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2012 Nexus 7 Discussion Forums (1st Generation) => Nexus 7 General Discussion => Nexus 7 Vs. The Competition => Topic started by: kyoo on June 28, 2012, 07:49:47 AM

Title: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: kyoo on June 28, 2012, 07:49:47 AM
Can someone help me decide?

http://www.google.com/nexus/#/7 (http://www.google.com/nexus/#/7)

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-7-Inch-Wi-Fi/dp/B007P4VOWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340891219&sr=8-1&keywords=samsung+galaxy+tab+2 (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-7-Inch-Wi-Fi/dp/B007P4VOWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340891219&sr=8-1&keywords=samsung+galaxy+tab+2)

Is the nexus really much better than the galaxy tab 2? the biggest draw from the galaxy tab 2 is what the nexus is lacking - the rear camera and the expandable memory
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: halibaitor on June 28, 2012, 08:04:05 AM
I hear you.  I'm not sure the extra speed is as important as the rear camera and the microSD slot.  You actually need to play with BOTH tablets to make that kind of decision.  The Tab sure looks good to me.  :)
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Babyfacemagee on June 28, 2012, 08:16:35 AM
The screen on the Galaxy Tab 2 isn't as good.  It's 1024 x 600 resolution vs. the 1280 x 800 of the Nexus 7.   Also it's a dual core processor vs. quad core.  For the price I'd go with the Nexus 7 myself.  The only thing the Tab has over the Nexus 7 is the microSD card slot, which while certainly is convenient to expand memory...it's really not a deal breaker to me because I can just carry a microUSB stick with any extra media or files if I can't fit it all onto the 16GB of the Nexus 7 since it does have microUSB.  Maybe not quite as convenient as having sd build in but not a deal breaker to me.  Rear camera to me is useless.  I would never be using it personally and would much rather have the superior screen and processor/GPU.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: halibaitor on June 28, 2012, 11:06:32 AM
   Also it's a dual core processor vs. quad core.  For the price I'd go with the Nexus 7 myself.

Yeah, I couldn't resist, and ordered one myself. 

I keep hearing people talk about the "better" quad core as compared to the dual core CPU.  In real terms, will we actually see any performance difference in "normal" usage?  I understand it might make a difference for some games that require a high speed device.  Not everybody is into that.  I'm more concerned with browsing the internet and video chatting applications.  Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Babyfacemagee on June 28, 2012, 11:10:09 AM
Yes, you'll see a more fluid experience in just about anything except for the most basic apps.   You'll also get faster multitasking, have images render faster, smoother video.   Not to mention that new apps are starting to become optimized for the Tegra 3 quad core.  It also provides better battery life because the Tegra 3 has a '5th' core that it uses during low power activities that extends battery life.  To me it's a no-brainer to go for the quad core over the dual. It's just a more sophisticated, more battery efficient design.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: ibm650 on June 28, 2012, 11:26:15 AM
If I read it right the galaxy has no usb port, that is a killer - I would check on the usb - it is unclear.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: kyoo on June 28, 2012, 11:54:55 AM
tbh what this device makes me want most, is it's second generation iteration, as silly as that might sound - for all that they may address from the initial reactions.

i understand the microsd card slot absence, especially since they want to move to the cloud - but without 3g/4g, we can only access this data when we have wifi, correct?

one thing is for certain - i won't be interested in the kindle fire 2, no matter if it has a removable sd card and rear facing camera - i have no interest in the skin the kindle uses over the os
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: halibaitor on June 28, 2012, 12:45:11 PM
If I read it right the galaxy has no usb port, that is a killer - I would check on the usb - it is unclear.


Yeah, I had a brain glitch and forgot about that...  The problem is "solved" this way: http://www.cellphoneshop.net/otg.html (http://www.cellphoneshop.net/otg.html)
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: kyoo on June 29, 2012, 09:41:08 AM
FYI:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/357832/20120629/google-nexus7-samsung-galaxy-tab270-android41-jellybean.htm (http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/357832/20120629/google-nexus7-samsung-galaxy-tab270-android41-jellybean.htm)

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/357668/20120629/google-nexus-7-tablet-kindle-fire-galaxy.htm (http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/357668/20120629/google-nexus-7-tablet-kindle-fire-galaxy.htm)

though not exactly tech sources, and with typos too
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Joeysarasota on June 29, 2012, 09:16:40 PM
The Nexus 7 is much better as follows. Much better display. Great three button soft keys. Fabulous Chrome browser. NO LAG screen response when moving from screen to screen. Faster processor. Vastly improved OS. Forget about any other 7 inch tablet on the market. This puppy is awesome. Google and Android have finally got it right. Want more storage ? Check out Google Drive for server storage via wifi. 5GB FREE, 25GB for $2.50 per month, 100GB for $5 per month.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: halibaitor on June 29, 2012, 09:49:14 PM
The Nexus 7 is much better as follows. Much better display. Great three button soft keys. Fabulous Chrome browser. NO LAG screen response when moving from screen to screen. Faster processor. Vastly improved OS. Forget about any other 7 inch tablet on the market. This puppy is awesome. Google and Android have finally got it right. Want more storage ? Check out Google Drive for server storage via wifi. 5GB FREE, 25GB for $2.50 per month, 100GB for $5 per month.

Let me guess...  You work for Google?   ::)
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: quadtronix on July 01, 2012, 10:15:15 AM
I'm liking the Nexus more and more as I read about it... tegra 3, jelly bean... $200. What's not to love? I am currently using the Galaxy Tab 7.0plus though and I love that too. Micro SD, back camara and exynos Soc at 1.2 ghz. I may get the nexus and just rock both but if I had to choose it would be a tough call... well between the tab 2 7.0 and nex I think u should go with the nex... good luck!  :)
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: kyoo on July 01, 2012, 09:08:04 PM
fyi with tax, shipping, and the 16gb, comes out to just around 300
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Babyfacemagee on July 01, 2012, 09:28:25 PM
I actually think if you're gonna compare another 7 inch tablet to the Nexus 7 a more even comparison is the Toshiba Thrive 7 inch.   It features the same resolution 1280x800 screen and has miniHDMI and microSD and a rear camera.  It is a bit bulkier and heavier however, has a dual core processor and costs roughly twice the price of the Nexus 7 ($379) so for the money again...the Nexus 7 is probably the better deal for most. 
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: bradyfix on July 06, 2012, 10:24:27 PM
"  Rear camera to me is useless.  I would never be using it personally and would much rather have the superior screen and processor/GPU."

Same here, bought the 16gig so I could get all my apps off my evo4g, it's just so bogged down and I love my camera on the evolution, use it for work alot.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: tsruggles on July 07, 2012, 06:13:16 PM
I returned a tab 2 7.0 so that I could pre-order the Nexus! I also have the Galaxy Nexus phone and I flashed jelly bean on it. I must say that jelly bean is unbelievably awesome! I could care less about taking a photo with a tablet. I'm ok with no sd card because I had a defective one burn up a phone once. Back up to Google drive for storage and you won't ever lose your stuff! And with a display as close to retina as you can get and you have one heck of a deal!
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Hawkmoon on July 09, 2012, 04:28:19 AM
tbh what this device makes me want most, is it's second generation iteration, as silly as that might sound - for all that they may address from the initial reactions.

i understand the microsd card slot absence, especially since they want to move to the cloud - but without 3g/4g, we can only access this data when we have wifi, correct?

one thing is for certain - i won't be interested in the kindle fire 2, no matter if it has a removable sd card and rear facing camera - i have no interest in the skin the kindle uses over the os

You just teather it to your phone you don't need two phone contracts to pay, my wife uses her Transformer Prime this way and it is fine, people talk about data cost but they will be the same for a tab as a phone and the speed is not a big issue unless you are streaming. Also I think teathering is the way to go you only need one G3/4 device to which all your Wifi devices can connect. Oh and if you got with one of the genuine unlimited packages that allow you to teather then there really is not issue.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Drew on July 09, 2012, 11:09:36 AM
My carrier charges $50 a month for tethering.  If that is not feasible, you can download your files (when you have wifi) for use later.  I know there is map cache on Google maps for a 10 mile area ((if for some reason your GPS doesn't work) and Google music offers offline use.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: halibaitor on July 09, 2012, 12:32:57 PM
  I know there is map cache on Google maps for a 10 mile area...

I am hoping for a greater area then that.  Only 10 miles makes it almost worthless.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Drew on July 09, 2012, 12:36:00 PM
Well, that would be only as a backup.  Your GPS will navigate you through maps.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: samalex on July 10, 2012, 08:40:06 AM
"  Rear camera to me is useless.  I would never be using it personally and would much rather have the superior screen and processor/GPU."

Same here, bought the 16gig so I could get all my apps off my evo4g, it's just so bogged down and I love my camera on the evolution, use it for work alot.

Actually I probably would use a rear facing camera if it had one, though it does look silly when you see people holding up ipads to record events :)  Just nice to use around the house since I'll probably have this thing with me most of the time.

Also I did order the 16 Gig version since I'm guessing the 8 Gig version won't have much room left after the OS and stock apps.  I've heard 3 -4 gig which just isn't much.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: halibaitor on July 10, 2012, 08:56:04 AM
Well, that would be only as a backup.  Your GPS will navigate you through maps.

I don't have a phone to tether to, and since the N7 is WIFI only, how does that work when I'm 20 miles from home?
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Drew on July 10, 2012, 09:25:54 AM
It has GPS. So, when you don't have a wireless connection, the GPS will guide you through maps via satellite.
Title: Re: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: tsruggles on July 10, 2012, 06:35:15 PM
  I know there is map cache on Google maps for a 10 mile area...

I am hoping for a greater area then that.  Only 10 miles makes it almost worthless.

The version of maps included with the tablet well store maps offline. I'm not sure exactly what it translates to as far as area, but I saved a map that stretches from Biddeford to Waterville Maine. That's probably just under 100 miles.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: birdastrompgman on July 10, 2012, 07:30:09 PM
I'm looking at 600 mile days driving without wi-fi, before I can figuratively throw my gps nav system out the window.
Title: Re: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Drew on July 10, 2012, 07:53:45 PM
  I know there is map cache on Google maps for a 10 mile area...

I am hoping for a greater area then that.  Only 10 miles makes it almost worthless.

The version of maps included with the tablet well store maps offline. I'm not sure exactly what it translates to as far as area, but I saved a map that stretches from Biddeford to Waterville Maine. That's probably just under 100 miles.

I thought when I did it in Google maps, it said 10 mile area.  But it may just depend on what you have available in your cache.  There are apps for caching maps that probably offer more.
Title: Re: Re: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: tsruggles on July 10, 2012, 08:32:27 PM
  I know there is map cache on Google maps for a 10 mile area...

I am hoping for a greater area then that.  Only 10 miles makes it almost worthless.

The version of maps included with the tablet well store maps offline. I'm not sure exactly what it translates to as far as area, but I saved a map that stretches from Biddeford to Waterville Maine. That's probably just under 100 miles.

I thought when I did it in Google maps, it said 10 mile area.  But it may just depend on what you have available in your cache.  There are apps for caching maps that probably offer more.

I have a jelly bean Rom on my Galaxy Nexus. I don't think any other Rom can get the features of the latest maps version. I could be wrong. I just know that when I saved the map it was about 80mb (or whatever the maximum size limit was) and it took a really really long time to download via Wi-Fi. I believe that there is a video from I/O showcasing the new feature in maps.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: birdastrompgman on July 11, 2012, 01:11:11 AM
I'm guessing Google Maps' offline version contains a bare-bones database, much like the original Garmin Street Pilot gps nav system.  That skeletal database should allow me/us to drive 600 miles on major highways while identifying all the exits.  The 10 mile area data download is probably true for cities.   Areas with sparse roads, like Kanab, UT, could support a much larger area.
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: samalex on July 11, 2012, 12:12:31 PM
Hey guys --

A few posts in this thread have gone off the original topic by discussing the mapping features of the Nexus 7 instead of comparing the N7 to the Galaxy Tab 2.  To avoid hijacking the thread I've created a new thread (http://nexus7forum.com/index.php?topic=142.0) related specifically to Maps, so please move Map related discussions there.

Thanks and take care,
Sam

http://nexus7forum.com/index.php?topic=142.0 (http://nexus7forum.com/index.php?topic=142.0)
Title: Re: Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Post by: Don on July 14, 2012, 01:44:25 PM
The Galaxy 2 is the reason I decided to get a tablet.

I bought one for my wife about a month ago and have seen how much use she is getting out of it and decided to get one for myself.
She uses it mostly for playing smurf village, Facebook and gmail and not much else so I have been able to load some apps and run it through it's paces without her being bothered.
the rear-facing cam is good but a bit ackward to use and our cell cams work much better.
I loaded her Galaxy up with a 32GB class 10 microSD and to-date she has loaded absolutely nothing on it.

It has locked up a few times, i believe from having a lot open and running and once I showed her how to restart via the power button she just keeps motoring on.

my opinion is that the N7 out classes any 7" on the market,  I plan on rooting and accessing files via the microUSB port and looking forward to testing to see if the post has enough juice to access my WD 1TB drive (might be wishfull thinking :P )