Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S22 flagship in the coming weeks, and a tablet (or set of tablets) could be in the game. The Galaxy Tab S8 is expected to be Samsung’s successor to the 2020 Galaxy Tab S7, although likely delayed to 2022 due to supply chain issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As with Samsung’s other high-end products, leaks have emerged from a mix of places detailing everything from specs to renders showing off the new looks, to estimated prices. Samsung isn’t shaking up the formula too much from what we can tell, but it is making a big change – and we mean big.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Models
As with the Galaxy Tab S7 released in 2020, Samsung is expected to release several models of the Galaxy Tab S8. Where the Tab S7 had two models, the Tab S8 would adopt the same pattern as the current line of Galaxy S phones. This means there must be a regular Tab S8, a slightly larger Tab S8 Plus and a Tab S8 Ultra pumped up with all the bells and whistles you can think of.
Samsung’s S tablets haven’t had consistent device stability for some time, with the Tab S5 launching with only an ‘E’ model, the Tab S6 having a ‘Lite’ model, and the Tab S7 being the first to launch as a pair of devices. Adding an “Ultra” model to appeal to potential iPad Pro owners makes sense considering the branding of Samsung’s other flagship phones. Samsung already does the whole “Fan Edition” thing, why not add the top of the range too?
Design of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Leaked Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8 Plus rendered courtesy of OnLeaks show us a device that looks a lot like the Galaxy Tab S7. It’s a sleek design that worked, and Samsung is probably keeping it for that reason. The biggest change here (no pun intended) is to the massive Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.
The Tab S8 Ultra is expected to make a controversial choice with the adoption of the notch which became popular on mobile devices with the launch of the iPhone X. 91Mobiles to everyone’s delight.
The company had previously chided Apple about its use of the notch, instead focusing on its “Infinity” branded screens which either had cutouts or very small screen notches. With the S8 Ultra, Samsung seems to be following Apple’s lead and embracing the notch on a large screen device. If true, it wouldn’t be the first time Samsung has mocked Apple for a controversial change that it later embraced down the line. It’s become common practice, from eliminating headphone jacks on phones to dropping the charger in the box.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Specifications
High-end specs are comparable over Samsung’s S-series, and the S8 tablets should be no different. Leaks from reliable German site WinFuture serve to paint a picture of a set of high-performance tablets.
The Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8 Plus are in the lead. According to reports, both are capable devices with an 11-inch model for the Tab S8 and a 12.7-inch screen for the Tab S8 Plus. Both are to sport 2K OLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage powers it all.
As its name suggests, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is considered a giant tablet. It’s a 14.6-inch tablet with a 2960 x 1848 resolution paired with the now-standard 120Hz display. The same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 that powers the others should be powering this one, but RAM goes up to 16GB and storage to 512GB. Samsung seems to be going after both Surface Pro and iPad Pro users with this one, with an argument to be made that the larger screen might even extend that to a MacBook Air competitor if the size proves to be accurate.
While cameras on tablets are rarely a draw, Samsung puts the Tab S8 Ultra’s camera front and center with its notch. It’s supposed to have a pair of front cameras – 12MP main and 12MP ultrawide – presumably for enhanced video calling. The Tab S8 and Tab S8 Plus simply have a single front camera. All are equal on the rear, with a 13MP main and a 6MP ultrawide.
Other ratings and reporting ends include battery capacity, with the Tab S8 Ultra again leading the pack with an 11,200mAh capacity battery while the S8 and S8 Plus come with 8,000 mAh and 10,090 mAh respectively. A 5G-capable option is a given given the chips used, the S Pen is making a comeback, and Samsung says it’s including Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers as it usually does.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 price and availability
Samsung’s Galaxy S8 is expected to launch alongside the Galaxy S22. While the company has yet to announce an event, rumors place the first Unpacked event of 2022 on February 8. If true, that could mean a simultaneous launch for the Tab S8 series and the S22, with a street date of February 22. The company has already started updating its Unpacked website to hint at a 2022 event, which makes this more likely than not even if Samsung didn’t have an annual event like clockwork anyway.
When it comes to pricing, Samsung’s premium tablets have always commanded premium prices, and the Tab S8 will likely be no exception. For the base Tab S8, Samsung is reportedly setting the floor price at 680 euros or $775, with the Galaxy Tab S8+ starting at 1,040 euros or $1,190. The Tab S8 Ultra leads the pack and therefore leads with a starting price of 1,140 euros, or $1,300.
