The Prestigio MultiPad 2 Ultra Duo 8.0 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 represent a bygone era of affordable Android tablets. While newer options abound, these devices remain relevant for users seeking a basic tablet experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which offers the most value in today's market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly better performance for media consumption and light tasks, the Prestigio MultiPad 2 Ultra Duo 8.0 emerges as the winner. Its 1.6 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor provides a modest, but noticeable, edge over the Tab 3's 1.2 GHz processor, making it more responsive for everyday use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | - | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SM-T211, SM-T215 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-T211, SM-T215 |
| 4G bands | - | 3, 7 - SM-T215 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps (SM-T215) |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013. Released 2013 | 2013, April. Released 2013, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 204 x 158 x 9.3 mm (8.03 x 6.22 x 0.37 in) | 188 x 111.1 x 9.9 mm (7.40 x 4.37 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | No | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 453 g (1.00 lb) | 306 g (10.79 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 768 x 1024 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~160 ppi density) | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 198.2 cm2 (~61.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | - | Marvell PXA986 |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | PowerVR SGX540 |
| OS | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UX UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 1.3 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | 3.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 2.0 (TV-out) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 108 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 120 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h (multimedia) | Up to 8 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Po 4100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | White |
| Models | - | GT-P3200, SM-T211, SM-T215, SM-T217S, SM-T217T |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.63 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1098 (nominal) |
Prestigio MultiPad 2 Ultra Duo 8.0
- Larger 8-inch display for better content consumption
- Faster 1.6 GHz processor for smoother performance
- Potentially better multitasking capabilities
- Brand recognition is lower than Samsung
- May have limited software support
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0
- More compact 7-inch form factor for portability
- Samsung brand reputation and potential ecosystem benefits
- Potentially better build quality (based on Samsung's history)
- Slower 1.2 GHz processor
- Smaller display may feel cramped for some users
Display Comparison
Both tablets share a nominal contrast ratio of 1098, suggesting similar image quality in terms of black levels and color depth. However, the Prestigio boasts an 8-inch display compared to the Tab 3’s 7-inch panel. This larger screen real estate benefits content consumption, particularly for reading ebooks or watching videos. While neither device is expected to offer high brightness or wide color gamuts, the larger size of the Prestigio’s display provides a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of detailed display specifications like resolution or panel type makes a precise comparison difficult, but the size difference is a clear advantage for the Prestigio.
Camera Comparison
Given the age and target market of these devices, camera performance is not a primary consideration. Detailed camera specifications are unavailable, and it's safe to assume both tablets feature basic cameras suitable for casual snapshots. Any attempt to compare image quality would be largely speculative without sample images. Focusing on camera capabilities would be a misdirection from the core value proposition of these budget tablets.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPU: the Prestigio MultiPad 2 Ultra Duo 8.0 features a 1.6 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 is equipped with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9. This 400 MHz clock speed difference, while seemingly small, translates to a tangible performance advantage for the Prestigio, particularly in app loading times and multitasking. Both utilize the same Cortex-A9 architecture, meaning the fundamental instruction set is identical; the higher clock speed simply allows the Prestigio to execute instructions faster. The Tab 3 utilizes a Marvell PXA986 chipset, which may have slightly different GPU performance characteristics, but the CPU difference is the dominant factor. Neither tablet is designed for demanding gaming or resource-intensive applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is missing for both devices. However, considering the similar processors and screen sizes, battery life is likely comparable. The 7-inch display of the Tab 3 *might* offer slightly better battery endurance due to its smaller size, but this advantage would be minimal. Charging wattage is also unknown, making it impossible to assess charging speeds. Real-world battery life will heavily depend on usage patterns, such as screen brightness and app usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Prestigio MultiPad 2 Ultra Duo 8.0 if you need a larger 8-inch display for comfortable reading or video playback and value a small performance boost for smoother multitasking. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 if you prefer a more compact 7-inch form factor for portability and are deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem, potentially benefiting from pre-installed services or familiarity with the interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Marvell PXA986 chipset in the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 known for overheating under load?
The Marvell PXA986 is a relatively low-power chipset. Overheating is unlikely to be a significant issue with typical usage scenarios like web browsing or video playback. However, prolonged gaming or demanding applications could potentially lead to thermal throttling, reducing performance.
❓ Can the Prestigio MultiPad 2 Ultra Duo 8.0 handle basic Android games like Angry Birds or Candy Crush?
Yes, the Prestigio MultiPad 2 Ultra Duo 8.0 should be capable of running basic Android games like Angry Birds or Candy Crush without significant issues. The 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 processor provides sufficient power for these less demanding titles. However, don't expect to play graphically intensive 3D games smoothly.
❓ What Android version do these tablets likely run, and are software updates still available?
Both tablets likely shipped with Android 4.2 or 4.3. Given their age, official software updates are highly unlikely to be available. Users may be able to install custom ROMs, but this requires technical expertise and carries inherent risks.
