- Mar 24, 2011
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By Will Shanklin February 27, 2013
We compare the specs - and other features - of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and Google/Asus Nexus 7
Image Gallery (11 images)
After several years of the 9.7-inch iPad dominating tablet sales, weve seen a shift. Customers are gravitating more toward smaller (and cheaper) 7 to 8-inch slates. Two of todays top choices in that bracket are the Google/Asus Nexus 7 and Samsungs new Galaxy Note 8.0. Read on, as we compare the specs and other features of these two mini tablets.
Size
The Galaxy Note 8.0 has a larger surface, but is significantly thinner than the Nexus 7.
Weight
The two tablets weigh roughly the same, with the Nexus 7 tipping the scale just a hair more than the Note 8.
Display
Samsungs display sits in the 8-inch range that many iPad mini customers enjoy. If you can sacrifice that (diagonal) inch of real estate, the Nexus 7s screen should appear sharper.
Processor
Both tablets sport quad core processors. The Notes offers better performance, but for everyday use, both will more than suffice.
RAM
The Galaxy Note 8.0 doubles the Nexus 7s 1 GB of random-access memory (RAM).
Storage
The storage edge goes to Samsungs tablet. It offers larger internal flash memory options, as well as SD card support. The Nexus 7 doesnt have a microSD slot.
Wireless
If youre looking for a Wi-Fi only device, both deliver. As far as (more expensive) mobile data options go, the Note has LTE and the Nexus 7 settles for HSPA+.
Cameras
Megapixels arent everything, but Samsung clearly wins this round. The Nexus 7 has no rear camera.
Battery
Youll always want to take battery capacity with grains of salt, as many other factors combine to determine actual uptime. With that said, the Note 8.0s battery holds a bit more juice.
Intangibles
After several years where its Galaxy Tabs met lackluster sales, Samsung has found more success with its Galaxy Note line of tablets and "phablets." Its marketing angle centers around the Note's stylus input, and the creativity and fine-tuned-input that it (supposedly) allows.
The Galaxy Note 8.0s stylus (S Pen) sees some upgrades, with greater integration into the Notes Touchwiz software. Unsheathe the stylus, and the Note will prepare for pen input. Hover the S Pen over the screen, and select apps will respond accordingly (like previewing a post in Flipboard).
The Nexus 7s X-factor is its price. We dont yet know how much the Galaxy Note 8.0 will cost, but it wont likely meet the Nexus 7s affordable US$200 starting price. Expect something more in the range of the iPad minis $330 for the Note.
The Galaxy Note 8 runs Android 4.1.2 Jellybean (with Samsungs Touchwiz UI sitting on top). The Nexus 7, meanwhile, not only ships with the newest version of Android (4.2.2, Jellybean). It will also get future updates much quicker than Samsungs tablet will. The Nexus 7 also sports pure (unskinned) Android, which many customers prefer over manufacturer UIs.
Wrap-up
Many of these comparisons reveal either two very similar devices, or one clear winner for most shoppers. Here, though, we have two divergent paths:
The Nexus 7 offers a sharper display, a more compact build, and pure Android. Its rock-bottom price doesnt hurt either.
The Galaxy Note 8.0, though, delivers a larger screen, a thinner form factor, and a faster chip. Some customers may also find its stylus to be a perk.
We compare the specs - and other features - of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and Google/Asus Nexus 7
Image Gallery (11 images)
After several years of the 9.7-inch iPad dominating tablet sales, weve seen a shift. Customers are gravitating more toward smaller (and cheaper) 7 to 8-inch slates. Two of todays top choices in that bracket are the Google/Asus Nexus 7 and Samsungs new Galaxy Note 8.0. Read on, as we compare the specs and other features of these two mini tablets.
Size
The Galaxy Note 8.0 has a larger surface, but is significantly thinner than the Nexus 7.
Weight
The two tablets weigh roughly the same, with the Nexus 7 tipping the scale just a hair more than the Note 8.
Display
Samsungs display sits in the 8-inch range that many iPad mini customers enjoy. If you can sacrifice that (diagonal) inch of real estate, the Nexus 7s screen should appear sharper.
Processor
Both tablets sport quad core processors. The Notes offers better performance, but for everyday use, both will more than suffice.
RAM
The Galaxy Note 8.0 doubles the Nexus 7s 1 GB of random-access memory (RAM).
Storage
The storage edge goes to Samsungs tablet. It offers larger internal flash memory options, as well as SD card support. The Nexus 7 doesnt have a microSD slot.
Wireless
If youre looking for a Wi-Fi only device, both deliver. As far as (more expensive) mobile data options go, the Note has LTE and the Nexus 7 settles for HSPA+.
Cameras
Megapixels arent everything, but Samsung clearly wins this round. The Nexus 7 has no rear camera.
Battery
Youll always want to take battery capacity with grains of salt, as many other factors combine to determine actual uptime. With that said, the Note 8.0s battery holds a bit more juice.
Intangibles
After several years where its Galaxy Tabs met lackluster sales, Samsung has found more success with its Galaxy Note line of tablets and "phablets." Its marketing angle centers around the Note's stylus input, and the creativity and fine-tuned-input that it (supposedly) allows.
The Galaxy Note 8.0s stylus (S Pen) sees some upgrades, with greater integration into the Notes Touchwiz software. Unsheathe the stylus, and the Note will prepare for pen input. Hover the S Pen over the screen, and select apps will respond accordingly (like previewing a post in Flipboard).
The Nexus 7s X-factor is its price. We dont yet know how much the Galaxy Note 8.0 will cost, but it wont likely meet the Nexus 7s affordable US$200 starting price. Expect something more in the range of the iPad minis $330 for the Note.
The Galaxy Note 8 runs Android 4.1.2 Jellybean (with Samsungs Touchwiz UI sitting on top). The Nexus 7, meanwhile, not only ships with the newest version of Android (4.2.2, Jellybean). It will also get future updates much quicker than Samsungs tablet will. The Nexus 7 also sports pure (unskinned) Android, which many customers prefer over manufacturer UIs.
Wrap-up
Many of these comparisons reveal either two very similar devices, or one clear winner for most shoppers. Here, though, we have two divergent paths:
The Nexus 7 offers a sharper display, a more compact build, and pure Android. Its rock-bottom price doesnt hurt either.
The Galaxy Note 8.0, though, delivers a larger screen, a thinner form factor, and a faster chip. Some customers may also find its stylus to be a perk.
