Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus Review: 1 Year Later

Click "show more" to view our time-stamped video chapters.

Video chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
00:29 - Video Sponsor: Litter Robot 4 (Whisker)
02:42 - People are underestimating this tablet
03:41 - Design overview
05:57 - Fingerprint sensor overview
06:32 - Display overview
07:50 - Performance and battery life
10:01 - Samsung DeX overview
11:13 - Taskbar overview
11:55 - Many pros in this tablet
12:51 - Extra features
13:08 - S-Pen overview
14:12 - Should you buy it?
15:17 - Ways to support my channel

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Where to buy this device:

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus:

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus/S7 Plus Detachable Keyboard:

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra:

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8:

Ways to support us:
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[AndroidDigest]

Using these links and purchasing helps me to keep making great content! Thanks everyone

[tryintech]

so I traded in my S7 (non plus) for the S8+ about a year ago when it came out and spent around $300 after trade in and military discount and got the slim keyboard for free with it. it has easily been my favorite device to use. I love watching videos on the gorgeous OLED screen. I don't game on it a lot, but I do play some emulators on it and it's been amazing. battery life during use hasn't been the best but its standby battery life is amazing and mixed usage I get 2-3 days of use before I have to charge. software experience has been flawless and has only gotten better with Android 13/OneUI 5.1 release and the improvements they brough with not just Dex but the split-screen experience in the standard mode (which I now use more than Dex especially if only swapping between 2 apps). overall, one of the tech purchases I made last year that I've had zero regrets making.

[nrcg]

Unbelievable tablet! I have one and it's amazing. I watch all my stream television, e-mail, artwork, note-taking, music, and e-conferences. The resolution is amazing and the 12.4 -inch screen is perfect for all my needs. The Pen works remarkably!

[syoung]

Im a trucker, so I use this as my laptop replacement. Im a gamer and have been toting laptops since my tour in Iraq. I love the ease and portability of this Tab, and it does all that I need it to do. And all that want it to do due its library of apps avalible. Bravo!!

[AScrapOfKindness]

I was watching my husband the other day as he sat outside hunched over his small tablet, obviously finding it a bit difficult to view. I immediately knew that for his birthday coming up fairly soon, I would pick him up a larger one. Decided on Samsung's S8+ and ordered it early this morning. The overwhelmingly positive and informative reviews like yours made the choice an easy one, and I'm feeling optimistic he will love the surprise. Thank you!

[Gaurav_Vinay]

I have this Tab for the last 6 months and I am absolutely loving it. iPads are definitely amazing but if someone is using Android for them Samsung is definitely worth spending.

This device is absolutely amazing for multimedia consumption bcz of the gorgeous 120 Hz AMOLED display but i wish this screen had anti reflective coating & higher brightness but for indoor usage....this is definitely amazing.
Besides display, I feel the notetaking experience of this tab is better than the the lower latency, pen-paper like feeling & amazing notetaking apps like Samsung notes & Noteshelf. Since Lumafusion is also now available, it is definitely useful for video editing.
Multitasking experience has definitely improved after Android 12L (OneUI 4.1) with the advent of the taskbar. Regular updates & long software support is also something that Samsung has definitely improved...but iPads are way ahead.
Presence of spen in the box and expandable storage upto 1TB is something that Apple doesn't provide & it's definitely worth appreciating.

Thanks Zack for guiding me to purchase this awesome piece of technology. Keep up the good work.

[johnjames]

I pre ordered mine and have used it every day since, for me it is perfect.

[porscheoscar]

Pro tip. If you find an official book cover case it has a magnet that you can use with an aftermarket magnetic LED keyboard with trackpad that come on those keyboard cases. Stick a little strip of tenacious tape between the back of the tablet and the magnetic book cover case so that it stays on the tablet securely. It can otherwise detach easily and fall on the floor.
Samsung tablets are Dex monsters. Pair it with 15.5" portable OLED monitor with type C hub and man you're set for multitasking heaven. I picked up that monitor for $190. Best Galaxy phone or tablet accessory by far. Amazing having 2 OLED screens without spending Apple money.

[cuz]

I've got the Ultra. It's amazing. I rarely boot up my PC. Great review!

[kkhorste]

I found your review on Reddit and I love your positive, upbeat style!! By chance do you have any 'how-to' videos? Specifically for newbies to the Android world, like myself. I have an iPad Pro 11" that I have no intention of leaving. I take a lot of notes on it and love it. I make and sell digital workbooks and I want to see the experience from the Android user's perspective, so I purchased the S8+ (128 GB) plus a 512GB micro SD card. I need help knowing what this tablet is capable of. Speaking for myself, I am finding that ios is like driving an automatic engine vehicle, pretty self-explanatory and easy. The Android platform is like driving a stick shift, takes a little more thought and coordination. But I love to learn and I would love a course on how to get my way around this thing! After watching many other reviews of the S8+ you seem like the PERFECT person to teach this class! Your style is so engaging! If this is not something you currently do, can you give recommendations to a newcomer to the Android world?

[Mr.ErikSnake]

Great review from an actual reviewer that uses this tablet

[ailene]

Just purchased today used it and all I can was AMAZING!

[ljashansen]

I am very senior citizen and looking for a tab to watch YouTube at home relaxing in my chair. That will be my primary use of a tablet. Trying to decide on the Samsung S8 or the Lenovo P 11 Pro Gen 2 since I will be holding my tab on my lap. I have one good eye so screen quality is important to me to be able to see the action well. Thanks in advance. I am subscribed and follow your reviews of tablets. Dr. H.

[robertarnobit]

I just bought a tab s8 plus 5g in an auction for $500 this Dec and I love it!❤️ im enjoying it and I'm happy i bought it. Good video thanks 👍👍

[diwaalejandrogalvez]

To be honest, I love the Tab lineup more than the Apple. I switched from the Air 4th Gen to the S7+ early last year, and I didn't regret it. I don't need the M1's power, and for people like SnazzyLabs or podcasters of TheVerge, if you think that Stage Manager is superior to DeX, get out. Dex is far more mature and useful.

For the S9+, if I would upgrade, I want:
1. Better baseline RAM. At least 12GB
2. Better baseline space of 256GB. They did it with the S23+
3. Ultrasonic sensor
4. An additional USB-C port. This will work wonders for a second monitor while charging the device

[jirikocman]

I own this one, I catch great deals so it was for price of base iPad Air. I really like OLED screen, but I did mistake, I had to buy S8 Ultra, it was just less than 100 bucks more expensive, but I was scarried by dimensions. Now, S8+ is used mostly on table, so no need for smaller device and Ultra will fit my usege better.

Anyway., that bigger bezels are need if you using it in hands. Ultra is not primarily for use in hands, so bezels are thinner. I do not have problems with battery live on my S8+. I using that charging to 85% all day long and it gives me even 10hrs video playback.

[ninjanerdstudent]

Do you review Chromebooks? I am considering getting one sometime this year between now and Black Friday. Maybe a comparison video between Galaxy Tablet and a Chromebook.

[sabrinamerrick]

Awesome review as always! That's why I come here for honest reviews,

Shout out to the litter robot!

[alleycat]

Love everything about my Tab S8+ apart from the battery life - it's on the charger far more often than my regular Tab S8 and Ipad Air. Although I do use it significantly more than those!

Same gripe about my S22!

[totalpartykill]

this is pretty much a "do everything" tablet. i have never felt i needed a desktop pc because of my tab s8 plus, it just does everything i need.