Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
The Verdict
Both tablets share Samsung's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and 120Hz refresh rates, but differ significantly in display technology and size. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra dominates with a stunning 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display offering 2960x1848 resolution and superior color accuracy, plus larger 11200 mAh battery capacity. Galaxy Tab S8's 11-inch LTPS LCD is respectable at 2560x1600 but lacks the AMOLED vibrancy and comes with a smaller 8000 mAh battery. Ultra model supports up to 16GB RAM versus 8GB, enabling better multitasking. S8 Ultra weighs 226g more (726g vs 503g), impacting portability. However, S8 offers exceptional value at $699,delivering 90% of the flagship experience for $400 less. Choose Ultra if you prioritize premium display quality and maximum screen real estate; select S8 for budget-conscious buyers seeking solid performance without the premium price tag.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra if…
- →Massive 14.6" Super AMOLED screen is unmatched for media and multitasking
- →S Pen included in the box with low 2.8 ms latency
- →Samsung DeX provides a desktop-like experience
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Pros
- Massive 14.6" Super AMOLED screen is unmatched for media and multitasking
- S Pen included in the box with low 2.8 ms latency
- Samsung DeX provides a desktop-like experience
- Up to 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage for power users
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and pen input
Cons
- Extremely large and heavy at 726 g — not pocketable
- Display notch is distracting on a tablet this premium
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 runs warm under sustained loads
- Android tablet app ecosystem still trails iPadOS
- $1,099+ is laptop territory pricing
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 503 g (Wi-Fi) | 726 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 15 hours video playback | Up to 14 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 8000 mAh | 11200 mAh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11 inches | 14.6 inches |
| Type | LTPS TFT LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2960 x 1848 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (Octa-core, Adreno 730) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (Octa-core, Adreno 730) |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | 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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