It's up to you whether you want to fully upgrade to the most powerful Galaxy Tab possible, "downgrade" to a powerful 11-inch tablet that'll check multiple boxes, or choose the comfortable middle ground with the Plus. The Tab S8 Ultra isnt hard to carry around, but its also not as discreet as an iPad Air. All three Tab S8 models ship with an S Pen. published 30 June 22. Heres why you can trust us. Battery life:9:22 (tested) iPhone 14 appears on track Apple navigates supply chain challenges during record quarter, I just tried David Harbours Stranger Things 4 ab workout and wow, 5 tips to organize your fridge and save money, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 here's 5 things Samsung needs to fix, The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Those values were derived with the keyboard attached and with the Tab S8 Ultra locked to 60Hz. With the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, jumping to 256GB or 512GB costs $100 each, but these upgrades also come with jumps to 12GB or 16GB of RAM, respectively. base model is most likely to be comfortable to use for casual use away from a desk while still offering plenty of screen real estate compared to most budget tablets. In the end, your decision will depend on whether you use Apple or Android products; the Tab S8 will pair much better with whatever Android phones or Windows tech you own, while the iPad will obviously sync perfectly with an iPhone or MacBook. The rear cameras also do a good job of capturing details. The power will also be useful for intensive creative apps and functions.At the Tab S8 launch event, Samsung announced that previously-iOS-exclusive video-editing app Lumafusion will, at some point, be brought to Android slates, and thatll certainly require all of the Ultras processing power. Considering how the tablet costs $1,099 without a trade-in, the added $349 will make your wallet whimper. The S Pen magnetically locks to the back of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. NY 10036. Even if you're downgraded to an LCD display instead of an AMOLED, you're losing richer colors but gaining a brighter display and longer battery life. Weve previously found iPadOS to bea better tablet operating system than Android, and theres no difference here - it lacks a control center thats separate from the notifications list, split screen is more fiddly to enable, and navigation feels a little slower. Please refresh the page and try again. This configuration has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and comes in graphite. Future-proofed with the latest tech, they're sure to last you much longer and justify the high cost. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Both have similar resolution and brightness with 120Hz refresh rates, but we've found iPadOS seems to take better advantage of it. Android OS isnt as terrible as some say, but its not topping Windows or macOS anytime soon. With a 11,200mAh power pack, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultras battery is meaty enough to provide that gigantic screen with loads of juice, and we were generally happy with the tablets battery life. Even the color options are remarkably similar: the S7 series offered Mystic Black, Silver, Bronze, and Blue, while the S8 comes in Graphite (aka black), Silver, and Pink Gold (which looks near-identical to the Bronze S7). Despite some solid upgrades in performance over the Galaxy Tab S7 series, the Galaxy Tab S8 and S8+ only cost $50 more than their predecessors: $700 and $900, respectively. In our charging test, the device took that long just to power up by about 33%. Digital pens have never felt as precise as old-school pencils to me, but the S Pen works very well with the Tab S8 Ultra. This accessory is the key to making the Tab S8 Ultra function like a laptop. Per our testing, the Tab S8 Ultra archives an average brightness of 337.7 nits in the center, but when we shined a flashlight on it with adaptive brightness turned on, the brightness kicked all the way up to 583 nits. You will receive a verification email shortly. NY 10036. Youll probably need to plug this thing in overnight to get a full battery. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Guide. Still, those issues might not be noticeable to people who havent used Apples tablets. You like using a stylus Check out the review images of the menu to see if its something you like. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage space in my review unit certainly give the slate enough power to run and navigate through apps seamlessly. Its useful for taking notes, navigating the menus (using the stylus like a fancy alternative to a finger) and sketching. Its so big that it felt unsafe to transport, or even put in a bag, without an extra layer of protection - we kept it in a bubble-wrap sleeve when in our backpack to ensure it didnt get bashed about. Maybe not yet, as the Tab S7 series still has one more OS update remaining to Android 13, and the 865's performance remains respectable by 2022 standards. Its easy to carry around, whether its in your backpack or in your hands. Heres why you can trust us. Facebook
However, despite its biblical size, its surprisingly light at 1.04 pounds. Mobile version
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is available to purchase from Samsungs website (opens in new tab) for a starting price of $1,099, though you can get a discount by trading in a qualifying device. Weight:1.4 pounds. Get the best of Android Central in in your inbox, every day! Battery life improved on the S7 plus 5g once I upgraded to Android 12. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is most commonly compared with these phones: Youll get updated when important things are happening, and when you engage with our community. This is higher than the Tab S8 and Lenovo Yoga Tab 13, which scored 3,288 and 3,128 (respectively). The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra comes pre-installed with Android 12. Particularly with the Galaxy Tab S8+ and S8 Ultra, they're too large to regularly use in handheld form, so you'll want to buy a case with a kickstand and a keyboard for productivity. Choose between the portable-but-powerful Tab S8, the laptop-replacing Tab S8 Ultra, or the just-right middle child Tab S8+. A tablet like this absolutely needs a protective shell, and if youre not the type to clad their tech in cases or folios, were not sure the Tab S8 Ultra will last very long for you. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a massive, powerful tablet that wants to replace your laptop. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the biggest of the Galaxy Tab S8 family with its 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display that supports 120Hz refresh rate. We tested the tablet with a few games and found it performed well, although it was admittedly hard to use touch controls on a massive screen. As a tablet, this slate functions as well as expected. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra only comes in one color: Graphite, or dull gray. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). As for the new Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, it clocks in at $1,100. A USB-C port and two speakers rest at the bottom edge. In true Android fashion, this offers loads of widgets you can customize your home screen with, which is useful if youre looking for a work tablet. While I appreciate its size and power, its made me question whether bigger is always better. Vivid turns up the brightness and makes colors pop more, but I found it off-putting. Its S Pen, powerful chipset and good-looking screen all make it incredibly useful. I prefer using Googles apps instead. Video calls are the only thing Id use the front-facing cameras for since Im not exactly a fan of taking selfies with a tablet especially one this gigantic. The Tab S8 Ultra gives you much more screen space, but the iPad Pro has a more manageable size for portable use and more affordable accessories. But if you can stomach the price, youll find the peripheral indispensable. Terms of use
Frankly, all of the Tab S8 series are too expensive to buy just for casual streaming. On the back, youll find 13MP and 6MP cameras. Clearly, the Tab S8 Ultras massive screen sucks up a lot of power. Ive used Android tablets for years and found the Tab S8 Ultra with its Android 12 operating system as snappy and responsive as Im used to. Accessories:S Pen stylus included Creatives will make good use of the S Pen, especially with such a large canvas to work on. Or, you can use Samsung's DeX Mode to rely on a traditional desktop UI instead of Android, so long as you have a mouse and keyboard to connect to it. I used the front-facing cameras in our well-lit office and was impressed by the quality. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you see any wrong or incomplete data, please, Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review: Notch your average tablet, Under-Display Face ID set to debut on the iPad Pro, Amazon has the 2021 Motorola Edge on sale at a lower than Prime Day price, Excellent new deal knocks Samsung's old Galaxy S20 FE 5G down to an irresistible price, Chromecast with Google TV finally streams live Nest Doorbell camera video feed, Prediction: the iPhone mini is not dead, it will rise from the ashes, T-Mobile is cooking up yet another fee increase (that's totally not a price hike), China's largest foundry raises alarm with production of basic 7nm SoCs, US carriers turn their backs on one of Samsung's most popular and fairly recent phone, T-Mobile vs Verizon vs AT&T: first-ever '5G Enhanced' speed tests yield surprising results, Study compares Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to medical-grade equipment, Pixel 6A: Another missed opportunity for Google sets the stage for Nothing Phone to shine bright, FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SM8450 (4 nm), Octa-core, 1x 3.00GHz Cortex-X2 + 3x 2.50GHz Cortex-A710 + 4x 1.80GHz Cortex-A510, 3840x2160 (4K UHD) (60 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (30 fps), 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches (326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm), 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac, ax (Wi-Fi 6); Wi-Fi Direct. Our tablets Senior Editor recently described how he uses the Tab S8 Ultra in day-to-day life, from Steam Link and xCloud gaming to photo editing and video meetings. Samsung Flow is a standout piece of software that allows you to transfer files between Samsung devices and to PCs. For some people, this screen will simply be too big. Seriously, dont even consider it unless your backpack has space or theres room on your desk for this monster. Theres also a microSD card slot near the bottom right side, though youll need to use the included tool to open the compartment housing the slot. Android Central is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Coverage
By There are certainly reasons why you might like a slate as gigantic as this. Home
All cameras can record video at up to 4K resolution and at 60 frames per second. Still, it's actually thinner than the Tab S8 and isn't nearly as ungainly as the Ultra. All three devices launched with One UI 4.1 based on Android 12. At 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a gargantuan tablet. So you can look at it as saving money on newer devices. New York, If youre invested in Samsungs ecosystem, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is worth considering if you can afford it. This is a huge tablet, theres no way around that fact, and depending on your gadget preferences thats either a major selling point or an insurmountable issue thatll put you off. Anyone who has used a Galaxy Tab S7 or Tab S7+ will find that their 2022 counterparts look and feel remarkably similar. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a suite of note-taking options. I use Samsung tablets and phones almost exclusively but have almost never used any of the companys pre-installed software. I found the latest iteration of the operating system functional. Privacy
Whatever multitasking method you prefer, Samsung's software may support it. While our testing revealed the Tab S8 Ultra's battery life can't match the competition, the tablet lasted long enough to get me through a normal workday. Android has issues as a tablet operating system. Please refresh the page and try again. However, the Book Cover Keyboard isnt on par with the Apple Magic Keyboard. However, it couldnt match the iPad Air 4s impressive 4,262 score. The Tab S8 Ultras speakers get reasonably loud when you crank the volume up to max. All three tablets offer 45W charging, so you'll want a charging block and cable capable of hitting that mark. You can't necessarily go wrong with any of the Galaxy Tab S8s, given all three have the same processor, high-resolution displays with smooth 120Hz refresh rates, quad stereo speakers, comparably high battery lives, and low-latency S Pens. It's certainly a device we enjoy using. The back of the Tab S8 Ultra has rear-facing cameras and a magnetic strip to hold the S pen. We didnt try. If you're in the market for one of the best Android tablets, we've labeled the three Galaxy Tab S8 models as the top three available across all brands. 2960 x 1848 pixels That does mean the Ultra has a small notch for the selfie cameras, but in most cases, you won't find it particularly noticeable. Its hard to contextualize this compared to previous Galaxy tablets, because this is the first Ultra one, but perhaps the iPad Pro (2021) 12.9-inch is the best comparison - for a Wi-Fi-only 128GB storage model, it starts at $1,099 / 999 / AU$1,799 (so the same cost, except in Australia). Something we enjoyed about the tablet was its speakers - there are four, with great bass and treble. When we put the tablet through a Geekbench 5 multi-core test, it returned a score of 3,279, which is pretty commendable, though weve seen higher scores from Android phones. Because the kickstand on the Book Cover Keyboard is so thin, it can sometimes be difficult to prop the tablet up without it falling over due to its size. The Tab S8 Ultra has two front-facing 12MP cameras capable of shooting regular and ultrawide shots. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra with Book Cover Keyboard. You have lots of video calls Do not sell my data, The devices our readers are most likely to research together with Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, Samsung US offers deals on Galaxy flagship phones and tablets, Samsung US drops the Galaxy S22 Ultra price by $125 for Father's day, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra survives durability test, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series also banned from Geekbench, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra - user opinions and reviews, HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100, 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in), Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro), 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density), Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm), Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510), 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0m, AF, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N. Youre on a budget Per our charging speed test using the tablets included 45W charger, the Tab S8 Ultra charged up to 15% in 20 minutes and 41% in 30 minutes. There are quite a few configurations depending on storage, RAM and connectivity, and you can see the prices for all of them below: Not all variants of the tablet are going on sale in all regions, so if you see a gap in the above graph, that's why. Theres also a three-pin connector at the bottom which is used for accessories. New York, Movies look phenomenal on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra's display. If youre excited at the thought of this massive 14.6-inch display, youll love the experience of using it. The cheaper Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8+ have the same rear cameras, but the Ultra is the only one with two cameras on the front. Ports:USB-C, microSD With a resolution of 1848 x 2960, images are sharp, though we should point out that the pixel-per-inch count is lower than on the other Tab S8 members, at just 240ppi. But if you like Samsungs software then youll be happy with the offerings on the Tab S8 Ultra. This size is great for watching movies, sketching, working - everything, really. By If you want something for streaming content in bed, the smallest tablet may be your best bet. This model is restricted to 128GB of storage, but you can always augment it with the 1TB microSD card slot. Storage:128GB/256GB/512GB But beyond its monstrous size, the Tab S8 Ultra has enough power packed into its thin chassis to potentially turn it into a laptop replacement. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Tab S7 or Tab S7+ owners may be wondering if it's worth upgrading to the Tab S8, given how similar they look and perform to one another. But if you don't own either tablet and you spot the Tab S7(+) on sale, we strongly recommend any of the Tab S8 series as a new purchase. The large keyboard feels good to type on and gave my big hands enough space to move. Tom Bedford Its screen is bright and vibrant and makes whatever youre looking at from YouTube videos, streaming content and games look absolutely stunning. Amazon Drive closes its doors in 2023, company to 'fully focus' on Amazon Photos, Best Samsung Galaxy S22 deals and prices of July 2022. You can slide the borders between the apps to give one more space than the rest. 120Hz Refresh rate. The back of the slate is coated in glass. In terms of what hasn't changed, the Tab S8 and S7 share the same display resolution and brightness, battery size though the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will be more efficient than the older Snapdragon 865+ charging speed, quad speakers, expandable storage, and weight. Galaxy Tab S8 screen protectors or Tab S8 Ultra screen protectors will ensure your visual experience on the tablet isn't ruined without disrupting your S Pen responsiveness. Im not artistically inclined but I found scribbling notes to be rather enjoyable. Battery life I couldve forgiven the kickstand's finicky nature if the peripheral was priced lower, but for $349, I expect a product on par with Apple's Magic Keyboard. We wouldnt be surprised if people opt for the Galaxy Tab S8 or S8 Plus instead, as their main differences are simply their 11-inch and 12.4-inch displays ( there are other small changes too). One UI 4 on the Galaxy Tab S8 offers a new tool to "split your screen into three windows with four layout options, and even adjust to the exact height, size, and layout you need for any given task.". The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset - thats the top-end chip used by Android devices at the time of the tablets release, and its also used in the standard and Plus slates. Youll find the power and volume buttons along the right side of the slate. Performance, specs and cameras Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Is that enough of a change to recommend buying the newer model? Its not better than previous versions, nor is it worse. He is based in London, UK. If you were to buy the same model yourself, it'd cost you a cool $1,399 plus $349 for the keyboard. Price is another factor. The 12.4-inch Tab S8+ nearly matches most laptops in display size, giving you enough room to work without straining your eyes. So there are plenty of reasons to opt for the tablet, especially if you want one of the best Android tablets and money is no object. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Tony is a computing writer at Toms Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. We can safely say that, if youre in the first camp, this is a great tablet for you - if youre in the second, youll hate it. The software here is Android 12, with Samsungs OneUI laid over the top. While its screen size and processing power certainly make it seem like a laptop in everything but name, the Android operating system isnt up to par with Windows or macOS. Both the Galaxy Tab S8 and S8+ have the exact same dimensions, weight, display quality, magnetic S Pen strips, and stylistic etchings along the back edges as their predecessors. Versions: Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Wi-Fi SM-X900; Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra 5G SM-X906, Disclaimer. After you open one app, simply drag the S Pen to reveal the taskbar, then plop a second (or third) app onto the display to split up the screen space between them. TechRadar is supported by its audience. I also received Tab S8 Ultra notifications on my PC and vice versa, which is a neat and handy feature. The tablet was unveiled on February 9, 2022 and went on sale on February 25, 2022. You dont want a huge portable screen Theres no doubt about it, this is an expensive tablet, and you should only consider buying it if you have serious cash to spend. The refresh rate is 120Hz, which makes motion seem smooth, and this will be particularly useful for gamers as lots of popular titles offer 120Hz modes. Though its difficult holding it in one hand, it's comfortable holding it with two hands. It feels like itd be easy to snap the tablet in half with your bare hands. With the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, we can see that someone at Samsung has watched Spinal Tap because the company has really taken the popular line turn it up to 11 to heart. Visible: Which is best for you? There was a problem. ), I was stoked to get my hands on the Tab S8 Ultra. The screen uses AMOLED tech so the colors are bold and contrast is stark, which will prove particularly useful for creatives who need good color accuracy or work with visuals for their job. Configurations featuring 12GB of RAM / 256GB of storage and 16GB of memory / 512GB of space are currently sold out. NY 10036. Today's best Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra deals, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. However, if you frequently use laptops, youll find DeX mode lacking. But can the Tab S8 Ultra actually become your primary work machine? Tello vs. This is a stylus that works a lot like the Apple Pencil (and you dont need to buy it separately). Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, In fact, we had trouble running the thing down in order to conduct our charging tests. Design Contact us
Theres one screen element that is almost unknown in the tablet world, and thats a notch, which houses the two front-facing cameras. Reviews
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Or, you can pin a small pop-up app above another full-screen app, then minimize that app when you're done with it. This 14.6-inch beast is easily one of the largest tablets weve ever reviewed. Alongside the familiar 11-inch LCD Galaxy Tab S8 and 12.4-inch AMOLED Galaxy Tab S8+, the new Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a new 14.6-inch behemoth with the highest screen-to-body ratio we've seen in a tablet and a tiny notch that shouldn't affect your browsing experience. Price and availability