Choosing the right Android tablet can be tough, especially with Samsung's impressive lineup. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra represents the pinnacle of Samsung's tablet technology, while the Tab S7 FE offers a more budget-friendly option. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tab S8 Ultra is the clear performance winner with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and stunning display. However, the Tab S7 FE provides excellent value for those seeking a large screen and reliable performance for everyday tasks, without breaking the bank. It's a trade-off between power and price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 09 | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 30 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in) | 284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) | 608 g (1.34 lb) |
| | Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) - 5G modelOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi model |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi model |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi model |
| OS | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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, AF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by AKG | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (5G) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only) |
| | Wireless Samsung DeX | Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min | 45W wired, 100% in 190 min |
| Type | Li-Po 11200 mAh | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite | Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink |
| Models | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N | SM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735 |
| Price | About 1150 EUR | About 650 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.69 W/kg (body) | 1.15 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1886:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -27.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 292530 (v8), 355430 (v9)
GeekBench: 1904 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 9.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Exceptional Performance
- Stunning AMOLED Display
- Advanced Camera System
- S Pen Included
- Long Battery Life
- High Price
- Large Size Can Be Cumbersome
- Potentially Overkill for Casual Users
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- More Affordable
- Large Display for Media Consumption
- Good Battery Life
- S Pen Support (Sold Separately)
- Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks
- Lower Performance Compared to S8 Ultra
- LCD Display Not as Vibrant
- Slower Charging
- Less Powerful Camera
Display Comparison
The Tab S8 Ultra boasts a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredibly smooth visuals. The Tab S7 FE features an 11-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While the S7 FE's display is good, the S8 Ultra's AMOLED technology provides a significantly superior viewing experience, especially for multimedia.
Camera Comparison
The Tab S8 Ultra features a more advanced camera system, including a 13MP front camera and a 13MP + 6MP rear camera setup. The Tab S7 FE has an 8MP front and rear camera. While neither tablet is a photography powerhouse, the S8 Ultra's cameras offer better image quality and more features.
Performance
Here's where the S8 Ultra truly shines. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers a massive performance leap over the Tab S7 FE's Snapdragon 750G or 778G. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding games and creative applications with ease. The S7 FE is capable for everyday tasks, but struggles with intensive workloads.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer a 45W charging speed. However, the Tab S8 Ultra's larger battery capacity (11,200 mAh) allows for longer usage times, despite its more power-hungry processor. The Tab S7 FE (10,090 mAh) offers decent battery life, but the S8 Ultra generally lasts longer.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is ideal for power users, creatives, and anyone who demands top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and advanced features like the S Pen. The Tab S7 FE is a great choice for students, casual users, and those who want a large-screen tablet for media consumption and light productivity at a more accessible price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S Pen included with both tablets?
Yes, the S Pen is included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. It is sold separately for the Tab S7 FE.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and superior cooling system.
