Cheatsheet:

 

• The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is the successor to the Tab A7 (2020)

 

• The refreshed design looks even better in the silver colour

 

• There’s no Android 12 out of the box. It runs on Android 11 layered with Samsung’s One UI 3.1

 

• Powered by a newer Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset, the Tab A8 comes in two hardware variants: 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB with expandable storage up to 1TB

 

• The 10.5-inch display is backed with quad speakers

 

• It is one of the best Android tab options under Rs 20,000

 

The requests for recommendations around sub-Rs 20,000 tabs haven’t stopped coming since 2020. Tabs at this price band are not aiming to be laptop replacements but rather ‘content consumption’ devices that offer the convenience of a big screen. Whether you need a screen for a Netflix all-nighter or one for online classes or a second screen for virtual meetings, these tabs should do the trick. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 that we checked out in late 2020 has been on our list of recommendations for under Rs 20K tabs. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 takes over from the A7 with a few enhancements.

Slinky form

It’s the design language of the A8 that caught my attention as soon as I unboxed it. Agreed, it’s not a major departure from the A7 but I dig the edgy design of the A8 compared to the more curved form of the predecessor. This plays out particularly well in the silver colour variant (pink gold and grey are the other options) that we checked out. It certainly looks more expensive than its sticker price. The other subtle change is the design of the rear camera lens which also adds to the overall aesthetic. Measuring just under 7mm and weighing about 500gm, the Tab A8 is both portable and comfortable to clasp for extended gaming sessions. The 3.5mm headphone socket—an increasingly rare sight—is another handy addition.

New processor

Staying with gaming, the A8 has decent firepower that should satisfy casual gamers. I pushed the device over the edge with Asphalt 9 and it didn’t stutter. At its heart is a Unisoc Tiger T618 processor that powers sub-Rs 20K smartphones like the Realme C25Y. We checked out the base hardware variant—the 3GB/32GB (there’s also a 4GB/64GB option). It clocked a score of 1276 on Geekbench (multi-core), similar to the A7’s, in our benchmark tests. There’s room for a Micro SD card (up to 1 TB) for expandable storage.

Binge-watch buddy

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is kitted with a 10.5-inch WUXGA (Widescreen Ultra-Extended Graphics Array) display (1920×1200 pixels). The colours are vibrant on this TFT display that’s marginally bigger than the A7. The Dolby Atmos surround sound on the quad speakers adds to its entertainment creds. You should comfortably be able to stream the entire Season 4 Part 1 of Ozark with the 7040mAh battery, with some juice still left.

Wrap up

Some of the features on the A8, like the 8MP rear and the 5MP front cam, are unchanged from the A7. But Samsung has done with the refreshed design and packed the tab with a newer processor. We’re disappointed that Android 12 is missing out of the box (the device currently runs on Android 11 layered with Samsung’s One UI 3.1), but Samsung’s tabs have a good track record with updates and support. The tab also has some useful features like split-screen that makes multitasking easier. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A8 is a tablet that walks the talk and delivers a solid value for its asking price.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 prices start at Rs 17,999 and comes in silver, pink gold and grey. There’s an instant cashback of Rs 2,000 with ICICI Credit cards (limited period, introductory offer)