The 8-inch tablet market offers a sweet spot for portability and usability. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4, a premium device from a few years back, and the Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus, a more budget-friendly option. Let's see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 boasts significantly superior performance thanks to its Snapdragon 800 chipset. However, the Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus offers a more modern design, potentially better battery life, and a lower price point. It depends on your priorities: power or value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SM-T321, SM-T325 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (TB-8704X/TB-8704N only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-T321, SM-T325 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SM-T325 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps (T321)/ LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps (T325) | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, March | 2017, February. Released 2017, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 219 x 128.5 x 7.2 mm (8.62 x 5.06 x 0.28 in) | 210 x 123 x 7 mm (8.27 x 4.84 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - cellular model only |
| Weight | 335 g (11.82 oz) | 300 g (10.58 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~359 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~71.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super clear LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) - Wi-Fi/LTEQualcomm APQ8053 - Wi-Fi only |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat), TouchWiz UI | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 3.0 (TB-8704V), USB Type-C 2.0 (all other versions) |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity (8704X/8704N only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Music play | Up to 127 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4800 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4850 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Aurora Black, Sparkling White |
| Models | SM-T325, SM-T321 | TB-8704X |
| Price | About 420 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 3G/LTE
- Superior Performance
- Vibrant AMOLED Display
- Premium Build Quality
- 3G/LTE Connectivity
- Older Device
- Potentially Slower Software Updates
- Higher Price (on the used market)
Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus
- More Affordable
- Modern Design
- Potentially Better Battery Life
- Decent Display
- Lower Performance
- Less Premium Build
- IPS LCD Display (not as vibrant)
Display Comparison
The Tab Pro 8.4 features a vibrant 2560x1600 Super AMOLED display, offering excellent color accuracy and contrast. The Tab 4 8 Plus has an IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920x1200. While the Tab 4 8 Plus's display is decent, the Tab Pro 8.4's AMOLED screen is noticeably superior in terms of visual quality.
Camera Comparison
The Tab Pro 8.4 has an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. The Tab 4 8 Plus features an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality is acceptable on both devices, but neither excels in this area. The Tab 4 8 Plus's front camera offers a slight advantage for selfies.
Performance
Here's where the Tab Pro 8.4 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 800 chipset and 2.3 GHz Krait CPU provide significantly faster performance than the Tab 4 8 Plus's Snapdragon 625. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Tab Pro 8.4. The Tab 4 8 Plus is adequate for everyday tasks but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus likely has better battery life due to its more efficient Snapdragon 625 chipset and larger battery capacity (around 4400 mAh vs Tab Pro 8.4's 4800 mAh, but the older chipset is less efficient). While the Tab Pro 8.4 has a similar capacity, its more powerful processor consumes more energy.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 is ideal for users who prioritize raw performance and a premium experience, willing to overlook its age. The Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable, everyday tablet for media consumption and light tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 still worth buying?
If you prioritize performance and don't mind an older device, it can be a good value on the used market. However, consider software update support.
❓ Which tablet is better for watching videos?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4's AMOLED display offers a superior viewing experience with richer colors and better contrast.
