Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Vs iPad: Battle Of The Giants
The latest Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 challenges the iPad lineup more ways than possible. Let’s compare Samsung’s offerings to those of Apple’s.
Before we begin, please note that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series is part of Samsung’s 2022 lineup. And the iPads we’re comparing it to are likely to get a refresh in a couple of months. We’ll be sure to make a comparison then too, but for now, here’s the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and iPad comparison for you.
Galaxy Tab S8 vs iPad
Samsung has targeted the top end of the iPad lineup, which is also the best-recommended segment. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 starts at $699, while the iPad Air starts at $599. Going up, the Tab 8 Pro matches the iPad Pro 11 and the Tab S8 Ultra vs iPad Pro 13.
So, in a nutshell, if you were going to buy an iPad Mini or a 9th gen iPad, then you have to compare those with last year’s Samsung Galaxy Tab S7.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs iPad Air
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | iPad Air |
| Build | Armor Aluminum | Recycled Aluminum |
| Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm 1.1 Pound (503 grams) | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm 1 Pound (460 grams) |
| Display | 11-inch 2560×1600 276ppi LTPS TFT with up to 120Hz refresh rate | 10.9-inch 2360×1640 Liquid Retina display |
| Camera | Rear: 13MP wide + 6MP Ultrawide rear cameras Front: 12 MP Ultrawide | Rear: 12MP wide Front: 7MP wide |
| RAM + Storage | 8/12GB + 128/256GB MicroSD up to 1 TB | 4GB + 64/256GB |
| OS | Android 12 | iPadOS 15 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 4nm 64-bit Octa-core processor | A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine |
| Connectivity | 5G, LTE, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth, USB Type-C (3.2) | LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C |
| Security | Side-key mounted fingerprint scanner | Top button mounted Touch ID |
| Battery | 8,000mAh 45-watt fast charging | 8,827mAh 20-watt fast charging |
| In-the-box | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 with S Pen and Type-C cable. | iPad Air with Type-C cable |
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold | Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue |
| Price | From $699 | From $599 |
At least on paper, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs iPad goes in favor of the Samsung tablet. It has the more recent and more powerful chip and is overall more value for money.
You pay a $100 premium for Samsung. This gets you a high refresh rate display, better cameras, 5G and S Pen in the box. Other than that, it is a matter of preference, and you can’t go wrong with both of these tablets.
Going further up, you can compare the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ with the iPad Pro 11. The two are also similarly priced and pack a similar punch. However, Apple fitted a laptop chip into the iPad to expect some surprises later this year.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs iPad Pro
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra | iPad Pro |
| Build | Armor Aluminum | Recycled Aluminum |
| Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm 1.1 Pound (503 grams) | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm 1.5 pounds (682 grams) |
| Display | 14.6-inch 2960×1848 (WQXGA+) 240ppi Super AMOLED with up to 120Hz refresh rate | 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion |
| Camera | Rear: 13MP wide + 6MP Ultrawide rear cameras Front: 12 MP Ultrawide + 12 MP Wide | Rear: 12MP wide + 10MP Ultrawide Front: 12MP Ultrawide |
| RAM + Storage | 8/12/16GB + 128/256/512GB MicroSD up to 1 TB | 8GB + 128/256/512GB 16GB + 1TB/2TB |
| OS | Android 12 | iPadOS 15 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 4nm 64-bit Octa-core processor | Apple M1 chip with 16-core Neural Engine |
| Connectivity | 5G, LTE, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth, USB Type-C (3.2) | 5G, LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C |
| Security | In-display fingerprint scanner | Face ID |
| Battery | 11,200mAh 45-watt fast charging | 9,720mAh 20-watt fast charging |
| In-the-box | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 with S Pen and Type-C cable. | iPad Pro with Type-C cable |
| Colors | Graphite | Silver, Space Gray |
| Price | From $1,099 | From $1,099 |
Let’s talk about the big guns. These are the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs iPad Pro 13. Both are packing the best Samsung and Apple have to offer, and you can’t go wrong with either. However, Samsung offers a larger display and S Pen with the tablet.
Samsung has introduced some Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra features that bring it on par with the iPad Pro. For instance, the Tab S8 Ultra has dual front cameras equipped with Auto-framing, which works similar to the Center Stage feature on the iPad.
The Tab S8 Ultra can also be a second monitor for your Windows device, like Universal Control on Apple devices. Samsung has partnered with various companies, including Luma Fusion, to optimize photo editing tools on the Galaxy Tab S8.
Lastly, Samsung announced that the company is also working with Google for big-screen optimization. You can now use your Samsung phone as a palette to sketch on the Tab S8 Ultra.
The iPad Pro killer?
This is what we’ve been waiting for. Android tablets that can take on Apple’s might in the tablet segment. Samsung has finally given us tablets with flagship specifications that compete in space and can replace laptops for many of us.
Combine that with the ever-improving S Pen, Samsung’s world-class displays, and now 4 years of software support, we’re talking of serious alternatives here. And while Apple has been conservative about bumping up the iPad Air’s specs, Samsung has shared technology across the board.
So, in a nutshell, if you’re out there looking for an Android tablet to give the iPad a run for its money, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 makes perfect sense.
What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs iPad comparison? If you benefitted from it, I’d say you go and check out our iPad Pro vs MacBook comparison.
