The Android tablet market is heating up, with Lenovo and Samsung offering compelling options at different price points. The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13, powered by the Snapdragon 870, aims to deliver flagship-level performance without the flagship price tag. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 boasts the newer, more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 emerges as the superior choice, thanks to the significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. While the Yoga Tab 13 offers excellent value, the performance leap and 45W charging of the Tab S8 justify the price premium for demanding users and gamers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 24 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 31 | Available. Released 2022, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 293.4 mm x 204 mm x 6.2-24.9 mm | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 830 g (1.83 lb) | 503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) (1.11 lb) |
| | Built-in stainless steel kickstand
Stylus support | Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1350 x 2160 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 13.0 inches, 490.0 cm2 (~56.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 400 nits | 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, ZUI 12.5 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| No | - |
| Dual | - | 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP
TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor) | - |
| 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) |
| | Tuned by JBL | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, micro HDMI | 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 | Face recognition, accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min |
| Type | Li-Po 10200 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | ZA8E0018CN | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.87 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Yoga Tab 13
- More affordable price point
- Larger 13-inch display ideal for media
- Capable Snapdragon 870 processor for everyday tasks
- Older Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Potentially lower peak brightness
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- 45W fast charging (0-100% in 80 minutes)
- Potentially superior display quality and calibration
- Higher price tag
- Smaller 11-inch display
- May experience more thermal throttling under extreme loads (though mitigated by 4nm process)
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature high-quality LCD panels (specific panel tech is not provided), the comparison hinges on resolution and refresh rate, which are not specified in the provided data. However, Samsung typically employs superior display calibration and potentially LTPO technology in its S-series tablets, offering variable refresh rates for improved battery efficiency. The Yoga Tab 13's larger size (13 inches vs. Tab S8's 11 inches) may be preferable for media viewing, but the Tab S8's potentially higher pixel density could result in a sharper image. Bezels are also a factor, with Samsung generally prioritizing slimmer designs.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely a secondary consideration for most tablet users, and the provided data doesn't offer much detail. Both tablets likely feature capable main sensors, but without specific megapixel counts or aperture information, it's difficult to make a definitive comparison. Samsung generally excels in image processing, potentially delivering more vibrant and detailed photos. The absence of details regarding secondary cameras (ultrawide, macro) makes a thorough assessment impossible, but focusing on the main sensor's capabilities is crucial.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 4nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained loads. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.00 GHz offers a significant single-core performance boost compared to the Kryo 585 in the 870. The Tab S8 also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing multitasking capabilities. While the 870 is no slouch, the 8 Gen 1 provides a noticeably smoother experience in demanding applications and games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8’s 45W wired charging is a significant advantage, promising a full charge in approximately 80 minutes. The Yoga Tab 13’s charging speed is unknown, but likely slower. While a larger battery capacity on the Yoga Tab 13 could offset the slower charging, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s improved power efficiency in the Tab S8 means it may achieve comparable real-world battery life despite a potentially smaller battery size. The faster charging of the Tab S8 is a convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 if you prioritize affordability and a large screen for media consumption and light productivity tasks. Its Snapdragon 870 is still capable, and the price makes it an excellent value. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 if you demand the highest possible performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and appreciate the faster charging and premium build quality. It's the tablet for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 870 in the Yoga Tab 13 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 870 is capable, Genshin Impact and similar graphically intensive games will likely require reduced graphics settings on the Yoga Tab 13 to maintain a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Tab S8 will handle these games with ease at higher settings.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a powerful chip and can generate heat under sustained load. However, the 4nm manufacturing process and Samsung's thermal management system are designed to mitigate throttling. While some warmth is expected, it shouldn't become uncomfortably hot during typical gaming sessions.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 870 and 8 Gen 1 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming?
For basic tasks like web browsing, email, and video streaming, the difference in performance will be minimal. Both tablets will provide a smooth and responsive experience. The benefits of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 become more apparent when multitasking, editing photos/videos, or playing demanding games.
