14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung introduced the Galaxy TabPRO 8.4 along with three new tablets at CES 2014 earlier this month, and looking at this high-end slate you can’t help comparing it to the Nexus 7 (2013). So if you’re on the market for a smaller tablet and you need some help to stir you in the right direction in terms of choice, keep on reading here.
Display
From the four newly launched Sammy tablet, the 8-incher features the most impressive display, as it comes bundled with an 8.4-inch LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels at 359 ppi.
More than that, it has been proved that smallest Galaxy TabPRO is the only tablet from the bunch to come without an alternative Pentile pixel matrix display, which is pretty impressive by itself.
By comparison, the Nexus 7 only has a 7-inch LCD screen with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution at 322 ppi. Not bad at all, but the little Sammy slate definitely has more pixels.
Processor
The Nexus 7 2013 model is equipped with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset, while the TabPRO, being a newer model, bundles the latest 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, an aspect that gives the latter tablet an edge over the Nexus. Although we can’t vouch average users will necessarily feel the difference per se, in terms of performance.
Software
The TabPRO 8.4 sports Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box while the Nexus 7 runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Before considering this a disadvantage, you should know the Android 4.4 KitKat update has been pushed for the Nexus 7, so owners can easily update to the new build (granted, not in all markets).
Pricing
The Nexus 7 2013 is one of the most affordable tablets that comes with excellent specifications and its price range starts around $269 / €197.
On the other hand, we don’t have the official price for the Sammy 8-incher but some leaked information shows the device might be sold for around €389 / $532 in Europe.
Ultimately it's up to you, if you want to go for a slate bundling the most recent specs, or if you settle for a slightly lower configuration that comes at a more friendlier price.