Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: Review

Samsung recently released their newest tablet series, the Galaxy Tab S8 series, which includes three variants: the Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. The screen size is what differentiates these three devices. The Galaxy Tab S8 has an 11-inch screen, the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus has a 12.4-inch screen, and the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a 14.6-inch screen.

In fact, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the largest tablet to date that we have ever seen. Some may wonder if the only difference between the three variants is the large screen. Although the screen size distinguishes the Galaxy S8 Ultra from others, many aspects of this tablet make it worthwhile to consider, particularly for those of you who want to do both productivity and entertainment on one device.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is undoubtedly one of the largest tablets we've ever reviewed. Aside from its size, the Tab S8 Ultra has enough power packed into its thin chassis to replace a laptop potentially. Can the Tab S8 Ultra, on the other hand, become your primary work machine?

Design
Have you seen the new Galaxy Tab S7 Series from Samsung? The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra design is quite similar to its predecessor. But, this is not a disadvantage; on the contrary, we enjoy it. The combination of flat edges and curved corners and the Graphite color create an elegant and premium appearance. Samsung manages to keep this tablet relatively thin despite its large screen size.

Despite being only 5.5mm thick, Samsung claims the Tab S8 Ultra is sturdy because it is made of Armor Aluminum, which is 40% less prone to bending and 30% more scratch-resistant than its predecessor. On top of that, the Gorilla Glass 5 protects the tablet screen. Unlike the Galaxy S series, there is no IP certification for water resistance. However, it is common on tablets, despite being the flagship class.

The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the heaviest tablet that Samsung has ever produced in terms of weight. This tablet weighs 728 grams and weighs around 1.4 kg when combined with the keyboard cover. The weight is ideal because it is not too heavy to be stored in a backpack and carried to mobile work. The power and volume buttons are located on the right side of the tablet. There's also a microSD card slot near the bottom right side. The Tab S8 Ultra has rear-facing cameras and a magnetic strip to hold the S pen on the back. The bottom edge houses a USB-C port as well as two speakers. There is no headphone jack, so you must connect headphones via the USB-C port or wirelessly via Bluetooth.

Screen
The iPad Pro previously held the record for the largest tablet at 12.9 inches. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, with a 14.6-inch screen, now holds the title. However, does size imply quality? This tablet's quality is unquestionable because Samsung manufactures it. The combination of a Super AMOLED panel and a resolution of 1848 x 2960 results in a sharp image. On top of that, the 120Hz refresh rate ensures a smooth navigation experience.

When using the Tab S8 Ultra at night, Samsung also provides several screen setting options to make the eyes more comfortable. The thin bezel, on the other hand, is no less intriguing. Watching content on Netflix, Disney+, Hotstar, and other streaming services creates a more immersive experience. Playing games on such a large screen will provide you with a new and exciting experience. Control it with a game controller rather than your hands to be more comfortable, so it feels like you're playing on a console.

In terms of audio, Samsung installed four speakers with an AKG touch. The sound is not only loud but also transparent, so you don't need to crank it up to full volume to get a good kick in the ear. When you turn the volume all the way up, the speakers on the Tab S8 Ultra become quite loud. Whether you're watching your favorite content creator or listening to music, the sound quality is clear and crisp. There is also Dolby Atmos support, which can be turned on in the Settings menu.

Productivity
Productivity is one of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra benefits that other tablets may not have. This South Korean technology behemoth introduces Samsung DeX, which can transform this tablet into a laptop. Furthermore, the Tab S8 Ultra instantly transforms into a desktop computer when connected to an external monitor.

With Samsung DeX, we get a Windows-like interface. Multitasking is made more accessible because the application is displayed in the form of a window that can be adjusted in size and transparency. Furthermore, it can run two applications side by side, and because of the large screen, each window is easy on the eyes.

Link to Windows, like other Samsung devices, is available. We can use this feature to access and run applications on the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra on a Windows desktop or laptop screen and transfer files.

The Galaxy S8 Ultra users can use their tablets as an external monitor for their laptops. Connect the computer to the tablet, and select the Second Screen option from the notification panel.

Book Cover keyboard
Samsung has included a keyboard case with this tablet to increase productivity. In contrast to previous models, the keyboard case consists of a trackpad. The keys are easy to use for typing. We can also change tablet settings directly from the keyboard's top button. It's even more straightforward with keyboard shortcuts, such as those found on a laptop.

Our review unit was bundled with the Book Cover Keyboard. This add-on is essential for the Tab S8 Ultra to function as a laptop. The large keyboard is comfortable to type on and gives our large hands enough room to move. We also liked the fact that the back cover has a compartment for the S Pen. The Book Cover Keyboard complements the Tab S8 and protects it from accidental drops.

S Pencil
Unlike other vendors, Samsung includes the S Pen in the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra sales package. By sticking it on the back, you can quickly charge this stylus. It can also be attached to the top of the body, making it easier to reach when in use.

Because the S Pen is the size of a pencil, it is easy to hold and use. According to Samsung, the latency has been increased to 2.8ms. It's no surprise, given how smooth it looks on the screen. The level of pressure is also very high, which will delight those who enjoy sketching. For thick lines, we can press harder, while for thin lines, we can press softer. Surprisingly, Samsung focuses on applications as well.

As you may be aware, Android's creative applications lag behind those on iPadOS. PenUp, Clip Studio, and, most recently, LumaFusion are among the apps that Samsung is working to bring to its platform. Users can combine the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra as a canvas and the Galaxy S22 Ultra as a color palette in Clip Studio. Then, on the phone, select the brush while keeping the canvas clean.

The company also makes the most of its applications. Samsung Notes is one of them; this application has many capabilities that will be enhanced when used with the S Pen. For example, we can directly convert handwriting into text, greatly simplifying meeting minutes. Not when there are Air Actions to keep you entertained. Move the stylus like a Harry Potter wand to navigate and perform other commands.

Camera
Even though no one buys a tablet for the camera, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has four cameras, two on the front and two on the back. The rear camera has a 13 MP wide-angle lens and a 6 MP ultra-wide lens. There are 12 MP ultra-wide and 12 MP wide cameras on the front.

Auto Framing, Single Take, Pro Mode, and Night Mode are just a few of the many cameras features available in Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. The camera capabilities of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra do not disappoint. When used for online meetings, the shots can present good colors in bright and dark conditions.

Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor powers the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. It is the most powerful chipset available for Android devices. The Tab S8 Ultra is marketed by Samsung as a laptop replacement. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage space in our review unit provide ample power to run and navigate apps. We've been using Android tablets for years, and the Tab S8 Ultra's Android 12 operating system is just as snappy and responsive as we've used to.

All heavy tasks, including video editing applications and games like Call of Duty Mobile, can be devoured with this capital. We put it through a test with various benchmark applications to back up this claim.

Battery
With 11,200 mAh, this is Samsung's most extensive battery ever. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra battery can last nearly 10 hours when used for work. We had enough time to watch a Netflix movie for 90 minutes before the battery died at 14 percent.

 

Although Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra offers 45W fast charging support, the charger adapter is not bundled together with the device. We used a 65W Baseus charger, and it took 1 hour and 20 minutes to charge this tablet battery.

Summary
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is an enormous tablet. It is not only the largest in size, but it also has the fastest performance. The spacious and charming screen, combined with powerful speakers, is the ideal capital for enjoying eye- and ear-pleasing content. Playing games is just taking your experience to another level.

We have been using it on and off to post some content on our website and found no problem adapting it. There is a DeX feature that makes it simple to work with and an S Pen that aids in creating work. Numerous other elements contribute to this tablet's near-perfect performance.

If you are interested in getting yourself a brand new Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, you may purchase it directly from their official store at https://www.samsung.com/my/tablets/galaxy-tab-s/galaxy-tab-s8-ultra-wifi-graphite-256gb-sm-x900nzajxme/