Nokia T21 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
The Verdict
Nokia T21 targets budget-conscious users, while Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 caters to those seeking premium performance. Display quality heavily favors Samsung, which offers an 11-inch LTPS TFT screen with 2560 x 1200 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate compared to Nokia's 10.4-inch IPS LCD at 2000 x 1200 and 60Hz. Performance disparity is substantial: Samsung packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor with 8GB RAM, while Nokia relies on the Unisoc T612 with 4GB RAM. Samsung's advantages extend to S Pen stylus support, USB-C 3.2 connectivity, and Wi-Fi 6E versus Nokia's USB-C 2.0 and Wi-Fi 5. Battery life claims favor Samsung at 15 hours video playback against Nokia's 10 hours browsing, though both carry similar capacity (8000 vs 8200 mAh). Nokia excels solely in value and weight (465g vs 503g). For casual browsing and media consumption on a tight budget, Nokia T21 delivers acceptable performance. However, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 justifies its $450 premium with significantly faster processing, superior display technology, stylus functionality, and better long-term software support (upgradable to One UI 6+). Choose Nokia for basic tasks and budget limitations; select Samsung for productivity, creative work, or demanding gaming.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nokia T21 if…
- →2K display at $249 is competitive for a branded tablet
- →8200 mAh battery handles a full day of mixed use
- →MicroSD expansion up to 512 GB
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 if…
- →S Pen included with 120Hz display makes note-taking excellent
- →Same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 power as the pricier S8+ and Ultra
- →Compact 11" size balances portability and screen real estate
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nokia T21
Pros
- 2K display at $249 is competitive for a branded tablet
- 8200 mAh battery handles a full day of mixed use
- MicroSD expansion up to 512 GB
- Cellular connectivity option available
- Aluminum build feels premium at the budget price
Cons
- Unisoc T612 chip is slow — noticeable lag in apps
- Android 12 with limited update commitment
- 60Hz display feels dated
- 4 GB RAM limits app switching and multitasking
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Pros
- S Pen included with 120Hz display makes note-taking excellent
- Same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 power as the pricier S8+ and Ultra
- Compact 11" size balances portability and screen real estate
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB
- Samsung DeX and multi-window for productivity
Cons
- LCD panel — lacks the AMOLED vibrancy of the S8+ and Ultra
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can run warm during gaming
- $699 is steep for an LCD tablet
- Only 8 GB RAM on all configurations
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nokia T21 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 12 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 465 g | 503 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 157.5 x 7.5 mm | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours browsing | Up to 15 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 8200 mAh | 8000 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 8 MP | — |
| Front camera | 8 MP | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 10.4 inches | 11 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | LTPS TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 2000 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Chipset | Unisoc T612 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (Octa-core, Adreno 730) |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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