With sharing only one letter in their names, the Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab A8 are two very separate tablets.
The flagship offering, the Galaxy Tab S8, is one of the greatest Android tablets available right now. It was released alongside the more expensive Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra in January of this year. The Galaxy Tab A8, on the other hand, is a more affordable alternative for individuals looking for a large-screen gadget with decent multimedia features.
How do they compare to one another, and which is best for you? In this head-to-head comparison, we discover.
Galaxy Tab S8 Vs. Tab A8: Display & Performance
The Tab S8 and Tab A8 are nearly identical in size. The former has an 11-inch LCD screen, while the latter has a 10.5-inch LCD screen. However, the quality of these screens varies greatly. The Galaxy Tab S8 boasts a higher resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 and a refresh rate of 120Hz for fluid animations. In comparison, the Tab A8 features a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 and a refresh rate of 60Hz. The Tab A8’s screen is extremely nice for its low price, but the Tab S8’s is much clearer and more responsive. There are also some small design changes. The S8 is slightly larger overall, measuring 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches. The Tab A8, on the other hand, measures 9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 inches. Despite its greater size, the Tab S8 weighs somewhat less than the Tab A8 (1.10 lbs vs. 1.12 lbs).
Under the hood, the Galaxy Tab S8 has even more advantages. Qualcomm’s premium Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which also powers the Galaxy S22 series, powers the Tab S8. It can easily handle almost any program or game, especially when paired with 8GB of RAM. The inexpensive Galaxy Tab A8 is, as expected, far less powerful. It features an octa-core Unisoc T618 chipset and 3GB or 4GB of RAM. It’s sufficient for most programs and moderate gaming, but hardcore users will certainly require more performance than it provides. Similarly, the Tab A8 offers three storage capacities: 32GB, 64GB, and 128 GB. The Galaxy Tab S8 comes with 128GB or 256GB of storage.
Battery, Audio, Software
Samsung claims that the 8,000mAh battery of the Galaxy Tab S8 would last up to 15 hours of video playback or web browsing. The tablet is charged using a 45W fast charger included in the box, which can fully charge the device in an hour and 20 minutes. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab A8 has a 7,040mAh battery and a 15W charger.
Both the Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab A8 include a powerful quad-speaker configuration with Dolby Atmos surround sound compatibility for an immersive movie viewing and gaming experience.
On the software front, the Galaxy Tab S8 ships with Android 12 and One UI 4, whilst the Tab A8 ships with Android 11 and One UI 3.0. While Samsung guarantees four years of OS upgrades for the Galaxy Tab S8, it has not stated its position on the Galaxy Tab A8.
Which Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 or S8 should you purchase?
In terms of performance, display quality, cameras, and features, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is the clear victor. However, it is more expensive. The Tab S8 is the best option if you’re a power user, a gamer, or someone who needs a tablet for productivity and creativity. It also contains a S Pen, which increases productivity and creativity.
For a tablet that performs well, go with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, and for something more affordable, go with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8.
The Galaxy Tab A8, on the other hand, provides sufficient performance and features at a much lower cost. The Tab A8 starts at $229.99 for the 32GB variant, but the Tab S8 starts at $699.99. The Tab A8 will suffice for everyday work, video consumption, and light gaming if you’re a casual user or on a tight budget.
For a high-performance tablet with extensive features, go with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. If you’re searching for a more affordable choice that yet provides a satisfactory user experience, go with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8.
Conclusion
The Galaxy Tab S8, which has a luxury design and strong internals, is the company’s ultimate tablet. While Android has a long way to go before it can catch up with iPadOS, Samsung has done a remarkable job with One UI-specific software enhancements like split-screen view, Smart Switch, and DeX mode. It’s a natural opponent to the M1-powered iPad Pros. The Galaxy Tab S8 is available in Silver, Pink Gold, and Graphite color options and has a starting price of $699 for the base 8GB/128GB model. To save money, look into the best Samsung Galaxy S8 offers.