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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs. Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet (2018 - 8th Generation)

The Perfect Video Streaming Companions: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Amazon Fire HD 8

While I love my iPhone 6s, its 4.7-inch LCD screen isn't ideal for enjoying streaming movies or videos. My iPads are too large for casual viewing, so I decided to find something in between and ended up with both a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and an Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet.

Overall, the Fire HD 8 is fantastic for its screen size, but the Note 4 shines with its beautiful display and superior specifications. It’s impressive how the Note 4, released in 2014, still outperforms many modern devices—excluding flagship models.

When evaluating a device primarily for video streaming, I focus on five key aspects:

Display

Hands down, the Note 4 surpasses most devices regarding screen quality, particularly given its age. However, if your streaming source only supports resolutions up to 480p or 720p, the HD 8 works perfectly fine (e.g., for YouTube). Ultimately, display quality should be the primary focus for a device meant for video watching.

Processing Power

The Note 4 features an Octa-Core processor, while the HD 8 is equipped with a Quad-Core processor. The difference in responsiveness is noticeable, with the Note 4 feeling much quicker. However, both devices lag compared to modern smartphones when navigating their operating systems. Fortunately, there are no playback issues when watching videos, which is expected since the Note 4 was a flagship model at its release, while the HD 8 was always positioned as a budget device.

Other Specs

Battery life is surprisingly similar for both devices, each boasting a ~3,200 mAh capacity. The Note 4 has better memory specs, with 32GB storage and 3GB RAM, compared to the HD 8’s 16GB storage and 1.5GB RAM—likely contributing to the Note 4's superior speed. Both devices support microSD cards, and I tested them with the same 128GB card without issues.

The camera on the Note 4 is decent, but I’ve never taken photos with the Fire HD. Both devices offer Bluetooth connectivity and maintain a headphone jack for wired audio. Additionally, the Note 4 features a physical home button, a significant advantage over the HD 8, where you have to swipe up for the on-screen button, which can sometimes lag or fail to appear.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a device with a big screen and are okay with 720p resolution, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is an excellent choice. However, if you want to enjoy 1080p or higher resolution videos, go for the Note 4. In my case, I got the Note 4 for free from a friend who upgraded, and I purchased the Fire HD 8 new for $50. In hindsight, I somewhat regret the purchase, as the Note 4 is truly a gem!

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Specs

  • Screen: 5.7” (1440 x 2560 pixels) ~515 ppi - 60 Hz
  • Processor: Snapdragon 805 (28 nm)
  • RAM: 3 GB
  • Storage: 32 GB (expandable via microSD up to 256 GB)
  • Battery: 3220 mAh (removable)
  • Camera: 16 MP (rear), 3.7 MP (front)
  • Weight: 6.21 oz
  • Port: microUSB

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet Specs

  • Screen: 8.0” (1280 x 800 pixels) ~189 ppi - 60 Hz
  • Processor: Quad-core (2.0 GHz)
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • Storage: 32 GB (expandable via microSD up to 1 TB)
  • Battery: 4850 mAh (up to 12 hours mixed-use)
  • Camera: 2 MP (rear), 2 MP (front)
  • Weight: 12.5 oz
  • Port: USB-C



 

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