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

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

The Google Nexus 7 (2013) and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, both released in 2013, were popular tablets in the 7-8 inch range. Each offered a unique experience tailored to different types of users, whether you wanted pure Android or productivity-focused features. Here’s how they compare:

Design & Build

  • Google Nexus 7 (2013): The Nexus 7 had a slim and lightweight design, with a soft-touch matte back that made it comfortable to hold. It was compact and easy to carry around, weighing just 290 grams with a 7-inch display. It was sleek but had a more minimalist look compared to the Note 8.0.
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0 had a plastic build with rounded edges, typical of Samsung’s design at the time. The tablet was slightly larger and heavier at 338 grams due to its 8-inch display. It also included a slot for the S Pen stylus, making it more versatile for users who wanted stylus functionality. While not as premium as metal or glass, its build was solid and durable.

Winner: Nexus 7 for a more compact and sleek design, while the Note 8.0 provides additional functionality with the S Pen.

Display

  • Nexus 7 (2013): The Nexus 7 featured a 7-inch IPS LCD display with a 1920×1200 resolution and a 323 ppi pixel density. The high-resolution display was one of the sharpest in its class, delivering crisp visuals, vivid colors, and excellent viewing angles. It was perfect for reading, gaming, and media consumption.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0 had a 8-inch TFT LCD display with a 1280×800 resolution and 189 ppi. While it was larger, the lower resolution meant that it wasn’t as sharp as the Nexus 7’s display. However, the larger screen provided more room for productivity tasks and was beneficial for using the S Pen.

Winner: The Nexus 7 offers a sharper and higher-resolution display, but the Note 8.0 provides a larger screen for users who prefer more screen real estate.

Performance

  • Nexus 7 (2013): Powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor clocked at 1.5GHz, along with 2GB of RAM, the Nexus 7 handled multitasking, gaming, and media consumption smoothly. Its near-stock Android experience made it faster and more responsive than many devices with heavier software skins.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0 had a quad-core Exynos 4412 processor clocked at 1.6GHz and also came with 2GB of RAM. It offered solid performance for multitasking and productivity, especially when using the S Pen for drawing or writing. However, Samsung’s TouchWiz UI added some extra software that could slow down performance compared to the Nexus 7’s lighter interface.

Winner: Both tablets offer good performance, but the Nexus 7 is slightly faster due to its stock Android and streamlined experience. The Note 8.0 shines for productivity, especially when using the S Pen.

Stylus Support

  • Nexus 7 (2013): The Nexus 7 did not have native stylus support, focusing instead on touch inputs and gestures.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0’s key feature was its S Pen stylus, which allowed for precise control, handwriting input, drawing, and navigation. Samsung’s S Pen software included apps like S Note and Air View, which enhanced productivity and creativity. The S Pen made the Note 8.0 an excellent tool for users who needed stylus support for notes or creative tasks.

Winner: The Galaxy Note 8.0 wins hands down for users who want stylus support and productivity features with the S Pen.

Battery Life

  • Nexus 7 (2013): The Nexus 7 had a 3950mAh battery, offering around 9-10 hours of use on a single charge. Its efficient processor and smaller screen helped conserve power, making it great for all-day use.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0 came with a 4600mAh battery, delivering around 8-9 hours of usage. The larger screen and additional S Pen functionality consumed more power, but the battery life was still solid for most tasks.

Winner: The Nexus 7 edges out the Note 8.0 in battery life, but both are reliable for extended use.

Software & Features

  • Nexus 7 (2013): Running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, the Nexus 7 provided a pure Android experience, free from bloatware and with the promise of faster updates from Google. The clean UI and lack of heavy skins made it highly responsive, and Google’s app ecosystem was rich and expansive.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0 ran Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI layered on top. While TouchWiz added useful features like Multi-Window (split-screen multitasking) and S Pen support, it also added some bloat that could slow down performance over time. Samsung’s ecosystem provided a more feature-rich experience, particularly for productivity.

Winner: The Nexus 7 wins for users who prefer a clean, stock Android experience. The Note 8.0 is better for those who want extra software features and S Pen functionality.

Storage

  • Nexus 7 (2013): The Nexus 7 was available in 16GB and 32GB models but lacked a microSD card slot for expandable storage. While 32GB was sufficient for many users, those who needed more space would have to rely on cloud storage.
  • Galaxy Note 8.0: The Note 8.0 came with 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, but it had the advantage of a microSD card slot, allowing for storage expansion up to 64GB.

Winner: The Note 8.0 wins here with its expandable storage option.

Price

The Nexus 7 was priced more affordably compared to the Galaxy Note 8.0, making it the better choice for budget-conscious users who didn’t need stylus functionality. The Note 8.0 was more expensive due to its larger screen, stylus support, and additional software features.

Conclusion

  • Google Nexus 7 (2013): Best for users looking for a compact, sharp display, clean Android experience, and excellent battery life at an affordable price. Its higher resolution and smooth performance make it ideal for media consumption and light gaming.
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0: Best for users who need S Pen functionality, larger screen size, and the ability to expand storage. The additional productivity features make it a great choice for those who want more from their tablet, particularly for note-taking, drawing, or multitasking.

Both tablets are excellent, but the choice depends on whether you prioritize affordability and display quality (Nexus 7) or productivity and stylus functionality (Note 8.0).