Galaxy Tab S8 long-term review: my handy daily companion

The Galaxy Tab S8 is the smallest device in the new Tab S8 series, and I have actually grown very fond of it. I bought the device myself. The video is sponsored by inateck, and the sponsor has no influence or say over the content.

Design and hardware

In terms of design, the Tab S8 is hardly distinguishable from its predecessor, the Tab S7. That is practical, because all cases and covers for the Tab S7 fit here too. I keep using the Book Cover with keyboard from the Tab S7.

• What’‘s in the box: just a USB-C cable. I don’’t get worked up about that anymore.
• S Pen included: Samsung sticks with this. With Apple you have to buy the pen separately for €120.
• Software and performance: Android 12 out of the box and an eighth-generation Snapdragon instead of an Exynos. The device is extremely fast.
• Dimensions: 16.5 x 25.8 cm, 0.6 cm thick, 507 g. It is handbag-friendly.
• Display: 11-inch LCD with 120 Hz. It is not AMOLED like on the Tab S8 Plus and Tab S8 Ultra.
• Body: The sides and edges are made entirely of metal, and the look and feel are extremely high-quality.
• Unlocking: The fingerprint scanner in the power button works very reliably. I have also enabled face recognition, which works better some times than others.

Keyboard and DeX mode

There is a connector on the side for the Book Cover Keyboard. I use it very often because it makes the tablet more productive. The keyboard is made of two parts, and the cover has a folding mechanism on the back for almost any angle. Unfortunately, the Samsung keyboard with touchpad is as expensive as it is practical.

Ad: If you don’‘t want to do without one, I recommend the sponsor inateck’’s Bluetooth keyboard. At the time of the video it cost €26.99 at Amazon.

• It comes in sparse packaging, with just a USB-C charging cable that plugs in at the side.
• It is compatible with Android and Windows, and there is also a version for the iPad.
• You pair it via Bluetooth in the tablet’’s settings.
• The keys have a pleasant resistance and don’’t click too loudly, while the touchpad is a bit louder. Android and Windows gestures are supported, and there are function keys at the top.
• Thanks to the rubber feet, it doesn’’t wobble when you type.

I have also come to really appreciate Samsung DeX mode. With a Bluetooth keyboard and a paired mouse, you get a proper notebook feel.

Camera, speakers and battery

• Front camera: 12 megapixels, sits centered in landscape orientation and is very wide-angle in video recordings. That is good for video conferences. How often in the last two years have I sat there in very unflattering close-ups.
• Back: 13-megapixel wide-angle and 6-megapixel ultrawide, which take quite usable photos and videos.
• Speakers: Outstanding for a tablet, nice and loud with really good sound.
• Battery: It lasts well through the day. Depending on how much I make calls, browse and watch videos, it can get tight in the evening, though.

Besides productive tasks, I also use the Tab S8 for very unproductive ones like Netflix and YouTube. With the display and speakers, that is great fun.

The S Pen

The S Pen is my absolute favorite feature. It attaches magnetically to the back or the frame. It is definitely my favorite digital stylus, mainly because of the soft tip, which makes no clattering noises when writing. That is what bothers me about the Apple Pencil: on the display it sounds like someone walking around in high heels.

The S Pen has a small battery of its own. When it is charged, you can use it as a remote control, for example for the camera via the small button, or for gesture control. It doesn’’t need to be charged for writing, which works even without battery. It is the reason I use the device all day, mainly for notes at work appointments.

Verdict

Thanks to its handy format and low weight, the Tab S8 is a really good daily companion. It is fast and has a great display that makes working and watching videos real fun. The €749 RRP for the base version with Wi-Fi was absolutely worth it for me. If you already have a Galaxy Tab S7, you may not notice that many differences.