The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series offers premium Android tablet experiences, but choosing between the S8 and S8+ can be tricky. Both boast powerful performance and stunning displays, but subtle differences impact their overall value. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which tablet is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tab S8+ offers a larger display and slightly better battery life, making it ideal for media consumption and productivity. However, the Tab S8 is more portable and offers excellent value for those prioritizing a compact, powerful tablet. It's a close call, but the S8+ edges out the S8 for most users.
| 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 | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| 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 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 14 | Available. Released 2022, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 285 x 185 x 5.7 mm (11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 in) | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 567 g (Wi-Fi), 572 g (5G) (1.25 lb) | 503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) (1.11 lb) |
| | Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1752 x 2800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.4 inches, 446.1 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | TFT LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS | UFS |
| 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
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 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 | 5.2, 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Wireless Samsung DeX | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min |
| Type | Li-Po 10090 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | SM-X800, SM-X806, SM-X806B, SM-X806U, SM-X806N | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N |
| Price | About 950 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (body) | 0.87 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
- Larger, more immersive display
- Longer battery life
- Excellent performance
- S Pen included
- Premium build quality
- Higher price
- Less portable than the S8
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- More portable and lightweight
- Excellent performance
- S Pen included
- Premium build quality
- Slightly more affordable
- Smaller display
- Shorter battery life compared to S8+
Display Comparison
The Tab S8+ features an 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2800 x 1752, while the Tab S8 has an 11-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600. The S8+’s larger size provides more screen real estate for immersive viewing and multitasking. Both offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
The Tab S8+ and Tab S8 share the same camera setup: a 13MP main rear camera and a 6MP ultrawide camera. Both also feature a 12MP front-facing camera with auto-focus, ideal for video calls and selfies. Image quality is comparable across both devices.
Performance
Both tablets are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, ensuring blazing-fast performance for demanding apps and games. The octa-core CPU and ample RAM (8GB or 12GB) handle multitasking with ease. There's virtually no noticeable difference in real-world performance between the two.
Battery Life
The Tab S8+ packs a larger 10,090mAh battery compared to the Tab S8's 7,040mAh battery. This translates to noticeably longer battery life on the S8+, especially when used for demanding tasks like video streaming or gaming. The Tab S8 still offers respectable battery life for everyday use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+? Users who prioritize a larger screen for watching videos, gaming, or multitasking, and those who value extended battery life. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8? Users who want a powerful, premium tablet in a more compact and portable form factor, and those seeking a slightly more budget-friendly option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S Pen included with both tablets?
Yes, the S Pen is included with both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8+.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
Both tablets offer excellent gaming performance due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. The Tab S8+’s larger display might provide a more immersive gaming experience.
