Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs Apple iPad Air (2022): The Ultimate Tablet Battle
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Air (2022) boasts the power of the M1 chip, offering exceptional performance and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. The Tab S8 counters with a vibrant display, S Pen support, and Android flexibility. For raw power and iOS users, the iPad Air wins; for creative users and Android fans, the Tab S8 is a strong contender.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | Apple iPad Air (2022) |
| 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, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2589 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2589, A2591 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2591 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 09 | 2022, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 22 | Available. Released 2022, March 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in) | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) (1.11 lb) | 461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb) |
| Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | Stylus support (2nd gen) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Apple M1 |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 | iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB, 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 | HDR |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Tuned by AKG | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS (5G model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, 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, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Wireless Samsung DeX | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold | Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue |
| Models | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N | A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.87 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Vibrant 120Hz display
- Included S Pen for creativity
- Android flexibility and customization
- Versatile camera system
- Faster charging (45W)
- Performance slightly behind iPad Air
- Android tablet app ecosystem not as robust as iPadOS
- Price can be high
Apple iPad Air (2022)
- Blazing-fast M1 chip performance
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
- Excellent iPadOS optimization
- Lightweight and portable
- Strong resale value
- 60Hz display (less smooth than Tab S8)
- No included stylus (Apple Pencil sold separately)
- Less customizable than Android
- Slower charging
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Tab S8 features a stunning 11-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The iPad Air (2022) has an 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, also with a 60Hz refresh rate. While both are excellent, Samsung's higher refresh rate provides a slightly more fluid experience. The Tab S8's display is also brighter.
Camera Comparison
The Tab S8 has a triple-camera setup (13MP wide, 6MP ultrawide, 5MP macro) offering more versatility. The iPad Air (2022) has a single 12MP wide camera. Image quality is generally good on both, but the Tab S8's ultrawide and macro lenses provide additional creative options. The front-facing cameras are also comparable.
Performance
Here's where the iPad Air (2022) truly shines. The M1 chip delivers significantly faster performance than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Tab S8, especially in demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The Tab S8 is still powerful, but the M1's lead is undeniable. iPadOS is also highly optimized for the hardware.
Battery Life
The Tab S8 packs a 10,090 mAh battery, while the iPad Air (2022) has an approximately 8,600 mAh battery. Real-world battery life is fairly close, with both devices easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The Tab S8's larger battery gives it a slight edge, but the iPad Air's efficiency helps it stay competitive.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8? Android enthusiasts, creative professionals needing the S Pen, and those seeking a versatile tablet for productivity and entertainment. Who should buy the Apple iPad Air (2022)? Apple ecosystem users, students, and anyone prioritizing raw performance and a streamlined user experience.