The tablet market caters to vastly different needs. On one end, you have affordable options like the Realme Pad, designed for casual use. On the other, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra represents the pinnacle of Android tablet technology, boasting flagship performance and a stunning display. This comparison dissects these two devices to determine which one best suits your requirements and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing affordability and basic functionality, the Realme Pad offers excellent value. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the clear winner for power users, creatives, and those demanding a premium tablet experience, justifying its higher price with superior performance and features.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 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 | 2021, September 09 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 16 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 246.1 x 155.9 x 6.9 mm (9.69 x 6.14 x 0.27 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 | 440 g (15.52 oz) | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) |
| | - | Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 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, 105˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 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 | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min |
| Type | 7100 mAh | Li-Po 11200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Gold | Graphite |
| Models | RMP2102, RMP2103 | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 1150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1554:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-22.4 LUFS (Excellent)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 187913 (v8), 226474 (v9)
GeekBench: 1236 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme Pad
- Significantly more affordable
- Large display for media consumption
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Slow charging speed
- Less powerful processor
- Display may struggle in bright sunlight
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Fast 45W charging
- Premium display quality (likely)
- Very expensive
- May be overkill for basic users
- Larger size may not be ideal for portability
Display Comparison
The Realme Pad features a display capable of 455 nits of peak brightness and a 1554:1 contrast ratio, adequate for indoor viewing but potentially washed out in direct sunlight. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, while lacking specific brightness data in our context, benefits from Samsung’s industry-leading display technology, likely offering significantly higher brightness and a wider color gamut. The S8 Ultra’s larger screen size and potentially higher resolution contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. While the Realme Pad’s contrast ratio is respectable, the S8 Ultra likely employs advanced panel technologies for superior black levels and color accuracy, crucial for content creation.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. The Realme Pad’s camera specifications are not provided, suggesting it’s not a primary focus. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra’s camera details are also absent, but Samsung typically equips its flagship tablets with high-quality cameras. The S8 Ultra likely features a more advanced camera system with larger sensors and improved image processing, making it better suited for capturing photos and videos. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Realme Pad suggests it’s geared towards basic video calls rather than photography.
Performance
The Realme Pad is powered by the MediaTek Helio G80, a 12nm chipset with an octa-core CPU configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). This is a capable processor for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or intensive applications. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, however, utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a 4nm chipset. This represents a significant leap in performance and efficiency. The 4nm process allows for higher transistor density and lower power consumption, resulting in sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s CPU configuration (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) offers substantially faster processing speeds and improved multi-tasking capabilities.
Battery Life
The Realme Pad supports 18W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging. While adequate, this is relatively slow compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra’s 45W wired charging, which can reach 100% charge in just 82 minutes. The Realme Pad’s slower charging speed means longer downtime between uses. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the S8 Ultra’s more efficient chipset and faster charging capabilities provide a more convenient user experience, especially for power users who rely on their tablet throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Pad if you need a large-screen device for media consumption, light browsing, and occasional productivity tasks, and are on a tight budget. It's ideal for students or families needing a shared device. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra if you prioritize performance for demanding applications like video editing, gaming, or multitasking, and require a top-tier display and features like S Pen support. This is the tablet for professionals and power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme Pad sufficient for online classes and note-taking?
The Realme Pad is adequate for online classes and basic note-taking, but its Helio G80 processor may struggle with demanding applications or multitasking. The display is suitable for viewing content, but the slower charging speed could be inconvenient for all-day use. Consider a stylus separately, as one isn't included.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Tab S8 Ultra is a powerful chip, and can generate heat under sustained load. However, the 4nm process and Samsung’s thermal management system are designed to mitigate throttling. While some warmth is expected during intense gaming, it shouldn’t become uncomfortably hot.
❓ Can the Realme Pad be used as a secondary display with a computer?
While the Realme Pad can connect to a computer, its functionality as a secondary display is limited by its software and connectivity options. It's primarily designed for standalone use, and may not offer the seamless experience of dedicated secondary displays.
