Choosing the right tablet can be tough, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two Samsung tablets against each other: the budget-friendly Galaxy Tab E 8.0 and the more premium Galaxy Tab S2 9.7. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance, a superior display, and a more premium design. While the Tab E 8.0 is a more affordable option, the S2's enhanced features justify the higher price for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 - T377P, T377R | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - T377 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 28, 38 - T377 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 30 - T377W | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, January. Released 2016, January | 2015, July. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 212.1 x 126.1 x 8.9 mm (8.35 x 4.96 x 0.35 in) | 237.3 x 169 x 5.6 mm (9.34 x 6.65 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 360 g (12.70 oz) | 389g (Wi-Fi) / 392g (LTE) (13.72 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 9.7 inches, 291.4 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.9 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz) - T810, T815Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53) - T813N, T819N |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Exynos 5433 - T810, T815Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) - T813N, T819N |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Mali-T760 MP6 - T810, T815Adreno 510 - T813N, T819N |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1 (Nougat) | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) - T810, T815Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) - T813N, T819N |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 or eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.2 | 2.1 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | 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 Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 117 h | Up to 109 h |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 12 h (multimedia) (2G) / Up to 30 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 5870 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl White, Metallic Black | White, black, gold |
| Models | SM-T377W, SM-T377, SM-T375, SM-T377P, SM-T377R, SM-T377A, SM-T378V, SM-T377V | SM-T810, SM-T815, SM-T813N, SM-T819N, SM-T819, SM-T813, SM-T815Y, SM-T819Y, SM-T818V |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | 1.59 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.86 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab E 8.0
- Affordable
- Compact and portable
- Decent battery life
- Good for basic tasks
- Slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Plastic build quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7
- Excellent display (Super AMOLED)
- Powerful performance
- Premium design
- Expandable storage (microSD)
- Loud and clear speakers
- Older model (limited software updates)
- Can be more expensive
- Plastic and metal build, not as premium as some
Display Comparison
The Tab S2 9.7 boasts a stunning 9.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. The Tab E 8.0 has an 8.0-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800. The difference in display quality is substantial, with the S2 providing a much more immersive and enjoyable visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Tab E 8.0 has a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera, while the Tab S2 9.7 has a 8MP rear camera and a 2.1MP front camera. Image quality is adequate for basic snapshots, but don't expect exceptional results. The S2's camera is slightly better, but neither is a standout feature.
Performance
Performance is where the Tab S2 9.7 truly shines. Its Octa-core processor (either Exynos or Snapdragon depending on the variant) provides significantly more processing power than the Tab E 8.0's Quad-core Snapdragon 410. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The Tab E 8.0 can feel sluggish at times, especially with multiple apps open.
Battery Life
The Tab S2 9.7 has a 5870 mAh battery, while the Tab E 8.0 has a 5000 mAh battery. While the S2 has a larger capacity, real-world battery life is comparable, with both devices offering around 8-10 hours of moderate usage. Battery life will vary depending on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab E 8.0 is ideal for casual users, students, or families needing a basic tablet for browsing, light gaming, and media consumption on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 is better suited for users who prioritize performance, a vibrant display for multimedia, and a more premium experience – think productivity tasks, demanding games, and content creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 still worth buying in [current year]?
Yes, the Tab S2 9.7 remains a solid choice, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. Its display and performance are still competitive, although software updates may be limited.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either tablet?
Yes, the Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 supports microSD card expansion up to 128GB. The Tab E 8.0 also supports microSD cards, but the maximum capacity may vary.
