Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series continues to dominate the premium Android tablet market. The Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8+ are two of the most popular models, each with impressive specifications. If you want a larger, more immersive display and slightly better battery life, the Galaxy Tab S8+ is the ideal choice. This comparison will help you understand the differences and choose the tablet that fits your needs perfectly.
Why Do I Recommend the Galaxy Tab S8+?
Although the Galaxy Tab S8 is a powerful tablet, the Galaxy Tab S8+edges ahead in terms of display quality, battery, and multimedia experience. Here’s why I recommend it:
- Super AMOLED Display: The S8+ features a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display, offering richer colors, deeper blacks, and more immersive visuals than the standard LCD on the S8.
- Bigger Battery: The S8+ comes with a larger 10,090mAh battery, which provides slightly longer usage than the S8, making it perfect for long gaming sessions or media consumption.
- Larger Screen for Productivity: The bigger 12.4-inch display makes multitasking easier, whether you’re running multiple apps side by side or sketching on the screen with the included S Pen.
- Enhanced Multimedia Experience: The S8+ comes with quad speakers tuned by AKG, delivering a superior sound experience compared to the S8’s slightly smaller audio setup.
- Stylus Experience: Both tablets come with the S Pen, but the S8+’s larger screen makes drawing and note-taking more comfortable and precise.
- Build & Design: The S8+ has a slightly more premium feel with slimmer bezels and a more immersive screen-to-body ratio.
- Future-Proof Performance: Both tablets are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but the S8+’s larger design allows better thermal management, maintaining performance for longer sessions.
- Better Viewing Experience: Whether watching movies, playing games, or video conferencing, the S8+ delivers a more cinematic experience thanks to its large, high-quality display and superior audio.
Although the Galaxy Tab S8 is a great choice for those who want portability, the Galaxy Tab S8+ excels in entertainment, productivity, and overall immersive experience, making it the preferred option for most users.
Side-By-Side Comparison Chart: Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+
| Feature | Galaxy Tab S8 | Galaxy Tab S8+ |
| Display | 11″ LTPS TFT LCD, 120Hz | 12.4″ Super AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 2560×1600 | 2800×1752 |
| Battery | 8,000mAh | 10,090mAh |
| Speakers | Quad speakers tuned by AKG | Quad speakers tuned by AKG, slightly larger audio output |
| Dimensions | Smaller & lighter | Larger, slightly heavier |
| Charging | 45W fast charge | 45W fast charge |
| Stylus | S Pen included | S Pen included |
| Weight | 503g | 567g |
| Screen-to-Body Ratio | Standard | Slightly higher, slimmer bezels |
Features of Galaxy Tab S8
- Display: 11-inch LTPS TFT LCD with 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive touch input.
- Battery: 8,000mAh battery allows for full-day usage, suitable for casual work and entertainment.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip ensures fast performance, gaming, and multitasking capabilities.
- S Pen Included: Comes with S Pen for drawing, note-taking, and productivity.
- Audio: Quad speakers tuned by AKG for clear and immersive sound.
- Portability: Lighter and easier to carry, making it ideal for travel and mobility.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E support and optional 5G model for high-speed internet anywhere.
Features of Galaxy Tab S8+
- Display: 12.4-inch Super AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate for rich colors and deep blacks.
- Battery: 10,090mAh battery provides slightly longer runtime than S8, perfect for streaming or gaming marathons.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 ensures smooth performance with improved thermal management due to larger body.
- S Pen Included: Enhanced stylus experience thanks to the larger screen.
- Audio: Quad speakers with richer sound output for an immersive multimedia experience.
- Design: Slimmer bezels and higher screen-to-body ratio for a premium look.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E and optional 5G model for uninterrupted connectivity.
Perfect! Let’s continue with Part 2 of the “Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+” article. This part will cover common features, detailed comparisons, conclusion, and FAQs.
What Common Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+ Can Do?
Both the Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8+ share core features that make them powerful and versatile Android tablets. Here’s a detailed look at what both devices offer:
- High-Quality Display: Both tablets support a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling, responsive touch, and fluid animations. While the S8+ uses Super AMOLED and S8 uses LCD, both deliver vibrant visuals suitable for media, gaming, and productivity.
- S Pen Support: The included S Pen on both devices enables precise note-taking, sketching, and drawing. Whether you’re a student, creative professional, or office worker, both tablets allow accurate stylus input.
- Performance: Both tablets are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, providing top-tier Android performance for multitasking, gaming, and streaming without lag.
- Audio: Quad speakers tuned by AKG provide clear and immersive sound. Both tablets support Dolby Atmos, enhancing music, movies, and video calls.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E ensures fast wireless speeds, and optional 5G variants allow mobile internet access on the go. Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity enables smooth pairing with accessories like headphones and keyboards.
- Operating System: Both run Android 12 with Samsung One UI, offering smooth navigation, split-screen multitasking, and productivity features.
- Productivity Tools: Samsung DeX mode transforms both tablets into a PC-like experience, allowing multi-window support and better workflow for office or creative tasks.
- Camera Setup: Front and rear cameras support video calls, streaming, and casual photography. The tablets are optimized for apps like Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.
Common Features of Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+
| Feature | Galaxy Tab S8 | Galaxy Tab S8+ |
| Display | 120Hz refresh rate | 120Hz refresh rate |
| Stylus | S Pen included | S Pen included |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Audio | Quad speakers AKG | Quad speakers AKG |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, optional 5G | Wi-Fi 6E, optional 5G |
| OS | Android 12, One UI | Android 12, One UI |
| Productivity | Samsung DeX support | Samsung DeX support |
| Cameras | Front & Rear cameras | Front & Rear cameras |
A Detailed Comparison of the Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+
Display & Visuals
Galaxy Tab S8: Features an 11-inch LTPS TFT LCD with 2560×1600 resolution. It offers clear visuals for productivity and casual media, but blacks and color depth are less rich compared to the S8+.
Galaxy Tab S8+: Boasts a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with 2800×1752 resolution, offering deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and a more immersive viewing experience. Ideal for streaming, gaming, and creative work.
Battery Life
Galaxy Tab S8: Comes with an 8,000mAh battery capable of a full day of moderate usage. Suitable for students, office work, or casual entertainment.
Galaxy Tab S8+: Equipped with a 10,090mAh battery, providing longer usage between charges. Perfect for heavy users who consume media or run productivity apps extensively.
Portability & Design
Galaxy Tab S8: Lightweight at 503g and compact, making it highly portable. Easy to hold for reading or note-taking on the go.
Galaxy Tab S8+: Slightly larger and heavier at 567g, but the slim bezels and sleek design make it still very portable, with the added advantage of a bigger workspace.
Audio Experience
Galaxy Tab S8: Quad AKG speakers deliver crisp sound with decent bass, great for video calls, music, and casual media.
Galaxy Tab S8+: Offers a richer audio experience with slightly louder output and immersive Dolby Atmos support, making it ideal for movies and gaming.
Stylus & Productivity
Galaxy Tab S8: S Pen provides accurate input, suitable for note-taking, drawing, and annotation. The smaller screen is comfortable for handheld tasks.
Galaxy Tab S8+: S Pen input feels more natural on the larger 12.4-inch screen, giving extra space for creative work and multitasking. Samsung DeX also benefits from the larger display for PC-like productivity.
Performance & Gaming
Galaxy Tab S8: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 ensures fast app launches, smooth multitasking, and high-performance gaming. Slightly smaller size may help in heat management for short sessions.
Galaxy Tab S8+: Same processor but with better thermal management due to larger body, allowing longer gaming or creative sessions without throttling.
Connectivity
Galaxy Tab S8: Wi-Fi 6E and optional 5G ensure fast wireless speeds and mobile connectivity.
Galaxy Tab S8+: Same connectivity, but larger design allows for potentially better signal reception and sustained performance during long mobile sessions.
Conclusion
After a detailed comparison of Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+, the Galaxy Tab S8+ is the better choice for users who want a larger, immersive display, enhanced audio, and longer battery life. Its bigger screen and premium Super AMOLED display make it ideal for productivity, creative work, and entertainment.
The Galaxy Tab S8 remains excellent for portability and casual use, but for those seeking a premium multimedia and productivity experience, the S8+ is clearly the winner.
FAQs
- Which tablet has a better display?
The Galaxy Tab S8+ has a larger 12.4-inch Super AMOLED screen, offering deeper blacks, richer colors, and a more immersive viewing experience than the 11-inch LCD on the S8. - Which has longer battery life?
The S8+ comes with a 10,090mAh battery, slightly larger than S8’s 8,000mAh, allowing longer usage during streaming, gaming, or productivity tasks. - Do both tablets include the S Pen?
Yes, both the Galaxy Tab S8 and S8+ come with the S Pen for note-taking, sketching, and annotation. - Are both suitable for gaming?
Yes, both use Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 for smooth gaming. The S8+ may sustain performance longer due to better thermal management. - Which tablet is more portable?
The Galaxy Tab S8 is lighter and slightly smaller, making it easier to carry, while the S8+ offers more screen real estate at a small weight cost. - Can both tablets use Samsung DeX?
Yes, both support Samsung DeX, transforming the tablet into a PC-like experience for multitasking and productivity. - Which is better for media consumption?
The S8+ is superior due to its larger Super AMOLED display, higher screen-to-body ratio, and enhanced audio. - Is 5G supported on both tablets?
Optional 5G models are available for both, allowing mobile connectivity on the go.
Alex Turner is a dedicated product researcher and reviewer at TopBuyGuide.com, known for his clear, honest, and data-driven insights. He spends countless hours testing, comparing, and analyzing products to help readers make confident and informed buying decisions.