You know that feeling when you see a piece of tech and think, "There is no way that's actually practical"? That was basically the world's collective reaction when the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra dropped. It was just... huge. 14.6 inches of screen staring you in the face. Honestly, it looked more like someone ripped the top off a premium laptop than a traditional tablet.
But here’s the thing. We’re well into 2026 now, and while newer models like the S10 Ultra are hogging the spotlight with their anti-reflective coatings and slightly snappier MediaTek chips, the S8 Ultra hasn't actually gone anywhere. In fact, it’s becoming a bit of a cult classic for people who want that "portable cinema" vibe without paying the astronomical prices of the newest generation.
The Screen That Won't Quit
Let's talk about that display because it's the only reason anyone buys this thing. It’s a Super AMOLED panel running at 120Hz.
Even by today's standards, the colors are punchy. Blacks are deep. If you're watching a movie in a dark room, the bezels basically disappear, and you’re just left with this floating image. It’s glorious.
Sure, the newer S10 Ultra has that fancy anti-glare tech that makes it better for working at a Starbucks window. But if you're using this mostly at home or on a night flight, you aren't missing much. The resolution sits at $2960 \times 1848$. That’s roughly 240 pixels per inch. Is it the sharpest screen on earth? No. But at 14.6 inches, you aren't holding it three inches from your face like a phone. At a normal viewing distance, it looks like a window into another world.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Reality Check
We have to be real about the processor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 inside the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra was a bit of a "hot" topic when it launched. Literally.
It had a reputation for running warm and being a bit of a battery hog. In a phone, that was a disaster. In a tablet this big? It’s actually fine. There’s so much surface area for heat to dissipate that you rarely feel it getting uncomfortable.
Performance-wise, it’s still holding up. You’ve got options for 8GB, 12GB, or a massive 16GB of RAM. If you’re just browsing, taking notes in Samsung Notes, or juggling three apps in split-screen, it doesn't even break a sweat. You might notice a tiny stutter if you're trying to edit 4K video while running a high-end game in the background, but for 95% of people, it still feels fast.
Software Support: The 2026 Update
One of the biggest worries with "older" tech is the software death sentence. Samsung promised four major OS updates for this beast.
Since it launched with Android 12, it's slated to hit Android 16. We’re already seeing One UI 8.5 betas floating around for newer devices, and the S8 Ultra is still on the "invite list." You’ll likely get security patches well into 2027.
That means the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra isn't a paperweight yet. Far from it.
Why the Notch is a Non-Issue
People complained about the notch. I get it. It’s weird on a tablet.
But it houses two 12MP cameras. One is a wide, one is an ultra-wide. If you do a lot of video calls, the "Auto Framing" feature is actually kind of spooky. It follows you around the room as you move.
After five minutes of use, you honestly stop seeing the notch. It's tucked away in the status bar area, and since the screen is so massive, it takes up a tiny percentage of the total real estate.
Battery Life and the "Thinness" Curse
Samsung made this tablet 5.5mm thin. That’s thinner than most phones.
To do that, they had to pack in a massive but very flat 11,200mAh battery. Long-term users have reported mixed results here. If you keep the screen at 120Hz and max brightness, you’re looking at maybe 6 or 7 hours of screen-on time.
If you’re realistic?
- Drop the refresh rate to 60Hz for static tasks.
- Keep brightness at 50% indoors.
- Use Dark Mode (it's an OLED, use it!).
Doing that can push you closer to 9 or 10 hours. It’s enough for a full workday or a long-haul flight, but you’ll definitely want to carry a 45W fast charger. It takes about 80-90 minutes to go from zero to full, which isn't bad considering how much juice it's taking in.
Is it a Laptop Replacement?
Kinda. Sorta.
Samsung DeX is the secret sauce here. When you toggle DeX, the interface switches to a windowed desktop mode. Connect a keyboard—either the official Book Cover Keyboard or any Bluetooth one—and it feels remarkably like a laptop.
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But there’s a catch.
Android apps are still Android apps. Some of them just don't like being resized. Instagram still looks weird. Some pro-level tools for CAD or heavy engineering just aren't there.
However, if your "work" consists of:
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets).
- Slack or Microsoft Teams.
- Heavy Research (20+ browser tabs).
- Digital Art (Clip Studio Paint is amazing on this).
Then yes, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra can absolutely be your main travel machine.
The MicroSD Card Slot: A Dying Breed
This is a hill I will die on. The fact that the S8 Ultra (and its successors) still has a microSD slot is a massive win.
You can buy the base 128GB model for cheap and slap in a 1TB card for all your movies and files. Apple would charge you $400 for that privilege. Samsung just gives you a tray. In 2026, when cloud subscriptions are getting more expensive every month, having local storage for your 4K movie collection is a godsend.
Things to Watch Out For
It’s not all sunshine and OLEDs.
The size is a double-edged sword. You cannot use this thing comfortably with one hand. If you try to read an e-book while lying in bed, you’re going to drop it on your face, and it’s going to hurt.
It’s also fragile. Because it’s so thin and so large, it has more "flex" than a smaller tablet. You absolutely need a sturdy case. Don't throw this in a backpack naked; the screen will eventually find something to crack against.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re looking at a Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra today, here is how you should approach it:
- Check the Battery Health: If buying used, use an app like AccuBattery to check the wear. A tablet this old might be down to 85% capacity.
- Look for the 12GB RAM Variant: The 8GB version is okay, but Android 15 and 16 are getting heavier. That extra 4GB of RAM makes a noticeable difference in how many apps stay open in the background.
- Pick Up a Third-Party Keyboard: The official Samsung keyboard is expensive and the "flap" stand can be annoying on your lap. There are plenty of "Magic Keyboard" style clones on Amazon now that offer a more rigid typing experience for half the price.
- Update the Firmware Immediately: Samsung released several patches specifically to optimize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1's thermal performance. Make sure you're on the latest version of One UI to get those benefits.
- Get a Screen Protector: It’s a huge piece of glass. Gorilla Glass 5 is decent, but a 14-inch scratch is hard to ignore. A simple tempered glass protector is cheap insurance.