The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: A Powerhouse in a Package That Might Be Too Big
Samsung has thrown its hat into the Android tablet ring with a vengeance, launching three devices in its new Galaxy Tab S8 series. The Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra all cater to different budgets and needs. But the real head-turner is the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, boasting massive power and an equally massive display. With a 14.6-inch screen and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, it’s one of the most potent Android tablets on the market. But is the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra the pinnacle of Android tablets, or does its sheer size become a liability? Let’s delve into the details.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Price in India
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra comes in just one configuration with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. You can choose from Wi-Fi only or 5G-enabled versions, with prices in India set at Rs. 1,08,999 and Rs. 1,22,999 respectively. The tablet is currently available only in Graphite color.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Design
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is, without a doubt, the largest tablet to grace your hands. It boasts a 14.6-inch display with a small notch at the top (when held in landscape mode), housing a dual camera setup. While hardly noticeable in landscape orientation, the notch becomes more apparent in portrait mode. Samsung has kept the bezels thin, creating a sleek aesthetic but sacrificing some grip. At 726g, the weight is definitely noticeable, and you’ll likely find yourself propping it up on a table or your lap during use.
Despite its size, Samsung has managed to keep the tablet surprisingly thin at just 5.5mm. On the left side, you’ll find the power and volume buttons in the top corner, while the SIM tray sits on the top-right. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is equipped with four AKG-tuned speakers, two on either side, with a microphone on the left and a USB Type-C port on the right. An in-display fingerprint scanner sits conveniently for right-thumb access. The bottom boasts a proprietary three-pin connector with notches to latch onto accessories like the Book Cover Keyboard, which was also provided for this review.
The back panel, crafted from metal, exudes a premium feel. A camera module at the top houses the two camera sensors, with a glossy black strip extending below it – this is the wireless charging mechanism for the S Pen, which magnetically attaches to the back. Samsung bundles the S Pen alongside a long USB Type-C to Type-C cable, but you won’t find a charger in the box.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Specifications and Software
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is graced with a Super AMOLED display boasting a 2960 x 1848 pixel resolution and a 120Hz peak refresh rate. This high refresh rate is enabled by default, enhancing the smooth scrolling experience. The four AKG-tuned speakers complement the vibrant display perfectly. Powering this beast is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, currently the most powerful chipset available for Android tablets. Available in India only with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra offers expandable storage via a microSD card slot.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E, and support for five satellite navigation systems. The tablet also boasts WiDi (Wireless Display) compatibility, allowing you to use it as a secondary screen with compatible Windows machines. The cellular model supports 5G as well as existing 4G networks. With an 11,200 mAh battery and 45W fast charging capability, it’s built for extended use. However, you’ll need to purchase a charger separately, a disappointing omission at this price point.
Software-wise, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra runs Android 12 with OneUI 4.1 overlaid. At the time of review, it was running the February 2022 Android security patch, which seems slightly outdated. The UI is sleek and user-friendly, offering both traditional three-button navigation and the option to switch to swipe-based navigation. Multitasking is a breeze, with the ability to split the screen with two apps or open multiple apps in separate windows. The spacious display allows for a truly immersive and productive multitasking experience.
The S Pen enhances the productivity further, offering Note-like functionality for taking notes, capturing screen sections as screenshots, and even launching favorite apps. Air Actions enable actions with a simple gesture by holding the S Pen’s button and moving it. In compatible apps, you can sketch or color using the S Pen, experiencing surprisingly low latency that feels almost like drawing on paper.
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra delivers features akin to Apple’s ecosystem, enabling calls and texting from a recent Samsung smartphone. This functionality requires the same Samsung account to be signed in on all devices. Another noteworthy feature is the ability to use the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra as a secondary screen with a Windows laptop or as an input surface for drawing with the S Pen. This capability could be a boon for artists.
Samsung’s Dex feature transforms the tablet into a near-PC-like experience. Samsung offers a Book Cover Keyboard case for Rs. 22,999 in India, which, while pricy, elevates the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra to a convertible laptop experience. The case comes in two parts. One magnetically attaches to the tablet’s back, acting as a stand with a convenient pocket for the S Pen. The other part is the keyboard itself, connecting to the tablet’s bottom connectors. Typing on the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra felt comfortable, with the keyboard offering good key travel and feedback. The Book Cover Keyboard’s trackpad was also adequate, though not as comfortable as a traditional laptop trackpad.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Performance, Cameras, and Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra packs a seriously powerful SoC, capable of handling any game or app from the Play Store with ease. Apps load swiftly, and the tablet seamlessly multitasks thanks to its 12GB of RAM. The large Super AMOLED display, with its thin bezels, delivers an immersive experience, especially for watching videos. The high refresh rate enhances smoothness and fluidity, while the AKG-tuned quad speaker setup is capable of filling a small room with sound.
Samsung’s in-display fingerprint scanner is responsive, consistently unlocking the tablet in a single attempt. The tablet also supports face recognition, proving convenient when using the Book Cover Keyboard case.
Synthetic benchmarks confirm the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra’s prowess. In AnTuTu, it achieved a score of 8,62,739 points, surpassing even the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s score. It also scored 11,972 points in the PCMark Work 3.0 benchmark and maxed out 3DMark’s Sling Shot and Sling Shot Extreme tests.
While the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra’s size makes it less ideal for playing first-person shooter games (like Call of Duty: Mobile), it handled them admirably. It ran the game at the "Very High" graphics setting with the frame rate set to "Max" without any lag or stutter. The tablet remained cool even after a 20-minute gaming session, with a 5% battery depletion.
After using the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra for over two weeks, it’s clear that the battery life is decent. Idle power drain is low, conserving battery when not in use. However, pushing the tablet to its limits resulted in a higher battery drain than expected. With casual usage (including periods of inactivity), the battery lasted for two to three days before requiring a recharge.
Heavy users should still expect a full day of use, though the HD video loop test managed only 10 hours and 9 minutes. Considering the display size, this is excusable. However, Samsung’s decision to omit a charger in the box, especially at this price point, is baffling. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra supports 45W fast charging. Using a 68W USB-PD charger, it reached 29% charge in 30 minutes and 57% in an hour, fully charging in under two hours.
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra boasts dual-camera setups both front and back. The front cameras, both 12-megapixel, offer a wide-angle lens and an ultra-wide-angle lens. The rear cameras comprise a 13-megapixel primary camera and a 6-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. Given the tablet’s size, photography is not its strong suit, though it manages decent indoor shots. The selfie cameras perform well, with video recording resolution reaching 4K. Both setups incorporate auto-framing, akin to Apple’s Center Stage feature on certain iPad models. This feature proves handy during video calls and recordings, automatically panning and zooming on the subject.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the largest and most powerful Android tablet on the market. When combined with the Book Cover Keyboard case (sold separately), it becomes a very versatile device. Samsung smartphone owners benefit from some ecosystem advantages. This tablet is particularly attractive to digital artists and graphic designers, who might find the S Pen stylus worth the hefty price tag.
For those who prioritize media consumption and are willing to splurge, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra might be appealing. However, I believe its size and cost make it overkill for such use cases. It represents Android tablets at their peak but holds niche appeal. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+, offering the same hardware in a more manageable size, is a better recommendation for most. For those open to alternatives, the 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro is a worthy competitor.
