One of the most sought-after budget Android tablets introduced for 2022 is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. There are several reasons to go for this device. One is the affordable price tag. The other is the decent hardware specifications perfect for average users.
However, like all other devices, it has drawbacks and limitations. This article reviews the pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and highlights the reasons why you should or should not buy this Android tablet from Samsung.
Pros of Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: Reasons Why You Should Buy
This new device is the direct successor to the Galaxy Tab A7 and Tab A7 Lite. It has notable improvements that range from a better system-on-chip that delivers noticeable performance compared to the previous generations of the Tab A series and a better-sounding stereo speaker for an immersive content consumption experience.
Below are the key features and advantages of this device:
• Affordable Price Point: One of the selling points of the Tab A8 is that it retails for USD 229.29. This is the most affordable Android product for Samsung. The fact that it comes from a reputable manufacturer means buyers are assured of quality and after-sales support as opposed to buying other tablets from less popular manufacturers.
• Unisoc Tiger T618 Chip: This device is powered by an eight-core CPU with Mali G52 MP2 integrated GPU. Benchmark tests using AnTuTu 9 showed that it is 25 percent faster in general processing, graphics processing, and memory utilization than the Snapdragon 662 used in the Galaxy Tab A7.
• Dolby Atmos Speaker: Another one of the key pros of the Galaxy Tab A8 is that it features four speakers that use Dolby Atmos surround sound technology. The sound it produces is louder and fuller compared with most entry-level Android tablets and even mid-range Android smartphones and tablets.
• Premium Build Quality: The affordable price comes with a premium build quality. Samsung uses a metal body frame. The bezels are also thin to give it a more modern look with around 80 percent screen-to-body ratio. It is a little bit heavier at 508 grams but it is thinner at 6.9 millimeters.
• Inclusion of a Headphone Jack: A number of mid-range to flagship-grade tablet and smartphone devices have geared away from including a headphone jack and forced their users to opt for wireless headphones. However, for a budget device, it makes sense to give a user an option to opt for wired headphones.
• Cellular Network: Some Android tablets do not come with cellular connectivity. The same is true for the base model of iPads. One of the strengths of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is that there is a version that allows connecting to cellular networks for a small price. This provides users with a complete mobile experience.
• Decent Mobile Gaming: This device can also handle most Android mobile game titles such as Mobile Legends, Call of Duty Mobile, Asphalt, and PUBG at normal settings. There are some frame drops during intense graphical situations but the overall gaming experience remains acceptable given the price point.
• Software and Security Support: Samsung promises to give this device two full Android operating system updates. Furthermore, it will also provide quarterly security patches for four years from the date of product launch. This is a good deal for a budget device. Most entry-level tablets suffer from a lack of after-sales support.
Cons of Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: Reasons Why You Should Not Buy
Remember that this device is an entry-level Android tablet. Consumers should not expect it to deliver mid-range and flagship-like performance. The selling points and advantages mentioned above are impressive for its price point. However, before purchasing this tablet it is still important to highlight its drawbacks and notable issues.
Below are the key issues and disadvantages of this device:
• Unimpressive Display Panel: The 10.5-inch TFT LCD oriented at a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 1200×1920 resolution and 216 PPI pixel density is large but still unimpressive. The poor display quality is noticeable when switching from a device with a high-end IPS LCD or an OLED display panel.
• Front and Rear Cameras: Another one of the notable cons of the Galaxy Tab A8 is its low-quality front and rear cameras. Of course, tablets are not meant for mobile photography but they still have some notable use cases. The front camera is only at 5 megapixels and struggles in average-light environments.
• Limited Storage and Ram: The base model has 32GB of storage and 3GB of RAM. Other variants have a 64GB or 128GB of storage configuration at 4GB of RAM. The base specification would not be enough to download apps and videos from streaming services. Even the 4GB of RAM would not be enough for multitasking.
• Unsuitable for Power Users: Of course, although the Unisoc Tiger T618 chip is a decent hardware, it is also one of the cons of the Galaxy Tab A8. It is a budget-oriented chipset designed for average use cases. It cannot run resource-demanding apps such as high-end mobile games and photo and video editing applications.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 Review Verdict: Should You or Should You Not Buy
The aforementioned selling points and pros of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 make it an entry-level device perfect for individuals who need a tablet for browsing the internet and social media, reading and responding to emails or using instant messaging services, reading e-books, watching and listening to streaming video and music, and casual gaming.
However, considering its limitations, it is important to note that there are other alternatives in the market. The Xiaomi Pad 5 has better overall specifications. It retails more for around USD 300.00. Consumers who have an extra budget might be better off buying and using the more powerful and capable 9th-generation iPad which retails at USD 329.00.