Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 review

Display

The 11-inch LCD is vibrant, according to reviewers. It has the 120Hz refresh rate we expect from new top-end devices. However, none of this is a surprise as Samsung’s top-tier devices have built a reputation on impressive displays.

It's one of the central areas in which Samsung excels, without a doubt.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 features the newest chipset available from Samsung. Reviewers said the tablet kept up with almost anything they threw at it, including multiple apps and streams and lots of gaming.

Software & Storage

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 runs Android 12 with some extra addons from Samsung running over the top. Reviewers didn’t find Samsung’s changes too heavy-handed or intrusive.

You’ll also find your choice of 128 or 256GB of storage, which is plenty for a nice selection of media, apps, and more.

Cameras

Tablet cameras are only going to get so good compared to other smart devices out there. So while you won’t want to keep it around as your primary shooter, reviewers mentioned that the camera is quite suitable for social media posting, video calls, and Augmented Reality type tasks.

Battery Life

The battery life on this tablet is very respectable. Reviewers averaged around 12 to 13 hours of battery life in most tests.

It also benefits from 45W fast charging, making top-offs speedy when the battery level dips low.

Audio

Reviewers stated that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 offers decent sound with clear, bright-sounding speakers. However, as with most tablets, the bass was very flat.

If something you want to watch or listen to is bass-heavy, you’ll want a pair of Bluetooth headphones.

Accessories

Reviewers were delighted that Samsung includes the S-pen with the tablet, whereas most of the competition only offers an active stylus as an optional accessory (if at all.)

There is a magnetic strip on the back for the pen to stick to when not in use. This storage method received mixed reviews. So if you’re worried about keeping up with your S-pen, plan on a case to keep things extra secure.

The Bookcase and keyboard combination is the other accessory available for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. The keys were delightfully clacky, reviewers stated, well pronounced and not hard to push. However, the bookcase made it feel a bit cramped for long-term use.

Specs at a Glance

• Aluminum design
• 11-inch LCD
• Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
• 8/12GB of RAM
• Android 12
• 128/256GB of storage
• 12MP cameras
• 12-13 hour battery life
• Stereo speakers
• S-pen and Bookcase keyboard
  
  

The Bottom Line

Samsung is still a quality and performance leader in most rights. But if you already own a tablet from a recent generation, the S8 isn’t an upgrade worthy of being excited about. It’s snappy, has a bright screen, and does things well, but so does the S7. It mostly comes down to personal preference and what you’re willing to spend.

If you’re replacing a tablet that’s a few years old (or searching for your first premium Android tablet), the tablet is a shining example of the potential of Android tablets.

Pocket-Lint says, “A great premium Android tablet experience with top-tier hardware and a great design. The thing is we could say the very same about the almost identical Tab S7 from 18 months prior, as not much has changed generation to generation.”

Tech Radar states, “The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8 Plus are remarkably limited upgrades compared to 2020’s Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus. If you’re after an Android tablet, this will likely be a top choice for 2022.”