For the first time, an Ultra edition of a tablet appears at Samsung, following the S Ultra smartphones. The eye-catcher here is the 14.6-inch AMOLED display. But it is also a high flyer in other areas, as you can read in this extensive Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Recommended retail price From € 1,149
Screen 14.6 inch Super AMOLED 120Hz
Resolution 1,848 x 2,960 pixels
chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Memory 8 or 12 GB
Storage area 128 or 256 GB
Dimensions 20.9 x 32.6 x 0.55 centimeters
Weight 726 grams
Website www.samsung.com/nl
9 Score 90 
- Pros
- Great screen
- Very powerful hardware
- S Pen is quick to respond and helpful
- DeX Mode
- True multitasking
- Negatives
- Expensive with keyboard cover included
- Android and apps not always suitable for large screens
- 128 GB not so spacious (but expandable)
Following on from the Galaxy S smartphones, Samsung will not be bringing two but three top models in terms of tablets from this year. New is the Tab S8 Ultra, the superlative of the Tab S8 and Tab S8+, and the tablet counterpart of the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Just like that smartphone, the S8 Ultra is equipped with the fastest hardware of the moment. The used Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 with Andreno 730 guarantees just about the fastest contemporary performance. The dual front and rear cameras are pretty good for a tablet, but not as strong as what you’ll find on Samsung phones.
The build quality is equally sublime, and it is very thin. The advanced version of the S Pen is also present. What should also not be missing is an Ultra price tag. The Tab S8 Ultra starts at 1,149 euros for a version with 128 GB of storage. Pricey, but in line with Apple’s rival iPad Pro 12.9.
Excellent image quality
The reason why anyone would consider this pricey device? Perhaps because you are attracted by the large 14.6-inch Super AMOLED screen that refreshes at 120 Hz. On paper, it’s even bigger than the iPad Pro 12.9, although that needs to be nuanced. After all, Samsung opts for an ultra-wide 16:10 screen, while Apple opts for a more square 4:3 ratio. This makes the S8 Ultra much wider than the iPad Pro, but less high.
A smart choice from Samsung? That depends on what you’re doing right. For games and video, this is without a doubt a great tablet. The excellent image quality, high contrast and good HDR support make relaxing on this device a pleasure.
The four speakers are of good quality, so you can enjoy something on Netflix without having to reach for earphones or a Bluetooth speaker. The large format is a real plus here, because the distance between the speakers gives you a great stereo experience.
Sometimes stumbling blocks
The Tab S8 Ultra runs Android 12, supplemented with Samsung’s One UI 4.1. The Samsung interface is sleeker than ever, with little bloatware or redundant apps. Although there are still duplicate apps and you are dealing with two app stores.
One UI does bring interface additions that are useful on a big screen like this one. For example, the Edge side panel is handy and you can easily show apps split-screen. This is possible in a 50/50 ratio, but other divisions are also possible.
The DeX function that you find on more mobile Samsungs is completely correct here. The Tab S8 Ultra then switches to a desktop environment where apps appear as windows, just like Windows or macOS. You can also show this on an external monitor, but DeX can also be used on the built-in display.
There are regular times when Android or a non-customized app shows less well on this screen size. The difference with iPadOS on an iPad Pro is striking in that regard. iOS apps are much more often really adapted for tablets. Hopefully, Android 12L will improve that. Apart from that, the user experience is very good thanks to the smoothness with which apps run.
Near a laptop
The large size of the S8 Ultra has to get used to. The device is very thin and screen edges are almost non-existent. Because of this, in the beginning you often think: “How do I best hold it?”.
Compared to a smaller tablet or an iPad Pro, it is slightly less comfortable in the hand. A cover makes it easier, preferably with a stand so that you can straighten the tablet when watching video. It seems logical to us that you think of Samsung’s own keyboard cover. Not cheap at 349 euros, but perhaps appropriate if you want to use the Tab S8 Ultra as a replacement for your laptop.
It obviously depends on what applications you need, but a typical office worker might really consider the Tab S8 Ultra. The wide screen lends itself particularly well to showing two or three apps at the same time, so there is also something to be said for the 16:10 screen ratio in terms of productivity.
The downside is that a very wide screen makes using a virtual keyboard more difficult. Another reason to buy that keyboard.
The S Pen works great on the Tab S8 Ultra. It responds quickly, which makes the writing experience realistic and via Air Actions you can quickly call up certain functions. Helpful apps are also included, such as Samsung Notes.
Downloading Microsoft OneNote is a must for pen users. The PENUP app is a really fun drawing app that teaches you how to draw and encourages you to share your creations.
Conclusion
The price may be steep, but you do get a tablet that presents the best of the best in all areas. But does that always make the Tab S8 Ultra a good choice? The screen size probably attracts many, but the size is sometimes less convenient. And you can buy a lot of laptops for the same amount. It is therefore a matter of considering whether the Tab S8 Ultra really offers what you need. If so, then you have an excellent device in your hands.
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