Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 vs. Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 - which tablet should you buy?

• Dimpled, micro-dot pattern similar to the Galaxy S5 
• 212.8 x 125.6 x 6.6mm
• Weighs 298g (LTE), 294g (Wi-Fi)

• Faux leather rear similar to the Galaxy Note 3
• 219 x 128.5 x 7.2mm
• Weighs 335g (LTE), 331g (Wi-Fi)

When it comes to aesthetics, opinions can be subjective depending on individual's preferences. In this case, we feel that the Tab S 8.4 has the upper hand as it is thinner and lighter than the Tab Pro 8.4. 

In fact, the Tab S 8.4 is the thinnest and lightest 8-inch tablet. The ASUS MeMO Pad 8 comes close at 299g. The Apple iPad mini with Retina Display weighs 331g (Wi-Fi) and 341g (LTE) while the LG G Tablet 8.3 is thicker at 8.3mm and weighs 338g.

• 8.4-inch
• Super AMOLED
• 2,560 x 1,600 pixels

• 8.4-inch
• LCD
• 2,560 x 1,600 pixels

Even though both tablets sport the same display size and resolution, we are in favor of the Super AMOLED panel of the Tab S 8.4. Colors are really vibrant and rich. Photos and movies look more alive on the Tab S 8.4 when compared to the Tab Pro 8.4 and the rest of the 8-inch tablets including the Apple iPad mini with Retina Display.

Don't forget that it also sips less power, which is a strong plus point when considering the screen plays a major part of the device's power consumption. Concerned that an AMOLED screen might be too vibrant for your taste? Samsung has you covered with a few color presets to suit your needs better.

• Speakers located at the upper portion on each side

• Speakers flank the micro-USB 2.0 port at the bottom

The placement of the speakers on mobile devices is critical in determining whether the audio output is clear. With the speakers located at the bottom section, it is very likely that your hand will cover one of the two speakers on the Tab Pro 8.4 unless you hold it on the opposite end with one hand. As stated in our previous shootout article, we found the Tab S 8.4's speakers to be the best.

• 16GB internal storage
• microSD expansion up to 128GB

• 16GB internal storage 
• microSD expansion up to 64GB

Although both tablets come with 16GB internal storage, the Tab S 8.4 is able to support memory cards of up to 128GB. This is double the storage support for the Tab Pro 8.4.

The iPad Mini clearly loses out in this aspect as it does not come with a memory card slot. Meanwhile, the LG G Tablet 8.3 has a memory card slot, but it only supports up to a maximum of 64GB capacity cards.

• SideSync 3.0
  (more info on this here.)
• Ultra Power Saving mode
• Galaxy Gifts from more than 30 mobile content and service providers 

• Over $400 worth of premium pre-paid, long-term subscription apps and services

As always, Samsung loves to pack everything but the kitchen sink into its flagship devices. As a productivity-centric tablet, the Tab Pro 8.4 comes with several business-orientated apps and services such as CISCO WebEX, Samsung e-Meeting and Remote PC.

The Tab S 8.4, on the other hand, is positioned as an entertainment tablet. It has Samsung's magazine service, Paper Garden and 3 months of unlimited free membership to Marvel's Marvel Unlimited app.

• Fingerprint sensor
• Accelerometer
• Light Sensor
• Gyroscope
• Magnetic Sensor 
• IrLED Sensor
• Proximity Sensor

• Accelerometer
• Light Sensor
• Gyroscope
• Magnetic Sensor

Both tablets are equipped with a similar set of vital sensors, but the Tab S 8.4 is notably different in that it comes with a fingerprint scanner. While its implementation of the fingerprint scanner is not as intuitive as Apple's Touch ID on the iPhone 5S, the Tab S series is the first consumer tablet to come with such a feature.

Another plus point for the  Tab S 8.4 is that the fingerprint scanner is integrated with PayPal for making online payments conveniently. However, the fingerprint scanner is vulnerable to spoofing hack. This primarily becomes a concern if your tablet gets stolen.

• 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus
• 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera

• 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus
• 2-megapixel front-facing camera

Both tablets are equipped with 8-megapixel rear cameras and have similar imaging features such as Beauty Face, HDR and Sound & Shot.

• Exynos 5 Octa 5420 (1.9GHz A15 quad-core + 1.3GHz A7 quad-core)
• 3GB RAM
• Quadrant: 20476
• SunSpider 1.0.2: 1047.4ms
• 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited: 13591

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.3GHz
• 2GB RAM
• Quadrant: 23025
• SunSpider 1.0.2: 738.8ms
• 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited: 15730

Both tablets are powered by different processors and available RAM. The Snapdragon chipset in the Tab Pro 8.4 proved itself to be more capable, edging out the Tab S 8.4 in all three performance oriented benchmarks. 

On the other hand, the Apple iPad Mini scored 411.1ms and 14265 in the SunSpider and 3DMark benchmarks respectively. The LG G Tablet 8.3 did not fare as well; its scores for the SunSpider and 3DMark benchmarks are 1181.8ms and 9524 respectively.

• 3.8V, 4,900mAh
• 10 hours and 45 minutes

• 3.8V, 4,800mAh
• 6 hours and 52 minutes

Thanks to its more power-efficient Super AMOLED display, the Tab S 8.4 was able to last close to four hours longer than the Tab Pro 8.4. The LCD display of the Tab Pro 8.4 drew more power as it needs a backlight unit to produce images whereas the Tab S requires little or no power to light out certain pixels.

In comparison, the Apple iPad Mini with Retina Display lasted 71% shorter than the Tab S 8.4, while the LG G Tablet 8.3 only managed half the battery mileage.

• S$598 (Wi-Fi)
• S$698 (LTE)
  
  
   

• S$448 (Wi-Fi)*
• S$498 (LTE)*
  
  *Revised suggested retail prices.

If you are planning to get a Wi-Fi model, the Tab Pro 8.4 costs S$150 lesser. This comes at an expense of shorter battery life and a slightly bulkier form factor. In this case, we would recommend the Tab S 8.4.

However, the Tab S 8.4 seems to be on the high side when it comes to choosing the cellular model. It may not be worth spending S$200 more to get the Tab S 8.4. 

But once you factor Apple in the comparison mix, the Tab S might not be too pricey after all. Apple's iPad Mini with Retina Display costs S$598 for the 16GB (Wi-Fi) model, which is on-par with the Tab S 8.4. You get more tablet optimized apps on the iPad Mini, but it loses out in terms of storage capacity as there is no memory card expansion.

The LTE model of the iPad Mini starts from S$728, which is S$30 more than the Tab S 8.4 (LTE). For the same reason stated in the earlier paragraph, the Tab S 8.4 proves to be a better deal.

For consumers looking for a more cost effective deal, the Tab Pro 8.4 still offers a pretty good deal for its price point with relatively strong features and performance.
 

With a final tally of 9 wins, the Tab S 8.4 is the clear winner in this shootout. It won by a significant margin, besting the Tab Pro 8.4 in 6 of the 10 contested categories.