Samsung took to its virtual stage on February 9th to show off its latest flagship devices, including the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series. The hour-long event shows off three new handsets and a tablet series, all built on recycled ocean-bound plastics that fit into the Samsung ecosystem.
- Galaxy S22 & Galaxy S22+
- Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S8 Series
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series // Overview
Samsung announced its new Tab S8 series, with an explicit and serious crack at toppling Apple from the top of the tablet market. The lineup includes a new third model, an Ultra, along with the standard Tab S8 and Tab S8+.
All three models have been design to bolster the Samsung ecosystem of devices and further improve the handoff between them for file sharing and familiar user experiences.
Big, Bigger, Biggest
I struggled to digest the display sizes when Samsung announced them, with the new Ultra model boasting a huge 14.6″ WQXGA+ Super AMOLED screen. Even the Tab S8+ is sizable with the same at 12.4″.
Luckily the standard Tab S8 is a more reasonable 11″, the perfect tablet size I feel, however Samsung has given it a WQXGA LTPS TFT panel and not the Super AMOLED one used on the larger models.
To protect the huge Ultra display, Samsung says it has used an Armor Aluminum frame that is 40% stronger than the Tab S7 that will reduce the bend and flex on the screens.
Business on the Move
The rise in remote working, following on from the pandemic, has been great for travel tech as R&D teams focus on the likes of tablets and the software, instead of desk bound hardware.
All three models come with a 12MP front facing camera for improved video conferencing capabilities and the Ultra has an additional 12MP Ultra-wide lens to bring 4K to your next Zoom call.
With LumaFusion’s premier editing tool coming soon to Galaxy, you will soon be able to use your Galaxy Tab S8 and S Pen to make precise edits to 4K videos.
Samsung Newsroom
Keeping any of the Tab S8 models charged will be easier with 45W Super Fast charging technology.
Smart Power
Even on the Ultra with its 11,000mAh battery, Samsung claims 80 minutes is all that’s needed for a 100% full charge. The intelligent All-day battery performance will be useful, however, this depends heavily on how you use the tablet!
A great feature is the ability to connect your smartphone to and of the Tab S8s and use them as a power bank.
One less gadget needed for travel!
S Pen is supported and included with all models along with Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + 5G variants and optional microSD card slots to increase storage up to 1TB.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series // Specifications
| Tab S8 | Tab S8+ | Tab S8 Ultra | |
| Dimensions | 165 x 254 x 6.3mm | 185 x 285 x 5.7mm | 209 x 326 x 5.5mm |
| Weight | Wi-Fi – 503g Wi-Fi + 5G – 507G | Wi-Fi – 567g Wi-Fi + 5G – 572G | Wi-Fi – 726g Wi-Fi + 5G – 728G |
| Colour Options | Graphite Pink Gold Silver | Graphite Pink Gold Silver | Graphite |
| Display | 11″ 2560×1600 WQXGA LTPS TFT up to 120Hz | 12.4″ 2800×1752 WQXGA+ Super AMOLED up to 120Hz | 14.6″ 2960×1848 WQXGA+ Super AMOLED up to 120Hz |
| Rear Camera | 13MP Autofocus Dual 6MP Ultra-wide | 13MP Autofocus Dual 6MP Ultra-wide | 13MP Autofocus 6MP Ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 12MP Ultra-wide | 12MP Ultra-wide | 12MP Wide 12MP Ultra-wide |
| Storage | 128GB 256GB microSD (up to 1TB) | 128GB 256GB microSD (up to 1TB) | 128GB 256GB 512GB microSD (up to 1TB) |
| Security | Fingerprint Side Key Samsung Knox | Fingerprint on Display Samsung Knox | Fingerprint on Display Samsung Knox |
| Processor | 4 nm 64-bit Octa-core | 4 nm 64-bit Octa-core | 4 nm 64-bit Octa-core |
| Microphones | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Speakers | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| S Pen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 8,000mAh | 10,090mAh | 11,200mAh |
| Charging | 45W Super Fast Charging USB-C | 45W Super Fast Charging USB-C | 45W Super Fast Charging USB-C |
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 12 | Android 12 |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series // Pricing
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series starts at $699/£649 for the base S8 128GB version and goes up to $1,599/£1,399 for the 512GB Wi-Fi + 5G model.
Samsung is offering some incredible pre-order deals on the Galaxy Tab S8 Series.
For US customers, a $50 Google Play credit can be earned on qualifying purchases. And, if you have a device to trade-in, you can claim up to $450 off the price.
In the UK, pre-order the standard S8 and you’ll receive a 12 month Disney+ subscription. If you order either the S8+ or Ultra, Samsung will include a free pair of Galaxy Buds Pro (usually £219) and the 12-month Disney+ subscription (currently £79).
Shipping begins in March.
