Released roughly a year apart, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 represent Samsung’s attempts to dominate the 8-inch tablet space. While both offer the S Pen experience, a core Samsung differentiator, they diverge significantly in internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, display, and overall user experience to determine which tablet offers the best value in today’s market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 is the clear winner. Its Exynos 5433 chipset, with its octa-core configuration, delivers a substantially faster experience than the Note 8.0’s aging Exynos 4412. However, the Note 8.0 remains a viable option for basic tasks and S Pen note-taking on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - N5100, N5120 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - N5100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 - N5120 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, February. Released 2013, April | 2015, July. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 210.8 x 135.9 x 8 mm (8.30 x 5.35 x 0.31 in) | 198.6 x 134.8 x 5.6 mm (7.82 x 5.31 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 338 g (3G) / 340 g (LTE) (11.99 oz) | 265 g (Wi-Fi) / 272 g (LTE) (9.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~64.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 198.2 cm2 (~74.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 | Octa-core (4x1.9 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz) - T710, T715Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53) - T719N |
| Chipset | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) | Exynos 5433 - T710, T715Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) - T719N |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | Mali-T760 MP6 - T710, T715Adreno 510 - T719N |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4 (KitKat) | 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 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 or eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 2.1 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 120 h | Up to 74 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 710 h (2G) / Up to 480 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 28 h (2G) / Up to 24 h (3G) | Up to 27 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 4600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White/Silver, brown | White, black gold |
| Models | GT-N5100, GT-N5120 | SM-T715, SM-T710, SM-T719N, SM-T719, SM-T715Y, SM-T719Y, SM-T713 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.74 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) | 0.34 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0
- More affordable price point
- Integrated S Pen for note-taking
- Highly portable 8-inch form factor
- Significantly slower processor
- Less efficient chipset
- Potentially lower display quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0
- Much faster octa-core processor
- More efficient chipset for longer battery life
- Likely superior display quality
- Higher price than the Note 8.0
- May be slightly heavier
- S Pen experience is similar to Note 8.0
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 8-inch LCD displays, detailed specifications regarding resolution and panel technology are missing. However, given the Tab S2’s positioning as a premium device, it likely boasts a higher pixel density and potentially better color accuracy than the Note 8.0. The Tab S2’s release timeframe also suggests a greater chance of incorporating advancements in display technology, such as improved viewing angles. Both tablets likely utilize similar LCD technology, but the Tab S2 likely has a more refined implementation.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most tablet buyers. Both devices likely feature similar camera setups, with the Note 8.0 potentially having a slight edge in software optimization due to its S Pen integration. However, without specific sensor size or aperture information, a definitive comparison is difficult. The inclusion of a 2MP camera on either device is largely inconsequential; its utility is limited by its low resolution.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Note 8.0’s quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 processor, built on a 32nm process, is demonstrably slower than the Tab S2 8.0’s Exynos 5433. The Tab S2 offers two chipset variants: the T710/T715 with an octa-core CPU (4x1.9 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz) and the T719N with an octa-core Cortex-A72/A53 configuration (4x1.8 GHz & 4x1.4 GHz). Both Tab S2 configurations represent a substantial leap in processing power and efficiency. The 28nm process node of the Exynos 5433 also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Tab S2.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Tab S2’s more efficient Exynos 5433 chipset, built on a smaller 28nm process, will likely result in longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Note 8.0. The Tab S2’s charging wattage is also likely higher, enabling faster charging times, though specific figures are unavailable.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 if you need a highly portable, affordable tablet primarily for note-taking, reading, and light web browsing, and are comfortable with a slower processor. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive experience for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications, and are willing to spend a bit more for the performance upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 5433 in the Tab S2 8.0 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 5433, built on a 28nm process, is significantly more thermally efficient than the Note 8.0’s Exynos 4412. While some heat generation is inevitable during demanding tasks, the Tab S2 8.0 is less prone to overheating and performance throttling, allowing for longer, more consistent gaming sessions.
❓ Is the performance difference between the T710/T715 and T719N variants of the Tab S2 8.0 noticeable in real-world use?
The T719N variant utilizes Cortex-A72 cores, which offer a performance improvement over the Cortex-A57 cores found in the T710/T715. However, the difference is not massive and may only be noticeable in very demanding applications or benchmarks. For most users, the performance will feel very similar.
❓ Can either tablet be reliably used for split-screen multitasking with multiple apps?
The Tab S2 8.0 handles split-screen multitasking far more effectively due to its superior processing power and RAM. The Note 8.0 may struggle with multiple apps running simultaneously, resulting in lag and slowdowns. The Tab S2 provides a smoother, more responsive multitasking experience.
