From video editing, making video calls, running multiple apps, and playing blockbuster games, the newly announced Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 seems to blur the line between tablets and laptops.
There are three devices in the Galaxy Tab S8 series: the small and portable 11in Tab S8, the more traditional tablet-sized 12.4in Tab S8+, and the large 14.6in Tab S8 Ultra.
In our brief encounter with them during a preview event, we found that although they all share the same name, the differences between each device goes beyond just screen size.
Of course, all of the entries in the Tab S8 series have a plethora of features. However, here we are going to take a brief look at each of the devices and save the details for when we get our hands on them for a review.
Small, Medium & Large
There are a few notable similarities between the three devices in the Tab S8 line. They all run Android 12.0, have a 4nm64-bit octa-core processor, and have quad speakers with sound by AKG and Dolby Atmos.
All three devices are S Pen compatible, can switch between the familiar Android interface and the more desktop-like DeX, and has a keyboard cover.
The differences are many.
The Entry Level
When placed side by side, the Tab S8’s display is noticeably different, not only by size but quality. It uses an LTPS TFT panel, unlike the other two models which use AMOLED.
However, the pixel density on the Tab S8 is the highest of the three.
It also has a fingerprint reader on the side, unlike the other two tablets in the series.
In addition to being the smallest (physically) of the three, the built-in storage and battery on the Tab S8 are the smallest as well.
(Full specifications below).
The Middle Child
Of the three the Tab S8+ seems to be the one that’s just right. It has some of the best specifications of the Tab S8 and the Tab S8 Ultra.
It has an AMOLED screen (like the Tab S8 Ultra), an in-display fingerprint reader (like the Tab S8 Ultra), 8GB of RAM (like the Tab S8), 256GB of storage that can be expanded to 1TB, and a 10,090mAh battery.
Like the Tab S8, it also comes in four colours: graphite silver and gold.
We like how, despite all the features, it is portable and fits in most bags.
The Laptop Tablet. A Laplet.
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is huge. It’s thin, easy to carry, and the large screen is also a boon to anyone doing simple photo or video editing. Combined with the S Pen it could be the dream device for some visual artists.
However, it feels more like a laptop with a keyboard cover than a tablet.
We can’t imagine trying to balance this 726g tablet in bed while trying to watch a TV show. It also does not help that the price point is in line with some good laptops.
But, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the perfect choice for those whose workflow would benefit from its integration with mobile devices, especially the Galaxy S22 series smartphones.
Price & Availability
The Galaxy Tab S8 devices are available for pre-orders starting 10 Feb until 3 March.
Here’s a full price list and the freebies you’ll get if you preorder:
| Models | RRP | Memory & Storage | Free Gifts |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra | RM5,899 | 12GB + 256GB | One S Pen and one Book Cover Keyboard in the box worth up to RM1,738 One-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal worth RM269 One Neoprene Pouch worth RM149 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ | RM4,599 | 8GB + 256GB | Keyboard in the box worth up to RM1,738 One-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal worth RM269 One Neoprene Pouch worth RM149 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | RM3,299 | 8GB + 128GB | Keyboard in the box worth up to RM1,738 One-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal worth RM269 One Neoprene Pouch worth RM149 |
Specifications
| Galaxy Tab S8 | Galaxy Tab S8+ | Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra | |
| Display | 11-inch, 2560×1600, (WQXGA)276ppi LTPS TFT, up to 120Hz | 12.4-inch, 2800 x 1752, (WQXGA+) 266ppi Super AMOLED, up to 120Hz | 14.6-inch, 2960 x 1848, (WQXGA+) 240ppi Super AMOLED, up to 120Hz |
| OS | Android 12.0 | Android 12.0 | Android 12.0 |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 253.8 x 6.3mm | 185.0 x 285.0 x 5.7mm | 208.6 x 326.4 x 5.5mm |
| Weight | 503g (Wi-Fi) | 567g (Wi-Fi) | 726g (Wi-Fi) |
| Camera (Rear) | 13MP AF + 6MP Ultra-Wide + Flash | 13MP AF + 6MP Ultra-Wide + Flash | 13MP AF + 6MP Ultra-Wide + Flash |
| Camera (Front) | 12MP (Ultra-Wide) | 12MP (Ultra-Wide) | 12MP (Wide) + 12MP (Ultra-Wide) |
| Memory & Storage* | 8GB + 128GB,microSD up to 1TB | 8GB + 256GB,microSD up to 1TB | 12GB + 256GB,microSD up to 1TB |
| Processor | 4 nm 64-bit Octa-Core Processor | 4 nm 64-bit Octa-Core Processor | 4 nm 64-bit Octa-Core Processor |
| Battery* | 8,000mAh (typical)Super Fast Charging 2.0(up to 45W) | 10,090mAh (typical)Super Fast Charging 2.0(up to 45W) | 11,200mAh (typical)Super Fast Charging 2.0(up to 45W) |
| Connectivity | (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth® v 5.2 | (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth® v 5.2 | (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth® v 5.2 |
| Colour* | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold | Graphite |
| Connectors | Type-C USB 3.2 | Type-C USB 3.2 | Type-C USB 3.2 |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor,RGB Light Sensor | Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor,RGB Light Sensor | Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor,RGB Light Sensor |
| GPS | GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo |
| Sound | Quad Stereo Speakers with Sound by AKG, Dolby Atmos® | Quad Stereo Speakers with Sound by AKG, Dolby Atmos® | Quad Stereo Speakers with Sound by AKG, Dolby Atmos® |
| Microphone | 3 Microphones | 3 Microphones | 3 Microphones |
| Video (Recording) | 4K @ 30fps | 4K @ 30fps | 4K @ 30fps |
| Playback | 8K @ 60fps | 8K @ 60fps | 8K @ 60fps |
| Security | Samsung Knox including Samsung Knox Vault | Samsung Knox including Samsung Knox Vault | Samsung Knox including Samsung Knox Vault |
| Biometric Authentication | Fingerprint with Side Key | Fingerprint On Display | Fingerprint On Display |
| Accessories | S Pen (BLE, Inbox)Book Cover Keyboard, Book Cover Keyboard Slim, Book Cover, Protective Standing Cover, Note View Cover, Strap Cover | S Pen (BLE, Inbox)Book Cover Keyboard, Book Cover Keyboard Slim, Book Cover, Protective Standing Cover, Note View Cover, Strap Cover | S Pen (BLE, Inbox)Book Cover Keyboard, Book Cover, Protective Standing Cover |
