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The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra’s 14.6-inch screen is its reason to exist—and its biggest compromise. It offers an unusually broad canvas for video, drawing, handwritten notes and split-screen work, but at 726g for the Wi-Fi model it is unwieldy to hold one-handed. This is a tablet for people who want a large Android workspace, not a device that disappears into a bag or feels comfortable in every handheld situation.
How big is too big?
The Tab S8 Ultra makes that question literal. Its 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display measures 2960 × 1848 pixels and supports refresh rates up to 120Hz, according to Samsung’s February 2022 launch announcement. Stuff’s hands-on review describes a crisp WQXGA+ panel at 240 pixels per inch, with fluid-feeling menus. The expansive screen is better suited to spreading out content than to casual one-handed browsing: Stuff reports that the 726g Wi-Fi model is unwieldy to hold in one hand.
That trade-off shapes the whole product. On a desk or supported by a stand, the size can make a tablet feel closer to a small laptop workspace or a large smart display. Held in your hands for a long stretch, the same dimensions become a burden. The display is the clear differentiator, but it only pays off if you have room to use it.
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Video and viewing
The generous AMOLED panel gives films, shows and other visual content room to breathe. It also makes the tablet a plausible shared or stationary screen, rather than just a personal device to carry from room to room. Samsung’s published specifications establish the display size, resolution and refresh-rate ceiling; they do not amount to an independent comparison with another tablet.
#1 Best Overall
- Combined Processor Core: Octa-core
- Processor Speed: 2.99 GHz
- 2nd Processor Speed: 2.40 GHz
- 3rd Processor Speed: 1.70 GHz
- Chipset Manufacturer: Qualcomm
Notes, drawing and creation
Samsung includes an S Pen, making handwriting and drawing part of the out-of-box proposition. The stylus attaches magnetically to the tablet for charging, according to the Samsung Gulf product page. Samsung also describes a creator workflow involving Clip Studio Paint, but that page says a membership is required and that promotion and availability terms vary. Do not assume a current offer or identical app terms in every region.
Split-screen work
Samsung’s Multi-Active Windows and DeX features are intended to make use of the extra screen area. Stuff reports that the review unit could display three apps in split-screen alongside a floating window. Samsung Notes is also among the launch-highlighted features. These tools make the Ultra more than a large media slate, although the value depends on whether Android apps and your own workflow work well in multitasking layouts.
Design, performance and core specifications
Stuff’s hands-on review praises the tablet’s design and performance while stressing the handling compromise. Samsung announced a 4nm processor platform and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 identification on its regional product page. At launch, Ultra configurations were offered with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of built-in storage; optional microSD expansion was specified up to 1TB. Samsung noted that configurations differ by market, so the maximum is not a guarantee that every regional model includes those capacities.
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Rank #2
- 11.0" TFT LCD, 120Hz, 1752 x 2800 pixels, 8000mAh Battery, USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector
- 128GB ROM, 8GB RAM, Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm), Octa-core, Adreno 730, Android 12, One UI 4.1
- Rear Camera: 13MP, f/2.0 + 6MP, f/2.2, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.4, Bluetooth 5.2, Fingerprint (side-mounted)
- No SIM Card Slot / Network - Wi-Fi Only. Package Contains: Galaxy Tab S8, S Pen, USB Charger Cable, Quick Start, Guide **Wall Plug is not Included**
| Specification | Tab S8 Ultra detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 14.6-inch Super AMOLED, 2960 × 1848, up to 120Hz (Samsung, 2022) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1; regional product listing (Samsung) |
| Memory and storage | Configurations up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage; microSD expansion up to 1TB (Samsung, 2022; market configurations vary) |
| Battery and charging | 11,200mAh typical capacity; charging up to 45W (Samsung, 2022) |
| Weight | 726g for the Wi-Fi model (Stuff, 2022) |
| Stylus | S Pen included; magnetic attachment and charging described on Samsung Gulf product page |
| Keyboard | Book Cover Keyboard sold separately (Samsung Gulf product page) |
The battery capacity and charging figure are manufacturer specifications, not a promise of a particular runtime or charging time. Usage, configuration and conditions affect those outcomes. For more screen area and laptop-adjacent typing, Samsung’s Book Cover Keyboard is an optional purchase rather than an included part of the package.
How it compares as a buying choice
The Ultra makes most sense when the screen itself matters more than portability. Against the smaller Tab S8 family or a large iPad, the useful questions are not just which device has the biggest panel, but how you intend to use it:
- Workspace: Will the larger canvas improve drawing, notes or simultaneous apps enough to justify the bulk?
- Portability: Do you mainly use a tablet on a desk or stand, or do you expect comfortable handheld use for long periods?
- Stylus workflow: The S Pen is included here; check whether the drawing and note-taking apps you rely on fit your needs.
- Software: App behavior and multitasking support can matter more than raw display size. Stuff makes a broad observation about iPad software, but its review is not a controlled head-to-head test.
- Configuration: Compare the exact RAM, storage, Wi-Fi or cellular version available in your market rather than assuming every announced maximum is available locally.
- Price: Compare current local offers for the specific configuration. The figures in the launch review below are historical UK prices, not current pricing.
Samsung positioned the S8 Ultra as a push beyond conventional tablet boundaries. In the company’s launch announcement, TM Roh, President and Head of MX Business at Samsung Electronics, said: “We built on years of innovation in mobile experiences to refine the Galaxy Tab S8 series, and to push the boundaries of what’s possible on a tablet with the first Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.” That is Samsung’s description of its ambition; the practical test for a buyer remains whether the exceptionally large format suits their use.
Rank #3
- 5G LTE Connectivity. (Compatible with VERIZON Network Only
- FASTEST WI-FI: Work and play with the blazing fast speed of Wi-Fi 6E -- 3x faster than the previous generation of Wi-Fi
- LARGE DISPLAY, INCREDIBLE VISUALS: Get more enjoyment out of every moment with a big 12.4 inch sAMOLED screen and high resolution that dazzles with unbelievable brilliance, crispness, and color
- ULTRA WIDE CAMERA: Record super clear video in 4K and great photos with an ultra-wide front camera with auto framing; With Galaxy S8+, your photography skills will shine regardless of your experience level behind the lens
- S PEN: Inspire your imagination with our fastestPen yet, anPen that is more responsive than ever, feels even more like a real pen, and it’s included with tablet purchase
What it cost at launch—and what that does not tell you now
Stuff’s 9 February 2022 hands-on listed UK launch prices of £999 for 8GB/128GB, £1,099 for 12GB/256GB and £1,249 for 16GB/512GB, with 5G versions priced £150 more. Those are review-time UK launch figures only. They do not establish today’s price, resale value or availability in any market.
Software support: the launch commitment
Samsung announced that the Tab S8 series would receive up to four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates. That is the commitment published at launch, not a check of the tablet’s current installed Android version or latest region-specific security patch.
Verdict: a specialist-sized Android tablet
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is compelling when a 14.6-inch screen is a requirement rather than a novelty: it gives video, drawing and multitasking unusual breathing room, and the included S Pen helps make that space useful for creation as well as viewing. Its size and 726g Wi-Fi weight make comfortable one-handed use a real sacrifice. For buyers who want the largest possible Android canvas and often work with the tablet supported, that is a purposeful trade. For anyone who values easy handheld use first, the Ultra’s defining feature is also the reason to look at a smaller tablet.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
