Released years apart, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and Galaxy Tab S4 10.5 represent vastly different eras in tablet technology. The Note 8.0, a compact productivity tool, aimed for portability, while the Tab S4 10.5 targeted a more premium experience with a larger display and significantly upgraded processing power. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which tablet best suits modern needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 10.5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 835 chipset delivers a dramatically faster and more responsive experience than the Note 8.0’s aging Exynos 4412, making it suitable for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. While the Note 8.0 offers a smaller form factor, the performance gap is too significant to ignore.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 - N5120 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, February. Released 2013, April | 2018, August. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 210.8 x 135.9 x 8 mm (8.30 x 5.35 x 0.31 in) | 249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1 mm (9.81 x 6.47 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 338 g (3G) / 340 g (LTE) (11.99 oz) | 482g (Wi-Fi), 483g (LTE) (1.06 lb) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~287 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~64.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 321.9 cm2 (~78.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4 (KitKat) | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by AKG/HARMAN |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector |
| 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 | Iris scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Samsung Dex
ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Music play | Up to 120 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) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White/Silver, brown | Black, White |
| Models | GT-N5100, GT-N5120 | SM-T830, SM-T835, SM-T837A |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 520 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.74 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) | 0.34 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0
- Highly portable 8-inch form factor
- Integrated S Pen for note-taking
- Lower price point (due to age)
- Outdated Exynos 4412 processor
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Slow performance with modern apps
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 10.5
- Powerful Snapdragon 835 processor
- Larger, more immersive 10.5-inch display
- 18W fast charging
- Larger and heavier than the Note 8.0
- Higher price (even used)
- May not receive further software updates
Display Comparison
While both tablets utilize Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology, the Tab S4 10.5 boasts a larger 10.5-inch display compared to the Note 8.0’s 8-inch panel. The Tab S4’s larger screen is beneficial for multitasking and media consumption. Although specific brightness data isn’t provided, the Tab S4, being a later model, likely achieves higher peak brightness. The Note 8.0’s smaller size makes it more comfortable for one-handed use, but the Tab S4’s increased screen real estate offers a more expansive viewing experience. The Tab S4 likely benefits from advancements in color calibration and viewing angles, typical of Samsung’s flagship displays.
Camera Comparison
Given the age of both devices, camera performance isn’t a primary consideration. However, the Tab S4 likely features a more advanced image sensor and image processing pipeline. While specific sensor details are unavailable, Samsung generally improves camera technology with each generation. The Note 8.0’s camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but the Tab S4 will deliver better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Tab S4, a common feature in flagship devices, would further enhance image clarity.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference. The Note 8.0’s Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 processor, built on a 32nm process, is vastly outmatched by the Tab S4 10.5’s Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) Snapdragon 835, fabricated on a more efficient 10nm node. This translates to a substantial increase in CPU and GPU performance for the Tab S4. The Snapdragon 835’s Kryo cores offer improved power efficiency and sustained performance under load, minimizing throttling during demanding tasks. The Note 8.0 will struggle with modern applications and multitasking, while the Tab S4 handles them with relative ease.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for the Note 8.0, but its smaller size suggests a smaller battery. The Tab S4 10.5 benefits from 18W wired charging, a feature absent in the Note 8.0. While the Tab S4’s larger display consumes more power, the Snapdragon 835’s efficiency and the 18W charging capability contribute to a more manageable battery experience. The Note 8.0 will likely require more frequent charging due to its less efficient processor and smaller battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 if you prioritize extreme portability and a smaller footprint for basic note-taking and light media consumption, and are willing to accept significantly slower performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 10.5 if you value a larger, more immersive display, substantially faster processing speeds for multitasking and gaming, and a more future-proofed experience, even at a slightly larger size.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 4412 in the Note 8.0 overheat during prolonged use?
The Exynos 4412, being a 32nm chip, is prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. While it won't necessarily 'overheat' to a dangerous level, you'll likely experience performance slowdowns during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks. The Tab S4's Snapdragon 835, built on a 10nm process, manages heat much more efficiently.
❓ Is the Tab S4 10.5 still a good choice for gaming in 2024?
While the Snapdragon 835 isn't the latest and greatest, it remains capable of running many modern games at medium to high settings. However, demanding titles may require reduced graphics settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. It's a solid gaming tablet for casual and moderate gamers, but hardcore gamers may want to consider newer devices.
❓ How does the S Pen experience differ between the Note 8.0 and Tab S4 10.5?
Both tablets support the S Pen, but the Tab S4 10.5 benefits from software optimizations and potentially lower latency due to its more powerful processor. This results in a more responsive and natural writing experience. The larger screen of the Tab S4 also provides more space for note-taking and creative tasks.
