Many premium tablet makers have left the market in the wake of the iPad Pro’s success, but Samsung has persisted, helping to keep the Android flame alive. And the company is doing it in style with its Galaxy Tab S8 series, particularly with its Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+ offering.
With the Galaxy Tab S8, Samsung is taking a new approach. It has now expanded the Tab S8 line to include three distinct devices, rather than just two. As a result, users can pick from three different Galaxy Tab S8 models: the Tab S8, the Tab S8+, and the Tab S8 Ultra.
No doubt, Samsung is making serious efforts to displace Apple’s newest iPad Pro as the best tablet on the market. But, is it really able to compete with iPad through Tab S8 and S8+? Do you think these new Samsung devices pack a solid punch? Let’s find out.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tab S8 | Tab S8+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 507g | 572g |
| Size in inches | 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 | 11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 |
| Screen size | 11 inches | 12.4 inches |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels | 2800 x 1752 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Primary Camera | Dual 13-megapixel | Dual 13-megapixel |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Battery | 8,000mAh | 10,090mAh |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+: What’s the Difference?
It is a toss-up between the good old Tab S8 and the Tab S8+. There is some duplication of functionality, but there are also major enhancements. These new models provide plenty of tempting features, such as a more powerful octa-core CPU, enhanced video conferencing, and more.
Yes, you will notice a number of similar features, but there are still distinctions between the two, with the Galaxy Tab S8+ made distinguishable by its larger battery and display. But even if you take the iPad out of the picture, you will still have to compare the two carefully to decide which one offers better value for your money.
Let’s put these devices head-to-head to see how they stack up against one another in terms of displays, software, hardware, cameras, and overall performance.
Design
- Includes Samsung's DeX feature for a desktop-like experience
- S Pen included
- Screen: 11-inch, type: LCD
- 4K camera
- Graphite
Although the Tab S8+ is larger, it is easy to see that Samsung kept the same design language for both tablets. They have a sleek, bezel-free, edge-to-edge display and a minimalist back characterized by a black magnetic strip for docking the S-Pen.
Visually, these tablets look pretty much identical. However, the Tab S8+ is somewhat heavier (by just over 60g), which may make it slightly more tiring to use for long periods of time. It is worth mentioning that both tablets have aluminum enclosures, making them quite sturdy.
But, keep in mind that neither has an IP rating, so you should avoid getting them wet. Still, in terms of construction, Samsung has certainly managed to outdo Apple with these devices. They include an expansion slot for microSD cards and the USB Type-C slot.
Unfortunately, these phones are more slippery than ever, so you will probably need to hide their beautiful design under a case. Each phone still has underwhelming mono speakers, and the fingerprint reader is in an awkward spot by the back camera, making it difficult to use. This was obviously a last-second change.
Display
The primary distinction between the two tablets is the size of their screens. The S8 has an 11-inch display, whereas the S8+ comes with a 12.4-inch display. The Plus variant is aimed at the middle of the market and features the same gorgeous Super AMOLED technology as its larger sibling, S8 Ultra, but at a lower resolution of 2800 by 1752.
There isn’t much of a difference when you compare the display size of the S8 and S8+. The resolution also improves with increasing size, so you will get a clear picture no matter which option you go with. That said, the Tab S8+ clearly provides a slightly better result.
Moreover, the S8+ still has a higher resolution, so you can view more information at once while accessing the internet, using apps, or merely adjusting the device’s settings. It is also helpful for performing multiple tasks at once.
Although the two models’ displays are different in terms of size and panel technology, they both have 120Hz refresh rates enabling fluid page navigation and seamless video playback. One considerable difference is that the Plus variant has a fingerprint scanner on display, while the cheaper Standard S8 makes do with a scanner on the power button.
Chipset
The octa-core processor in both devices is 4 nanometers in size. As is typical with Samsung products, the chip you receive will depend on where you live. Tab S8 tablets sold in the United States are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 1 processors, whereas international models will use Samsung’s own Exynos 2200 CPUs.
The upgraded silicon appears to provide the S8 with a sizable increase in power over the already respectable speed of the Galaxy Tab S7. The new chips are expected to support ray tracing, which will improve lighting in games, making them better devices for gaming fans.
Both tabs can do a lot thanks to their powerful processors. Browsing the internet, viewing videos, and interacting on social media are some of the most frequent ways most people put their tablets to use, and they both perform exceptionally well here. In fact, the chipset also makes it possible to handle the tougher stuff, like photo editing, multitasking, and gaming.
Storage
Just as with any other tablet, it is important to consider the available internal storage. The storage capacities of both tablets are up to 256GB, and 8GB of RAM is standard across all variants. The good news is that the size of RAM will remain constant regardless of the size of the internal storage you select.
Performance
Because of the same processors and RAM, you will not notice a great deal of disparity in the performance of both these tablets. Both run on the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU, which is capable of extremely quick calculations thanks to its usage of 4nm transistors.
Moreover, it is equipped with 8GB of RAM, so you can run many programs simultaneously and still get everything done. The iris scanner performs quite well on both the S8 and S8+.
That said, it performs exceptionally well (nearly instantly) when it does operate, but it can be tricked by extremes of brightness and darkness. On the other hand, it is accurate 90% of the time, which means the poorly placed fingerprint sensors only need to be stretched occasionally.
Operating System
Speaking of performance, you have to consider the operating system. Both the S8 and S8+ tablets run Android 12, with OneUI 4 on top. Among the many Android skins available now, OneUI stands out for its ability to improve upon the stock Android interface with bold, visually appealing icons, well-organized menus, and extensive personalization options.
- Work and play with the blazing fast speed of Wi-Fi 6E -- 3x faster than the previous generation of Wi-Fi
- Get more enjoyment out of every moment with a big 12.4 inch sAMOLED screen and high resolution
- Record super clear video in 4K and great photos with an ultra-wide front camera with auto framing
- Inspire your imagination with our included S Pen - it's more responsive than ever and feels even more like a real pen
- Do more on the go with enhanced productivity capabilities, like Samsung DeX and Microsoft 365 integration, that give you a PC experience, wherever you happen to be
- Graphite
Samsung’s One UI has replaced the cluttered TouchWiz interface, and it is much easier to use. It is not quite as close to plain Android as OnePlus’ OxygenOS, but it also does not get in the way, and it adds a touch of Samsung flavor.
We appreciate that One UI does not come with extraneous or unnecessary software. However, the pre-installed applications do have some overlap. The S8 comes preloaded with a variety of useful apps from both Samsung and Google.
The Google Play Store and Samsung’s very own Galaxy Apps Store are both examples of such app markets. These apps are similar in that they both allow you to update and install new ones and share several apps.
Charging
Despite having USB-C 45-watt fast charging, both these tabs do not support wireless or reverse wireless charging. On the other hand, they can pool energy to power up multiple gadgets.
It is important for consumers to know that Samsung has not included a charger in the package, which is pretty much becoming the norm. This means that if you do not already have a spare lying around, be sure to add that to your budget before purchasing a Samsung device.
Camera
There is no discernible difference between the two camera setups. The primary camera has 13 megapixels and the secondary stands at 6mp. And on the front, you’ll find a 12mp camera setup.
Both Galaxy Tab S8 and S8+ have an auto-framing function that follows the subject around and automatically zooms in and out as necessary. You will certainly like this feature if you like making video calls but do not want to be glued to your tab.
Other than this feature, you would not find much to love about the cameras on these tablets. That said, both devices take respectable photographs with their wide-angle lenses, delivering images with adequate detail and well-balanced tones.
You’ll witness all this only in sufficient natural light. Moreover, the ultrawide rear lens is not as practical as the ultrawide lenses on modern smartphones, so consumers will probably not be making heavy use of it.
The 12MP ultrawide selfie lens performs admirably for FaceTime and other video chats. If you intend to use it for professional photography, however, you will find that the lens is not as good as those found on Samsung’s smartphones.
The same can be said for the front-facing selfie camera, which is also fully adequate for FaceTime and similar uses, but do not expect much. When compared to the cameras on Samsung’s smartphones, it quickly becomes clear that the selfie camera on both these tablets falls short when used for serious photography.
Battery Life
In terms of battery, it should come as no surprise that the Ultra has a larger battery than the other variants. Its 11,200mAh battery, which Samsung says may serve you well with 14 hours of video playback, is the largest of any of the available options.
Samsung claims that the S8 can run for 15 hours of video playback on a single charge, and it is pretty much understandable considering its less demanding screen. However, it is still impressive because it has the smallest battery of 8,000mAh.
On the other hand, the S8+ is likely to last 13 hours on its 10,090mAh battery; slightly less than the Ultra but still quite impressive. Thankfully, unlike Apple, Samsung lets you expand the internal storage through microSD cards. You can use the card slot to add up to 1TB to the internal storage, which should be more than enough for most people.
You can use this extra space to store files, or you can transfer numerous apps from the device’s internal memory to the micro-SD card. Although not every app will be compatible, you can easily transfer several sizable games and apps with no problems and no discernible slowdown.
Special Features
Both Samsung tabs offer some additional features as well. Unlike previous generations, in which only the more expensive Plus model came with a stylus, both tablets ship with one. This is obviously a fantastic improvement, and the inclusion of the pen greatly expands the usefulness of both tablets as work tools.
By the way, the S-Pen is Bluetooth-enabled, which means you can now use the camera, media playback, and a few other features using gestures. Smart Screen Capture is particularly great, especially with its annotatable, scrolling, and even gif captures.
But, you will also like Samsung’s “Desktop Experience” (DeX). The Tab S8 takes on the characteristics of a Chromebook when DeX is activated and a mouse, keyboard, or trackpad is connected. When DeX is turned on, the user is presented with a desktop environment, complete with separate windows and a mouse cursor.
To provide the best possible multitasking experience, users are free to launch several programs simultaneously and adjust the size and placement of their individual windows. Users have the ability to pin apps to the taskbar and quickly retrieve recently used programs. It is just as simple to store files on the desktop.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The Galaxy Tab S8 family offers four unique multi-window designs, making it better than the S7 line’s uniform layouts.
- The S8+ comes with larger 12.4-in high-resolution 120Hz AMOLED displays, making multi-tasking a breeze without straining your eyes.
- The S8 line works great to run bandwidth-intensive apps in real time, thanks to its improved Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor.
- The S Pen on the S8 and S8+ is significantly quicker than before, with speeds of 2.8ms and nearly zero latency.
- The Tab S8+ offers impressive connectivity features, supporting 5G and Wi-Fi 6 for a faster and more secure connection.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Vs S8 +: Which One Is Better?
Each successive generation of Samsung’s Tab devices further blurs the distinction between laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks, and they are unquestionably the finest Android tablets to date. At least that is what you can witness with the most recent Tab lineup, where the top-tier S8 Ultra appears to be a genuine PC replacement.
It means going for Tab S8 Ultra would definitely be a good idea, but if you are on a tight budget and really have to choose between the S8 and S8+, the Plus variant may look like the better choice. Though it is a close call, the S8+ is the superior device.
The display is the primary differentiator between the two, and that is especially true given that many people use tablets to watch movies and TV shows. And it really helps when you also consider that the Plus version comes with a larger battery. But, do not just base your decision on a larger battery because the smaller battery of the S8 is just perfect for its smaller screen size, which is why it sometimes lasts longer.
The reality is that both tablets provide identically high-quality functionality, a sleek design, highly stable software, and a few handy extras. You can save yourself some dough by choosing the great Tab S8 rather than the more expensive Tab S8+ if you are not too concerned about the difference in screen quality between the two.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Framesira/Shutterstock.com.
