Aside from introducing the Samsung Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra, Samsung also unveiled a new generation of Galaxy Tab devices. It also marks the first time the company has brought the Ultra moniker to its tablet line. So, this year’s Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series includes the base Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra.
That new Ultra model, in particular, is an attractive option for Android users craving an iPad Pro experience. If that’s you or you just want a premium Android tablet, here are the things you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series.
Price, availability, & pre-order promos
Of course, top of that list is the pricing and availability of the three tablets:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (Wi-Fi; Silver and Pink Gold) – PHP 41,990 (around USD 819 converted)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (5G; Silver) – PHP 49,990 (USD 975)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ 5G (Graphite) – PHP 63,990 (USD 1,248)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra 5G (Graphite) – PHP 77,990 (USD 1,521)
Until March 3, you can pre-order the Galaxy Tab S8 series via Samsung Online Store, Samsung Authorized dealers, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, MemoXpress.com, and other Authorized Online Partners.
The ultimate productivity bundle worth up to PHP 32,723 (USD 638) awaits those who pre-order the Galaxy Tab S8 Series.
You will get a Book Cover Keyboard worth PHP 17,599 (USD 343) and the Galaxy Buds Pro worth PHP 9,990 (USD 195) when you pre-order the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra 5G. Those who choose to pre-order the Galaxy Tab S8+ 5G will get a Book Cover Keyboard Slim worth PHP 8,099 (USD 158) and the Galaxy Buds Live worth P7,990 (USD 156). Meanwhile, the Book Cover Keyboard Slim, worth PHP 7,099 (USD 139), and the Galaxy Buds2, worth PHP 6,990 (USD 136), will come with the Galaxy Tab S8 5G or Wi-Fi.
These bundles include a one-year personal subscription to Microsoft 365, a one-year subscription to Viu Premium, and four months of YouTube Premium, worth PHP 5,134 (USD 100).
Starting March 4, the Galaxy Tab S8 Series will be available in the stores and retailers mentioned above.
Samsung Care+—a dedicated product support service covering accidental damages, repairs, and more—will be available for the Galaxy Tab S8 series in select markets at 50% off until March 31.
Built for video conferencing
Whether you need it for work or socializing, each Galaxy Tab S8 series device offers an improved video conferencing experience with 12-megapixel ultra-wide front cameras, a three-microphone setup, and intelligent auto-framing. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra gets an additional 12-megapixel front camera and supports 4K video quality.
Advanced hardware meets software with Samsung auto-framing technology. It automatically keeps you in focus during a call while zooming in or out to include new participants as they join you. Thanks to three precision microphones that use advanced noise reduction technology to prevent unwanted background chatter, you’ll also sound as clear as you look.
Auto-framing is currently available on Samsung Camera, BlueJeans, Google Duo, Meta Messenger, Google Meet, New Knox Meeting, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex Meet, and Zoom. It only works with the ultra-wide front camera, only recognizes people, and may not support some resolutions. You might have to keep your pet close to you if you want to show them off during a call.
On top of your standard video calls, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 supports the new live sharing through Google Duo. It’s similar to Apple’s SharePlay, where you can watch or listen together through FaceTime. This feature lets you watch videos on YouTube, share your browser, or collaborate on Google’s JamBoard, an interactive whiteboard. This feature currently supports a limited number of apps, including Google Arts & Culture, Google Maps, Jamboard, Samsung Notes, Samsung Gallery, and YouTube.
The Galaxy Tab S8 series will tell you when the camera and microphones are in use. You will get the option to block all app access when you aren’t using them to stop unwanted recording.
Work how you want to work
With large displays, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series encourages multi-tasking or makes it easier to see what you’re working on. The base S8 model has an 11-inch WQXGA LTPS TFT display, the S8+ has a 12.4-inch WQXGA+ Super AMOLED display, and the S8 Ultra has a massive 14.6-inch WQXGA+ Super AMOLED display.
The Ultra is a big boy. We briefly got to check it out during our shoot at Samsung Philippines’ headquarters, and it’s a hefty device. Thin but hefty. We see it as a device you’ll leave propped up on your desk as a secondary display. But we can also imagine it working as a laptop replacement for workers who rely primarily on online services and apps and want to carry something less bulky than a laptop.
With Multi-Active Windows, you can run supported apps side by side. We’ve seen this at work and loved it on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE, so we’re confident the experience will be enjoyable here. Samsung Dex gives you that desktop-like experience with your apps opening in windows or using it to mirror the device on an external display. You can also securely share files with password-protected Quick Share. The S8+ and S8 Ultra also come with S Pen. So if you require a stylus, you get one in the box.
Samsung specifically mentions streamers and content creators in its press release for these tablets. It says the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has new 4K recording capabilities for both the rear 13-megapixel dual camera and the ultra-wide front camera. The company said, “Content creators and streamers can effortlessly create online tutorials and gameplay, using customizable Selfie Videos that are now embedded within Samsung’s Screen Recorder.”
The Samsung One UI Tab 4 interface promises a consistent and intuitive experience on the tablet and when you integrate it with other compatible gadgets. As Samsung Galaxy devices, these will work seamlessly with other Galaxy accessories. You can easily connect your Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Buds with these tablets.
The Galaxy Tab S8 series runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processors with 8GB of RAM for the S8 and S8+ and 12GB for the Ultra. Storage for all models is at 256GB, but you get a 1TB expansion option via microSD. These tablets are the first to come with Wi-Fi 6E support, which Samsung says doubles the bandwidth and maximum speed of Wi-Fi 6 for more optimized network quality.
And these are portable machines, even with the size of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. All are built with an Armor Aluminum body that makes these devices tough yet thin. This frame protects the screen, promising to be 30% more scratch-resistant and 40% less prone to bending than its predecessors.
To protect your data, the Galaxy Tab S8 series comes with Samsung’s Knox Vault platform, which the company says encrypts your data and keeps stored files and information isolated from the device’s main operating system to protect it from attacks. The Galaxy Tab S8+ and S8 Ultra have on-screen fingerprint scanners, while the S8 has a side-mounted one.
Keep you entertained
With their expansive displays, it’ll be enjoyable to wind down with the Galaxy Tab S8 series, too. All three get a 120Hz refresh rate, so scrolling and gaming (on supported titles) will be smooth. Samsung proudly claims the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has the thinnest bezels yet on a Galaxy tablet (6.3mm), giving you a more immersive experience.
Pair that with the quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, which is found on all three Galaxy Tab S8 series models, and you’ll enjoy clear sound, too.
If you use your Galaxy Buds with the Tab S8, Auto Switch will make it easier to switch between Galaxy devices. So, if a call comes into your Galaxy S22 (or other compatible Samsung phones), it’ll automatically change from the tablet without any additional input from you.
Samsung also brought its Health app to Galaxy tablets for the first time. It’ll let you view workout videos on the tablet and your health and fitness data from the Galaxy Watch on the larger screen. Apple does something similar with the Apple Watch and its other products.
If your idea of destressing involves hours and hours of binge-watching, all three devices promise you can get just that. According to Samsung, you get up to 15 hours of video playback for Tab S8, 13 hours for Tab S8+, and 14 hours for Tab S8 Ultra. Of course, this length is based on Samsung’s testing, so you might get slightly different times from your use.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 has an 8,000mAh battery, the Galaxy Tab S8+ has a 10,090mAh battery, and the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has an 11,200mAh battery. All three support Samsung’s 45W Super Fast Charging. Samsung estimates you can fully charge the Tab S8 and S8+ in 80 minutes, while the S8 Ultra needs 10 minutes more than that at 90 minutes.
You can also use the Galaxy Tab S8 to charge your new Galaxy S22 series. Of course, you’ll need a USB-C cable to make this happen. It can provide 15W fast-charging on the Tab S8 Ultra as long as the screen is turned off.
There’s a lot to be excited about with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series, offering flexible features for whatever you need them for.
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