The Nvidia Shield K1 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 represent distinct approaches to the 8-inch Android tablet market. The Shield K1, leveraging Nvidia’s Tegra K1, prioritized gaming and media consumption, while the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 aimed for a more balanced experience with a focus on portability and productivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which tablet remains relevant today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and streaming, the Nvidia Shield K1’s Tegra K1 chipset still holds an edge, despite its age. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 offers a more versatile experience with its octa-core Exynos processor and refined software, making it the better all-around choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, November. Released 2015, November | 2015, July. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 221 x 126 x 9.2 mm (8.70 x 4.96 x 0.36 in) | 198.6 x 134.8 x 5.6 mm (7.82 x 5.31 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 356 g (12.56 oz) | 265 g (Wi-Fi) / 272 g (LTE) (9.35 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 198.2 cm2 (~74.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A15 | Octa-core (4x1.9 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz) - T710, T715Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53) - T719N |
| Chipset | Nvidia Tegra K1 | Exynos 5433 - T710, T715Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) - T719N |
| GPU | ULP GeForce Kepler (192 cores) | Mali-T760 MP6 - T710, T715Adreno 510 - T719N |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) - T710, T715Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) - T719N |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 or eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 2.1 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | Dual bass reflex port | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | HDMI port | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 74 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 27 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 5200 mAh, non-removable (19.75 Wh) | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | White, black gold |
| Models | - | SM-T715, SM-T710, SM-T719N, SM-T719, SM-T715Y, SM-T719Y, SM-T713 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) |
Nvidia Shield K1
- Powerful GPU for gaming (Tegra K1)
- Nvidia’s gaming ecosystem features
- Potentially higher resolution display
- Older chipset and software
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Less versatile for everyday tasks
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0
- More efficient octa-core processor (Exynos 5433)
- Superior display technology (Super AMOLED)
- Lighter and more portable design
- Less powerful GPU than the Shield K1
- Camera performance is average
- May lack Nvidia’s gaming-specific features
Display Comparison
While specific display specs like brightness and color accuracy are unavailable, the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 likely benefits from Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology, offering superior contrast and vibrant colors compared to the Shield K1’s LCD. The Tab S2’s smaller bezels contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. The Shield K1, however, may have a slightly higher resolution, but the difference is unlikely to be significant in real-world use. The Tab S2’s panel technology is a clear advantage for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is not a strong suit for either device. Both tablets feature relatively basic camera setups. The Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 likely has a more refined image processing pipeline, resulting in slightly better photos in good lighting conditions. Given the context data, detailed analysis is limited, but the Tab S2’s camera is likely more consistent. The Shield K1’s camera was primarily an afterthought, focused on basic functionality.
Performance
The Nvidia Shield K1’s Tegra K1, with its quad-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A15 CPU, was a powerhouse for its time, particularly in graphics performance. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0’s Exynos 5433 (or Snapdragon 652 in some variants) features an octa-core configuration (4x1.9 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz or 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53). This allows for better multi-tasking and efficiency. The Exynos’s ARM Cortex-A72 cores, found in the T719N variant, represent a significant architectural improvement over the A15, offering better performance per clock cycle. While the Tegra K1 excels in raw GPU power, the Exynos provides a more balanced and efficient experience for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity figures are unavailable for both devices. However, the Exynos 5433’s more efficient architecture likely translates to better battery life in typical usage scenarios. The Shield K1’s Tegra K1, while powerful, is known to be power-hungry, especially under heavy load. The Tab S2’s octa-core processor allows it to scale performance based on demand, conserving energy when possible. Charging speeds are also unknown, but the Tab S2 likely benefits from faster charging technology due to its later release date.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nvidia Shield K1 if you absolutely need a dedicated gaming tablet with Nvidia’s ecosystem features and don’t mind an older device. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 if you prioritize a lightweight, portable tablet for everyday tasks, media consumption, and a more modern Android experience. The Tab S2’s broader compatibility and software support make it a safer long-term investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 5433 in the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While not a dedicated gaming tablet like the Shield K1, the Exynos 5433’s octa-core architecture and efficient design generally prevent significant overheating during moderate gaming. However, prolonged, demanding games may cause some thermal throttling, reducing performance slightly. It’s less prone to overheating than the Tegra K1 under sustained load.
❓ Is the Nvidia Shield K1 still receiving software updates?
Software support for the Nvidia Shield K1 is extremely limited at this point. It’s unlikely to receive any further major Android updates. This is a significant drawback compared to the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0, which, while also aging, may have received more recent security patches and minor updates.
❓ Which tablet is better for streaming 4K video?
Both tablets are capable of streaming 4K video, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0’s Super AMOLED display will provide a superior viewing experience due to its higher contrast and vibrant colors. The Shield K1’s LCD may appear washed out in comparison.
