The Android tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the OnePlus Pad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. Both offer premium features and impressive performance, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra takes the crown with its superior display, more refined software, and versatile camera system. While the OnePlus Pad offers excellent value and performance for the price, the S8 Ultra's overall package is more polished and feature-rich.
| 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 | 2023, February 07 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 28 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 258 x 189.4 x 6.5 mm (10.16 x 7.46 x 0.26 in) | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 552 g (1.22 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 | 2000 x 2800 pixels (~296 ppi density) | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.61 inches, 411.3 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 144Hz, 500 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MC10 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB 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, f/2.2, 23mm (wide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, gyro-EIS | 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, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| 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 AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS (B1+B1c) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min |
| Type | Li-Po 9510 mAh | Li-Po 11200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Halo Green | Graphite |
| Models | - | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 1150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1664:1 | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-22.5 LUFS (Excellent)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 859019 (v9)
GeekBench: 3158 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
OnePlus Pad
- Excellent performance for the price
- Fast 67W charging
- High 144Hz refresh rate display
- Sleek design
- LCD display not as vibrant as AMOLED
- Less versatile camera system
- Software experience less refined than Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Stunning Super AMOLED display
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Versatile and high-quality camera system
- Refined software experience
- S Pen support
- Higher price point
- Slower 45W charging
- Larger and heavier design
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra boasts a stunning 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional clarity. The OnePlus Pad has an 11-inch LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1664:1 contrast ratio. While the OnePlus Pad's refresh rate is higher, the S8 Ultra's AMOLED technology provides a significantly better viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra shines in the camera department with a versatile quad-camera setup on the rear and a dual-camera front-facing setup. The OnePlus Pad has a single rear camera and a single front-facing camera. The S8 Ultra's cameras offer significantly better image quality, more features, and greater versatility for photography and video recording.
Performance
Both tablets are powered by high-end chipsets. The OnePlus Pad utilizes a Mediatek Dimensity 9000, while the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. While both offer excellent performance, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 generally holds a slight edge in sustained performance and gaming thanks to Qualcomm's optimization and broader software support. However, the Dimensity 9000 is no slouch and provides a smooth and responsive experience.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a larger 10,000 mAh battery and supports 45W charging, taking 82 minutes to fully charge. The OnePlus Pad has an 8840 mAh battery and 67W charging. While the OnePlus Pad charges faster, the S8 Ultra's larger battery capacity generally provides longer battery life under typical usage.
Buying Guide
The OnePlus Pad is ideal for users seeking a powerful tablet at a more accessible price point, particularly those who value raw performance and fast charging. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is perfect for creatives, power users, and anyone who demands the best possible display, camera, and software experience, regardless of the premium price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra generally offers a slightly better gaming experience due to its more powerful chipset and superior cooling system, although both tablets are capable of handling demanding games.
❓ Is the S Pen included with the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra?
Yes, the S Pen is included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, providing a convenient tool for note-taking, drawing, and navigation.
