Samsung's critics, who accuse the Korean company of slavishly copying Apple's every move, have probably received more ammunition with the introduction of the Galaxy Note 8.0. This 8-inch tablet, which was officially revealed by Samsung at Mobile World Congress, has an almost identical screen size as Apple's iPad mini.
In truth, the Note 8.0 looks nothing like Apple's smaller iPad--it takes after the Samsung Galaxy Note 2with similar curves and a plastic chassis. To those who are familiar with Samsung's approach of launching a staggering range of mobile devices in various form factors, this may seem like business as usual.
Of course, there are plenty of differences between the two devices, not to mention other competitors in the tablet space. In fact, most Android tablets in the market are of the 7-inch variety. Samsung has been the exception--it previously experimented with a 7.7-inch model, though the high price of the Galaxy Tab 7.7 has hindered widespread adoption.
To illustrate the differences (and similarities) between the new Note 8.0 and some of its potential competitors, we have collated the hardware specifications of popular tablets: The Apple iPad mini, Amazon Kindle Fire HD and the Google Nexus 7.
| Specs | Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 | iPad mini Wi-Fi | Nexus 7 | Kindle Fire HD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 1.6GHz (quad-core) | Apple A5 (dual-core) | Nvidia Tegra 3 (quad-core) | TI OMAP 4470 (dual-core) |
| Operating system | Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean | iOS 6.1.2 | Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean | Custom Android |
| Storage | 16/32GB onboard storage, expandable via microSD slot | 16/32/64GB onboard storage, non-expandable | 16/32GB onboard storage, non-expandable | 16/32GB onboard storage, non-expandable |
| RAM | 2GB | 512MB | 1GB | 1GB |
| Camera | 5-megapixel rear camera, 1.3-megapixel front camera | 5-megapixel iSight camera, 1.2-megapixel FaceTime camera | 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera | 720p front-facing camera |
| Screen | 8-inch (1,280 x 800 pixels) IPS LCD | 7.9-inch (1,024 x 768 pixels) IPS LCD | 7-inch (1,280 x 800 pixels) IPS LCD | 7-inch (1,280 x 800 pixels) IPS LCD |
| GPS | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| NFC | No | No | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 210.8 x 135.9 x 7.95mm | 200 x 134.7 x 7.2mm | 198.5 x 120 x 10.5mm | 193 x 137.2 x 10.2mm |
| Weight | 338g (3G model) | 308g | 340g | 394g |
| Price | TBA | US$329 (16GB), US$429 (32GB), US$529 (64GB) | US$199 (16GB), US$249 (32GB) | US$199 (16GB), US$249 (32GB) |
Despite the fact that it's physically bigger than the other Android slates in this comparison, the Note 8.0 is the lightest and slimmest. However, the iPad mini, with an aluminum body that's not matched by its rivals, probably wins here overall.
The pixel density of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is 189 ppi (pixel per inch). This is higher than the iPad mini's 163 ppi, which has been highlighted by reviewers as one of its biggest flaws. On the Android front, there are 7-inch tablets such as the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7 that have identical 1,280 x 800-pixel screens, which means the Note 8.0 isn't exactly groundbreaking.
Samsung has touted the multitasking capabilities of its Note devices--the quad-core processor and 2GB of onboard RAM helps to ensure that performance remains smooth and acceptable. The Note 8.0 is clearly superior to its competitors in the CPU department. The fact that Samsung has retained support for a microSD slot, allowing users to supplement the limited storage on these devices using a microSD card, is another plus for some users.
The Galaxy Note 8.0 does have some unique features. For instance, it can make phone calls (for the international 3G version), and it has a stylus, which is probably its biggest asset when done right. While you can also use a stylus on other tablets, it doesn't have the level of integration as the S Pen on the Note. Besides, the Wacom digitizer on the Galaxy Note 8.0 has better performance and sensitivity. Also, unlike other slates, we bet you won't lose the S Pen easily due to its built-in stylus slot on the Note 8.0.
With a big question mark over the price of the Galaxy Note 8.0, it's probably too early to give a definitive verdict here. We're hoping to get a hands-on with the tablet soon, so you may want to check back here in a couple of days
Source: cnetasia.com
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