The Android tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for the top spot: the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. Both offer premium features and impressive performance, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 edges out the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro thanks to its slightly more powerful processor, brighter display, and tighter software integration. However, the P12 Pro offers excellent value with its competitive specs and attractive price point, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.
| 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, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 08 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 19 | Available. Released 2022, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 285.6 x 184.5 x 5.6 mm (11.24 x 7.26 x 0.22 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 | 565 g (1.25 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 (~240 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.6 inches, 460.3 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM) | 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 11 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 | 4K@30fps, 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 | 1080p@30fps | 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) |
| | JBL speakers | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (wireless charging and data transfer only) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, QC4 | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min |
| Type | Li-Po 10200 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Storm Grey | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | TB-Q706Z, TB-Q706F | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N |
| Price | About 520 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.87 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro
- Excellent value for money
- Large, vibrant display
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 processor
- 45W fast charging
- Camera performance lags behind the S8
- Software support may not be as extensive as Samsung's
- Slightly less bright display than the S8
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
- Brighter and more accurate display
- Superior camera system
- Excellent software support and updates
- S Pen included
- Higher price point
- Can get warm under heavy load
Display Comparison
Both tablets boast stunning 12.6-inch LCD displays with 120Hz refresh rates. However, the Galaxy Tab S8 generally exhibits slightly better brightness and color accuracy, making it a more enjoyable experience in various lighting conditions. The P12 Pro's display is still excellent, offering vibrant colors and sharp details.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy Tab S8 generally has a more versatile camera system, including a wider ultrawide lens. Image quality is consistently better, especially in low-light conditions. The P12 Pro's cameras are adequate for basic photography, but don't match the S8's capabilities.
Performance
The Galaxy Tab S8's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a slight edge in raw processing power compared to the P12 Pro's Snapdragon 870. While both handle everyday tasks and demanding games with ease, the S8 demonstrates smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. The 4nm process of the S8 also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer all-day battery life under moderate usage. The Galaxy Tab S8's more efficient processor and slightly larger battery capacity give it a slight advantage in longevity. The 45W charging is consistent across both devices, but the S8's charging time is slightly faster.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro is ideal for users seeking a high-performance tablet at a more affordable price, particularly those who value a large, vibrant display for media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is perfect for power users, creatives, and those deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem, prioritizing top-tier performance and a refined user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 offers slightly better performance for demanding games due to its more powerful processor and efficient cooling system.
❓ Does the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro support a stylus?
Yes, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro supports a stylus, but it's sold separately. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 includes an S Pen in the box.
