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Contents
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Features -
Included in the box -
Design: high-end and elegant -
Display: AMOLED Overload -
S Pen: additional utility -
Software bridging the gap -
Performance: smooth expected -
Camera: it’s there if you need it -
Battery life: long life -
Our opinion -
How long will it last? -
What are some of the alternatives?
When it comes to the best tablets, it’s really hard to look at anything other than Apple’s iPads. Not only are there high-end models with great specs and features like the iPad Pro series, but Apple serves the entry-level market well with its standard iPad lineup. Add to that the unwavering support of third parties, both hardware manufacturers and software developers, it’s no wonder iPads are coveted.
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I explained in detail why Android tablets are in decline. Even though my feelings haven’t changed much since I made that claim, I can at least say with confidence that Samsung continues to be the only competitor to keep pace with Apple’s innovations. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ is one of three new tablets introduced by the company this year and it is making quite the impression. Read on for my full Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ review below.
Buy: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ $842.74 (original $899.99) 6% off
Buy: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ $899.99
Features
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Dimensions: 11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 inches
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Mass: 1.27 pounds
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Display: 12.4-inch 2800 x 1752 Super AMOLED
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Operating system: Android 12
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CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (SM8450)
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RAM: 8 GB
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Storage: 128 GB
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Battery: 10,090mAh
Included in the box
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Galaxy Tab S8+
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S-stylus
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data cable
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Eject pin
Design: high-end and elegant
As you’d imagine, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ is a premium-looking tablet that’s attractive with its metal chassis, slim profile, and lightweight feel. The harsh lines and edges don’t make it the most ergonomic to hold in the hand, but the design is still far more attractive than 90% of the other tablets you’ll find on the market. If there’s one complaint I have about the design, it has to be the way the antenna lines on the back stand out.
Beyond that, I have to commend Samsung for including the S Pen – rather than making it a separate accessory you should buy. There’s an area on the back where it magnetically rests and charges its battery when not in use, but I wish the area was set back a bit to better store the S Pen.
If you really want more utility with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+, I suggest getting the optional $160 Slim Book Cover keyboard that doubles as a folio case and keyboard. Not only do I like the way it protects the tablet, but it turns it into a kind of convertible laptop, with touch sensitive keys and even a better place to put the S Pen.
Display: AMOLED Overload
Samsung makes some of the best displays in the mobile space, and they bring that level of quality to the Galaxy Tab S8+ and its generous 12.4-inch 2800 x 1752 Super AMOLED. No matter how I looked at it, the colors were always rich and retained their vibrant tones from every angle. The display managed to hit 861 lux using a light meter in direct sunlight, which is exceptionally bright. Couple that with its superior detail and clarity thanks to its 226 PPI pixel density, the display is a showcase in its own right.
S Pen: additional utility
Going beyond the functions of what you would find in a regular tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ benefits from the features that come with its S Pen. Sure, I found myself using my fingers more often to interact with the tablet, but I enjoy the pen and paper experience.
It is precise and pressure sensitive which is perfect for those with artistic skills. Even though that’s not me, I found it more convenient with other things like signing PDFs and taking quick notes.
Software bridging the gap
Don’t get me wrong, there are still annoyances with the Android tablet that puzzle me to this day. Take, for example, the Instagram app, which for Android continues to frustrate me because it only supports portrait view. While there are still nuances and quirks with experience, Samsung has shown me that it’s making progress in bridging that functional gap between tablets and laptops.
Samsung’s One UI running on Android 12 will suffice for most people, but power users will love some of the desktop goodness with Samsung DeX. Indeed, it emulates the traditional desktop experience with features like true landscape support (Instagram works that way), side-by-side apps, and the ability to use peripherals like mice and laptops. wireless keyboards. It doesn’t offer 100% of the same functionality I get from my MacBook Pro or Windows 11 laptop, but it’s useful nonetheless.
I also loved using it as secondary screen with my laptop, which was done wirelessly with nothing more than the casting feature of Windows 11. Features like these have certainly added much-needed utilities to Android tablets.
Performance: smooth expected
As you can imagine, the Galaxy Tab S8+ performed flawlessly in my long-term testing. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform and is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM. Basic tasks came with quick and smooth responses, but it also managed to handle graphically intensive games with ease.
Camera: it’s there if you need it
I’ve never been one to use a tablet to capture photos and video, but if you have to (or maybe it’s the only thing at hand) you’ll find it’s more than equipped for the task. Armed with a dual camera setup (13MP and 6MP), I was able to get the best results in sunny outdoor conditions. When there’s not a lot of light, that’s when details have become softer and noise is more prevalent in the shadows.
In all fairness, you can get some great shots from this setup, including selfies and portraits that did a good job of blurring the background and keeping faces focused. While it won’t replace a smartphone in most cases, it’s still useful when there’s nothing else around.
On the video side, it can record up to UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30 fps. Again, it’s most effective when there’s enough light around. Other than that, I wouldn’t find much use for it. Then again, it might seem somewhat obnoxious to lift such a massive thing to record video.
Battery life: long life
Somehow, inside its skinny profile, Samsung managed to squeeze a 10,090 mAh battery into this tablet. Using it religiously in my long-term testing, I often saw its battery life at around 50% each night. It’s a welcome relief because no one wants another gadget charging overnight.
On the other hand, it managed to recharge fairly quickly with a 65W wall charger. It took 171 minutes to go from 1% capacity to 100%. Considering its capacity, it’s still incredibly fast for a tablet.
Our opinion
Just to reiterate, Samsung is honestly the only manufacturer dedicated to making high-end Android tablets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ is further proof of this. In fact, I’d say it offers more value and versatility than the iPad Pro because it comes with the S Pen, at $899.99, versus the 12.9-inch iPad Pro without Apple Pencil at $1,099. $.
It’s still an investment no matter how you look at it, especially when usable tablets hover around $500. But given how well it bridges that gap between tablet and laptop, I’d go so far as to say it’s a fair trade-off.
So should you buy it?
You bet. From its stunning display, expansive features, and included S Pen, this device has a lot of value.
Advantages
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Big and beautiful AMOLED screen
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Samsung DeX adds desktop-like features
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Can be used as a second screen
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S Pen continues to add utility
The inconvenients
Buy: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ $842.74 (original $899.99) 6% off
Buy: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ $899.99
How long will it last?
Unless you abuse the tablet, it should hold up just fine. In the event of a defect, there is a one-year limited warranty provided by Samsung that will cover it.
What are some of the alternatives?
There aren’t many high-end tablets that consumers are familiar with outside of the iPad Pro range, but here are some alternatives.
Lenovo P12 Pro Tab
The only one that closely matches Samsung’s offering is Lenovo’s Tab P12 Pro, which features a gorgeous 12.6-inch 2K AMOLED display and premium design, and comes with the Lenovo Precision Pen 3.
Buy: Lenovo Tab P12 Pro $757.98
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
If you really want to condense everything into a single package, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is your best bet given that it’s a full-fledged convertible that runs Windows 11 for all your productivity needs.
Buy: Microsoft Surface Pro $8,879.99
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)
And yes, the most recent version of the Apple iPad Pro is a direct competitor, but don’t forget that you will have to spend the extra money to buy the Apple Pencil 2.
Buy: Apple iPad Pro 12.9 $999.00
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