Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Android Tablet, 11” LCD Review
The refurbished Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 offers flagship features like a 120Hz screen and S Pen at a budget price. But is the risk of a missing stylus worth the incredible value?
The 30-Second Version
A refurbished flagship Android tablet for half price. The S Pen and 120Hz screen are fantastic, but watch out for units missing the stylus.
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is the Android tablet that finally gets the basics right, especially if you're buying it refurbished. It's not trying to be a laptop replacement, but it nails the core tablet experience with a fantastic 120Hz screen, a great included S Pen, and enough power for everyday tasks. The one thing to know? At around $300 for a refurbished model, it's a steal for anyone who wants a premium-feeling Android tablet without paying iPad Pro prices.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip is still plenty fast for 2024, landing in the 75th percentile for CPU performance in our database. Apps open quickly, and the 120Hz display makes everything feel smooth. The only real surprise is the GPU score, which sits in a shockingly low 2nd percentile. Don't get us wrong, it plays games fine, but if you're a serious mobile gamer looking for max frame rates, this isn't your rig. For everything else, it's more than enough.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The included S Pen is fantastic for notes and sketches, and it magnetically attaches to charge. 95th
- The 120Hz LCD screen is bright, smooth, and a joy to look at. 88th
- The refurbished price is a massive value for the premium build and features. 74th
- Samsung's DeX mode turns it into a decent desktop-like experience when you need it. 72th
Cons
- The battery life is just okay, landing below average in our tests. 2th
- The 128GB storage feels tight if you plan on loading it up with media and games.
- Some refurbished units are reportedly missing the S Pen, which is a huge bummer.
- The Wi-Fi-only connectivity is a bit dated; no 5G option here.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | 2.5 GHz Snapdragon |
| GPU | X1 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
Display
| Size | 11" |
| Resolution | 2560 (QHD) |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 0.9 kg / 2.0 lbs |
| OS | Android |
Value & Pricing
At $300 for a refurbished model, the value is outstanding. You're getting a tablet that was flagship-grade just a couple years ago, with a premium screen and pen, for less than half its original price. It's absolutely worth it if you can snag one with all the parts.
vs Competition
Compared to the base iPad, the Tab S8 wins on value and the included stylus, but loses on app optimization and long-term software support. Against the pricier iPad Pro, you're saving hundreds of dollars and getting a great pen for free, but you're giving up the sheer power and flawless ecosystem. If you're deep into Android or just hate Apple's walled garden, this is your best mid-range tablet. For everyone else, the iPad's software is still the safer bet.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Android Tablet, 11” LCD | Apple iPad Pro Apple 11" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 512GB, | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung 12.4" Galaxy Tab S10+ 256GB Multi-Touch | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” OLED | Lenovo Yoga Tab Series Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus | Xenarc Xenarc 10.1" RT101-PRO 256GB Tablet (Wi-Fi, 4G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 2.5 GHz Snapdragon | Apple M5 | MediaTek 9300 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3, QCM8650 | 8-Core: Up to GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 12 | 12 | 32 | 16 | 8 |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 512 | 256 | 1000 | 256 | 256 |
| Screen | 11" 2560x1600 | 11" 2420x1668 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 10.1" 1920x1200 |
| OS | Android | iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Android 13 |
| Stylus | true | true | true | false | false | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | true |
Common Questions
Q: Is the refurbished model worth the risk?
Yes, if you buy from a reputable source with a good return policy. The savings are huge, and most units look and work like new.
Q: Can this replace my laptop?
Not really. Samsung's DeX mode helps for light tasks, but it's still an Android tablet. Think of it as a powerful companion device, not a full replacement.
Q: How's the battery life?
It's average. You'll get through a day of mixed use, but heavy users might need to plug in by dinner. Don't expect multi-day endurance.
Who Should Skip This
If your main goal is hardcore mobile gaming or you need a tablet for professional video editing, skip this. The GPU isn't built for that. Also, if you absolutely need the latest software updates for five years, get an iPad. This is for people who want a great Android media and note-taking device right now.
Verdict
We're giving the refurbished Galaxy Tab S8 a strong recommendation for Android users and bargain hunters. It delivers a premium-feeling experience where it counts—the screen, the pen, the speed—at a price that's hard to argue with. Just double-check the seller's return policy in case the S Pen is missing, because that's a deal-breaker.