The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE, released in 2014, represents a peak in large-screen Android tablets focused on productivity. Now, years later, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE offers a more modern, affordable alternative. This comparison dissects these two tablets, examining how the Note Pro’s aging Snapdragon 800 stacks up against the Tab S7 FE’s Snapdragon 750G or 778G, and whether the newer tablet’s features justify its place in today’s market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing modern features and 5G connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is the clear winner. While the Note Pro 12.2 LTE still holds its own in raw processing power for certain tasks, the S7 FE’s superior display, battery efficiency, and software support make it the more practical choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, March | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 295.6 x 204 x 8 mm (11.64 x 8.03 x 0.31 in) | 284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 753 g (1.66 lb) | 608 g (1.34 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~247 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.2 inches, 431.6 cm2 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super clear LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) - 5G modelOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi model |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi model |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi model |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.0.2 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G) |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 3.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (5G) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only) |
| | - | Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 45W wired, 100% in 190 min |
| Music play | Up to 188 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h 30 min (multimedia) (2G) / Up to 51 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 9500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink |
| Models | SM-P905 | SM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735 |
| Price | About 670 EUR | About 650 EUR |
| SAR | 1.57 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.76 W/kg (body) | 1.15 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1886:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -27.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 292530 (v8), 355430 (v9)
GeekBench: 1904 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 9.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE
- Larger 12.2-inch display for maximum screen real estate.
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance for specific legacy tasks.
- S-Pen support for note-taking and creative work.
- Aging Snapdragon 800 chipset with limited efficiency.
- Outdated software and lack of security updates.
- Likely degraded battery health and slower charging.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Modern Snapdragon 750G/778G chipset with improved efficiency.
- Brighter and more vibrant display with better viewing angles.
- 5G connectivity (depending on model) and long-term software support.
- Faster 45W charging.
- Slightly smaller screen size compared to the Note Pro 12.2.
- Performance may not match the Note Pro 12.2 in specific, optimized legacy applications.
- Plastic build quality feels less premium than some competitors.
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Tab S7 FE boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 522 nits compared to the Note Pro 12.2’s unspecified brightness. Both share a similar 1886:1 contrast ratio, suggesting comparable color reproduction quality. However, the S7 FE’s newer panel technology likely offers improved viewing angles and color accuracy. The Note Pro 12.2’s larger 12.2-inch screen provides more real estate, but the S7 FE’s more modern display technology delivers a superior visual experience overall.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department, but the Tab S7 FE likely offers a more refined image processing pipeline. Given the Note Pro 12.2’s age, its camera sensors are likely significantly smaller and less capable than those found in the S7 FE. While specific sensor details are unavailable for both, the S7 FE benefits from advancements in computational photography, resulting in better image quality in various lighting conditions. Focusing on camera performance for either tablet is not a primary use case.
Performance
The Note Pro 12.2 LTE’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, built on a 28nm process, features a quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU. The Tab S7 FE offers two chipset options: the Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) and the Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). The 778G, found in the Wi-Fi model, utilizes a more efficient Cortex-A78 architecture, offering a substantial performance uplift over the older Krait cores. The 6nm process of the 778G further enhances thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the Snapdragon 800 may exhibit higher peak performance in short bursts, the S7 FE’s chipset provides a more consistent and efficient experience for everyday tasks and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Note Pro 12.2 LTE’s battery capacity is unknown, but given its age and larger screen, it likely suffers from reduced capacity over time. The Tab S7 FE’s more efficient Snapdragon 750G/778G chipsets and optimized software contribute to significantly better battery life. The S7 FE supports 45W wired charging, reaching 100% charge in approximately 190 minutes. While not exceptionally fast, this is a considerable improvement over the Note Pro 12.2’s likely slower charging speed and diminished battery health.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE if you absolutely require a large-screen tablet with a focus on raw processing power for legacy applications or specific professional workflows where older software compatibility is crucial. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE if you prioritize a modern Android experience, a brighter and more efficient display, 5G connectivity (depending on the model), and long-term software support for everyday productivity and entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Tab S7 FE handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 778G is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low for a consistently smooth experience. The 8nm process and improved GPU architecture offer a significant advantage over the Note Pro 12.2’s Snapdragon 800 in sustained gaming performance.
❓ Is the S Pen experience on the Tab S7 FE comparable to the Note Pro 12.2?
While both tablets support the S Pen, the Tab S7 FE benefits from software optimizations and lower latency, resulting in a more responsive and natural writing experience. Samsung has refined the S Pen technology significantly since the Note Pro 12.2’s release.
❓ Will I receive software updates on the Note Pro 12.2 LTE?
No. The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE is no longer supported with software updates. This poses a significant security risk and limits access to new features and improvements.
❓ What are the benefits of choosing the 5G version of the Tab S7 FE?
The 5G version of the Tab S7 FE allows for faster download and upload speeds when connected to a 5G network. This is particularly useful for streaming high-resolution video, video conferencing, and working remotely.
