It’s no secret that the tablet space in 2022 is dominated by Apple’s iPad options. Unless you’re specifically looking for an “Android tablet,” you’ll likely end up on a list recommending an iPad of some kind. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find good Android tablets out there. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 lineup is making waves in this space right now. In fact, the vanilla Galaxy Tab S8 is the one we recommend to most people out there, although the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the most impressive.
However, the Galaxy Tab S8 is priced at $699 which makes us wonder how good it is when compared to the already excellent Galaxy Tab S7 that can save you a few bucks. Well, that’s exactly what we’re here to find out, so let’s take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs Galaxy Tab S7 comparison to see which one is better to buy.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7: Specifications
Before we start the comparison, let’s take a look at the specs table to see how powerful these tablets are on paper:
| Customize | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 |
|---|---|---|
| Builds | ||
| Dimensions and weight |
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| Show |
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| SoC |
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| RAM and Storage |
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| The battery is charging |
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| protection | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner |
| back camera |
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| Front camera(s) | 2 MP, f/2.4, 120° (ultrawide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, wide |
| ports) | USB 3.2 Type C | USB 3.2 Type C |
| My voice |
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| Connection |
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| Programming |
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| Other Features | S Pen included in the box | S Pen included in the box |
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 was already a very good upgrade over its predecessor, so we set our expectations for the Galaxy Tab S8 as well. The company has spent a significant amount of time working on the Galaxy Tab S8 to polish it further and that shows in the spec sheet. Let’s dive a little deeper into each section to see how much improvement the new tablet offers over the latter.
Design and display
The Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S8 are almost indistinguishable from the outside. They both have the same dimensions, as you can see in the specs table, which means they’re equally thin and generally have the same footprint. The Galaxy Tab S8 weighs a few grams heavier, but you won’t really notice the difference while using it. Both devices also have a magnetic strip on the back where the included S Pen is attached. While Samsung has tried to match the color of this bar on the Galaxy Tab S7, it’s just a black bar on the Tab S8, no matter which color variant you choose.
Speaking of colours, this is perhaps one of the main distinguishing factors when it comes to these tablets. The Galaxy Tab S7 is available in Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Silver, and Ghost Navy. Meanwhile, the latest Galaxy Tab S8 comes in three colors – graphite, silver, and rose gold.
Moving forward, both tablets feature an 11-inch LTPS TFT LCD panel with support for a maximum screen resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. These are not AMOLED panels, but they are very good for everyday use, be it for media consumption, gaming and more. As we mentioned in our Galaxy Tab S7 review, this screen offers HDR10+ support, and watching HDR content on the tablet is an absolute pleasure. You can expect to have a similar experience on the Galaxy Tab S8 considering it uses the same screen.
While discussing media consumption, it’s worth noting that both tablets also feature a quad-speaker setup tuned by AKG. You basically get speakers on both sides and they provide great stereo separation. Overall, it is safe to say that both devices are equally good when it comes to media consumption.
Hardware and performance
As mentioned in the spec sheet, the Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S8 both pack different hardware on the inside. The latest Galaxy Tab S8 is powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset while Galaxy Tab S7 is powered by Snapdragon 865 Plus. Despite it being a relatively older chip, we think the Snapdragon 865 Plus chip inside the Tab S7 should be able to keep up with all your needs even in 2022.
The base model of the Galaxy Tab S8 comes with 8GB of RAM, while you only get 6GB of RAM with the base Tab S7. The Galaxy Tab S7 also boasts 8GB of RAM while the Tab S8 can be purchased with up to 12GB. You get the option to buy a Tab S7 with more internal storage, but you can also add a microSD card to both tablets, so it’s not necessarily a big deal.
As far as battery life is concerned, the Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S8 both pack an 8000mAh battery, which we think is enough to keep the lights on for at least two days with light to moderate use. Your mileage may vary based on your daily workload, but we doubt if you’ll be looking for a charger to power these tablets all the time. Both tablets support 45W wired charging but you will have to spend more money to buy a charging brick that supports 45W fast charging. The Galaxy Tab S7 only came with a 15W charger but it’s still better in our books than the Galaxy Tab S8 that doesn’t charge with any charger inside the box.
cameras
There isn’t much difference between the two tablets in the camera department either. The Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S7 feature a 13MP primary sensor with f/2.0 aperture. You get an extra ultra-wide camera on both tablets, but Samsung used a slightly different 6MP sensor for the Tab S8 instead of the 5MP sensor on the Tab S7. Cameras – especially rear cameras – usually don’t take center stage when it comes to tablets but we think both devices in this comparison offer a decent set of optics to get the job done.
The front camera is what we say is more important on a tablet these days as it can be used for video calls. Samsung has improved the selfie camera on the Galaxy Tab S8 by adding a 12MP wide sensor. In contrast, the Galaxy Tab S7 only comes with an 8MP wide camera which is pretty good at best.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs Galaxy Tab S7: Which Should You Buy?
Well, now that we know what each of these tablets consists of, it’s time to find out which one is best for you. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is currently priced at $699 for the base variant with Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab S7 price starts at $649. If you don’t mind spending the extra cash, we think the Galaxy Tab S8 is worth considering last year’s model. Not only does the new tablet come with a better chipset to improve overall performance, but you’ll also get extended software support of at least four years. Notably, it is also useful for those who tend to attend a lot of video calls as it comes with a better front camera.
This does not mean that the Galaxy Tab S7 is a bad choice. Definitely not worth upgrading to a Galaxy Tab S8 if you already have a Tab S7. In fact, the thought of buying a Galaxy Tab S7 over a Tab S8 might not be an entirely bad idea. It’s still a great option to consider if you don’t necessarily need the latest processor or best set of cameras on your tablet. It is currently running One UI 4.1 based on Android 12 and will likely get at least two updates before it sees the end of the line. You’ll also likely find a good deal on the Galaxy Tab S7 to save some money considering it’s a relatively old device now.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 offers a good range of upgrades over last year’s model. You get updated interior items and a better selfie camera this time around.
Last year’s Galaxy Tab S7 is still a solid option to consider if you don’t mind a slightly older chipset.
What Samsung Galaxy tablet are you looking to buy? Let us know by dropping a line in the comments below. If you are planning to buy the new Galaxy Tab S8, be sure to stop by our best Galaxy Tab S8 deals page to see if you can find some good deals for it. You can use the extra money to buy one of the best cases for it and add some protection.
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