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 Ultra. Both offer premium features and impressive performance, but which one is the better choice for your needs? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra takes the crown with its stunning display, S Pen integration, and overall premium experience. While the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro offers excellent value with a powerful Snapdragon 870, the S8 Ultra's superior features and ecosystem make it the winner.
| 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, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 285.6 x 184.5 x 5.6 mm (11.24 x 7.26 x 0.22 in) | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 565 g (1.25 lb) | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.6 inches, 460.3 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| 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, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB 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/2.2, 26mm (wide)
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, QC4 | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min |
| Type | Li-Po 10200 mAh | Li-Po 11200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Storm Grey | Graphite |
| Models | TB-Q706Z, TB-Q706F | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N |
| Price | About 520 EUR | About 1150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro
- Excellent performance for the price
- High refresh rate display
- Good audio quality
- Slim and lightweight design
- IPS LCD display not as vibrant as AMOLED
- Less versatile camera system
- No included stylus
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Included S Pen stylus
- Versatile camera system
- Premium design and build quality
- DeX mode for desktop-like experience
- Higher price
- Can be bulky due to large size
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can experience thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra boasts a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredible detail. The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro features a 12.6-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is still excellent but lacks the punch and contrast of the AMOLED panel. The S8 Ultra's larger size also makes it ideal for multitasking and creative work.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra features a more versatile camera system with a 13MP front camera and a rear camera setup including a 13MP ultrawide and a 64MP main camera. The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro has an 8MP front camera and a 13MP rear camera. The S8 Ultra's cameras are noticeably better in terms of image quality and features.
Performance
Both tablets are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. The Tab S8 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), while the Tab P12 Pro utilizes the Snapdragon 870 (7nm). While the 8 Gen 1 generally offers slightly better peak performance, the 870 is incredibly efficient and provides smooth, responsive performance for most tasks. Real-world usage will likely feel very similar for everyday activities.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer 45W wired charging. The Tab S8 Ultra has a larger 11,200mAh battery, while the Tab P12 Pro has a 10,200mAh battery. While charging speeds are the same, the S8 Ultra's larger battery generally provides longer battery life, especially with its larger display.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro? Users seeking a high-performance tablet at a more accessible price point, particularly those who prioritize raw power for gaming or demanding apps. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra? Creative professionals, students, and anyone wanting a top-tier Android tablet experience with a fantastic display, S Pen support, and a premium design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro good for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 is a powerful chipset that can handle most mobile games with ease. However, the Tab S8 Ultra's slightly more powerful processor and better cooling might offer a slight edge in demanding titles.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra come with a stylus?
Yes, the S Pen is included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, making it a great option for note-taking, drawing, and creative tasks.
