Choosing the right Android tablet can be tough, especially with Samsung's impressive lineup. The Galaxy Tab S8 and S7+ are both excellent options, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which one is the perfect fit for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab S8 offers a significant performance boost thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and improved display. While the S7+ remains a strong contender, the S8's future-proofing and enhanced features make it the overall winner for most users, especially those prioritizing speed and a brighter screen.
| 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, March 22 | Available. Released 2020, August 21 |
| 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) | 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 | 503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) (1.11 lb) | 575 g (1.27 lb) |
| | Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | Stylus support, 5.6ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1752 x 2800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 446.1 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | 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 | 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/2.4, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Wireless Samsung DeX | Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min | 45W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 200 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold | Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Silver, Phantom Navy |
| Models | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N | SM-T970, SM-T976B, SM-T975 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 900 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.16 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.87 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
- Significantly faster performance
- Brighter and more accurate display
- Improved camera system
- S Pen included
- More modern design
- Higher price
- Slightly heavier than S7+
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
- Lower price
- Large, immersive display
- Excellent value for money
- S Pen included
- Older chipset
- Less bright display
- Slightly outdated design
Display Comparison
The Tab S8 boasts a slightly brighter display (estimated 600 nits vs S7+'s 484 nits) and improved color accuracy. Both feature stunning 120Hz AMOLED panels with excellent contrast, but the S8's advancements provide a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The S7+’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio is largely nominal, and the S8’s improvements are noticeable.
Camera Comparison
The Tab S8 features an upgraded rear camera system with a wider ultrawide lens, offering improved versatility for photos and videos. Both tablets have decent front-facing cameras suitable for video calls. While neither is a flagship-level camera, the S8’s improvements are noticeable.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Tab S8 is a clear winner here. It offers significantly faster processing speeds and improved graphics performance compared to the Snapdragon 865 5G+ in the S7+. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The S8 handles demanding tasks with ease.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer all-day battery life under moderate usage. The S7+ has a slightly larger battery capacity (10,090 mAh vs S8's 10,900 mAh), but the S8’s more efficient chipset helps it maintain comparable battery performance. Charging speeds are identical at 45W.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8? Power users, creatives, and anyone wanting the latest technology and best performance. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+? Budget-conscious buyers who still want a premium large-screen tablet experience and don't need the absolute latest specs.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Tab S8 worth the upgrade from the S7+?
If you prioritize performance and a brighter display, then yes. The S8 offers a noticeable upgrade. However, if you're on a budget and happy with the S7+'s performance, it's still a great tablet.
❓ Does the S Pen come included with both tablets?
Yes, both the Galaxy Tab S8 and S7+ include an S Pen in the box.
