Skip to main content

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 and S8 Plus have few compromises

After months of rumors, speculation, and leaks, Samsung has finally revealed its new Galaxy Tab S8 lineup at Samsung Unpacked. As we’ve been expecting, the trio of new tablets includes the Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, with the latter bringing some hefty upgrades over the two smaller and more affordable models. The S8 and S8 Plus provide plenty of power in an attractive package, though, for those who don’t need the Ultra’s considerably larger screen and internal storage space.

Same internals, different sizes

Galaxy Tab S8 Plus on carpet.
Ajay Kumar/Digital Trends / Digital Trends

The Galaxy Tab S8 and S8 Plus are primarily differentiated by their screen and battery sizes. The S8 features an 11-inch LED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, while the S8 Plus ups the ante with a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2800 x 1752. Both screens provide a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and reduced eye fatigue. The devices come with fast-charging capabilities using USB Type-C 3.2, but the former brings with it an 8,000mAh battery, while the latter rocks an upgraded 10,090mAh to help power its larger screen.

Recommended Videos

Otherwise, the S8 and S8 Plus come packing a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 octa-core processor and 8GB RAM, which should ensure rock-solid performance for daily use. Storage options include 128GB or 256GB, though both tablets support additional microSD cards up to 1TB for expansion. Both also come with Wi-Fi 6E (2.4/5/6GHz) and Bluetooth 5.2.

Galaxy Tab S8 Plus with S Pen cover.
Ajay Kumar/Digital Trends

The back of the Tab S8 and S8 Plus offer dual cameras, including a 13MP main shooter with autofocus and 4K video capabilities, as well as a 6MP ultrawide sensor. Meanwhile, the devices’ front-facing 12MP ultrawide sensor should make videoconferencing a breeze, though they’re less capable than the dual sensors on the S8 Ultra. Automatic framing for up to 10 subjects is available, too, though doing so steps the resolution down to Full HD at 30 frames per second.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Lastly, one of the biggest questions looming over Samsung’s newest tablets has been whether they would support the S Pen, and the answer is not only yes, but it so happens that the company is packing one in with every model in the S8 lineup, meaning you can use any of the slates for taking notes and productivity tasks.

Software and authentication

Galaxy Tab S8 vertical scrolling.
Ajay Kumar/Digital Trends

The Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus unsurprisingly launch with Android 12. Authentication options for both devices include using a pin/pattern, face recognition, or the built-in fingerprint scanner. Note, however, that the fingerprint scanner is on the power button for the S8, while it’s embedded in the display on the S8 Plus.

Pricing and availability

The Galaxy Tab S8 starts at $700 for the 128GB model, while the S8 Plus starts at $900. Pre-orders start today, and Samsung is including a free keyboard cover with all orders.

Billy Givens
Billy Givens is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience writing gaming, film, and tech content. He started as a…
Samsung’s next budget phone will charge faster than the Galaxy S25
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S25.

Budget smartphones tend to draw less charging power than their flagship counterparts, leading to a long charging time. However, the FCC confirmed that Samsung's upcoming affordable offer, the Samsung Galaxy A56, will charge a little bit faster than the Samsung Galaxy S25.

Per a report from GSMArena, the FCC confirmed in a leaked document that the Galaxy A56 will support 45-watt charging, which might help it charge a little quicker than the Galaxy S25. This comes from the "status information" screenshot showing that the budget Galaxy model is rated for 10 volts at 4.5 amps, directly translating it to 45W of battery charging power.

Read more
Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 have an SD card slot?
Samsung Galaxy S25 rear

The Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra do not have SD card slots. In fact, the last Galaxy S device that had an SD card slot was the Galaxy S20; every iteration since that time has had no slot included, somewhat limiting options for expanding your phone's storage.

However, that doesn't mean there are no options at all. Though it lacks an SD card slot, the Galaxy S25 series charges through a USB-C port, and that means you can also transfer data that way. Let's take a look at what you can do to circumvent the lack of an SD card, and why the default storage on the devices is enough to make additional storage unnecessary for most people.
Cloud storage options
Like Apple, Samsung has its own cloud storage option in the Samsung Cloud, but this is for keeping your settings homogenous across devices. It doesn't offer proper storage for files and images, although you can sync your Samsung Galaxy device with Microsoft OneDrive for automatic backups.

Read more
Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 have wireless charging?
Galaxy S25 series

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is set to hit showrooms worldwide soon. This lineup includes the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra, all powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. In addition, these devices will feature One UI 7 and Android 15, marking a first for Samsung.

The phones have much to offer, including sleek new designs, advanced AI features, camera upgrades, and more. With all these impressive features, you may wonder whether the phones support wireless charging.
The Galaxy S25 supports wireless charging

Read more