Samsung’s commitment to tabs hasn’t wavered since its first lineup of tablets. The Galaxy Tab S series emerged from the chaotic Android tablet landscape with Samsung taking the lead in creating a tablet experience that made a difference. More recently, the Galaxy Tab S7 series took a sharp focus on bringing a seamless, multi-device experience with other Galaxy devices. The newly announced Galaxy Tab S8 series takes that focus and turns things up to a 20.
For the first time, Samsung announced not one, two but three tablets: the Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8+ and Tab S8 Ultra. The new lineup takes a sharp focus on enhancing the experience that the Galaxy Tab S7 series brought when it came to multitasking and productivity and turns it up a notch for a more hybridized life with work from anywhere.
Technologically Packed for a Future of Hybrid Living
The Tab S8 series comes with the same 4nm processors used in the S22 series and the same enhanced S Pen from the S22 Ultra. Of course, it goes without saying that the size of the S Pen is larger than the one on the Ultra. With up to 16GB of RAM on the Tab S8 Ultra and up to 12GB of RAM on the Tab S8 and S8+, the new lineup should be able to handle nearly anything you throw at it. It also has up to 256GB of internal memory with support for additional memory via a microSD card.
The new tablets share the same build DNA as the Galaxy S22 series. It is made of armour aluminium for added strength and rigidity. The Tab S8+ and S8 Ultra come with a Super AMOLED display with support for up to a 120Hz refresh rate. The former has a 12.4-inch display while the latter comes with a humungous 14.6-inch display. The Tab S8 comes with a smaller 11-inch LTPS TFT display which supports the same 120 Hz refresh rate.
When it comes to the cameras, the tablets come with the same dual-camera setup across the board. The main sensor is a 13-megapixel sensor with autofocus. This is complemented with a 6-megapixel ultra-wide sensor. The cameras are built to help with content creation and also video calls. The focus on video calls is most apparent in the dual-camera setup on the front of the Galaxy Tab S8+. The setup consists of two 12-megapixel sensors: a wide and ultra-wide one. On the Tab S8 and S8+, this is a single 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. However, both versions are augmented with software features that try to enhance the video calling experience.
The tablets promise all-day battery life with their large batteries. The Tab S8 comes with an 8,000mAh battery while the S8+ comes with a 10,090mAh and the Ultra comes with a larger 11,200mAh. The tablets support 45W fast charging which allows them to get a full charge in 90 mins.
Software Features that Make Sense
While the hardware may differ slightly in the Galaxy Tab S8 series, they all come with the same One UI 4 interface. The interface is built on Android 12 and brings a level of customizability that One UI has never had before. Everything from icons to colour accents on the interface can be changed.
Of course, a Samsung tablet experience would be incomplete without Samsung DeX. This interface allows the Tab S8 series to look and feel more like a laptop computer. The new Tab S8 series brings an updated version of DeX that will support more apps in windowed mode and work seamlessly across multiple Galaxy devices.
Samsung has also upped the ante when it comes to integration with other platforms particularly Windows. The Tab S8 series can function as an additional display when you’re using your Windows laptop. That said, it brings its own productivity features with enhancements brought by One UI 4. With One UI 4, you will be able to use up to three apps simultaneously in split-screen mode with the ability to shift and resize as needed.
The Galaxy Tab S8 series also comes with three mics for a better, more optimised video call experience. The mics work simultaneously with AI algorithms to cancel ambient noise and enhance your voice when on video calls. You’ll also be able to focus on your call as the camera also comes with Auto Framing which detects and optimised the frame for up to 10 individuals within 5 meters of the camera. You can even track yourself to ensure you’re always in frame.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Tab S8 series will be available starting on February 10, 2022. The Galaxy Tab S8 and S8+ will be available in Silver, Graphite and Pink Gold. The S8 Ultra will be available only in Graphite.
The Tab S8 is priced starting from USD$699 (MYR2,925.45) while the Tab S8+ will start from USD$899 (MYR3,762.48) and the Ultra will be priced from USD$1,099 (MYR4,599.52).
In Malaysia, the Galaxy Tab S8 series will be priced as follows:
| Model | RRP | Memory & Storage | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra | RM5,899 | 12GB + 256GB | Graphite |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ | RM4,599 | 8GB + 256GB | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | RM3,299 | 8GB + 128GB | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
