Whether you’re looking for a second screen for virtual meetings or online classes or a screensaver, the Tab A8 won’t let you down.
For most of 2021, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 was among the best tabs you can buy under Rs 20K. We’ve said it before, tabs have made a comeback of sorts in a post-pandemic world. This also applies to premium tabs like the iPad Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 that have taken the ‘laptop replacement’ board as well as tabs better suited for content consumption. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A8 lands in the same segment under Rs 20K as its predecessor and steps up as an entertainment tab.
Refreshed design:
We checked out the silver version of the Tab A8; the tablet is also available in white and pink gold. Samsung has changed the design slightly. It looks particularly refined and upscale in silver. The other design update we’re digging into is the rear camera module which has also been refreshed. It’s form-fitting – less than 7mm thick and weighs 508g, perfect for lounging on your couch while you flip through a graphic novel or decipher the word of the day.
Entertainment credits:
The screen is a bit larger than the Tab A7. Colors are quite vivid on the 10.5-inch (1920 x 1200 pixel) WUXGA (ultra widescreen graphics array) display. This TFT screen is supported by Dolby Atmos surround sound on all four speakers. I found the speakers worked best when they were around 80% volume levels. It’s a good screen for Netflix (it supports Netflix HD content) or gaming.
Hardware Highlights:
Samsung has added a new chipset – Unisoc Tiger T618, for the Tab A8. You can choose from two hardware options: 3GB/32GB or 4GB/64GB in India. Both variants offer expandable storage (Micro SD) up to 1TB. We tested the base variant; the device recorded a score of 1276 on Geekbench (multi-core) which was similar to the A7 in our benchmark tests in 2020. Samsung left most other hardware specs unchanged. You get the same 7040mAh battery that should comfortably last you through a full day of Zoom meetings. The 8MP rear camera and 5MP selfie camera are also unchanged from the A7. The front camera is good enough for virtual meetings or enrolling in online courses.
Everything goes together:
The Tab A8 runs on Android 11 layered with Samsung’s One UI 3.1. We would have liked to see Android 12 out of the box. We understand that an update is in progress. You can expect periodic software updates from Samsung based on their track record. Samsung’s One UI has made significant improvements over the past two years. This tab has useful features such as split screen which makes multitasking easier. We only wish Google would roll out a tab-specific OS soon.
Who is it for :
Just like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is one of the best tabs you can buy under Rs 20,000. We like the refreshed design; the colors are quite punchy on the display which is backed by a robust battery. Whether you’re looking for a second screen for virtual meetings or online classes or a screensaver, the Tab A8 won’t let you down.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 starts at Rs 17,999 and is available in silver, rose gold and gray. There is instant cashback of Rs 2,000 with ICICI credit cards (limited time introductory offer).
The opinions expressed by the author are personal.