Choosing the right tablet can be tough, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two popular 8-inch Samsung tablets against each other: the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2015) and the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 is the clear winner. Its significantly faster processor, vibrant Super AMOLED display, and improved features offer a superior user experience compared to the Tab A 8.0, despite a potentially higher price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, May | 2015, July. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 208.3 x 137.9 x 7.4 mm (8.20 x 5.43 x 0.29 in) | 198.6 x 134.8 x 5.6 mm (7.82 x 5.31 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM - cellular model only | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 313 g (11.04 oz) | 265 g (Wi-Fi) / 272 g (LTE) (9.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 768 x 1024 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~160 ppi density) | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 198.2 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 198.2 cm2 (~74.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz | Octa-core (4x1.9 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz) - T710, T715Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53) - T719N |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 5433 - T710, T715Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) - T719N |
| GPU | - | Mali-T760 MP6 - T710, T715Adreno 510 - T719N |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) - T710, T715Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) - T719N |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM (Wi-Fi), 32GB 2GB RAM (LTE) | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 or eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2.1 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 120 h | Up to 74 h |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (3G) | Up to 27 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Smoky Titanium, Smoky Blue, White | White, black gold |
| Models | SM-T350, SM-T355, SM-T355Y | SM-T715, SM-T710, SM-T719N, SM-T719, SM-T715Y, SM-T719Y, SM-T713 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.12 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) | 0.34 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2015)
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight and portable
- Good for basic tasks
- Slow performance
- Mediocre display
- Outdated processor
- Limited storage options
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0
- Fast performance
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- More storage options
- Premium design
- Better multitasking
- Higher price
- Can be harder to find new
- Camera is still basic
Display Comparison
The Tab S2 8.0 boasts a Super AMOLED display, offering richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the Tab A 8.0's standard LCD screen. Both have a resolution of 1600 x 1200, but the S2's display quality is noticeably superior. The S2 also features a slightly higher pixel density.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality isn't a primary focus for tablets, but the Tab S2 8.0 generally offers slightly better image quality than the Tab A 8.0. Both have modest rear and front-facing cameras suitable for basic video calls and snapshots. Don't expect flagship-level performance.
Performance
This is where the Tab S2 8.0 truly shines. Its Octa-core processor (either Exynos 5433 or Snapdragon 652 depending on the variant) provides significantly faster performance than the Tab A 8.0's Quad-core processor. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the S2.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two devices, typically offering around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The Tab A 8.0 might have a slight edge in endurance due to its less demanding processor, but the difference is minimal.
Buying Guide
The Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2015) is ideal for budget-conscious users who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like browsing, reading ebooks, and light media consumption. The Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 is better suited for users who demand better performance for multitasking, gaming, and enjoy a premium display experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 still worth buying in 2023?
Yes, the Tab S2 8.0 remains a capable tablet, especially if you can find one in good condition. Its performance and display are still competitive for basic to moderate usage.
❓ What is the difference between the Exynos and Snapdragon versions of the Tab S2 8.0?
The Exynos version (T710, T715) and Snapdragon version (T719N) of the Tab S2 8.0 offer similar performance, with slight variations in CPU architecture. The Snapdragon version generally has slightly better GPU performance.
