The Android tablet market is heating up, with options ranging from affordable media consumption devices to powerful productivity powerhouses. We pit the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, a strong contender in the mid-range, against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, a flagship boasting the latest Snapdragon silicon, to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides a significant performance leap over the Tab P11 Pro’s Snapdragon 730G, making it ideal for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. However, the Tab P11 Pro remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing value.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 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 | 2020, August 31. Released 2020, December 14 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 264.3 x 171.4 x 6.9 mm (10.41 x 6.75 x 0.27 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 | 485 g (1.07 lb) | 503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) (1.11 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~263 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 383.5 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ) | TFT LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP, (ultrawide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide)
8 MP, IR TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor only) | - |
| Video | - | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Slate Grey, Platinum Grey | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | TB-J706F | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.87 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Sufficient for casual media consumption
- Significantly slower charging
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
- Potentially limited long-term software support
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- 45W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Premium build quality and features
- Higher price tag
- May experience some thermal throttling under extreme load
- Potentially unnecessary power for basic users
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in processing power impacting display responsiveness. The Tab S8’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can drive higher refresh rates and more complex visual effects smoothly. The Tab P11 Pro, with its Snapdragon 730G, will deliver a perfectly acceptable visual experience, but may exhibit slight lag in graphically intensive applications. We expect the Tab S8 to have higher peak brightness, enhancing outdoor visibility, though specific nit values are unavailable.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets likely feature multi-camera systems, but the Tab S8’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will offer superior image processing capabilities. Expect better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality from the Tab S8, particularly in low-light conditions. The Tab P11 Pro’s camera will be adequate for casual snapshots, but won’t compete with the Tab S8’s potential.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The 8 Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.00 GHz, coupled with Cortex-A710 performance cores, delivers significantly faster CPU performance. The 4nm process node also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Tab S8’s likely use of LPDDR5x RAM further enhances memory bandwidth, benefiting multitasking and demanding applications. The Tab P11 Pro will handle everyday tasks well, but will struggle with resource-intensive games or video editing.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro’s 20W wired charging is significantly slower than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8’s 45W wired charging, which promises a full charge in 80 minutes. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Tab S8’s more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, combined with faster charging, provides a more convenient user experience. The Tab P11 Pro will require more time plugged in, potentially impacting usability for users on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro if you need a capable tablet for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and light productivity, and value affordability above all else. It’s a great choice for families or students. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 if you prioritize raw performance, fast charging, and a premium experience for demanding applications, gaming, or professional creative work. It’s the tablet for power users and those who want future-proofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 730G in the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730G is likely to struggle with Genshin Impact at higher settings. You’ll likely need to reduce graphics settings to medium or low to achieve playable frame rates, and even then, expect some occasional stuttering. The Tab S8’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will handle Genshin Impact at maximum settings with ease.
❓ How much faster is the 45W charging on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 compared to the 20W charging on the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro in real-world use?
The 45W charging on the Tab S8 will significantly reduce charging times. Samsung claims 100% in 80 minutes, while the Tab P11 Pro will likely take over 2 hours to fully charge. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their tablet throughout the day.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 730G and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and email?
For basic tasks like browsing, email, and video streaming, the performance difference may not be immediately noticeable. However, the Tab S8 will feel snappier and more responsive when multitasking or switching between apps due to its faster processor and memory.
