Google’s new pill, similar to the Pixel telephones, was designed to ship high-quality efficiency whereas undercutting the competitors in value. Thus far, we just like the Pixel Tablet’s design, software program, battery, and Dock accent; however patrons used to the Galaxy Tab S collection will not just like the 60Hz downgrade or the shortcoming to make use of it as a laptop computer alternative.

ForShips with Charging Speaker DockExtra comfy to holdMid-range price ticketHub Mode UITensor-based digital camera improvementsAgainst60 Hz refresh rateNo official stylus or keyboardNo expandable storage

The finest Android pill — in case you ignore its bigger siblings — the Galaxy Tab S8 is over a yr outdated however hasn’t misplaced a step. It has just about the whole lot you’d need in a pill that is appropriate for each work and streaming, with a number of tips and equipment that the first-gen Pixel Tablet lacks.

ForExtra highly effective Snapdragon chipBetter entrance and rear camerasComes with S PenHigher productiveness with DeX mode and keyboardRich Dolby Atmos speakersAgainstHigher value tagLess comfy to holdKeyboard accent is separate/ costly

The Google Pixel Tablet will arrive in late June after a protracted wait, the mid-range successor to the defunct Pixel Slate. Unlike the Galaxy Tab S8, which has top-of-the-line specs and targets critical college students and staff, the Pixel Tablet is extra of an inexpensive, good home-focused pill. Choosing one needs to be easy, based mostly in your funds and what you want.The newest Pixel {hardware} has a tall job: matching up towards established Samsung manufacturers which have iterated to nice success whereas Google slowly constructed its prototypes. That’s the case with the Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4, but it surely’s additionally the case with the Pixel Tablet vs. Galaxy Tab S8 household. The older Galaxy Tab S8 can typically be discovered on sale, bringing it nearer in value to the inexpensive Pixel Tablet. And every has its personal perks when it comes to equipment because the Pixel Tablet has a Charging Speaker Dock and the Galaxy Tab S8 has an S Pen and keyboard covers.Below, we’ll break down how the 2 units examine to 1 one other, and whether or not you can purchase the Google Pixel Tablet or Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 — or look ahead to the Galaxy Tab S9 allegedly arriving this summer season.Pixel Tablet vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: Design and displayWhy you may belief Android Central

Our skilled reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you may select one of the best for you. Find out extra about how we check.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and Google Pixel Tablet have 11-inch LCD shows — technically, the Pixel Tablet is 10.95 inches diagonally — with 2560 x 1600 resolutions, 16:10 side ratios, and the identical estimated 500 nits of brightness. One key distinction is that the Tab S8 has a TFT LCD, whereas the Pixel Tablet gives an IPS show that’ll offer you higher viewing angles. This is particularly very important for the Pixel Tablet as a result of it is meant to take a seat on the Charging Speaker Dock in your front room or bed room, whereas the Galaxy Tab S8 is extra prone to sit straight in your desk or be held in hand.The different extra disappointing distinction is that the Galaxy Tab S8 makes use of a 120Hz refresh price whereas the Pixel Tablet sticks to a pedestrian 60Hz. Although many low-cost Android tablets use 60Hz, the $400 Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 makes use of 120Hz, so we might hoped Google would do the identical. For many, it will restrict the Pixel Tablet’s usability. (Image credit score: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)While the Pixel Tablet and Galaxy Tab S8 look pretty comparable from the entrance, they’re starkly totally different of their rear feel and look. Google used a nano-ceramic coating and added rounded edges and corners to the Pixel Tablet, making it extra simply grippable. Samsung employed scratch-resistant Armor Aluminum for its extra flat-edged, skinnier show. Which pill seems higher is a matter of desire, and the Galaxy Tab S8 is just 10g/ 0.35ozheavier than the Pixel Tablet. But the Pixel Tablet’s thicker bezels and general design, coupled with the softer materials and curved sides, make it a bit simpler to grip.Neither Android pill has an official water resistance score (one thing rumored to be coming to the Galaxy Tab S9 this yr).In phrases of colours, the Galaxy Tab S8 is available in Graphite, Silver, and Pink Gold, whereas the Pixel Tablet additionally will ship in three finishes: Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose. The latter is a U.S. unique. Of the 2, the Tab S8 seems extra “professional.” The Porcelain and Hazel PIxel Tablets are pretty muted, whereas the Rose mannequin seems brightly fashionable.The Galaxy Tab S8 comes with an S Pen stylus with a brief 6.2ms of latency. You can connect it to the rear or high of the Tab S8, neither of which is particularly safe however is at the very least obtainable. By distinction, the Google Pixel Tablet technically works with USI 2.0 styluses for Chromebooks, however you will have to purchase one individually and (so far as we all know) there is not any place to connect it. (Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)The massive level within the Pixel Tablet’s favor is that it comes with the Charging Speaker Dock within the field. By attaching the Tablet, it goes into Hub Mode so you may simply entry Nest Hub-esque controls just like the Google Home app for all of your good residence tech. As we mentioned in our Pixel Tablet hands-on at Google I/O, the Dock’s magnetic attachment mechanism works flawlessly (even by way of the official case), retaining the Tablet firmly connected however not so firmly that you would be able to’t take away it. The Pixel Tablet’s Dock additionally augments the audio high quality considerably in comparison with the built-in quad audio system, and it makes use of adaptive charging to maintain the Tablet battery topped off for once you want it. Pixel Tablet vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: HardwareSwipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryGoogle Pixel TabletSamsung Galaxy Tab S8ChipsetGoogle Tensor G2Snapdragon 8 Gen 1Display10.95-inch IPS LCD (60Hz), 2560 x 160011-inch TFT LCD (120Hz), 2560 x 1600Memory8GB8GBStorage128GB or 256GB128GB or 256GBExpandable storageNoneMicroSD slot (as much as 1TB)Rear Camera8MP13MP AF + 6MP UWFront Camera8MP12MP UWBattery7,020mAh8,000mAhCharging15W (Dock or USB-C)45W Fast Charging (USB-C)AudioQuad SpeakersQuad Speakers + Dolby AtmosAuthenticationFingerprint on energy buttonFingerprint on energy buttonConnectivityWi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2WiFi 6E (6GHz), Bluetooth 5.2StylusWorks with USI 2.0, not includedS Pen included w/ 6.2ms latencyDimensions258 x 169 x 8.1mm; 10.2 x 6.7 x 0.3in253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3mm; 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25inWeight493g503gColorsPorcelain, Hazel, Rose (US-only)Graphite, Silver, Pink GoldWorth$500-$600$700-$780Google gave the Pixel Tablet the identical Tensor G2 chip and 8GB of RAM because the Pixel 7. We will not have any correct efficiency benchmarks of the pill till June, however judging by different Tensor G2 units, it’s going to carry out fairly quick for on a regular basis duties, particularly any involving AI efficiency. It appeared speedy sufficient in our temporary Google I/O hands-on demo. But it will not be a “gaming tablet” or constructed for demanding apps.The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 depends on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 paired with 8GB of RAM, which performs higher than Tensor for sheer energy however did have some controversy associated to throttling and overheating in Samsung tablets and telephones. For the absolute best efficiency, you will need to look ahead to the Galaxy Tab S9: it is rumored to make use of the identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip discovered within the Galaxy S23 collection, overclocked to unimaginable speeds with significantly better thermal diffusion. But as it’s, each tablets get the job achieved — both extra affordably or extra powerfully.(Image credit score: Android Central)Either pill begins with 128GB UFS 3.1 storage. You can improve to 256GB for both, however solely the Galaxy Tab S8 has an expandable storage slot for a microSD card. It additionally has a 12GB RAM variant, but it surely’s tough to search out today and can inflate the worth distinction between the Galaxy Tab S8 and Pixel Tablet much more.Both tablets are rated to final at the very least a dozen hours whereas streaming video content material. We’ve solely examined the Galaxy Tab S8+ and Tab S8 Ultra, however each tablets lived as much as these estimates; and since the usual Galaxy Tab S8 makes use of LCD as an alternative of AMOLED, it is really the longest-lasting of the three. As for the Pixel Tablet, although its battery is smaller, the 60Hz refresh price will assist it greater than face up to the check of time, and the Charging Speaker Dock will preserve it topped off when your Galaxy Tab S8 would possibly idly lose a good quantity of battery in a single day. Still, we’ll have to attend for the evaluation to see the way it does.The greater Pixel Tablet downside is that it solely expenses at 15W speeds, which suggests it may take effectively over 2 hours to recharge to most capability. While this does not matter if it is docked, anybody hoping to make use of it in handheld mode will discover the lengthy delay annoying. As for the Galaxy Tab S8 with its 45W charging, you may high off the battery way more rapidly. (Image credit score: Android Central)You additionally get a greater digital camera setup on the Galaxy Tab S8. Dual rear cameras offer you 13MP auto-focus or 6MP ultra-wide pictures, whereas the entrance digital camera has an ultra-wide view and hones in in your face for video calls. With the Pixel Tablet, you will make do with an equivalent 8MP 84º sensor for each the back and front. Thanks to Google’s Tensor prowess, the Pixel Tablet will use AI to drastically enhance the standard of your pictures, however 8MP does not give the AI a lot to work with. We have been impressed with how the Pixel Tablet may create a 3D background in a Google Meet name, and the visible high quality appeared fairly good. But we have to do extra testing earlier than we decide it totally.For audio high quality, we’re fairly pleased with how the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 performs because of its quad Dolby Atmos audio system. The Pixel Tablet additionally has quad audio system, however they initially sounded a bit tinny throughout our I/O hands-on. Thankfully, the sound high quality improved considerably once we docked the Pixel Tablet, particularly enhancing the bass quantity. So your audio expertise will depend upon how typically you utilize it docked or undocked.Rounding out the Pixel Tablet vs. Galaxy Tab S8 specs comparability, Samsung’s pill helps Wi-Fi 6E routers whereas the Pixel Tablet sticks to Wi-Fi 6. Pixel Tablet vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: Software and updates(Image credit score: Android Central)Google has promised that 50 of its primary apps have been optimized for each the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold, taking full benefit of the additional house. And it additionally revealed a number of third-party app builders which have partnered with Google to make their apps higher fitted to giant screens. While that is an thrilling improvement, we are able to assume these similar app updates will work equally effectively on Galaxy Tabs. The similar goes for multitasking instruments, since each Android 13 and One UI 5 have software program built-in for multi-window shopping. Samsung’s Android pores and skin has benefitted from testing on a number of Tabs and Z Folds, whereas Google’s inventory Android pill software program has largely appeared on Lenovo Tabs.Only Samsung gives a desktop-replacement interface (DeX Mode) that allows you to convert the pill right into a laptop-like gadget, as long as you will have a mouse and keyboard to pair with it. This makes it extra helpful for productiveness, whereas the Pixel Tablet should keep on with Android apps alone and has no keyboard accent. On the flip aspect, you get Hub Mode once you dock the Pixel Tablet, enabling you to simply communicate to Google Assistant or management your appropriate Google Home units like your good lights, Nest cams and thermostats, and good locks. Even if it is not an official Nest Hub alternative, its software program fills the area of interest of a sensible show, in addition to a pill.The Galaxy Tab S8 launched with Android 12, whereas the Pixel Tablet will begin off with Android 13. Still, as a result of Samsung gives one further OS improve for its units, each tablets will finish their improvement at Android 16. Pixel Tablet vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: Which do you have to purchase?We’re pretty assured, based mostly on our temporary time with the Google Pixel Tablet, that it will simply be a part of the ranks of one of the best Android tablets. But exterior of a particular area of interest of patrons, the Galaxy Tab S8 will not lose its high placement till the Galaxy Tab S9 arrives with an OLED show and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 improve.The greatest knocks towards the Tab S8 now are its value and the truth that it’s going to get supplanted quickly. But in case you spot it on sale, chances are you’ll not need to wait. We do not understand how a lot the Tab S9 will value, and the Tab S8 remains to be a unbelievable gadget.The Pixel Tablet is the extra inexpensive possibility and may be loved by extra members of your family, because of instruments like a number of Google Assistant accounts and Google Home controls. If that tempts you, then it is price shopping for over the Tab S8 regardless of its downgrades in key areas.

Choose the Google Pixel Tablet in case you’re a daily Pixel cellphone or Watch proprietor, you need each a pill and a Nest Hub alternative, and/otherwise you care extra about consolation than fashion. Don’t select it for the absolute best gaming efficiency or smoothest refresh price.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 for a top-of-the-line pill expertise in velocity, visuals, battery life. and software program. Don’t select it if you cannot afford the upper value, or would fairly look ahead to the next-gen mannequin.