In February 2022, Samsung introduced a new line of Galaxy Tab S8 tablets. We got in our test – the average model with a larger screen and the prefix “plus”.
Design and display
- Screen: 12.4 inches, 2800 x 1752 pixels, AMOLED, 120 Hz
- Aluminium case
The Tab S8+ measures 12.4 inches, compared to the base version with an 11-inch screen and the Ultra with a 14.6-inch screen. The frames around the display are symmetrical and not very wide by the standards of tablets. The screen also has a built-in fingerprint scanner. It is convenient to use when the tablet is in a horizontal position. Then the thumb of the right hand just falls on the fingerprint zone.
Three colors – graphite, silver and rose gold. We had a classic model in silver color on the test. Note that the body is metal, made of reinforced aluminum: it is not so easy to scratch, besides, it does not collect fingerprints and dust.
It uses a Super AMOLED-matrix with high brightness and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The color reproduction is of high quality, in the settings you can choose both natural and bright colors.
But the resolution let us down – for such a large screen, 2800 x 1752 pixels is still not enough. Thin font, as in the name of the icons, is not clearly displayed. However, when watching a video or working with a photo, this problem is not so noticeable.
Sound and cameras
- 4 speakers, 3 microphones
- Front camera 12 MP
- Main camera 12 + 6 MP
Samsung tablets have good sound quality, and the new line is no exception. So, Tab S8 + received four powerful speakers from AKG and support for Dolby Atmos. The sound is really voluminous and loud, which is especially noticeable while watching movies and gaming. There are also three built-in microphones – they are used for noise reduction during video calls.
Speaking of calls, the tablet is equipped with a front camera with a 12 megapixel sensor, which is more than enough to transmit a high-quality picture during video calls. When taking a selfie, you can use the wide-angle mode to capture more of the frame.
The main camera of the Tab S8 + is dual – 12 megapixels and 6 megapixels wide. Previously, we doubted that the tablet needed a rear camera at all, but now it is really useful: for example, you can take a photo of a document and use the stylus to make your edits to it, add it to a note, or use it as the basis for a sketch.
Performance and equipment
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (SM8450), 4 nm
- Memory: 8/128 or 8/256 GB
All three tablets of the new line received the most powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, made using a 4-nm process technology. The Galaxy S22 models run on the same platform. Compared to the Galaxy Tab S7, which used the Snapdragon 865+, CPU performance increased by 24% and GPU performance by 52%.
For lovers of numbers: when tested in AnTuTu, the chipset received 998,763 points, and in GeekBench 5 – 1203 (Single-Core Score) and 3772 (Multi-Core Score).
Thanks to the powerful hardware, the tablet is great for action gaming (do not forget about the 120 Hz screen), and for mobile video editing, and for working with graphic applications – for example, creating pictures with a huge resolution in Clip Studio Paint. The novelty also supports 5G networks and fast Wi-Fi 6E – however, these options are still turned off at the software level.
As with the previous model, the Book Cover Keyboard can be used with the Galaxy Tab S8+. With it, the tablet turns into a mini-laptop. Working in this mode is especially convenient due to the ability to split the screen and open three applications at the same time. Also, the DeX mode has not disappeared anywhere, in which you can connect an external monitor and peripherals to the device.
S Pen
All Tab S8 models come with Samsung’s signature S Pen. This year, the company updated the accessory: it received a soft tip that does not scratch the screen, a sensitivity of 4089 pressure levels and a small delay of 2.8 ms.
The pen still supports gesture control, you can use it to launch videos, music and presentations, use the gadget to pull the camera when taking selfies, take notes and draw in the Samsung Notes app.
On the back of the tablet there is a magnetic panel on which you can attach a stylus. And on the side, at the end, there are magnetic contacts for charging the accessory.
Battery life
- Battery 10,090 mAh
- 45W fast charging
The Galaxy Tab S8+ has an impressive 10,090 mAh battery. To measure video playback time, we included a 30-minute YouTube video at 1080p at medium brightness. In half an hour, the device lost 7% of its charge. Thus, a full battery will last an average of 7 hours of video playback – and this is three long films or 8 episodes of a TV series, which is pretty good.
The model supports fast charging with a power of 45 W, but the adapter is not included in the kit – you can use the charger from your smartphone or buy it separately.
Conclusion
Like other technology, tablets have risen sharply in late February 2022. So, at the start of pre-order on the official website of the Tab S8 + in the 8/128 GB modification, you could buy for $670. Today, retailers already offer this model at a price of $800 or more. Sales will officially start on March 11, but it is still difficult to predict the final cost of the tablet.
