The Android tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for the top spot: the Lenovo Legion Y700, a gaming-focused powerhouse, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, a versatile all-rounder. Both offer premium features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which tablet comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 offers a more refined experience with its stunning display, S Pen support, and optimized software. While the Y700 boasts a slightly faster chipset, the Tab S8's overall package, including its DeX mode and ecosystem integration, makes it the winner for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 01 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 10 | Available. Released 2022, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 207.1 x 128.1 x 7.9 mm (8.15 x 5.04 x 0.31 in) | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 375 g (13.23 oz) | 503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) (1.11 lb) |
| | - | Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~343 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.8 inches, 224.5 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, 500 nits (typ) | TFT LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, ZUI 13 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by JBL | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2 | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 45 min | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6550 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | TB-9707F | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.87 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Legion Y700
- Excellent gaming performance
- Fast charging
- Competitive price
- High refresh rate display
- Less refined software experience
- Lower quality cameras
- Less versatile than Tab S8
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Stunning display
- S Pen support
- Excellent camera system
- Samsung DeX mode
- Premium design
- Slightly slower charging
- Potential thermal throttling
- Higher price
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 features an 11-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2560 x 1600. It's known for its vibrant colors, excellent brightness, and accurate color reproduction. The Legion Y700 has an 8.8-inch IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2560 x 1600. While both are sharp and smooth, the Tab S8's larger size and slightly better color accuracy give it an edge.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 boasts a more versatile camera system with a 13MP main camera, a 6MP ultrawide camera, and a 5MP front-facing camera. The Legion Y700 has an 8MP main camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. Image quality on the Tab S8 is noticeably better, with more detail and dynamic range. Video recording capabilities are also superior on the Tab S8.
Performance
The Lenovo Legion Y700 utilizes the Snapdragon 870, a proven performer for gaming. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which generally offers slightly better raw performance, especially in demanding tasks. However, the Tab S8 has faced some thermal throttling concerns under sustained load, which could impact long gaming sessions. Both tablets handle everyday tasks and multitasking with ease.
Battery Life
Both tablets have a 10,040 mAh battery. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 takes longer to charge (80 minutes with 45W) compared to the Legion Y700 (45 minutes). Battery life is comparable in real-world usage, with both lasting a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Legion Y700 is ideal for mobile gamers and those prioritizing raw processing power. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is perfect for creatives, productivity users, and anyone seeking a premium, versatile tablet experience with excellent software support and accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo Legion Y700 good for non-gaming tasks?
Yes, the Y700 is capable of handling everyday tasks and productivity apps, but it's primarily geared towards gaming. The Tab S8 is a better all-around choice for non-gamers.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 come with the S Pen?
Yes, the S Pen is included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, offering a great experience for note-taking, drawing, and navigation.