Note 8 TODAY or Nexus 7 2 Soon??

[Haalcyon]

The Note 8's screen is nice but not as sharp as the N7's. However, the option of using the SPen is meaningful to some.

Sent from my Note 8.0 LTE

 

[Sethbag]

The Nexus 7 is a MUCH better value, probably a better tablet, but definitely much better at roughly half the price.

It hasn't got an S-Pen. So, it's not a much better value in my book. The S-Pen is fantastic. Once you use it for a while you'll wonder how you could ever use a tablet that doesn't have one.

Not to mention, my Note 8 has 16gb internal and I added a 64gb micro SD card, so I've got 80gb (minus the Samsung bloat tax, ok, it probably adds up to more like 70 real GB) of storage in my note. Assuming you pay more, you still have just 32gb (probably upper 20s realistically).

Sure, the screen of my Note 8 is "only" 189 ppi. That's actually pretty freaking good looking. Could you tell the difference between that and something with >300 ppi? Sure, I suppose, if you hold them side by side. Does the Note 8's screen look like crap because of the 189ppi? Hardly. It's an 80/20 sort of thing. There's a diminishing return as you get higher and higher ppi. I think that 189ppi already enjoys 80% of the benefit of a high resolution. Is it that remaining 20% screen goodness worth losing out on the S-Pen? IMHO no. Is it worth having less than half the storage? Probably not.

Also, the Note 8's screen is physically larger, therefore it looks nicer at the normal distances I'd hold a tablet, while still being small enough to hold in one hand.

Sure, someday I'd like a Note with a 1920x1200 screen. I can probably think of other things to add to the wishlist. The quad-core 1.7ghz Exynos processor in the Note 8 is no slouch. Is it as fast on the benchmarks? I don't know, and frankly, since it's fast enough for anything I've tried to do, and any game I've tried to play on it, I could care less.

Note saying the Nexus 7 isn't a great tablet. It sure looks like it. And it's a lot cheaper, especially after I paid for my 64gb SD card. Still, I had the money for the Note 8, and while contemplating the same choice (wait for new Nexus 7, or go for the Note 8), I chose the Note 8. And I don't regret it at all.

 

[Aquila]

It hasn't got an S-Pen. So, it's not a much better value in my book. The S-Pen is fantastic. Once you use it for a while you'll wonder how you could ever use a tablet that doesn't have one.

I agree that it's a cool feature, but it's not a $250 feature. To me any tablet that gets above $174.99 doesn't justify the delta between it and the Nexus 7 in either direction, especially with the new one. This is seriously the fastest and best looking tablet made thus far.

I'm really excited to see what Asus and Samsung bring this winter, because I like what they're doing in general, but the Note 8 with archaic phone buttons and lesser hardware, IMO should be priced right around $150. At $175.00, it's worth it to pay the delta to get the Nexus 7, and anything a penny over the Nexus 7 is being ripped off. Yes I understand that Google is subsidizing the $400 Nexus 7 to sell it at $269, but that's just more of an incentive.

This is just how I think about it for my tablet shopping, obviously your decision making process is different and much more valid for your tastes. I'm very glad you're happy!

 

[Sethbag]

I guess it depends on how you regard money vs. having the most usable tablet. To me the S-pen is in fact worth the difference between the Note 8 and the new Nexus 7. Btw, I got my Note 8 on sale and it was about $110 more than I'd pay for the new Nexus 7. And that's not $110 just for the S-pen, since the Note 8 has other features that also distinguish it from the Nexus device. The micro-SD slot has real value to a lot of users, like me, as well.

I have to ask, though, what do you mean about the Note 8's "lesser hardware"? Other than the 189ppi screen (which is lesser than the 1920x1200 of the Nexus 7), it's got a 1.7ghz quad-core processor with a fast gpu, and 2gb of RAM. I am unsure exactly how the cpu and gpu stack up with the Nexus 7's in benchmarks, but in real-world usability I doubt there's a bit of difference. The Note's cpu and gpu are certainly plenty fast for anything almost any of us do with it. Other than the resolution of the screen, I don't consider the Note 8 to be "lesser" than the Nexus 7 at all.

Anyhow, this all smacks of self-justification, since I chose the Note 8 rather than waiting for the new Nexus 7, about a month ago. Still, I haven't regretted that choice at all. I love the Note 8. If they come up with an upgraded model next year I'll probably buy it and sell this one. Until other companies come up with something that can compete with the Note line's S-Pen, and provide the micro-SD upgradeability of the Samsung line, I'm a Note customer for the foreseeable future.

 

[rugby10]

I concur. I upgraded from the Thrive to the Note 8 a month ago, after researching what was available and what was pending. The sd card option is huge for me, as I use a tablet for work as well as media. I put a 64gb micro sd in, holding enough movies, music, books etc, as well as work files, to keep me entertained without bogging down the internal memory. The S pen functions are fantastic, and big step up from the standsrd stylus I used on the Thrive. For me, the Note 8 is worth the extra $ for the flexibility it offers.

Sent with Galaxy Note 8 via TapaTalk

 

[Shofar1]

How did you get the books on the SD card?
Are they Kindle books?

We really need apps2SD

 

[Farish]

I agree that it's a cool feature, but it's not a $250 feature. To me any tablet that gets above $174.99 doesn't justify the delta between it and the Nexus 7 in either direction, especially with the new one. This is seriously the fastest and best looking tablet made thus far.

I'm really excited to see what Asus and Samsung bring this winter, because I like what they're doing in general, but the Note 8 with archaic phone buttons and lesser hardware, IMO should be priced right around $150. At $175.00, it's worth it to pay the delta to get the Nexus 7, and anything a penny over the Nexus 7 is being ripped off. Yes I understand that Google is subsidizing the $400 Nexus 7 to sell it at $269, but that's just more of an incentive.

This is just how I think about it for my tablet shopping, obviously your decision making process is different and much more valid for your tastes. I'm very glad you're happy!

We dont know how much difference a Nexus 8 would have sold for.

Maybe it is reasonable to assume a Nexus 8 with current stats is sold at 299. A 100 dollar difference for the spen is worth it.

If you do a 2 year contract with Att you can get the Note8 for 399 which is only 50 more than the upcoming Nexus 7 Lte.

Another option to be consider there

Posted via Android Central App

 

[return_0]

We dont know how much difference a Nexus 8 would have sold for.

Maybe it is reasonable to assume a Nexus 8 with current stats is sold at 299. A 100 dollar difference for the spen is worth it.

If you do a 2 year contract with Att you can get the Note8 for 399 which is only 50 more than the upcoming Nexus 7 Lte.

Another option to be consider there

Posted via Android Central App

The Nexus 7 LTE will be unlocked. You left that out.

It's kind of like saying the N4 is the most expensive phone because it's $299/$349 unlocked and most other phones start at $199 on-contract.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

 

[Farish]

The Nexus 7 LTE will be unlocked. You left that out.

It's kind of like saying the N4 is the most expensive phone because it's $299/$349 unlocked and most other phones start at $199 on-contract.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

When I mention contract price isn't that assumed?

I had a few responses that I was thinking to type up, but even though my post was about the differential about pricing with the Spen and a way to lower that.

If you value unlocking sure the Nexus 7 is a great benefit.

Just wonder how many people really do, since ATT and Verizon are still constantly growing and still maintain 2/3 of the market.

Maybe things would be better if T-Mobile and Sprint merges but that is no longer a possibility.

 

[xckicks]

It seems like the note 8 has dropped a little in price since it came out for folks that are still looking to buy. Check it out

 

[eyecon82]

I had the galaxy note 8, exchanged it for nexus 7 2013 because of the increased PPI

but the increased PPI was the only benefit...

the note 8 has much deeper blacks, better contrast, better colors, a microSD slot, haptic feedback, and the S-pen...It was a no brainer

I exchanged the nexus 7 2013 back to the galaxy note 8 and have no regrets

 

[return_0]

I had the galaxy note 8, exchanged it for nexus 7 2013 because of the increased PPI

but the increased PPI was the only benefit...

the note 8 has much deeper blacks, better contrast, better colors, a microSD slot, haptic feedback, and the S-pen...It was a no brainer

I exchanged the nexus 7 2013 back to the galaxy note 8 and have no regrets

You left out the N7's newer Android version, better processor, stock Android, lower price, and more realistic colors.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[shoii]

You left out the N7's newer Android version, better processor, stock Android, lower price, and more realistic colors.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

S Pen > All that

Posted via Android Central App

 

[return_0]

S Pen > All that

Posted via Android Central App

I beg to disagree. I'd rather pay $200 less, have no lag, have a screen that actually possesses quality, and have actual features than a special pen. Sure, the S Pen is nice, but you can't say it is the de facto top priority in a tablet.

 

[rumatt]

I beg to disagree. I'd rather pay $200 less, have no lag, have a screen that actually possesses quality, and have actual features than a special pen. Sure, the S Pen is nice, but you can't say it is the de facto top priority in a tablet.

I returned my nexus 7 for the note 8, and am quite happy I did. For me its not about the pen but the extra inch. It makes a huge difference.

For people who don't care about the s-pen I recommend the tab 3 8 over the nexus as well. Its a slightly smaller, lighter, and cheaper version of the note 8. Its a hair slower but I found it essentially the same as the note 8 for day to day tasks. I would take it over the nexus 7 any day.

 

[Aquila]

So you'd rather pay more for worse (slower, sluggish, cartoonish and bloat infested) software, a worse processor, less RAM, worse battery life, ridiculous phone buttons (destroys landscape usability) and a much worse screen if the screen is 1" bigger without the redeeming qualities of the magical $300 S-Pen?

 

[return_0]

I returned my nexus 7 for the note 8, and am quite happy I did. For me its not about the pen but the extra inch. It makes a huge difference.

For people who don't care about the s-pen I recommend the tab 3 8 over the nexus as well. Its a slightly smaller, lighter, and cheaper version of the note 8. Its a hair slower but I found it essentially the same as the note 8 for day to day tasks. I would take it over the nexus 7 any day.

Seriously? Compared to the N7, the Galaxy Tab 3 has a lower resolution screen, a worse processor, less RAM, an older Android version, a bloated skin, and physical buttons, and it's $70 more.

 

[return_0]

So you'd rather pay more for worse (slower, sluggish, cartoonish and bloat infested) software, a worse processor, less RAM, worse battery life, ridiculous phone buttons (destroys landscape usability) and a much worse screen if the screen is 1" bigger without the redeeming qualities of the magical $300 S-Pen?

You beat me to it

100% agree.

 

[shoii]

I beg to disagree. I'd rather pay $200 less, have no lag, have a screen that actually possesses quality, and have actual features than a special pen. Sure, the S Pen is nice, but you can't say it is the de facto top priority in a tablet.

So you'd rather pay more for worse (slower, sluggish, cartoonish and bloat infested) software, a worse processor, less RAM, worse battery life, ridiculous phone buttons (destroys landscape usability) and a much worse screen if the screen is 1" bigger without the redeeming qualities of the magical $300 S-Pen?

Oh buddy but you are so wrong. You seriously gotta get over the lag thing it's so old and annoying nobody buys that anymore, there is 0 lag with the Note. I actually really like the screen and I come from the S4. Ram is actually the same 2 GB.. Micro SD card slot, infrared, 4600>3950 battery, bigger screen, S Pen and of course LTE. You obviously have no clue of all the software the S Pen posseses. None of which the Nexus have. So yes, I'm willing to pay more for this

Posted via Android Central App

 

[rumatt]

So you'd rather pay more for worse (slower, sluggish, cartoonish and bloat infested) software, a worse processor, less RAM, worse battery life, ridiculous phone buttons (destroys landscape usability) and a much worse screen if the screen is 1" bigger without the redeeming qualities of the magical $300 S-Pen?

Yes.

What you just listed are specs. What I care about is day to day use. For me the usability was just fine, and the bigger screen was a huge improvement.

PS: What destroys landscape mode is the ridiculous black soft button bar that turns a 16x10 screen into a 16x9 screen. Its an unforgivable design. I don't have any problem holding the note or tab 3 8 in landscape. My whole screenn gets used and the home / back buttons are much more conveniently placed -- easily reachable by my thumb.

Use them side by side for a week and see which one you find yourself picking up more often.