Samsung's Latest Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Poses a Formidable Challenge to iPad Pro's Dominance
Samsung's latest flagship Tab S8 family has arrived, introducing the "Ultra" variant. Similar to its smartphone counterpart, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra boasts larger dimensions, increased power, and a higher price tag compared to its siblings. Marketed as a potential laptop replacement, it directly competes with Apple's iPad Pro in terms of pricing and capabilities.
At Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, the Tab S8 and Tab S8+ were also debuted. Although they fall short of the Ultra in terms of attention, they are still premium tablets in their own right. The Tab S8+ closely resembles the Ultra, while the Tab S8 can be considered an iPad Air alternative with its lower price point due to trade-offs in luxury features.
With these new releases, particularly the Ultra, Samsung is reinforcing its commitment to Android tablets and taking a risk by relying on high-end hardware and the DeX software platform to mitigate the shortcomings of the operating system, which had previously been speculated to be replaced on large-screen devices.
Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: A Laptop Alternative and iPad Pro Contender
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is equipped with innovative features, with the standout being a 14.6-inch, 2960 x 1848-pixel Super AMOLED display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate. This advanced panel technology, previously seen on the S7+ and now the S8+, is now available at this expanded size. As demonstrated in the comparison below, the S8+ outpaces the other models in terms of screen area, even surpassing the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Size comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, Tab S8+, and Tab S8. Image source: Florence Ion/Gizmodo
Due to its expanded screen size, the S8 Ultra can be rather cumbersome to handle as a tablet, measuring 12.9 x 8.2 x 0.22 inches and weighing 1.6 pounds. The increased screen real estate, however, could make this the perfect tablet for movie enthusiasts and may even surpass the iPad Pro's miniLED panel in terms of visual quality.
Samsung's rationale behind the larger screen is twofold: to enhance the immersive viewing experience and to enhance multitasking capabilities. The former is achieved not only through a larger panel but also through reduced bezels, resulting in a 6.3mm screen-to-body ratio, the highest among the lineup. This narrow frame effectively draws the eye to the screen, creating a sense of miniature cinematic experience (coincidentally, reminiscent of Samsung's previous, short-lived attempt with the Galaxy View). However, the slim frames come at the cost of a notch positioned at the top of the screen, which may irk some as a design flaw and a chance for Samsung fans to criticize Apple (thus continuing Samsung's tradition of mocking Apple's notch with its commercials).
Notch on the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. Image source: Florence Ion/Gizmodo
“With the growing reliance on videos to stay connected and entertained, a tablet’s most compelling feature is its large screen and portability,” stated TM Roh, president and head of MX Business at Samsung, in a statement announcing the new lineup. “We’ve leveraged our years of innovation in mobile experiences to refine the Galaxy Tab S8 series and push the boundaries of what’s possible on a tablet with the first Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.”
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, available only in graphite, presents itself as a premium product, and its exterior is reinforced with “Armor Aluminum,” an alloy developed by Samsung, offering increased scratch resistance and reduced bendability (boldly challenging skeptics to test these claims).
The Ultra also features a magnetic stylus dock, first introduced in the series, which conveniently stores the S Pen, eliminating the possibility of misplacing it between couch cushions. The S Pen has also received an upgrade, featuring improved prediction algorithms to drop latency down to 2.8 milliseconds, resulting in a more responsive writing experience.
The Tab S8 Ultra is powered by an unnamed four-nanometer octa-core processor (presumably the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) along with 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1TB using a microSD card. The series' dual-lens rear camera setup is a common feature across all models.
You might need the space, because the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra features a 13-megapixel standard camera and a 6MP ultrawide lens at the rear, accompanied by a pair of 12MP cameras, one wide and the other ultrawide, at the front. The real space hog will be the capacity to record 4K videos using either the rear camera or the wide-angle selfie lens. This should deliver crisp video calls, while Samsung's new "auto-framing technology" takes inspiration from Apple's Center Stage on the iPad Pro and keeps you in focus within the frame. It even zooms in when a participant leaves the frame and zooms out when they rejoin.
Samsung did not disclose specific battery life ratings but claims that the Tab S8 series tablets offer an "all-day battery" capable of supporting hours of video playback (hopefully so). The Ultra's 11,200 mAh cell can charge from 0% to 100% in just 90 minutes. The Tab S8+ and Tab S8 have 10,090 mAh and 8,000 mAh batteries that charge in 80 minutes, thanks to 45W fast charging. The tablets can also function as portable chargers for your Galaxy phone when connected via USB-C.
The Tab S8 Ultra is designed for both work and play, which requires a keyboard. Samsung's custom-built Book Cover Keyboard for the Ultra is quite tempting. It includes wide keys, backlighting, customizable shortcut settings, a glass touchpad, and adjustable stand angles, providing everything you need to convert a tablet into a laptop.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8+: Standard Tablets
The Tab S8+ is a balanced option, combining features from the Ultra and the entry-level model. The Tab S8+ has a 12.4-inch, 2800 x 1752-resolution display, but it uses the same Super AMOLED technology as the Ultra. The standard Tab S8, the smallest tablets in the lineup, has a 11-inch, 2560 x 1600-resolution LTPS TFT panel with lower contrast and weaker black levels. While the Tab S8 Ultra and S8+ have under-display fingerprint sensors, the standard model has a physical one on the side.
The Tab S8 is the smallest tablet in the new lineup.
The Tab S8 Ultra's more advanced specs define it as the "Ultra" model. While the high-end model offers 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8+ are limited to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but they can match the Ultra's capacity with a 1TB SD card. The main difference between the models is the cameras: All three tablets have the same dual-camera rear setup, but only the Tab S8 Ultra offers a 12MP ultra-wide selfie cam.
I'm eager to test out the Tab S8 Ultra's backlit keyboard accessory and the Tab S8+ Note View Cover's transparent cover that allows writing with an S Pen while the tablet is protected. The smallest tablet gets its own Strap Cover, allowing users to hold it in their preferred orientation.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ is available in three colors: graphite, silver, and pink gold.
Since they are part of the same premium flagship series, all three tablets share multiple features, including quad speakers tuned by AKG, fast charging, Wi-Fi 6E and 5G connectivity (in certain markets), three noise-canceling microphones, S Pen support, facial recognition, and a metal chassis.
Software: DeX and the Galaxy Ecosystem
Samsung's hardware strength is undeniable, but the operating system is a concern. Some criticize Android as less than ideal for tablets. Potential saving graces include Samsung's DeX, Android 12L, and the Galaxy ecosystem.
DeX, when activated, transforms Android into a more traditional desktop interface resembling Chrome OS or Windows. Multi-tasking is improved, allowing for three windows in four layout options, and DeX mode functions when the tablet is held vertically. DeX is generally well-liked, but we'll see how it holds up when the Tab S8 Ultra is used as a work tablet (or laptop, erm, tablet). One feature I'm particularly excited about is the ability to turn these tablets into external touchscreen monitors (though the functionality is limited to Samsung's Galaxy Book PCs).
The Galaxy Tab S8 collection will come with Android 12 coupled with Samsung's individualized touch, One UI Tab 4, but Android 12L is approaching to rectify some leftover concerns in Android tablet environment. Engineered for expansive screens, this upgrade aims to revamp user interfaces and introduce fresh features to augment multitasking and tackle app compatibility hassles. Google is in the midst of its trial phase, and Android 12L is projected to materialize by the finishing line of Q1 this year. Samsung guarantees four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of safety updates, an assurance that surpasses even Google's commitment to its Pixel 6 phones.
Images courtesy of Florence Ion/Gizmodo
Needless to say, these tablets will harmonize with Samsung's Galaxy smartphones and laptops. You can jot down notes on your tablet and directly view them on your phone, or leverage Quick Share to transmit images, videos, and documents between devices. The tablets are compatible with Auto Switch, ensuring your Galaxy Buds will seamlessly pair with your Galaxy S22 phone when connected to your Tab S8. Samsung Health also graces its presence on the tablets, with partnerships established with numerous applications like LumaFusion for video editing, Clip Studio Paint for sketching, and Google Duo for video calls.
Pricing and Availability for Preorder
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra will be accessible for preorder on February 9, boasting a starting price of—brace yourself—$1,099. The Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8+ will also be up for preorder on the same date, with starting prices of $699 and $899 respectively.
Preordering the standard options from Samsung's website will get you a free Slim Book Cover Keyboard, while those opting for the Ultra variant will receive a free Backlit Book Cover Keyboard.
- In the future, Samsung's commitment to Android tablets, as demonstrated by the release of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, could potentially revolutionize the way we use high-end tablets, offering a laptop replacement experience and challenging the capabilities of devices like the iPad Pro.
- To leverage its premium hardware and software platform, Samsung is banking on advanced technology like the DeX software, minimizing the operating system's limitations and providing a more seamless user experience, setting the stage for future innovations in Android tablets.
