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Nexus 7 (2012) VS Samsung Tab 3 7.0 Comparison Review

Everyone’s now talking about the Nexus 7 after Google slashed prices by a huge margin. This is like the second coming for the 7 inch tablet. On the other hand, Samsung tablets have always enjoyed great popularity among consumers in the Indian market, since the company has managed to keep competitive prices all along. Now that the Nexus 7 is available for as low as 8999 INR, what tablet out of the two should you go for?

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Weight and Dimensions

Nexus 7 dimensions: 198.5 x 120 x 10.5 mm, weight: 340g

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 dimensions: 188 x 111.1 x 9.9 mm, weight: 306g

As you can see here, the Tab 3 7.0 has a considerably smaller footprint even though it features the same screen size. It even weighs about 35g lesser, which means the Tab 3 7.0 will be the better tablet in the handling department out of the two.


Display and Processor

Both devices feature 7 inch displays, but the Nexus 7 does a better job at the resolution department. The device features a 1280×800 pixel panel, while the Tab 3 7.0 comes with a 1024×600 one, which means that the Nexus 7 will be a much better option when it comes to multimedia or gaming, or basically anything else.

Even in the processing department, the Nexus 7 beats the Tab 3 7.0 hands down with its quad core Tegra 3 pitted against a dual core processor on the Tab 3 7.0. Both devices, however, come with the same amount of RAM (1GB) so you can expect both to be efficient multitaskers.

Camera and Memory

The Tab 3 7.0 beats the Nexus 7 in the imaging department with it’s 3.15MP rear and 1.3MP front facing camera. On the other hand, the Nexus 7 features no rear camera at all – just a 1.2MP front camera which is used during video calls. We think it is a really good ploy by Asus (manufacturers of the Nexus 7) to not include a rear camera and cut costs; hardly anyone uses the tablet’s rear camera for imaging anyway.

On the memory department too, the Nexus 7 bows down to the tab 3 7.0. Both devices come in 8GB and 16GB variants, but the Samsung tablet does much better with a micrSD slot for expansion by up to 64GB which makes it a very good option for movie buffs, who might feel the 16GB cap on the Nexus 7 is too less.

Battery and Features

The devices are pretty edge to edge on this segment, with the Nexus 7 doing a bit better on battery size. The tablet comes with a 4325mAh battery, while the tab 3 7.0 features a 4000mAh unit. However, with the additional number of pixels on the Nexus 7, you can expect both devices to have more or less the same runtime on a single charge.

Due to the Nexus lineup having direct Google support for software updates, the devices are the first ones to receive Android updates, which gives the Nexus lineup (including the Nexus 7) an upper hand.

Key Specs

Model Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 Asus Google Nexus 7
Display 7 inches, 1024×600 7 inches, 1280×800
Processor 1.2GHz dual core 1.2GHz quad core
RAM 1GB 1GB
Internal Storage 8GB/16GB 8GB/16GB
OS Android v4.1 Android v4.3
Cameras 3.15MP/1.3MP -/1.2MP
Battery 4000mAh 4325mAh
Price About 16,000 INR 8,999 INR

Conclusion

Both devices have their pros and cons; while the Tab 3 costs nearly double the price, it comes with 3G connectivity and calling which means you will be able to access the web even on the go. For this, you have to pay a few grand more, and give up on a bit of processing power. On the other hand, if your usage doesn’t involve a lot of travelling, you can go for the Nexus 7 which is a really powerful tablet with a screen better than the Tab 3 7.0. When on the move, you can use your phone to create a WiFi hotspot which you can use on the Nexus 7 to access the internet. Also for the price of Samsung Tab 7.0 you can buy the 3G version of Nexus 7 with 32 GB on board storage. So this feastival season, its Raining Nexus.

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Abhishek Bhatnagar

Abhishek Bhatnagar, a known technology blogger & YouTuber from India. A Software Engineer by qualification, now he works as the editor-In-Chief, Webmaster, & Managing Director at Gadgets To Use. He runs a number of other technology websites as well.