So, you’re looking at the Samsung S8 Ultra tablet. It’s massive. Honestly, the first time you pull this thing out of the box, it feels less like a mobile device and more like you’ve just stolen a piece of a spaceship. It’s huge. It’s thin. It’s kind of intimidating.
When Samsung launched the Tab S8 Ultra, they weren't just trying to make a bigger screen; they were trying to see if they could finally kill the laptop. They slapped a 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display onto a frame that’s only 5.5mm thick. Think about that for a second. Your phone is likely thicker than this giant slab of glass and aluminum. But here’s the thing—size isn't everything. Living with this beast is a rollercoaster of "wow, this is incredible" and "where on earth am I supposed to put this?"
Most reviewers talk about the specs, but I want to talk about how it actually feels when you’re trying to use it on a plane or while lying in bed. It’s a weirdly specific experience.
The Screen That Ruins Everything Else
Let’s get the obvious part out of the way: the display. It’s a 14.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is, quite simply, the best screen I have ever seen on a portable device. Once you watch a 4K HDR movie on this thing, your TV will look depressing. Your laptop will look like a relic from the 90s.
Because it’s OLED, the blacks are actually black, not that murky gray you get on standard LCD tablets. If you’re watching something like The Batman or Stranger Things, the contrast is just... chef’s kiss.
But there’s a catch.
The 16:10 aspect ratio is perfect for movies—you barely get any black bars—but it makes the tablet incredibly tall and narrow when you hold it vertically. Using it in portrait mode feels like holding a legal-sized clipboard from the future. It’s awkward. You’ll almost always use this in landscape.
Then there’s the notch. Yeah, it has one. Samsung tucked two 12MP front cameras in there. Honestly? You’ll forget it exists in about twenty minutes. It’s way less intrusive than the notch on a MacBook because it’s tucked into the bezel area that you’re mostly ignoring anyway.
Performance and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Reality
Inside this thing is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. Back when it launched, this was the king of the hill. In 2026, it’s still a powerhouse, but we have to be honest about the thermal situation. When you’re pushing this tablet—maybe you’re editing 4K video in LumaFusion or running a heavy session in Genshin Impact—it can get warm. Not "burn your hand" warm, but you’ll notice it.
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The multitasking is where the Samsung S8 Ultra tablet really earns its keep. Samsung’s One UI allows you to split the screen into three windows effortlessly.
Imagine this: You have a Zoom call on the left, a Note-taking app on the right, and a browser window floating in the middle. Most tablets would choke on that. The S8 Ultra just handles it. If you get the version with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, you can basically leave apps open for days without them refreshing. It’s kind of ridiculous.
The S Pen is Not a Gimmick
Samsung includes the S Pen in the box. Apple makes you pay an extra hundred-plus dollars for their Pencil, which always feels like a bit of a slap in the face.
The latency on the S Pen here is 2.8 milliseconds.
That is effectively instant.
Writing on this screen feels like writing on paper, but smoother. It’s got this slightly rubberized tip that provides just enough friction so you don't feel like you’re sliding on ice. For artists using Clip Studio Paint, this is the gold standard. For people like me who just want to scribble on PDFs or jot down ideas during a meeting, it’s a game-changer.
One thing that’s annoying? The charging spot. It magnetically attaches to a glass strip on the back. It’s a strong magnet, sure, but if you toss this in a backpack without a case, that pen is gone. You absolutely need a cover that secures the S Pen. Don't learn this the hard way.
Can It Actually Replace Your Laptop?
This is the million-dollar question. Or, well, the thousand-dollar question.
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Samsung DeX is the secret sauce. When you toggle DeX mode, the tablet transforms. The interface shifts from a standard mobile layout to something that looks exactly like Windows or macOS. You get a taskbar. You get windows you can resize and drag around. You get a desktop.
Pair this with the official Book Cover Keyboard, and you’re basically looking at a laptop.
But it’s not perfect.
The keyboard case is expensive. And because the tablet is so thin and top-heavy, "lapability" is a disaster. If you’re sitting at a desk, it’s great. If you’re trying to type on a cramped bus or in an airport lounge chair, it’s a balancing act that will give you anxiety.
Also, Android apps still have their quirks. While Google and Samsung have worked hard to optimize apps for large screens, some apps—looking at you, Instagram—still feel like they’re just blown-up phone versions. It’s getting better, but we aren't at parity with "real" desktop software yet. If your workflow relies on very specific, heavy-duty Excel macros or specialized CAD software, you still need a PC.
Battery Life: The Big Screen Tax
You’d think a tablet this big would have a battery that lasts a week. It has an 11,200mAh cell, which sounds massive.
In reality, it’s driving a massive, bright, 120Hz screen.
You’ll get through a full work day, usually around 8 to 10 hours of "normal" use. But if you’re cranking the brightness and watching HDR content, you’ll see that percentage drop faster than you’d like. It supports 45W fast charging, which is decent, but keep in mind that a full charge still takes about 80 to 90 minutes. You’re moving a lot of juice.
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Why Nobody Talks About the Cameras (But Should)
Tablet cameras are usually an afterthought. People who take photos with tablets at weddings are generally judged by society.
However, the Samsung S8 Ultra tablet is built for video calls. The dual 12MP front cameras have an "Auto Framing" feature. If you’re pacing around your room while on a call, the camera will actually crop and pan to keep you in the center. If someone else walks into the frame, it zooms out to include them. It’s eerily good. For the remote work era, this is actually one of the tablet’s best features.
The Longevity Argument
Samsung committed to four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security patches for this device. Since it launched with Android 12, it’s got a long life ahead of it. Even in 2026, it’s receiving updates that keep it feeling fresh.
The build quality is also top-notch. It’s made of "Armor Aluminum." While I haven't tried to intentionally bend it, it feels remarkably rigid for something so thin. Just... don't sit on it. Seriously.
What Most People Get Wrong About the S8 Ultra
A lot of people think this is just a "bigger S8 Plus." It’s not. The scale changes how you use it.
You don't hold this tablet; you station it. It’s a portable workstation. If you try to use it like an iPad Mini, you’re going to hate it. It’s too heavy for one-handed reading. It’s too wide for casual thumb-typing.
But if you’re a digital artist, a frequent traveler who wants a private cinema, or a student who wants to replace five notebooks and a laptop with one device, this is in a league of its own.
The Real-World Verdict
Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. Most people would be perfectly happy with the S8+ or even the base S8.
But if you crave screen real estate, the Samsung S8 Ultra tablet is the only game in town that delivers this specific mix of OLED beauty and multitasking power. It’s a specialized tool. It’s a luxury item. And honestly, it’s one of the most fun pieces of tech Samsung has ever released.
Actionable Insights for Potential Buyers
- Don't buy it without a case. The tablet is too thin and the S Pen is too easy to lose. Look for a case with a dedicated pen slot.
- Check your bag size. 14.6 inches is bigger than many standard laptop sleeves designed for 13-inch MacBooks. Measure before you buy a sleeve.
- Use the "Protect Battery" setting. If you plan on keeping this for 4-5 years, go into the settings and limit the charge to 85%. It’ll save your battery health in the long run.
- Master the edge panels. For a screen this big, using the Edge Panels to launch app pairs (like YouTube and Notes at the same time) makes the experience 10x better.
- Look for refurbished deals. Since newer models are out, you can often find the S8 Ultra for nearly half its original launch price. Given the screen tech hasn't changed that much, it’s a steal on the secondary market.