Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
The Verdict
Samsung's budget Tab A9+ offers solid everyday performance with its 11-inch 90Hz LCD display and Snapdragon 695 5G processor, making it practical for casual content consumption and light productivity. However, the Galaxy Tab S8 dominates with a sharper 2560x1600 LTPS display running at 120Hz, superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, included S Pen stylus, and Samsung DeX desktop integration. Battery capacity favors the Tab S8 at 8000mAh versus 7040mAh, while software receives more updates on the premium model. At $219.99, the Tab A9+ represents exceptional value for budget-conscious buyers seeking basic tablet functionality. Yet for creative professionals, content creators, or anyone demanding premium performance, the Tab S8's superior specs justify its $699 premium. Choose the A9+ for affordability; invest in the S8 for long-term capability and flagship features.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ if…
- →Affordable price under $220
- →Smooth 90Hz 11-inch display
- →Quad Dolby Atmos speakers
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
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Pros
- Affordable price under $220
- Smooth 90Hz 11-inch display
- Quad Dolby Atmos speakers
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB
- Long Samsung software support window
Cons
- No S Pen support
- Plastic build feels basic
- Only Wi-Fi 5
- Modest Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Slow 15W charging
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 | Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 480 g | 503 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 257.1 x 168.7 x 6.9 mm | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 15W fast charging | Up to 15 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 7040 mAh | 8000 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 8 MP | — |
| Front camera | 5 MP | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11 inches | 11 inches |
| Type | LCD | LTPS TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 4 GB / 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G | 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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