Samsung Galaxy Tab 8" SM-T290NZKAXAR 2019 Review
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 is a bare-bones tablet that makes sense only if your budget is absolutely fixed at $100. For anyone else, saving a little more buys a much better experience.
The 30-Second Version
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 is a bare-bones budget tablet. It's fine for very basic video watching and web browsing, but the low-resolution screen and outdated Android 9 software are major drawbacks. At around $100, it's an option only if you absolutely cannot spend more.
Overview
If you're looking for a basic, no-frills tablet for under $150, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 is probably on your radar. It's a 2019 model running Android 9, with an 8-inch screen and 32GB of storage. For the price, it's a simple device for watching videos, browsing the web, and light reading. Just know you're getting a budget experience, not a powerhouse.
Performance
Our benchmark data puts this tablet's performance squarely in the budget category. The CPU lands in the 44th percentile, which means it's fine for basic tasks but will struggle with anything demanding. The screen resolution is in the 6th percentile, so don't expect a sharp, vibrant display. The one bright spot is the RAM, which hits the 95th percentile. That helps it juggle a few apps without completely bogging down, but it's still not a fast tablet by any stretch.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very affordable price point 97th
- Lightweight and easy to hold 93th
- Expandable storage up to 512GB via microSD
- Solid battery life for basic use
- Simple and straightforward for non-techies
Cons
- Low-resolution, dated screen 5th
- Outdated Android 9 operating system 11th
- Only 32GB of internal storage
- Performance is slow for anything beyond basics
- Cameras are mediocre at best
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | 2 GHz AMD_Kabini_A6_5200M_Quad_Core |
| GPU | samsung |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 32 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB |
Display
| Size | 8" |
| Resolution | 1280 |
Physical
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.8 lbs |
| OS | Android 9 Pie |
Value & Pricing
At around $100, the value proposition is simple: it's one of the cheapest name-brand tablets you can get. You're paying for the Samsung logo and a functional device, not for cutting-edge specs. If your budget is absolutely capped here, it's an option. But if you can stretch to $200-$250, you'll find much better alternatives.
vs Competition
The obvious competitor is an older model Amazon Fire tablet, which offers a similar experience for even less money, but locks you into Amazon's ecosystem. If you need more power, the Lenovo Tab M series often provides better screens and newer software for just a bit more cash. Comparing it to an iPad or a Galaxy Tab S is like comparing a bicycle to a car; they're in completely different leagues. This tablet is for the absolute entry-level.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Tab 8" SM-T290NZKAXAR | Apple iPad Apple - 11-inch iPad A16 chip with Wi-Fi - 128GB - | Lenovo Idea Tab Lenovo - Idea Tab Pro - 12.7" 3K Tablet - 8GB RAM | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, | Teclast TECLAST T65PLUS 13.4-Inch Android 15 Tablet 2025, | Xiaomi Redmi Pad Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 Only WiFi (No Calls or Text) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 2 GHz AMD_Kabini_A6_5200M_Quad_Core | Apple A16 | MediaTek Dimensity | Core i7 | 2.2 GHz | 2200 MHz mediatek_helio |
| RAM (GB) | 32 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 8 | 8 |
| Storage (GB) | 32 | 128 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 |
| Screen | 8" 1280x800 | 11" 2360x1640 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 12.3" 2736x1824 | 13.4" 1920x1200 | 11" 2560x1600 |
| OS | Android 9 Pie | iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 15 | Android 15 |
| Stylus | false | true | true | true | false | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 29 | - | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Screen | Battery | Feature | Storage | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 8" SM-T290NZKAXAR | 43.6 | 45.2 | 97.3 | 4.7 | 46.2 | 58 | 10.7 | 56.4 | 92.6 |
| Apple iPad 11-inch A16 chip Compare | 71 | 71.6 | 65.9 | 78.5 | 96.7 | 93.4 | 55.1 | 89.9 | 99.3 |
| Lenovo Idea Tab Pro 12.7" 3K Compare | 43.6 | 45.2 | 74.6 | 92.2 | 94.9 | 95.7 | 74.1 | 96.2 | 99.3 |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Compare | 90.1 | 89.1 | 90.7 | 82.7 | 46.2 | 90.4 | 83.9 | 56.4 | 89.8 |
| Teclast T65PLUS 13.4-Inch Android 15 Tablet 2025 Compare | 73.4 | 74 | 74.6 | 44.2 | 94.7 | 26.9 | 74.1 | 92.9 | 95.1 |
| Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pad 2 Only Compare | 73.4 | 74 | 74.6 | 79.5 | 46.2 | 26.9 | 74.1 | 56.4 | 97 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 good for kids?
Yes, its low price, durable build, and simple interface make it a decent first tablet for young children, especially with expandable storage for games and videos.
Q: Can you watch Netflix on the Galaxy Tab A 8.0?
Yes, it can stream Netflix and other video apps, but the 1280x800 screen resolution means you won't get a super sharp HD experience.
Q: Is the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 good for reading?
It's okay for casual reading, but the screen isn't very sharp, which can cause eye strain during long reading sessions compared to a tablet with a higher-resolution display.
Q: How long does the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 battery last?
Samsung claims up to 13 hours, and our data shows battery performance is about average, so you can expect a full day of light use like video watching on a charge.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this tablet if you need to do any real work, like document editing or multitasking. Students should look for something with better productivity scores. Gamers and anyone who values a crisp screen for movies should also avoid it. If your budget allows, even a slightly more expensive tablet like the Lenovo Tab M10 will be a massive upgrade in almost every way.
Verdict
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0? Only if your needs are incredibly basic and your budget is rock-solid at $100. It's a decent device for a young kid's first tablet, or for an older relative who just needs something to watch YouTube and check email. For anyone else, especially students or people wanting to do more than just consume content, we'd recommend saving up a little more for a tablet with a better screen and newer software.