Amazon Fire HD 10 or Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1, which is better?
The Amazon Fire HD 10 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 were both released in 2019. These devices are comparatively low budget but still manage to do awesome things. Although one out-stand the other in some features, and some are just preferential.
They come from different developers but are compared with each other. If you need to decide between these two tablets, our team has made a review that compares both devices. Read on!
What’s inside the box?
Let’s review the contents of the packages.
Amazon Fire HD 10 package contains
- The Amazon Fire HD 10
- Quick start guide
- Guide for things to try with your new tablet
- USB-C charging cable
- 9W charging brick
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 package contains
- The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1
- Health and safety instruction
- Quick start guide
- USB-C charging cable
- A tool to access MicroSD card
Technical details on both devices
We always emphasize that the technical details aren’t the most important factor, but it’s still important. We have to look at the overall performance of the device.
Amazon Fire HD 10
| Dimensions | 6.25 x 10.31 x 0.38 inches (15.9 x 26.2 x 0.98 cm) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (0.504 kg) |
| Colors | Black, Plum, Twilight Blue, White |
| Screen size | 10.10 inches (25.6 cm) |
| Resolution | 1920×1200 pixels |
| Processor | 2GHz octa-core |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Internal storage | 32GB |
| Rear and front camera | 2-megapixel |
| Operating system | Android |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1
| Dimensions | 5.8 x 9.64 x 0.29 inches (14.9 x 24.5 x 0.75 cm) |
| Weight | 1.01 lbs (0.460 kg) |
| Colors | Black, Silver, Gold |
| Screen size | 10.1 inches (25.6 cm) |
| Resolution | 1200×1920 pixels |
| Processor | octa-core |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Internal storage | 32GB |
| Rear camera | 8-megapixel |
| Front camera | 5-megapixel |
| Operating system | Android |
Pros and cons
Details compared
Build
Amazon Fire HD and Samsung Galaxy Tab A are similar in their dimensions. Also, the weight is pretty much the same, Samsung is 0.19 lbs lighter. The bigger difference is their outer casing material, Samsung Galaxy has a metal body but Amazon Fire a plastic one. The metallic one feels more expensive.
Both tablets have multiple color choices. Samsung Galaxy – black, silver, gold. Amazon Fire – black, plum, twilight blue, white. It is nice that developers offer multiple choices, not only the classic colors – black and white.
On the right side while holding it in portrait mode Samsung Galaxy has a power button, volume controls, and a MicroSD card slot, the left side is empty. On the top, there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, on the bottom – a USB-C port, next to it two speakers. The rear camera is located on the back left side, the front camera on the front in the middle. Judging just by the fact that this tablet has a metal body it may be more resistant to drops. But officially there isn’t anything mentioned about durability.
On the top, while in portrait mode Amazone Fire has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, USB-C port, power button, and volume controls. The two speakers are both located on the left side, on the top and bottom. On the right side, there is a MicroSD slot. The rear camera is located on the back right side, a front camera on the front in the middle. Officially there isn’t mentioned any protection from water or drops.
We think that both devices are even judging by the build. Amazon Fire has more color options, but the Samsung Galaxy feels more expensive in hand.
Screen
Amazon Fire and Samsung Galaxy both have the same screen size, which is 10.1 inches.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A has a Full HD resolution with 1920 x 1200 pixels. This is completely fine for 10.1-inch screens, of course, more higher-end tablets with the same screen size have more pixel density. But still, this tablet gives you an amazing experience, sharp quality, and details.
Although this isn’t an IPS display it has really good viewing angles. Also, this screen is fully laminated, so there will be almost no internal reflections between the display and front glass. This tablet has beautiful colors and is suitable for using it outside.
The Amazon Fire HD also has a Full HD resolution with 1920 x 1200 pixels. This feature gives you sharp details and amazing colors. This device also isn’t labeled as an IPS screen but still, the viewing angles are decent.
The Samsung Galaxy wins this round again with just a small feature – the brightness. It can be used outside more easily.
Camera
Both devices have two cameras, one on the back and one on the front. But the quality and performance of both cameras are different.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A has a rear camera with 8 MP and a front camera with 5 MP, the pictures come out quite decent. Of course, you can buy tablets with higher-quality cameras but videos and photos come out good. Not only you can make video calls but also take some nice pictures.
Amazon Fire HD has two cameras, both with only 2 MP. The pictures don’t come out well. But for its price, we didn’t expect anything better. This tablet is suitable mostly for video calls, maybe for photographing some work or school materials.
In this round Samsung Galaxy is a clear winner, yes it is a bit more expensive but the camera quality isn’t even comparable to the Amazon Fire.
Audio system
Samsung Galaxy and Amazon Fire both have two speakers which are both located on one side, this feature doesn’t give you stereo sound.
Amazon Fires’ sound system isn’t its strength, even if it has dual speakers with Dolby Atoms brand. The highest volume is about 80 dB, which is enough to fill a room. But the sound appears little and fading. So if you’re a music, video lover we would recommend you to buy an earphone or headphone set.
Samsung Galaxy also has two Dolby Atoms speakers, which are both located on one side, so the stereo effect isn’t possible. The sound is a bit lifeless and while playing on the maximum volume the speakers distort. For this tablet, 80% – 90% volume is really good. Overall the speakers deliver a good sound while listening to music or watching videos, but we would recommend you purchase external audio equipment.
Both of these sound systems aren’t the best, but we think that the Samsung Galaxy is a bit better because it has a bit better sound quality.
Battery life
Tablets are very similar in their builds, but what about their battery?
Samsung Galaxy has a battery of 6150mAh. The battery life is good. This tablet lasts for about 10 hours. Which is quite impressive considering its price. If you’re watching only videos or surfing through the internet you will need to charge the tablet one time in two or three days. But if you play high-demand games like PUBG Mobile you will need to charge the tablet every two or three hours.
The Amazon Fire has a 6300mAh battery. This is a bit bigger than the Samsung Galaxy. This tablet lasts for about 12 hours while streaming videos with full brightness. So you can catch your favorite movies, TV shows, videos or read books for a long time.
Judging by battery life Amazon Fire is better. Because it can be used for more hours than the Samsung Galaxy.
Storage
Amazon Fire and Samsung Galaxy don’t have a lot of storage options.
Amazon Fire has a 32 GB and 64 GB internal storage options, which both come with 2 GB of RAM. These options support up to 512 GB of external storage with a MicroSD card. Out of 32 GB, you get about 24 GB of storage, these 8 GB are either ”System” or ”Other”.
Samsung Galaxy has a few more internal storage options with 32 GB comes 2 GB of RAM, but with 64 GB and 128 GB comes 3 GB of RAM. Also, you can expand the storage up to 512 GB with a MicroSD card.
Of course, the maximum external storage on both tablets is the same. In this round, Samsung Galaxy Tab A is the winner, yes it costs a bit more, but in two options it has more RAM than Amazon Fire.
Performance
For low price tablets, you expect nothing much. But Samsung Galaxy and Amazon Fire prove quite the opposite.
The Amazon Fire HD has an MT8173B MediaTek processor. This device runs the latest Amazon Fire OS 5.5 which is a heavily modified version of Google’s Android. Web browsing using the default Silk browser is fast. Apps open quite slow and switching between them isn’t any better but when you’re in an app scrolling and navigating is smooth. You can even multitask, while you have 6 open tabs its overall performance will be good.
Don’t expect to use this tablet to run the latest high-demand games or as a laptop replacement. While running Asphalt 8 the game loaded longer than other high-end tablets and there were some skipped frames. Of course, there will be no problems while playing low-demand games like Candy Crush.
The Samsung Galaxy has an Exynos 7904 octa-core processor. It runs Android 9.0 (Pie), this isn’t the latest operating system but it can be upgraded to Android 10.0. You can smoothly surf the web, watch YouTube, and read books. Some demanding apps like Adobe Lightroom can be also run.
It is very suitable for gaming you can easily run PUBG Mobile or Into The Dead 2. PUBG Mobile can be run on HD graphics but with this option, you can see minor stuttering sometimes, while on ”balanced” it is great. You can set your tablet to high graphics in Into The Dead 2 but it will have a minor lag, it will be smoother if you run it on medium settings.
In terms of performance, Samsung Galaxy Tab A is the clear winner, because it’s overall smoother, can better run demanding apps, and is even better at surfing the web.
Buyer’s guide
Who are these devices for?
Judging by both tablet’s low prices, they can be an awesome first device for your kids. Optimal internal storage capacity, multiple colors. For a few extra dollars, the Amazon Fire Kids Edition comes with a special padded case, a year of FreeTime Unlimited, and a two-year warranty that covers any damage caused by its user.
Also, these are good for people who use tablets for entertainment, reading books, streaming videos, and playing games.
What can you do with these devices?
With both tablets, you can easily surf the internet. Jump from multiple web pages with only occasional stuttering here and there. The bright and big screen will be your new go too in your day-to-day life. Though there will be more lag while opening websites or scrolling through pages with the Amazon Fire.
Samsung Galaxy and Amazon Fire are suitable for reading e-books. A big screen, comparatively high brightness, and resolution. You can read your favorite things for hours because of the long-lasting battery. These features will make your everyday reading more enjoyable.
On both devices, you can easily watch movies, TV shows, and videos. Because it has a big screen, nice resolution, and good battery life. Watching your favorite things on these tablets will make your experience even better. Though we would recommend you purchase an earphone or headphone set, to get the stereo sounds effect.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A is better in terms of gaming. It has more RAM and a better processor. You can run demanding games like PUBG and Asphalt 8, but Amazon Fire HD 10 stands out with the fact that this tablet can support Fortnite. On both tablets, you can also run low demand games, like Candy Crush and Geometry Dash.
Final Verdict
So this was the review where we compared Amazon Fire HD 10 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1. Samsung Galaxy outdid Amazon Fire in almost every feature, only the battery life on Amazon Fire is a bit better. Overall the Samsung Galaxy can do more demanding tasks more smoothly than the Amazon Fire.
Even though the Samsung Galaxy Tab A is a bit pricier, it delivers better features than the other. But if you don’t want to spend more on a tablet, and as an example buy it for your kids, Amazon Fire HD 10 may be the best choice.
Let us know if you have any Комментарии и мнения владельцев or questions below. Thanks for reading, remember to share us on social media.
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About Ernests
I’m into tech gadgets and more than that I’m interested in how these devices can make our everyday lives a bit better and more productive. iPad Pro is my main device.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 Review: Is It Really A Good Value?
Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 really such a good value as everybody says? Read my review to get to know all important details.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 is an exciting middle-class tablet that will be very popular. Starting at 229 US Dollars it features a 10-inch Full HD screen, a metal body, and an octa-core processor. It also is among the first tablets to ship with Android 9.0 Pie. How good is it really? That’s what you’ll find out in this Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 review.
A quick note about the different Galaxy Tab A versions: This video is about the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 with the product numbers T510 and T515. It is the predecessor to the 2016 Galaxy Tab A 10.1. In 2018, Samsung also released a Galaxy Tab A 10.5. I’ve reviewed all of them but this is about the newest one.
Design Build Quality
Compared to its predecessor, the design has changed a lot. We don’t get any physical buttons underneath the screen anymore and the bezels are a bit thinner. And while the previous generations were made of plastic, we finally get a mostly metal body. Because of that, it does feel higher-end. However, it continues to have a plastic bar at the top for the antennas.
With 7.5mm it is noticeably thicker than premium tablets but it’s much cheaper too. It weighs 460g and that is light enough. You can get it in black, silver, and gold.
When holding the tablet in portrait mode, we get a power button, volume controls, and a microSD card slot on the right side. In the later one you can insert up to 400GB cards and if you want, you can move apps to the microSD in the settings.
The left side is empty and on the top is a standard headphone jack. It’s charged using a USB C 2.0 port which is located on the bottom. You can connect accessories like external SSDs or USB C hubs if you want.
It’s a bit disappointing that we don’t get a fingerprint scanner.
Speakers Cameras
Next to the USB C port, Samsung placed two stereo speakers. Sadly, we just get two and they’re placed on the same side. That means you won’t get any kind of stereo separation when watching movies. Samsung is advertising big Dolby Atmos surround sound for big movies. But well, that’s just marketing. Anyways, if you consider how cheap this tablet is, the sound quality is good.
By the way, a bit pricier competitors like the Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite 10, Lenovo Tab P10, and Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 do have four speakers each.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 main camera Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 front-facing camera
Considering that this is a tablet, the 5-megapixel front-facing camera and the 8-megapixel camera on the back take pretty decent photos. Sure, even middle-class smartphones have better cameras. But still, videos and photos look decent and better than what I’m used to in this price range.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 has a 10.1-inch screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10. It features a Full HD resolution with 1920 x 1200 pixels. I’m always saying that a Full HD resolution is high enough on 10-inches. And that’s the case here too. Sure, premium devices have a higher pixel density. But still, texts and pictures look sharp enough.
While Samsung is not mentioning an IPS screen, it seems to be one. Viewing angles are wide and stable. I also like that the screen is fully laminated. Other aspects like contrast and color reproduction are good. It is bright enough and I’d say it’s usable outside. However, it’s not as bright as an iPad Pro is.
As of now, Samsung is not offering a version that supports an S Pen yet. With some of its predecessors, the S Pen versions were released later. And there is a new 8-inch Galaxy Tab A with S Pen. But no 10-inch yet.
Hardware Performance
My review unit is the cheapest one with 2GB of RAM. It’s the only one available in Germany right now.
As you can see in my Geekbench and AnTuTu comparison, it gets excellent results in benchmarks. Especially if you consider how cheap it is. In both benchmarks, it’s noticeably better than the Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite 10, Lenovo Tab P10, and Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5. Those three are less than a year old and originally cost around 300 Dollars. By now, they cost about the same in many countries.
With that being said, you can see that premium tablets like the Huawei MediaPad M5 10 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 continue to be much faster.
These good benchmark results are reflected in real life. Android Pie itself and apps like Chrome and YouTube run very smooth. Demanding apps like Adobe Lightroom run too, but in this case, you will notice a difference compared to premium devices.
In my gaming test, it gets very good results. For example, you can play PUBG Mobile with balanced graphics settings very smoothly. And you can even set the graphics to HD. While you can play it with HD settings, you will notice some heavier stuttering in-between. Not always, but sometimes. All its direct competitors cannot play it with HD settings at all.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 vs. Galaxy Tab A 10.1. Which One is Better?
The tablet gets similar results in other games. If you set the graphics to high in Into The Dead 2, I’d say it is playable. But it gets smoother with medium settings. It’s like this with a lot of games. Shadowgun Legends runs great with medium settings and you can play it with high and ultra graphics too. But then you will see minor stuttering in action-heavy scenes.
Warhammer 40000 Freeblade runs fantastic with highest settings.
By the way, you cannot play Fortnite at all. It’s not supported.
Are 2GB Of RAM Enough?
Let’s talk about the 2GB of RAM: Those are a low amount of memory for 2019 but still standard in this price class. And there is no Android tablet with more than 4GB of RAM right now. Well, with single apps, you don’t need much memory and Android has a good memory management built-in.
You will notice those 2GB of RAM if you switch between apps or use them at the same time. Because we don’t get a lot of memory, apps get closed faster in the background. For example, if you play one or two demanding games and then switch to the browser, previously loaded tabs might have to reload. It always depends on which apps and games you’re using. If you care about fast multitasking, 2GB of RAM might be too little. But I think it’s alright for most.
Android 9.0 Pie One UI
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 runs Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. In fact, it is the first tablet to ship with this version of Android. And Samsung has been very good with updates in the past. Much better than all its competitors. For example, the 2016 Galaxy Tab A 10.1 shipped with Android 6. It got updated to Android 7 and Android 8. And who knows, it might get Android Pie soon.
I don’t know any other brand that releases at least two major updates for their middle-class tablets. Sure, often we have to wait a bit. But at least Samsung is releasing updates. I can’t promise anything regarding the 2019 model. But again, based on the past, it should be updated for several years.
As usual, we don’t get vanilla Android here. Instead, it’s customized quite heavily with Samsungs One UI. That’s the new name for their interface. Compared to the Samsung Experience UI not much has changed though. The design is customized a lot and even the settings look different than vanilla Android.
I like One UI. It looks modern and runs smooth. It’s much better than early versions of TouchWiz which always seemed overloaded. And we still get a lot of pre-installed apps. Among those are Samsung Notes, a files manager, the Galaxy Store, and even their own browser. We also get Office Mobile and OneDrive from Microsoft, as well as Google apps like Chrome, Gmail, and YouTube.
Typical features of Android 9 Pie are not missing. For example, in the settings, you can access a new menu called Digital Wellbeing. With that one, you can see how much time you are spending with which apps. If you want, you can also hide the navigation bar and navigate Android with gestures instead. And you can activate a kids mode too.
We still get a split screen view. With that feature, you can open two apps next to each other. Samsung did not include their Dex desktop mode though. However, you obviously still can connect a keyboard and a mouse if you want.
In the beginning, I wasn’t able to watch Netflix in HD. Samsung fixed that with an update though. The Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 has a Widevine Level 1 now. You can watch Netflix and Amazon Video in HD. If you used Netflix before the update, you might have to reinstall it before you can watch it in HD. That’s what I had to do.
Battery Life
Samsung is shipping the Galaxy Tab A T510 with a battery that has a capacity of 6150mAh. However, the battery life is not outstanding but alright. In my battery test, it got a runtime of 10 hours and 30 minutes. For this, I’m always looping the same HD video at medium brightness.
In real life, the battery life is a bit better than my artificial test shows. It’s not losing much energy in standby which is great. You probably have to charge it every two or three days if you just use it to watch movies or surf the web a bit at night. But if you play PUBG Mobile constantly, the battery will be empty in a couple of hours.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 Review: Final Verdict
That’s my Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 review. Overall, I really like this tablet. We get a solid metal body, a pretty Full HD screen, and especially when considering its price, the performance is very good. I also like that we’re getting Android 9.0 Pie and it should get updates longer than all competitors.
Sadly, the speakers are located on one side only. And while the battery life is alright, it could be better. It would be nice to get 3GB of RAM for all versions to make it more future-proof. But well, those 2GB of the base model are still usable.
You’ve seen that I’ve noticed some downsides of the Galaxy Tab A 10.1. However, when considering that start at just 229 US Dollars, those almost don’t matter at all. For this price, I think it is a very good tablet. Usually, I complain that the suggested from Samsung are way too expensive. This is the first time that I think the pricing is fair.
As usual, let’s check out some possible alternatives.
I must mention the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 which was released in the summer of 2018. While it originally cost much more, you can often get it for a similar price now. With 10.5-inches it’s a little bit bigger and the performance is weaker. However, it has 3GB of RAM out of the box. While it has a plastic body, it also features four speakers. Obviously, the software of Tab A 10.1 is newer. With this one, it depends on which features you prefer.
A much better alternative is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4. It is the fastest Android tablet you can get right now, and it features a Super AMOLED screen. We also get four speakers, an iris scanner, and the S Pen is included at no extra charge. But it costs more than double the price of the Tab A. Another pricier and better alternative is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e. I didn’t review it yet though.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 T510
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 T510 Review: The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2019 is a very good tablet with a great value. Considering how inexpensive it is, you get a good screen, a solid build quality, and a powerful processor. It is running Android 9 Pie and should get updates for at least two years. Sadly, the base model features 2GB of RAM only. However, it’s still good enough for most.
- Solid metal body
- Pretty screen
- Powerful processor
- Android 9.0 Pie
- Good cameras
- Decent speakers
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25 Комментарии и мнения владельцев
Hello guys i need yours help about if it is worth Samsung Galaxy tab a10.1 (2016) with original Samsung case about 150 euros or Samsung Galaxy tab a10.1 (2019) about 230 euros i need one tablet for browsing and watching movies. Please answer to my question. Thanks
The 2016 one will be fine for watching movies and browsing the web a bit. However, usually, I’d say it’s worth it to invest a bit more in the 2019 version because it’s more future proof and will be kept up-to-date longer.
I just got mine after a disastrous encounter with a Lenovo E10. VERY pleased! I think it’s a great compromise between low cost and functionality.
I love how the Samsung file manager app can interact with/ manage BOTH my Google Drive and OneDrive accounts. That alone, increases the usefulness of the tablet. Sound quality is good but the stereo separation is non existent.
Thanks for your review… Are any tablets out there (that are not Pixel Slate) running vanilla Android? In particular, I need a tablet that can be operated in Guest mode. Does this tablet support that? Thanks!
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 review: Budget streaming star
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 earns its place among the best affordable Android tablets thanks to punchy speakers and a wide display with thin bezels that’s perfect for media streaming. Add in the top-tier build quality and you’ve got a budget slate that more than justifies its 229 asking price.
What we like
Loud Dolby Atmos speakers
Wide display great for streaming
Metal body feels premium for the price
Long-term security support
What we don’t like
Weak front and rear cameras
Limited base model RAM and storage
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 earns its place among the best affordable Android tablets thanks to punchy speakers and a wide display with thin bezels that’s perfect for media streaming. Add in the top-tier build quality and you’ve got a budget slate that more than justifies its 229 asking price.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A series has built an impressive reputation for delivering good tablets at reasonable prices. While it has never packed the most potent processors and it doesn’t have all the features of the flagship Galaxy Tab S range, Samsung’s affordable tablets have always nailed the value factor. Samsung has decided it’s time to refresh its affordable Android tablet with a slick new design, but is its beauty more than skin deep? Find out in our Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 review.
About this Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 review: I tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 over a period of seven days. It was running Android 11 (build number RP1A.200720.012.X200XXU1AULI) on the January 1, 2022 security patch. The unit was purchased by Android Authority for this review.
Update, March 2023: We’ve updated this review by adding information on the latest software update, new alternative devices, and more.
What you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 was announced in mid-December 2021, ahead of a mid-January 2022 arrival. It serves as a successor to 2020’s excellent Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, with a few vital aesthetic changes to set the two Android tablets apart. You’ll also find a few internal updates — most notably a move away from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets to a Unisoc Tiger T618 processor.
Samsung’s new display measures 10.5 inches across compared to the 10.4-inch panel on the Galaxy Tab A7. It offers slightly rounded corners and a 16:10 aspect ratio ready for media streaming. The tablet’s body is metal, with a thin plastic strip that houses the power button and volume rocker. Color options now include Gray, Silver, and Pink Gold.
The Galaxy Tab A8 comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage in the base configuration, with the latter expandable via a microSD slot for up to 1TB of additional space. In the US, you can choose up to 128GB of onboard storage, while Europe and India also have the option of an LTE-enabled version.
Samsung carried the large 7,040mAh battery and the 15W wired charging over from the previous model. The identical battery size is an impressive feat, given that the Galaxy Tab A8 is ever so slightly smaller and just a hair thinner than the Tab A7.
One of Samsung’s last noticeable changes is that the rear camera now boasts a circular housing instead of a square one. That said, it appears to be an aesthetic change, as it still offers just 8MP. The front camera stayed at 5MP as well.
Staying true to its Galaxy Tab A series name, the Galaxy Tab A8 remains an affordable option for most people. It kicks off at 229.99 in the US, or you can shell out 329.99 for the top-spec model with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The tablet is often on sale, though, so there’s a chance you can get it for even less. You can grab the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 from Samsung and Amazon, among other retailers.
How is the new design?
Overall, the updated design looks and feels like it belongs in the modern Samsung Galaxy family. Small touches like the redesigned camera and updated color options go a long way towards building a seamless ecosystem, as despite the price, it wouldn’t look out of place next to a Galaxy S series phone. The metal construction feels good in the hand, too — far more premium than a plastic tablet would (even if it’s heavier as a result).
That said, the plastic strip for the power button and volume rocker feels like an odd choice. The seam where the two pieces connect is immediately noticeable, and the plastic doesn’t feel up to the quality of the metal.
It may also take some users a little while to adjust to the tablet’s shape. If you’re coming from a relatively square iPad, the wider 16:10 ratio can be tricky to hold comfortably. However, once you adjust to having the Galaxy Tab A8 in landscape orientation, its media-streaming capabilities start to shine — more on that in the next section. If there was any doubt that Samsung wants you to use the tablet in landscape, the central placement of the selfie camera in the longer bezel is a clear pointer in that direction.
Samsung continues to skip on a fingerprint reader for its cheaper tablets. It’s not a surprise, given that there wasn’t one on its predecessor, but this means you’ll have to rely on software-based security options. The facial recognition is easy to use hands-free but isn’t all that secure. Meanwhile, tracing your pattern or typing in a PIN can be tricky while holding such a wide display.
How is the display?
Samsung designed its Galaxy Tab A8 for media streaming, no question about it. In fact, it’s one of the best Android tablets for that very purpose.
You’ll find the 10.5-inch LCD screen carries a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, which is sharp enough for most uses. It’s only a 60Hz screen, but unlike phones, you don’t really see faster refresh rates on tablets unless you start paying a lot more.
The large panel is presented in a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is a natural fit for streaming services. I only encountered small black bars across the top and bottom edge while catching up on the second season of The Witcher. Granted, it might not work as well if you want to watch something like The Lighthouse, which was shot in 1.19:1, but more traditionally shot shows and movies will look great. I like the even bezels on all four sides, too. They’re thick enough to hold onto but not so much as to be noticeable.
My primary issue with Samsung’s display is that it seems to skew on the cooler, blue-tinged side in daily usage. It’s more noticeable in apps with white backgrounds, though it tends to disappear when watching a TV show or a movie. Adjusting the brightness didn’t seem to have too much of an effect on the tint, either. Samsung does let you try out a few color correction options, though they’re primarily for color blindness and don’t fix the general blueness.
How is the battery life? And the charging?
Samsung doesn’t make any outlandish claims about the Galaxy Tab A8’s battery life, but it’s happy to boast about the 7,040mAh battery. After all, it’s a pretty big cell to keep the 10.5-inch display chugging all day long.
I spent most of my testing with somewhat mixed usage between web browsing, social media, and streaming services. Of course, binge-watching Netflix will burn through the charge faster than scrolling through Google News, but I had no issues going for two days between charges with reasonable use. My battery results are based on the Wi-Fi-only model. You may see weaker results with the LTE-enabled options, especially if you spend a lot of time off Wi-Fi.
If there’s one drawback to the battery and charging setup, it’s the 15W top speed. It’s not particularly fast — I gathered a 20% charge in about 45 minutes, and a full battery took more than four hours. On the bright side, Samsung includes both a charger and a USB-C cable in the box, so you won’t have to spend extra money to get back on your feet.
Fire HD 10 (2019) vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019)
You’re probably not in as much of a hurry when charging your tablet, so we can’t knock the 15W speeds too much. After all, you’re likely only using a tablet every now and then instead of a smartphone that you need charged and ready at all times. I spent most of my time with the Galaxy Tab A8 in the evenings, which meant I had to really increase my usage to drain the battery quickly.
How powerful is the Galaxy Tab A8?
Samsung’s decision to go with the Unisoc Tiger T618 processor — which isn’t among the best-known chipset makers — was cause for alarm at the start of my testing. I had concerns about how well it would keep up compared to a Qualcomm alternative, especially the Galaxy Tab A7’s Snapdragon 662. However, all those concerns quickly proved to be unfounded. The Tiger purred through everything I needed it to do, though it’ll struggle with any intense bouts in demanding games.
I had no issues streaming video, bouncing between apps, or opening multiple apps simultaneously. You should also be able to give some light gaming a go, but it won’t compete with the more expensive options on the market if you’re looking to play Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile on a bigger screen. The Tiger T618 also stuttered a bit when I fired up the Galaxy Tab A8 for the first time, but that was most likely just a result of setup blues. I also noticed occasional stuttering when I picked the tablet up after a day or two of inactivity, though it usually disappeared after a few seconds.
If anything, Samsung’s basic RAM and storage options will fall short before the processor does. The 3GB of RAM means idle apps will quickly drop out of memory. The 32GB of storage can also feel slightly limited at times, especially if you want to download shows for bingeing on the go. Those looking to push the tablet beyond basic browsing and streaming would be better off opting for one of the 4GB of RAM configurations, though you can always expand the storage on any of the models by up to 1TB with the microSD slot.
The best Samsung tablets in 2023: our 6 favorite picks
Samsung makes some of the best smartphones, but it also excels at making amazing tablets. It launched its first tablet — the Samsung Galaxy Tab — way back in 2010, and since then, it has expanded its lineup with premium models, budget models, and everything in between. If you’re new to its range of tablets, you may be a little bewildered by all of the choices on offer, so we’ve put together the best Samsung tablets to simplify things for you.
Looking for an iPad? Check out our list of the best iPads. If you’re open to any Android devices, check out our best tablet roundup.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus
Best Samsung tablet overall
- Powerful
- Beautiful hardware
- Gorgeous display
- Great speakers
- Productivity powerhouse
Why should you buy this? It’s a pricey but intensely capable tablet that gets the job done and so much more.
Who’s it for? Someone who wants an all-around performer and has a bigger budget.
Why we picked it: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus offers the perfect middle ground between the Tab S8 and the Tab S8 Ultra. It’s pricey but not as expensive as the S8 Ultra, so you get most of the features while saving hundreds of dollars.
You get a gorgeous 12.4-inch AMOLED screen with a 1752 x 2800 resolution. This is ideal both for binge-watching your favorite shows as well as to make presentations for work. It’s also slim and portable, so you can carry it along and work from anywhere. But don’t let the pretty display and slim size make you think it’s no good for intense work. This one is a powerhouse.
It comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 128GB or 256GB of storage, and microSD card slots in case you want to expand the capacity in the future. This makes it ideal for nearly any type of work. Whether you’re editing videos on the go or typing up an article on a deadline, the Galaxy S8 Plus has your back. It comes with 8GB of RAM and a 10,090mAh battery that will last a solid two days unless you’re gaming or working on heavy files all day. You also get various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and USB-C, making it versatile, too.
You get three cameras: a 13-megapixel wide lens, a 6MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP front camera for all the cool selfies you want to take. although we’re not sure if a tablet is the best device for photography. You can get far better photos and angles from a smartphone. However, the tablet’s camera is great for video conferencing and scanning documents, in case you decide to take it to work.
The few downsides come from software issues, but that has been consistent with several Samsung Galaxy and other brand’s tablet models. Another trouble is you have to buy the keyboard case separately, which can significantly drive up your budget, which is already stretched with this 800 tablet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
Best Samsung tablet runner-up
Why should you buy this? It’s the Android equivalent of an iPad, featuring a great screen, powerful processor, and ample battery life.
Who’s it for? Anyone looking for a great tablet with powerful capabilities.
Why we picked it: If you’re hesitating to splurge on the latest Galaxy Tab S8 series, consider going for the Tab S7 models instead. We particularly recommend the Tab S7 Plus. Its main difference from the smaller S7 is its size and display, featuring an amazing 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display compared to an 11-inch LCD on the S7. This 12.4-inch screen packs a resolution of 2800 x 1752 pixels while also offering a super-fluid 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10 support. In other words, whatever you watch on the S7 Plus looks pretty spectacular, and you’ll have a hard time peeling yourself away from its screen.
It also comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor (which also powers Samsung’s Galaxy S20) and either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, so you’ll have no problem running all of the latest apps and games. You’ll also get either 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage, and if you happen to have a microSD card lying around, you can expand your storage even further and download pretty much anything you want.
The 10,090mAh battery offers two days of medium-to-heavy use, and the tab is compatible with 45W fast charging (although you’ll need to buy a 45W charger separately). The tablet’s audio is almost as impressive as its visuals. Its four speakers are satisfyingly loud, with vocals and speech coming through particularly well. It also has a dual-lens rear camera setup comprising a 13MP main lens and a 5MP ultrawide lens, with the main lens capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second. Meanwhile, the 8MP front camera will facilitate decent selfies and let you video chat without any quality issues.
One other nice touch is that the tablet comes with the S Pen stylus, which attaches magnetically to the tablet and recharges wirelessly. It interacts intuitively with the tablet’s screen and will please note-takers, creatives, and professionals alike.
One quibble, however, is that the software experience isn’t quite as smooth or seamless as you might expect from a new tablet.
Tired of iPads? These are the best Samsung tablets you can buy
You don’t need an iPad to have a good tablet. The best Samsung tablets offer expandable storage, S pen capabilities, and Android operating systems.
Allison Murray is a writer based in Chicago. She has years of reporting experience on a wide variety of tech-related topics and breaking news at various outlets like Digital Trends and Lifewire.
Allison Murray is a writer based in Chicago. She has years of reporting experience on a wide variety of tech-related topics and breaking news at various outlets like Digital Trends and Lifewire.
We get it, not everyone wants an iPad. For Android devotees, Samsung makes arguably the best Android devices, especially when it comes to tablets.
The best tablets (aren’t all iPads)
Choosing the best tablet can be tricky. Yes, the top picks include the Apple iPad and iPad Pro, but we also love the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, Microsoft Surface Go 3, and others.
Samsung tablets range from large and powerful to small and perfect for streaming.- it all depends on how you’ll use the tablet. Samsung’s newest tablet lineup is the Galaxy Tab S8 series. but the company still sells older models and series, so unlike Apple, you have more than just four tablets to choose from.
We’ve compared the top Samsung tablets on the market so you can find the best pick for your budget and needs.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Best Samsung tablet overall
Tech specs: Display: 14.6 inches | Resolution: 2,960×1,848 | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, microSD up to 1TB | Memory: 8GB, 12GB, 16GB | Cameras: 13MP and 6MP rear. 12MP and 12MP ultra-wide front camera | Weight: 1.6lb | Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery: 11,200mAh | Refresh rate: 120Hz
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the most impressive Samsung tablet on this list. A 14.6-inch display makes it one of the largest tablets on the market. Plus, it boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a Super AMOLED display with 2,960×1,848 resolution.
Released just last year, this Samsung tablet runs on the Android 12 operating system and comes with Samsung’s S Pen stylus included.
Read the review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review
The base model comes with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage, and a microSD card for adding up to an extra 1TB of storage to the tablet.- which should be enough storage for most users.
Plus, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra can be a great laptop alternative because you can use Samsung DeX, making it an Android-powered 2-in-1 device with plenty of space for multitasking.
