The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 and Nvidia Shield K1 were both contenders in the premium Android tablet space. While both offer a compact form factor, they cater to different user needs. This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which tablet is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nvidia Shield K1 takes the crown for gaming enthusiasts thanks to its powerful Tegra K1 chipset and optimized gaming features. The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 offers a superior display and a more polished overall experience, but falls short in raw gaming performance. It's a draw depending on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, February | 2015, November. Released 2015, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 219 x 128.5 x 7.2 mm (8.62 x 5.06 x 0.28 in) | 221 x 126 x 9.2 mm (8.70 x 4.96 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 331 g (11.68 oz) | 356 g (12.56 oz) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~359 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 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 (~66.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super clear LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A15 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Nvidia Tegra K1 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | ULP GeForce Kepler (192 cores) |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat), TouchWiz UI | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Dual bass reflex port |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | HDMI port |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 127 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4800 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 5200 mAh, non-removable (19.75 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black |
| Models | SM-T320 | - |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 1.04 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -89.2dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 822:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 76dB
| - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4
- Excellent Super AMOLED display
- Sleek and premium design
- Good general performance
- Samsung's optimized software
- Gaming performance lags behind Shield K1
- Camera quality is average
- Older model, limited software updates
Nvidia Shield K1
- Exceptional gaming performance (Tegra K1)
- Dedicated gaming features (GameStream)
- Powerful GPU
- Good value for gamers
- IPS LCD display is not as vibrant
- Design is less premium
- Battery life can be shorter during gaming
- Software updates are less frequent
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 boasts a Super AMOLED display with a contrast ratio of 822:1, delivering rich colors and deep blacks. The Shield K1 uses an IPS LCD panel, which is generally accurate but lacks the vibrancy of AMOLED. The Tab Pro 8.4 wins here due to its superior color reproduction and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices include cameras, but neither is exceptional. Image quality is adequate for casual snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 likely has slightly better image processing due to Samsung's software, but the difference is minimal.
Performance
While both tablets feature quad-core processors, the Nvidia Shield K1's Tegra K1 chipset, with its dedicated GPU, provides significantly better gaming performance. The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4's Snapdragon 800 is still capable, but struggles with more demanding titles. The Shield K1's GPU is a major advantage.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor. The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 generally offers slightly better battery life due to its more efficient processor and optimized software. The Shield K1's powerful GPU can drain the battery faster during intensive gaming sessions. Expect around 8-10 hours of mixed usage on both devices.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 is ideal for users who prioritize a vibrant display, a sleek design, and general productivity tasks. The Nvidia Shield K1 is the clear choice for gamers and those who demand maximum performance for demanding applications and emulators.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nvidia Shield K1 good for streaming games?
Yes, the Shield K1 is excellent for game streaming via Nvidia GameStream and GeForce Now. Its powerful GPU handles streaming smoothly.
❓ Are software updates still available for these tablets?
Software updates for both devices are limited. The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 has seen fewer updates, while the Shield K1 still receives occasional updates, but support is waning.
