Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini vs. Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini – Specifications, Features, Release Date and Price Showdown
Samsung flags are set up at the main entrance to the Berlin fair ground before the IFA consumer electronics fair in Berlin in this August 28, 2012 file photo. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd is emerging as a major player in its local debt market, buying more South Korean-issued bonds as it juggles a $60 billion cash pile. Samsung's push into private bank debt and government bonds underscores the challenges faced by the electronics giant in managing its massive cash holdings, with local banks reluctant to overload on short-term deposits from Samsung. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz

Samsung launched two variants of its Tab series of tablets in an event organised in New York recently in June. The new Galaxy Tab S tablets feature 8.4 inches and 10.5 inches display. Both the variants pack killer features and impressive under the hood specifications that can give all other currently available high-end tablets a run for their money.

However, Google's next-generation tablet, the Nexus 8 (also known as Nexus 9) is already making waves in the blogosphere with killer features and specifications. Also, Google Nexus 8 release date is slated for summer 2014. Here is a specification, feature and price comparison between the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Tab S (8.4 inches) and the upcoming Nexus 8.

Display, Exterior and Size

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S features an 8.4 inches Super AMOLED display with a superior 2,560 x 1,600 pixel screen resolution. The Nexus 8, on the other hand, will feature a slightly bigger 8.9 inches display with a relatively lesser 2,048 x 1,440 pixels resolution. In addition, the pixel strength of Galaxy Tab S stands at 359 ppi, while the Nexus 8 will come with 241 ppi pixel density. Hence, the Tab S stands-out with its killer screen resolution and pixel strength combination.

The exterior of the Galaxy Tab S is similar to the flagship Galaxy S5 smartphone with a perforated textured rear. With Galaxy Tab S, Samsung has brought the Super AMOLED display technology to tablets. The WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) Super AMOLED display has the capability to present more than 90 per cent of Adobe RGB colour coverage. The contrast ratio of Galaxy Tab S stands at a striking 100,000:1 ratio. Therefore, the viewing experience stands-out in the latest Galaxy series of tablets.

Unlike the predecessor Nexus 7 (2013), which comes with a rubberised plastic rear, the upcoming Nexus 8 will come with aluminum zero-gap construction. It is worth reminding that, images, videos and texts look crisp and sharp in Nexus 7; therefore the Nexus 8 can be expected to provide a stunning display quality which is synonymous to Google products.

The Nexus 8 is expected to come with a thickness and weight of 0.31 inches and 418 g respectively, whereas the Galaxy Tab S has a thickness of 0.26 inches and weighs 298 g. Hence the Galaxy Tab S is much thinner and lighter than the Nexus device.

Hardware, Software and Memory

The non-LTE version of Samsung Galaxy Tab S is powered by a superior octa-core (Exynos 5) processor clocked at (1.9 GHz quad-core and 1.3 GHz quad-core), and it houses a solid 3 GB of RAM. In addition, the LTE version of Galaxy Tab S is powered by a quad-core (Qualcomm Snapdragon 800) processor clocked at 2.3 GHz. The Nexus 8 will reportedly be powered by a superior NVIDIA Logan 64-bit processor (Tegra K1), and 2 GB of RAM. In addition, the Galaxy Tab S runs on Android v4.4 KitKat OS with Samsung's TouchWiz UI, while the Nexus 8 will run on Android 5.0 OS.

Both the tablets come with 16 GB and 32 GB of internal storage capacity. In addition, the Galaxy Tab S supports microSD card for expansion up to 128 GB, while the Nexus 8 is expected to follow suit. It is worth noting that, the predecessor Nexus 7 does not come with microSD slot.

Camera and Battery

The Nexus 8 houses a good 8 MP rear-facing camera and a 3 MP front-facing camera unit. While the Galaxy Tab S comes with the same 8 MP rear-facing camera with LED flash and a 2.1 MP front-facing camera unit. Currently, we do not have the information pertaining to LED flash feature of Nexus 8; however, Nexus 7 did not house one.

The Galaxy Tab S houses a whopping 4900 mAh (non-removable) battery unit with Ultra Power Saving mode, whereas the Nexus 8 comes with a relatively inferior 3950 mAh (non-removable) battery unit.

Misc

1. Both the tablets come in LTE and non-LTE (or Wi-Fi only) models.

2. Also, the latest Galaxy Tab S houses fingerprint scanner, while the Nexus 8 doesn't.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S comes in titanium bronze and dazzling white shades, the colour details pertaining to Nexus 8 is not available at this point.

4. While Nexus 8 supports NFC, the Galaxy Tab S doesn't.

Price

Australia will see the release of 16 GB and the 32 GB variants on July 7 at the Samsung Experience Stores in Sydney and Melbourne and also in Samsung eStores, according to Gizmodo. The price details include:

Model

Price (Australian Dollar)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S (8.4-inches Wi-Fi 16 GB)

$479.00

Samsung Galaxy Tab S (8.4-inches Wi-Fi + 4G 16 GB)

$629.00

Samsung Galaxy Tab S (8.4-inches Wi-Fi 32 GB)

$579.00

Samsung Galaxy Tab S (10.5-inches Wi-Fi 16 GB)

$599.00

Samsung Galaxy Tab S (10.5-inches Wi-Fi 32 GB)

$699.00

Samsung Galaxy Tab S (10.5-inches Wi-Fi + 4G 16 GB)

$749.00

Moreover, the Nexus 8 Wi-Fi 16 GB variant will be priced at US$399 (roughly translates to AU$421), while the 32 GB model will come with a price tag of US$499 (roughly translates to AU$527) and the LTE variant is expected to cost in the range of US$600+.

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