Google Nexus 7 (2013) vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Google Nexus 7 (2013) vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0: Tablet Face-Off

The Google Nexus 7 (2013) and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, both released in 2013, catered to users looking for compact Android tablets, but each took a different approach in terms of features and functionality. Here’s how they stack up:

Design & Build

  • Nexus 7 (2013): The Nexus 7 was known for its slim and lightweight design, with a 7-inch form factor and a soft-touch matte finish on the back, making it comfortable to hold. Its compact size made it easy to carry around.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Galaxy Note 8.0 featured a larger 8-inch display and had a more utilitarian plastic build with rounded edges. While slightly bulkier, it offered more screen real estate and was designed to fit Samsung’s S Pen stylus.

Display

  • Nexus 7 (2013): The Nexus 7 boasted an impressive 1920×1200 resolution display, giving it a 323 ppi pixel density. The display was sharp and bright, perfect for reading, watching videos, and gaming.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0 had a 1280×800 resolution on its 8-inch screen, resulting in a lower 189 ppi. While still a solid display, it wasn’t as sharp or detailed as the Nexus 7, making the Nexus a better option for users prioritizing display quality.

Performance

  • Nexus 7 (2013): Powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 2GB of RAM, the Nexus 7 delivered smooth performance for multitasking, gaming, and browsing.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Galaxy Note 8.0 was equipped with a quad-core Exynos 4412 processor and 2GB of RAM, providing strong performance as well, though it was more focused on productivity tasks with its integration of the S Pen and multitasking features like split-screen.

Software & Features

  • Nexus 7 (2013): Running stock Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, the Nexus 7 offered a clean, bloat-free experience with quick updates directly from Google. This made it ideal for users who wanted a pure Android experience without extra apps or skins.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0 ran Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, which added several productivity features such as S Pen support for note-taking, drawing, and navigating the tablet. Samsung’s software also included split-screen multitasking and other custom apps, making it more feature-rich, albeit more cluttered.

Stylus Support

  • Nexus 7 (2013): The Nexus 7 did not include a stylus, focusing on traditional touchscreen input.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0’s S Pen stylus was one of its main selling points, offering precise control for drawing, note-taking, and editing. It was ideal for creative users and those who needed productivity tools.

Battery Life

  • Nexus 7 (2013): The Nexus 7 offered solid battery life with its 3950mAh battery, lasting around 9 hours on a single charge with mixed use.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0 featured a larger 4600mAh battery, offering similar battery life with around 8-9 hours of use, though heavy S Pen usage or multitasking could drain it faster.

Conclusion

  • Google Nexus 7 (2013): Best for users who want a compact, high-resolution display with fast performance and a pure Android experience. It was more suitable for media consumption, gaming, and browsing.
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0: Best for users who prioritize productivity and want to take advantage of the S Pen and multitasking features. It was designed for those who needed a tablet for work or creative tasks, with a larger display and more features to aid in productivity.

Both tablets were excellent in their own right, but the choice largely depended on whether you prioritized media consumption and a clean Android experience (Nexus 7) or productivity and stylus integration (Galaxy Note 8.0).