Samsung might be best known for its lineup of Galaxy smartphones, but the company has been churning out great tablets for over a decade. The original Galaxy Tab debuted in 2010, and the company hasn't looked back since. You'll now find a wealth of tablets in the Samsung catalog, including new releases like the Galaxy Tab S9 or budget-friendly options like the Galaxy Tab S7 FE. But if you're new to the world of tablets, sifting through all the options can be a bit challenging.
To help you on your journey, we've compiled a short list of the best Samsung tablets of 2024. We've rounded up picks for everyone – from premium tablets to tablets for students, you're bound to find something that fits your needs.
Be sure to also look at iPads, as they're a great alternative to products sold by Samsung. If you need help with that search, take a look at our list of the best iPads. Once you've looked at both, you can check out our best tablet roundup for a complete look at all our favorites for 2024.
Best Samsung tablet overall
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus
- Powerful
- Beautiful hardware
- Gorgeous display
- Great speakers
- Productivity powerhouse
- Keyboard case not included
- Some software trouble
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Display | 12.4 inches |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Storage | Up to 256GB |
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 expensive tablet. However, since the newer Tab S9 is now available, the Tab S8 Plus is seeing frequent discounts – so be sure to shop around to find the best deal.
Best premium Samsung tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
- Stunning 14.6-inch display
- Loud, rich speakers
- Excellent performance
- Very good battery life
- Water and dust resistance
- It's. So. Heavy.
- App optimization issues
- Outrageously expensive
- Pricey, necessary accessories
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Display | 14.6 inches |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Storage | Up to 1TB |
If you're working with a large budget, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a great investment. Along with impressive battery life and a stunning display, it's packed with top-of-the-line hardware that allows it to run all sorts of apps and software without any slowdown.
The gigantic 14.9-inch screen is what'll first draw you into the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, as it supports a 2960 x 1848 resolution and looks stunning no matter what's on display. It's also fun to use and incredibly responsive – especially when using the supported S Pen for drawing or taking notes. And since the display runs almost all the way to the edges of the tablet, the S9 Ultra looks every bit as premium as its price tag would suggest.
Screen aside, there's a lot to love about the Galaxy Tab S9. Several different configurations are available, letting you get up to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, though it's always powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. That processor is ideal for gaming, streaming, or simple tasks like replying to emails, ensuring everything is buttery smooth and hassle-free.
The premium Samsung tablet isn't perfect, however, as it's large display sometimes results in awkward app optimization issues. It's also quite heavy. Most shoppers will be better served by cheaper options on this list, but if you don't mind the expense and a few other quirks, it's a great companion for both work and play. You'll find a few other products in the Galaxy Tab S9 lineup, so be sure to give the entire catalog a look if the S9 Ultra checks all the right boxes but is a bit too pricey.
Best big Samsung tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Sumptuous 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Very powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- Huge battery will last forever
- Highly versatile device for professionals
- Can be unwieldy and uncomfortable
- Not cheap
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Display | 14.6 inches |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Storage | Up to 128GB |
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the tablet for users who want an all-in-one device that can do everything. It has the portability and convenience of every other Galaxy Tab device, yet its huge 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display makes it more than suitable as a replacement for your laptop. The latter also just makes it a sheer joy to use, with the large screen making it the ideal partner for long journeys or simply watching something at bedtime.
Aside from the massive touchscreen, the Tab S8 Ultra also features the all-powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. When coupled with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM (depending on the version chosen), it can handle pretty much every task and app you're likely to throw at it. This makes it the perfect tablet for professionals and creatives, with its processing power capable of matching even high-end 2-in-1 laptops.
In keeping with its high-powered credentials, the Tab S8 Ultra also comes with a very capacious 11,200mAh battery. This provides it with enough juice to last more than a day without needing a recharge, even under heavier usage. At the same time, the 13MP main camera lens is capable of capturing sharp photos in most conditions, while the 6MP ultrawide lens provides a touch of versatility, even if it won't replace your Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Other features include a MicroSD slot for expanding on the tablet's 128GB to 512GB of internal memory, as well as 45W fast charging, and a bundled S Pen.
Keep in mind that the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (listed above) is another great option in this category – but its price tag and heavy weight might make it less appealing to some shoppers. Still, it's a great alternative, especially if you're looking for a premium tablet with all of the latest hardware.
Best value Samsung tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Outstanding battery life
- Attractive design
- Includes S Pen
- Screen lacks wow factor
- Performance is underwhelming
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Display | 12.4 inches |
| Processor | Snapdragon 750G |
| Storage | 64GB |
While there are cheaper and more budget-friendly Samsung tablets, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE does a great job of providing enough premium features without chewing a hole in your wallet. Its standout feature is the 10,090mAh battery, which provides enough power to keep most users going into the second day, if not longer. On top of this, it includes Samsung's S Pen, has good productivity software, and features a sharp design that belies its affordable price.
While the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G isn't as high-powered as the processors you'll find on other Samsung tablets, it gets the job done in most cases. The tablet can handle most apps and games, and even though it may not be the perfect device for professional users, it can still handle productivity apps such as Google Docs and Microsoft Outlook with relative ease.
Yes, its 12.4-inch TFT LCD display doesn't impress like the Super AMOLED panels found on more premium Samsung devices, but the Tab S7 FE makes up for it by providing a very good package overall. It still boasts the tidy design of most Samsung devices, while it supports 5G (in its cellular version), 45W fast charging, and Samsung DeX.
Best cheap Samsung tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
- Affordable option
- Light and portable
- Supports casual use
- Can't handle heavy programs
- Smaller battery life
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Display | 10.5 inches |
| Processor | Unisoc Tiger T618 |
| Storage | Up to 64GB |
If you're not a power user and don't have several hundred dollars lying around to invest in a new tablet, consider the Tab A8, a cheap device offering the core Samsung experience. While it certainly isn’t as powerful as Samsung’s high-end tablets, the Galaxy Tab A8 is still more than enough for more casual users who just want to watch the occasional movie and browse the web from time to time.
It boasts an 8-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. In other words, it’s not quite HD level, but it’s still ideal for reading documents, watching TV, and surfing the web. What makes it better is that the tablet is very light at only 345 grams (or 12 ounces). This makes it comfortable to hold for prolonged periods of time, while its screen isn’t too bright on the eyes, either.
But don't let the small size and the value price deceive you. The Galaxy Tab A8 is perfectly capable of handling everyday tasks as long as you aren't running heavy games or massive video files. It's powered by a quad-core 2.0 GHz processor and 2GB of RAM, so it’s suited more to social media, browsing, and media than to playing the latest video games.
Meanwhile, its 5,100mAh battery offers up to 13 hours of use on a single charge, which can last you several days if you don’t use it all that much. It also comes with 32GB of internal storage that can be expanded to 512GB using a microSD card, so you’ll have more than enough. It obviously won't offer powerhouse performance at this price range, but it's a decent pick for students and users on a budget who want everyday features.
Best Samsung tablet for students
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- Budget-friendly pick
- Dolby Atmos sound
- Comes with the S Pen stylus
- Won't support heavy tasks
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Display | 10.4 inches |
| Processor | Exynos 9611 |
| Storage | 64GB |
If you like to do a wide variety of things on your tablet but don't want to break the bank with a $500-plus model, consider the S6 Lite. It's a powered-down version of the Tab S6, but it's also more affordable while getting the job done. It features a 10.4-inch LCD display and attractively slim bezels, as well as surround sound by Dolby Atmos. This is more than enough for a movie night or binge-watching all the lectures the day before your test. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can chill out with music whenever things get too stressful.
The tablet comes with the S Pen stylus, which makes it super easy to take notes quickly or just doodle when you're bored in class. It's also fairly light and portable, so you can pop it into your backpack and start studying or working anywhere. The 64/128GB is decent for students, considering the low price of this device. You also get a fairly decent 7,040mAh battery that will run you quite a few hours with everyday use.
This isn't the best tablet for heavy gaming or multitasking considering its Exynos 9611 chipset, but it's more than good enough for reading documents, writing, browsing the internet, using social media platforms, and texting your friends.
How we chose the best Samsung tablets of 2024
The Samsung Galaxy Tab lineup has seen tremendous growth over the years, which can make it difficult to narrow down all your options. But once you know what to look for, a few products stand out from the pack. Here's how we pulled together the list of the best Samsung tablets of 2024.
Display quality
A tablet is only as good as its display. Thankfully, Samsung is at the top of its class when it comes to churning out good-looking screens. Many displays on its Tab lineup are of the AMOLED or LED variety, so images, videos, and games look great. They're also responsive to touch and feature good refresh rates, ensuring they remain fun to use and quickly respond to your input. The more you're willing to spend, the better the screen will be, but we tried to limit this list to only gadgets that offer a premium viewing experience.
Hardware
People use tablets for a variety of different tasks, but one thing remains constant for all users – they want a device that won't slow down and can handle anything they throw at it. Of course, this isn't always possible. Cheap tablets will cut corners with its hardware, allowing it to surf the web or send emails, but running into issues when gaming or handling tasks like video editing. This list includes products with a wide range of hardware, including tablets with premium processors, entry-level processors, heaps of RAM, and sizable SSDs. Whatever your needs, we made sure to include tablets with hardware that fit the bill and should give you the reliability needed to last years without issue.
Accessories
Samsung makes a bunch of great accessories, including the S Pen and detachable keyboards. But beyond Samsung, it's also important that these tablets support connectivity for third-party accessories – giving you plenty of versatility when it comes to choosing your favorite gear. From available ports and Bluetooth, the majority of these tablets play nice with accessories and other gadgets.
Durability and usability
Tablets are designed to be sleek and portable. However, some tablets simply can't stand the heavy demands of constant travel. Samsung products are largely immune to this issue, however, as they're almost always constructed with premium materials and built for years of faithful service. We made sure that all products on this list hit those lofty expectations, so you can be sure you're getting a tablet that'll withstand getting tossed into a backpack or shoved into a cramped suitcase. We also made sure they're comfortable for daily use, so your hand won't get tired from holding them or start cramping from awkward positioning.
