Samsung has decided not to keep users waiting and quickly make its official Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which will be a direct rival to Apple's iPad Mini, as can be clearly seen in this comparison. However, it won't only have to compete against the Cupertino-based device, but also another market favorite, Google's seven-inch tablet. We put them head-to-head in this comparison: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs. Nexus 7.
Design, materials and ergonomics
Design is the area where we find the fewest apparent differences at first glance, but small details count. Both are betting on polycarbonate as the main material, with well-assembled finishes and a comfortable grip. The Notes 8 It inherits the rounded lines of Samsung's Galaxy family, while the Nexus 7 features a more sober design, with slightly straighter edges and a rubbery back that improves grip.
The figure that draws the most attention is the thickness: The Galaxy Note 8 is around 7,95 mm, compared to approximately 10,45 mm of the Nexus 7. In hand, this translates into a feeling of visual lightness and greater comfort when holding it during prolonged reading. In weight, there is hardly any difference: about 338 grams for the Note 8 and about 340 grams for the Nexus 7, a tie in practice, especially if we take into account that the Samsung screen is an inch larger.
Beyond dimensions, there are functional aspects to consider: the Note 8 integrates Samsung-style physical/capacitive navigation buttons, which leaves more display area free in some apps; the Nexus 7 opts for on-screen buttons, consistent with the pure Android philosophy. For some, this detail will subtly change the user experience when multitasking and playing games.
Processor and RAM
We start with the main pillar of any electronic device, the processor. On one hand, we find the Nexus 7, with a processor Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core, which is not bad at all, capable of reaching a clock speed of 1,3 GHz. However, the truth is that they belong to different generations, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 being the most recent, which is perceived when seeing that its processor is also quad-core, but has architecture Cortex-A9 from ARM, reaching a clock speed of 1,6 GHz.
In the graphic section, the Nexus 7 relies on ULP GeForce, a competent iGPU for Tegra-optimized games, while the Galaxy Note 8 mounts Mali-400MP, a classic in the Exynos range that performs reliably in 2D and 3D scenes at its native resolution. This combination means that both devices offer a fluid experience for browsing, multimedia consumption, and casual titles, with a slight advantage for the Note 8 when sustained CPU power is required.
However, the real difference in processing and fluidity will not be noticed so much by the processor as by the RAM. And the Google tablet, the Nexus 7, has a 1 GB drive, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has 2 GB of RAM. The latter will facilitate photo editing, the use of high-quality games and applications that require large resources, intensive multitasking and functions of split screen Samsung's own.
For those who care about synthetic tests, both teams are capable of moving in notable score ranges for their segment and resolution, but on a day-to-day basis what prevails is the system optimization: The Nexus 7 takes advantage of clean Android, and the Note 8 compensates with more RAM and a slightly faster SoC.
Screen and camera
The screen becomes one of the elements that most attracts users' attention in this case. And what really sets this new range of devices apart from the rest is the screen size. While the top models go to 10 inches, the lower ones stay at seven. It is not surprising, therefore, that it is one of the elements that receives the most attention. The Nexus 7 is in the range of seven-inch tabletsThe resolution of this screen is 1280 x 800 pixels. It's facing a Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which falls into a slightly higher range. Its screen, as the tablet's name suggests, is eight inches, while its resolution is the same, 1280 x 800 pixels, reaching high definition, but not Full HD.
The most objective difference here is in the pixel density: The Nexus 7 offers approximately 216 dpi, while the Note 8 is around 189 dpiIn practice, text and icons appear slightly sharper on the Nexus 7, although the larger diagonal of the Samsung display provides valuable extra real estate for taking notes with the S Pen, working with two apps at once, or reading comics and documents in landscape format.
There are also differences in the panel technology: the Nexus 7 relies on a IPS with good viewing angles and neutral calibration, and the Galaxy Note 8 uses a panel TFT Very bright, it prioritizes visibility and brightness. In both cases, the 16:10 format is convenient for video and browsing.
The other multimedia pillar of any smartphone, the camera, loses a bit of importance when we talk about tablets, although it is still something to keep in mind. The Nexus 7 does not have a main camera, only a 1,2 MP front camera that allows video conferencing in high definition quality. Its rival, the recently introduced Samsung Galaxy Note 8 does have a main camera, although it is not of exaggerated quality either, remaining in a sensor of five megapixels, which will allow us to take decent photographs. However, it also has a front camera of 1,3 megapixels for making high-definition video calls. For video, the Nexus 7 typically reaches 720p on the front and the Note 8 allows 720p on the rear, enough for casual use.
Operating system and user experience
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launched with Android 4.1.2. 7 Jelly Bean, along with the full suite of apps developed by the company for its flagship devices. Meanwhile, the Nexus XNUMX receives the latest software updates as a priority within the ecosystem, which means you get new ones first. android features and security patches.
Google also takes great care of the interfaces, design and operation of the software on its devices, so in this case we find a small tie, where the Samsung tablet stands out for its specially designed set of applications, while the Nexus 7 stands out for its layer-free operating system with near-perfect performance. However, since both are running very recent versions of Android at launch, they share many features.
On Samsung's side, the layer TouchWiz adds differential value: Multi Window to split the screen and use two apps at the same time, Air View to preview content by zooming in on the pointer, and a suite of apps optimized for the pen S Pen such as S Note, S Planner, Photo Note, or Paper Artist. This integration with the stylus—powered by Wacom—is not only useful for drawing; it also improves the productivity allowing you to sign documents, make precise notes, and clip content with ease.
On the Nexus 7, the lack of heavy customizations keeps the interface clean and consistent with Google's guidelines, resulting in a constant fluidity, lower resource consumption and immediate compatibility with most apps without relying on additional layers.
Memory, storage and battery
The memory options for each of the devices are as expected. While the Nexus 7 remained a little below what is usually released to the market, with two versions of 8 GB and 16 GB, although a 32 GB version was later launched and the 8 GB version was discontinued, so, currently, the 16 and 32 GB are present. The South Korean company has decided to go a step further from launch, offering its tablet in two versions of 16 GB and 32 GB. It still remains to be seen whether there will be a 64 GB version, about which no details have been confirmed or denied. Something notable is that the Galaxy Note 8 has the possibility of expand your memory using a microSD card.
In addition to expansion, the Note 8 supports high-capacity cards—typically up to 64 GB—, which increases the scope for carrying movies, music, data-intensive games, and note libraries created with the S Pen. The Nexus 7, meanwhile, makes up for the lack of a slot with good internal storage performance and compatibility with USB On-The-Go using adapters, useful for reading USB flash drives or connecting peripherals.
As for the battery, we find a technical tie. The Nexus 7 has a XNUMX mAh battery. 4.325 mAh, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has a battery of 4.600 mAhThere is a slight difference, although if we consider that the South Korean device has a slightly larger screen, which always results in greater energy consumption, then we quickly reason that the difference in practice will be negligible.
In actual use, Both tablets easily last a day reading, browsing Wi-Fi, social media, and the occasional streaming episode. Screen-on time may vary depending on brightness, connectivity, and app load: the Nexus 7, with its smaller diagonal and higher density, generally offers notable reading efficiency; the Note 8, with its larger battery, compensates for its higher panel consumption and the additional features of its layer.
Connectivity, audio and extras
As for the rest of the details of the devices, we mainly find the possibility of both being acquired in versions with 3GThe Nexus 7 was not initially launched with this feature, but a version that would feature cellular networking was later announced. It has also been confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 It will have a 3G version, not 4G LTE. However, one thing that stands out about this latest device is its most representative peripheral, the S-Pen, the stylus that expands the tablet's capabilities, allowing you to take full advantage of its applications, including some specially developed ones like S-Note, S-Planner, Photo Note, and Paper Artist, among many others. It uses technology from Wacom, the renowned company dedicated to graphics tablets. This is undoubtedly a factor that plays in favor of the South Koreans.
In wireless connectivity, both cover the essentials: 802.11 WiFi a / b / g / n dual-band, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS. The Galaxy Note 8 adds Wi ‑ Fi Direct for high-speed file exchange between compatible devices and usually incorporates a transmitter infrared to use as a remote control for TV apps—a handy extra in the living room. True to the Nexus spirit, the Nexus 7 integrates NFC to share content and pair compatible accessories with one tap.
Wired, the Note 8 offers MicroUSB with MHL and support of USB Host, which allows video output via an adapter and the connection of peripherals such as keyboards or memory cards. On the Nexus 7, video output options depend on the variant and specific accessories; the important thing is that both cover the typical needs of an average user, from 3,5 mm headphones to external speakers. Audio, in both cases, is sufficiently loud and has low distortion; the stereo positioning is better appreciated on the Note 8 when watching video horizontally thanks to its larger bezel.
Software and application ecosystem
Beyond the base operating system, the value lies in how each manufacturer enriches the experience. The Note 8 is especially strong in productivity with stylus and multitasking: in addition to S Note or S Planner, it includes utilities such as Multi Window, floating windows, and shortcuts that speed up routines like checking your calendar while answering an email or highlighting a PDF while browsing. With the S Pen, you can also crop areas of the screen, capture quick notes, and convert handwriting to text with remarkable precision.
The Nexus 7 shines in Pure Android, with a clean experience and no app duplication. Its biggest draw for many users is the speed with which new system features are available and the immediate compatibility with Google services. For those who prioritize stability, security, and a clutter-free interface, the Nexus 7 offers a very solid value.
Day-to-day performance
Both devices handle everyday tasks with ease: multi-tab browsing, HD video streaming, social networking, messaging, reading, and casual gaming. The Note 8, thanks to its combination of Faster CPU y 2 GB of RAM, it handles intense multitasking sessions and constant switching between heavy apps better, something you'll appreciate if you frequently edit images, use digital brushes, or keep multiple windows active at once. The Nexus 7, with its sharper panel and clean Android, offers a sense of immediacy and lightness that will delight those who appreciate the purity of the system.
In games, the choice will depend on both the title and the specific optimization for TegraThere are titles with specific Tegra optimizations that benefit on the Nexus 7; in others, the Note 8 and its Mali GPU run very smoothly at 1280x800. In both, the HD resolution is a good balance between sharpness and sustained performance.
Price and value for money
As for the price, it has not been made official how much the different versions of the Galaxy Note 8 that will hit the market will cost, although it is expected that they will be, at least, slightly higher than those of the Nexus 7. The latter, the Google tablet, is available for a price of about 200 Euros for the 16 GB version, and 250 Euros for the 32GB version. For a little more, for 300 Euros The 32GB version with 3G is available. Samsung's tablet, due to its hardware complexity, software add-ons, and S Pen, tends to be in the higher range.
If budget is the priority, the Nexus 7 aims for a value for money Very hard to beat. If you're looking for extra productivity, handwritten notes, drawing, and advanced tools, the Note 8 justifies its premium price with features no simple capacitive stylus can replicate.
The competition is assured between the two tablets, as there is a tie in most areas. Samsung's tablet is more versatile in terms of productivity thanks to the S Pen, the one-inch larger screen, and its greater RAM; the Nexus 7 maintains clear advantages in terms of screen density, pure Android, and an attractive price. Choosing one or the other depends on whether you prioritize notes and multitasking against lightness of system and costIn both cases, you get capable, compact tablets that still offer a very competent experience for reading, video, browsing, and everyday apps.
