Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8+ X800 12.4" 2022 Review

The Galaxy Tab S8+ is a screen-first tablet. Its gorgeous sAMOLED display and included S Pen are still top-tier, but its processing power is now middle-of-the-pack. Only worth buying if you find a deeply discounted renewed model and prioritize media and notes over raw speed.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ is a big, beautiful Android tablet that tries to do it all. It's got a stunning 12.4-inch screen, a fast S Pen in the box, and Samsung's DeX mode to give you a desktop-like experience. But it's a few years old now, and that shows in some of its core specs. We're looking at a renewed model here, which can be a killer deal or a bit of a gamble depending on the seller.

Performance is a mixed bag. The Snapdragon chipset is still solid for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and note-taking. The sAMOLED screen is a standout, with vibrant colors and sharp detail that makes movies and art pop. But our database shows its CPU and GPU scores land in the 'middle of the pack' range today, and the battery life is just average. It'll get you through a day, but don't expect to forget your charger.

This is where things get tricky. The price spread is wild, from under $600 to over $7,000. At the low end for a renewed unit, it can be a fantastic deal for the screen and S Pen alone. At anywhere near its original MSRP or the high end of that range, it's a hard sell against newer competitors. Shop for the deal, not the brand name.

Stacked up, it's an interesting choice. It beats the base iPad on screen quality and multitasking with DeX, but Apple's chips are in a different league for raw speed. Compared to a Lenovo Legion Tab, it's less of a gaming device. Next to a Microsoft Surface, it's a better media tablet but a weaker laptop replacement. Its real niche is as a big-screen Android slate for creatives and students who want that S Pen.

Skip this if you need a true laptop replacement for heavy work. The processor and app ecosystem just aren't there. Also, avoid it if you're buying new at full price; that money gets you a much faster tablet elsewhere. And if a guaranteed, genuine S Pen is critical, maybe look at a brand-new S9 series instead.

Buy this if you're a student or creative on a budget who found a certified renewed model for a steep discount, and you really want that big, beautiful screen with a stylus. The S Pen and DeX are legit features. Just go in knowing the internals are getting dated.