Android tablets would not budge to iPad and the iPadOS from Apple. Samsung unveiled on 9 February 2022 during its Galaxy Unpacked event the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series of Android-based tablets. This new series is the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 series.
There are three devices under this series: the Galaxy Tab S8, the Galaxy Tab S8+, and the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. All three are premium and flagship-grade devices.
However, among them, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is the most affordable. It is also marketed toward most users. This concise review describes the selling points, features, and benefits of this device, as well as its limitations, and issues.
Pros of Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: Reasons Why You Should Buy
The Galaxy Tab line of Android tablets from Samsung has been repeatedly described as the main rival of the entire iPad line of tablets from Apple since its introduction in 2010. The Galaxy Tab S8 proves this point once again in 2022. It is a specific rival to the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Air 5, as well as the older generations of the iPad Pro.
Below are the features and selling points, benefits or advantages, and reasons why you should buy this tablet from Samsung:
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is one of the pros of the Galaxy Tab S8. This flagship-grade system-on-a-chip is one of the most powerful mobile chips in the market for 2022. This enables the device to handle resource-heavy apps and tasks such as high-end mobile gaming and video editing with ease.
• 120Hz Refresh Rate: Another selling point of this tablet device from Samsung is that it has an 11-inch LTPS LCD panel based on in-plane switching with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and reading experience, as well as a more immersive video consumption and mobile gaming experience.
• Comes With an S Pen: Note that a notable disadvantage of the iPad Air and iPad Pro, as well as other iPad devices, is that the Apple Pencil is sold separately with a price tag of more than USD 150.00. The Tab S8 ships with the S Pen out of the box. This is another benefit that comes from buying this tablet.
• Samsung Dex: Another notable feature and one of the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, especially when compared with other Android tablets and the iPad, is Samsung Dex. This software gives users an option to switch from tablet mode to a full-on portable computing powerhouse for multi-tasking and productivity use cases.
• Lightweight But Tough: This device has a slim and lightweight design. The overall look and feel can be characterized as sleek and modern—something that is expected from a high-tier tablet device. But it is not fragile. The Armor Aluminum makes it durable enough to protect it from bumps and drops.
Wi-Fi 6E and 5G Connectivity: It is also equipped with the Wi-Fi 6E standard that allows it to utilize not only the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands but also the wider and faster 6 GHz band for wireless local networking. There is also a variant that connects to 5G cellular networks that use the sub-6 GHz fifth-generation technology.
• Big Battery and Fast Charging: The Galaxy Tab S8 has an 8000 mAh li-ion battery that provides up to 48 hours of talk time via a 4G LTE network or up to 110 hours of wireless audio playback. It also supports fast charging that can fully charge the battery to 100 percent in 80 minutes using a 45W power brick.
• Other Features and Benefits: Note that the base model of this device comes with 128GB of storage and the highest-tier model comes with 256GB storage based on a solid-state drive and an 8GB of RAM. Another key feature of the Galaxy Tab S8 is that it supports external storage media of up to 1TB using a MicroSD card.
Cons of Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: Reasons Why You Should Not Buy
However, despite the notable features and selling points mentioned above, this device is not perfect. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 has some drawbacks and issues that might deter consumers from getting one. These disadvantages surface when the device is compared with other Android tablets and the iPad, as well as in consideration of its price.
The following are the cons or disadvantages, and the reasons why you should think twice before buying this tablet device:
• Limitations of Android: The Android operating system has been optimized for smartphones. However, when it comes to tablets, it still suffers from several issues. Some apps are not optimized for larger screens. The iPadOS of the iPad line of tablets from Apple remains more solid in terms of software built.
• Only 4 Years of Software Support: Samsung promises that it will provide this device with software upgrades and updates for four years. This is not much for tablets. Unlike smartphones, most consumers and users prefer to use their tablets for a longer period. This is another one of the cons of the Galaxy Tab S8.
• iPad Air and iPad Pro: The Air and Pro versions of the iPad line are still superior in terms of raw processing power. The Apple M1 chip outcompetes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Furthermore, iPads are known for their strong hardware-software integration, as well as for receiving software support for at least 7 years.
• Relatively Expensive Price: It is still more affordable than the iPad Air and iPad Pro with a retail price starting at USD 500.00 for the 128GB model. However, inexpensive Android tablets are still a better option if use cases only involve content consumption, such as social media or web browsing and media streaming.
• Limitations of Samsung Dex: Remember that Samsung Dex is one of the notable features and pros of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. However, it does not provide a complete desktop or laptop experience when compared to more established operating systems such as macOS, Microsoft Windows, and even ChromeOS,
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Review Verdict: The Good and the Bad
The features of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 undeniably fall within the flagship category. It is a capable tablet powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. From these features, the most notable ones are the inclusion of the S Pen without extra charge and the Samsung Dex. These two make the device a true productivity powerhouse ideal for word processing, presentation, business communication, graphics design, and photo and video editing.
However, the disadvantages mentioned above can deter consumers from buying this device. The most noteworthy ones are the limited software support and the specific drawbacks of the Android operating system. Users tend to keep their tablets around for a longer span compared with their smartphones. Furthermore, because iPad devices have longer software support, coupled with the advantages of the iPadOS, they remain superior to Android tablets.
