is smaller than 54.2% of tablets and equal to 4.2% of tablets.
Charging speed
7.75 W
Market range: <10 W – >45 W
This tablet charges at 7.75 W, which is slower than 95.1% of tablets and equal to 0.1% of tablets.
Battery life
14 hours
Market range: <7 hours – >16 hours
This tablet has a battery life of 14 hours, which is longer than that of 81.5% of tablets and equal to that of 3.5% of tablets.
video playback
Wireless charging
no
This tablet does not support wireless charging. 1.5% of tablets offer this.
Fast charging
no
This tablet does not support fast charging. 56.9% of tablets offer this.
Show more
LTE support
yes
This tablet has built-in LTE. 57.1% of tablets offer this.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This tablet connects to Wi-Fi. 0.2% of tablets offer this.
GPS
yes
This tablet has built-in GPS. 17.1% of tablets offer this.
5G connectivity
no
This tablet does not support 5G. 8.1% of tablets offer this.
NFC
no
This tablet does not include NFC. 10.8% of tablets offer this.
Show more
Operating system
Android
This tablet uses the Android operating system, which is more advanced than the one used by 23.2%.
Update support duration
short
This tablet offers short update support, which is shorter than the support period of 52.4% of tablets and equal to that of 47.6% of tablets.
Direct OS updates
no
This tablet does not support direct OS updates. 79.8% of tablets offer this.
On-device AI
no
This tablet does not support on-device AI. 28.3% of tablets support this capability.
App tracking protection
no
This tablet does not support app tracking protection. 28.4% of tablets offer this.
Show more
IP rating
not rated
This tablet's IP rating is not rated, which is less protected than 16.5% of tablets and the same as 83.6% of tablets.
Weight
493 g
Market range: <315 g – >730 g
This tablet weighs 493 g, which is heavier than 50.9% of tablets and equal to 0.1% of tablets.
Backlit keyboard
no
This tablet does not support a backlit keyboard. 9.7% of tablets support backlit keyboards.
Keyboard accessory
yes
This tablet supports a keyboard accessory. 15.8% of tablets support this option.
Pen latency
?
Show more
Number of microphones
2
Market range: <1 – >3
This tablet has a microphone array of 2, which is more than 55.1% of tablets and equal to 32.7% of tablets.
aptX Adaptive
no
This tablet does not support aptX Adaptive. 6.9% of tablets offer this.
Dolby Atmos support
no
This tablet does not support Dolby Atmos. 31.3% of tablets support Dolby Atmos.
N. of speakers
2
Market range: <2 – >4
This tablet includes 2 speakers, which is more than in 9.8% of tablets and equal to the number in 60.8% of tablets.
FM radio
no
This tablet does not include an FM radio. 19% of tablets offer this.
Show more

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 S Pen 1 Cellular (5GB + 16GB) vs the average tablet

246810TotalPerformanceDisplayCameraBatteryConnectivitySoftwareDesignAudio
  • 4 hours longer battery life
    This tablet offers longer battery life than the average tablet (14 hours vs 10 hours). The average tablet offers 10 hours of battery life.
    video playback
    14 hours vs 10 hours
  • More advanced chipset
    This tablet has a more advanced chipset than the average tablet (Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 vs MediaTek MT8169A).
    Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 vs MediaTek MT8169A
  • Supports LTE
    This tablet supports LTE, while the average tablet does not. 42.9% of tablets support LTE.
  • More advanced graphics
    This tablet has more advanced graphics than the average tablet (Adreno 306 vs Mali-G51).
    Adreno 306 vs Mali-G51
  • Monitors battery health
    This tablet monitors battery health, while the average tablet does not. 36.7% of tablets monitor battery health.
  • Stylus included
    This tablet includes a stylus, while the average tablet does not. 17.2% of tablets offer this.
  • Supports drawing
    This tablet is suitable for drawing, while the average tablet is not. 40% of tablets are suitable for drawing.
  • Supports cellular data
    This tablet supports cellular data, while the average tablet does not. 47.4% of tablets offer this.
  • More advanced chipset
    This tablet has a more advanced chipset than the average tablet (Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 vs MediaTek MT8169A).
    Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 vs MediaTek MT8169A
  • More advanced graphics
    This tablet has more advanced graphics than the average tablet (Adreno 306 vs Mali-G51).
    Adreno 306 vs Mali-G51
  • Supports slow-motion video
    This tablet supports slow-motion recording, while the average tablet does not. 37.3% of tablets support slow-motion recording.
  • 4 hours longer battery life
    This tablet offers longer battery life than the average tablet (14 hours vs 10 hours). The average tablet offers 10 hours of battery life.
    video playback
    14 hours vs 10 hours
  • Monitors battery health
    This tablet monitors battery health, while the average tablet does not. 36.7% of tablets monitor battery health.
  • Supports LTE
    This tablet supports LTE, while the average tablet does not. 42.9% of tablets support LTE.
  • Supports cellular data
    This tablet supports cellular data, while the average tablet does not. 47.4% of tablets offer this.
  • Stylus included
    This tablet includes a stylus, while the average tablet does not. 17.2% of tablets offer this.
  • Supports drawing
    This tablet is suitable for drawing, while the average tablet is not. 40% of tablets are suitable for drawing.
  • 1 more microphones
    This tablet has more microphones than the average tablet (2 vs 1). The average tablet's microphone count is 1.
    2 vs 1
  • Inferior display type
    This tablet has an inferior display type compared to the average tablet (TFT LCD vs IPS LCD). 0.00% of tablets use the superior display type.
    TFT LCD vs IPS LCD
  • No USB-C port
    This tablet does not have a USB Type-C port, while the average tablet does. 54% of tablets have one.
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    This tablet has fewer CPU threads than the average tablet (4 vs 8). The average tablet has 8 CPU threads.
    4 vs 8
  • Shorter update support
    This tablet offers shorter update support than the average tablet (short vs medium). The average tablet gets medium of update support.
    short vs medium
  • No fast charging
    This tablet does not support fast charging, while the average tablet does. 56.8% of tablets support fast charging.
  • 40% lower CPU speed
    This tablet has a lower CPU speed than the average tablet (1.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The average tablet has CPU speed of 2 GHz.
    1.2 GHz vs 2 GHz
  • 3 MP lower front resolution
    This tablet has a lower-resolution front camera than the average tablet (2 MP vs 5 MP). The average tablet has a front camera of 5 MP.
    2 MP vs 5 MP
  • Less sharp display
    This tablet has a less sharp screen than the average tablet (1024×768 vs 1920×1200).
    1,024×768 vs 1,920×1,200
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    This tablet has fewer CPU threads than the average tablet (4 vs 8). The average tablet has 8 CPU threads.
    4 vs 8
  • 40% lower CPU speed
    This tablet has a lower CPU speed than the average tablet (1.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The average tablet has CPU speed of 2 GHz.
    1.2 GHz vs 2 GHz
  • 2 GB less RAM
    This tablet has less RAM than the average tablet (2 GB vs 4 GB). The average tablet has 4 GB of RAM.
    2 GB vs 4 GB
  • 75% less internal storage
    This tablet has less internal storage than the average tablet (16 GB vs 64 GB). The average tablet has 64 GB of internal storage.
    16 GB vs 64 GB
  • 2x larger process node
    This tablet has a larger process node than the average tablet (28 nm vs 14 nm). The average tablet is built on 14 nm.
    28 nm vs 14 nm
  • 71.8% less memory bandwidth
    This tablet has less memory bandwidth than the average tablet (4.2 GB/s vs 14.9 GB/s). The average tablet has 14.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth.
    4.2 GB/s vs 14.9 GB/s
  • No big.LITTLE architecture
    This tablet does not support big.LITTLE architecture, while the average tablet does. 51.7% of tablets support big.LITTLE architecture.
  • 30.8% slower GPU clock
    This tablet runs its GPU slower than the average tablet (450 MHz vs 650 MHz). The average tablet runs its GPU at 650 MHz.
    450 MHz vs 650 MHz
  • 4 years older
    This tablet was released earlier than the average tablet (2015 vs 2019). The average tablet was released in 2019.
    May 2015
    2015 vs 2019
  • Inferior display type
    This tablet has an inferior display type compared to the average tablet (TFT LCD vs IPS LCD). 0.00% of tablets use the superior display type.
    TFT LCD vs IPS LCD
  • Less sharp display
    This tablet has a less sharp screen than the average tablet (1024×768 vs 1920×1200).
    1,024×768 vs 1,920×1,200
  • 40.3% softer screen detail
    This tablet has softer screen detail than the average tablet (132 ppi vs 221 ppi). The average tablet has a pixel density of 221 ppi.
    132 ppi vs 221 ppi
  • Less vivid contrast
    This tablet has less contrast than the average tablet (800:1 vs 1015:1). The average tablet has a contrast ratio of 1015:1.
    800:1 vs 1,015:1
  • 0.4 inches smaller screen
    This tablet has a smaller screen than the average tablet (9.7 inches vs 10.1 inches). The average tablet measures 10.1 inches.
    9.7 inches vs 10.1 inches
  • 50% slower touch response
    This tablet samples touch more slowly than the average tablet (60 Hz vs 120 Hz). The average tablet samples touch at 120 Hz.
    60 Hz vs 120 Hz
  • 16 nits lower typical brightness
    This tablet has a lower typical brightness than the average tablet (384 nits vs 400 nits). The average tablet reaches 400 nits typical brightness.
    384 nits vs 400 nits
  • 3 MP lower front resolution
    This tablet has a lower-resolution front camera than the average tablet (2 MP vs 5 MP). The average tablet has a front camera of 5 MP.
    2 MP vs 5 MP
  • Worse main-camera video
    This tablet supports worse main-camera video recording than the average tablet (720x30 fps vs 1080x30 fps). The average tablet supports 1080x30 fps main-camera video recording.
    720x30 fps vs 1080x30 fps
  • 3 MP lower rear resolution
    This tablet has a lower-resolution rear camera than the average tablet (5 MP vs 8 MP). The average tablet has a rear camera of 8 MP.
    5 MP vs 8 MP
  • No manual white balance
    This tablet does not support manual white balance, while the average tablet does. 51.5% of tablets support manual white balance.
  • No backside-illuminated sensor
    This tablet does not have a BSI sensor, while the average tablet does. 52.6% of tablets have a BSI sensor.
  • No timelapse video
    This tablet does not support timelapse video, while the average tablet does. 57.5% of tablets support timelapse video.
  • No fast charging
    This tablet does not support fast charging, while the average tablet does. 56.8% of tablets support fast charging.
  • 56.9% slower charging
    This tablet charges slower than the average tablet (7.8 W vs 18 W). The average tablet charges at 18 W.
    7.75 W vs 18 W
  • 9.1% smaller battery capacity
    This tablet has a smaller battery capacity than the average tablet (6,000 mAh vs 6,600 mAh). The average tablet offers 6,600 mAh of battery capacity.
    6,000 mAh vs 6,600 mAh
  • No USB-C port
    This tablet does not have a USB Type-C port, while the average tablet does. 54% of tablets have one.
  • Older Wi-Fi standard
    This tablet has an older Wi-Fi standard than the average tablet (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • No face recognition
    This tablet does not have face recognition, the average tablet does. 56.4% of tablets support face recognition.
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This tablet has an older Bluetooth version than the average tablet (4.1 vs 5).
    4.1 vs 5
  • Shorter update support
    This tablet offers shorter update support than the average tablet (short vs medium). The average tablet gets medium of update support.
    short vs medium
  • No direct OS updates
    This tablet does not support direct OS updates, while the average tablet does. 79.7% of tablets offer this.
  • No split-screen
    This tablet does not support split-screen, the average tablet does. 72.8% of tablets support split-screen.
  • No picture-in-picture mode
    This tablet does not support picture-in-picture, the average tablet does. 61.4% of tablets support picture-in-picture.
  • No camera and mic privacy
    This tablet does not support camera and mic privacy, while the average tablet does. 56.6% of tablets offer this.
  • No full-page screenshots
    This tablet does not support full-page screenshots, the average tablet does. 53% of tablets support full-page screenshots.
  • No dark mode
    This tablet does not support dark mode, while the average tablet does. 57.7% of tablets offer this.
  • 67.2 mm wider
    This tablet is wider than the average tablet (242.5 mm vs 175.3 mm). The average tablet is 175.3 mm wide.
    242.5 mm vs 175.3 mm

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 S Pen Cellular (SM-P555) is a versatile 2015-era tablet featuring a 9.7-inch TFT display with a 1024 x 768 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio tailored for reading and web browsing. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and equipped with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 128GB via a microSD slot. Key characteristics include 4G LTE cellular connectivity, a 5MP rear camera with autofocus, a 2MP front camera, and a 6,000 mAh battery that supports long usage times. The primary pro is the integrated S Pen, which offers precise handwriting and multitasking features like Multi Window and Air Command, all within a slim 7.5mm profile. However, notable cons include a relatively low pixel density (132 ppi) that can make text appear pixelated and a hardware configuration that may struggle with high-end gaming or intensive modern apps.

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