The Samsung Galaxy Tab S series consistently sets the bar for premium Android tablets. But with the S8 Ultra arriving, is it a worthy upgrade over the still-excellent Tab S7+? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which tablet is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tab S8 Ultra offers a significant leap in performance and display quality thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and stunning 120Hz AMOLED screen. However, the Tab S7+ remains a compelling option for those seeking a high-quality tablet at a potentially lower price point.
| 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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 09 | 2020, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 30 | Available. Released 2020, August 21 |
| 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) | 285 x 185 x 5.7 mm (11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) | 575 g (1.27 lb) |
| | Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | Stylus support, 5.6ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) | 1752 x 2800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 446.1 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls |
| 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 | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 500 entries |
| | UFS | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 1.3 MP |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| 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 (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by AKG | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Wireless Samsung DeX | Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min | 45W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 200 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h |
| Type | Li-Po 11200 mAh | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite | Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Silver, Phantom Navy |
| Models | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N | SM-T970, SM-T976B, SM-T975 |
| Price | About 1150 EUR | About 900 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.16 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.69 W/kg (body) | 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-23.1 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 566786 (v8)
GeekBench: 2690 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Stunning AMOLED Display
- Blazing-Fast Performance
- Upgraded Camera System
- S Pen Included
- Excellent Speakers
- Higher Price
- Larger Size & Weight
- Potential for Thermal Throttling under sustained load
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
- Excellent Value
- Bright and Vibrant LCD Display
- S Pen Included
- Slightly More Portable
- Good Battery Life
- Older Processor
- Less Impressive Camera
- Not as Future-Proof
Display Comparison
The S8 Ultra boasts a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredibly smooth scrolling. The Tab S7+ has a 12.9-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering excellent brightness and contrast, but the AMOLED technology of the S8 Ultra provides a noticeably richer visual experience. The S8 Ultra's higher resolution also contributes to sharper visuals.
Camera Comparison
The S8 Ultra features a significantly upgraded camera system, including a 13MP front camera with auto-focus and a wider ultrawide lens, making it ideal for video conferencing and content creation. The Tab S7+ has a standard 8MP front camera. The rear cameras on both devices are adequate for casual photography, but the S8 Ultra's front camera is a clear winner.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the S8 Ultra provides a substantial performance boost over the Snapdragon 865 5G+ in the Tab S7+. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the S8 Ultra. Both tablets handle everyday tasks with ease, but the S8 Ultra shines under heavy workloads.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer all-day battery life under moderate usage. While the S8 Ultra has a larger battery capacity, the increased power consumption of its larger and more powerful display means battery life is comparable. Both support 45W fast charging.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is ideal for power users, creatives, and anyone who demands the best possible performance and display. The Tab S7+ is a great choice for users who want a premium tablet experience without breaking the bank, and who prioritize a slightly more portable form factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S8 Ultra worth the upgrade from the Tab S7+?
If you prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, then yes. However, if you're on a budget and happy with a still-excellent tablet experience, the Tab S7+ remains a strong contender.
❓ Does the S8 Ultra get hot during intensive tasks?
The S8 Ultra can experience some thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads like gaming or video editing, but it's generally manageable.
