The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8. Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive tablet for weekend-long Netflix binges, or need something you can easily toss in your bag for your morning commute, Amazon isn’t your only option.

And unlike Amazon’s Fire tablets, you get unfettered access to the Google Play app store.

Samsung Tablets – Android Tab | Samsung Gulf

That makes the Tab A a solid budget-friendly option for media consumption and Android gaming, though Amazon’s Fire HD 8 and HD 10 continue to offer stronger value for your dollar.

Samsung’s midrange A-series tablets are created with casual users in mind. Sizes in the Tab A family range from 7 to We tested the 8-inch Wi-Fi model.

View All 10 Photos in Gallery. The Galaxy Tab A 8. An improved screen-to-body ratio makes it a little less squat, and the camera bump on the back is less pronounced.

The frame is constructed of smooth polycarbonate while the back is a glossy aluminum shell that easily picks up fingerprints and smudges. The slate measures 8.

It’s not the lightest tablet on the market, but we had no problem holding it on a busy train for a long commute home. And although its frame is plastic, the overall build quality feels notably more solid than Amazon’s Fire tablets.

That said, we definitely recommend a case if the tablet will be used by children or if you plan to use it for your daily commute.

On the right side of the Tab A, you’ll find the power button and volume rocker. Both are responsive and provide a satisfying click when tapped.

There’s a microSD card slot on the left that accommodates up to GB of external storage in addition to the 32GB of internal storage.

A USB-C charging port sits at the bottom, alongside a bottom-firing speaker that provides all the audio. At 86 decibels, the Tab A is loud enough for watching streaming video, but don’t expect a high-end audio experience.

The speaker sounds hollow and tinny at higher volumes. Display quality is decent. The front panel is home to an 8-inch, 1,by TFT display with pixels per inch, the same as you’ll find on the Lenovo Tab 4 8 and the Fire HD 8.

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The screen looks good for multimedia streaming, but text and drawings are a little fuzzy. Brightness and viewing angles are excellent, so you should have no problem using the slate in direct sunlight.

The Tab A supports 2. Bluetooth 4.

The tablet is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor clocked at 1. It’s a common processor for budget tablets, though at three years old, it’s nearing its expiration date.

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Apps opened quickly and basic multitasking worked without a hitch in testing. We were even able to play Asphalt 8 without problems.

Tap OK to begin the installation. Asus ZE550ML Zenfone 2 Dual Sim Phone with 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM — White This online tool will help you identify and resolve problems with your device.

We did, however, begin to experience slowdown once more than a half dozen apps were open. See How We Test Tablets. Battery life is strong. When streaming full-screen video over Wi-Fi at maximum screen brightness, we managed to eke out an impressive 6 hours and 37 minutes.

That’s slightly longer than the Fire HD 10 6 hours and 14 minutes and should easily get you through a long flight with conservative use.

When it comes to the camera, the Tab A’s 8-megapixel rear shooter is underwhelming in most circumstances like most tablet cameras, especially at this price.

While daytime photos are passable, our low-light photos were both grainy and blurry. Performance on the 5-megapixel front-facing sensor offers much the same experience.

Video calls are passable in a well-lit room, but quality quickly degrades in low light. The Tab A ships running Android 7. Samsung’s custom UI has improved vastly over the last few years.

Unfortunately, there are still a handful of redundant apps like Samsung Mail, Samsung Internet, and Samsung Notes that cannot be uninstalled.

In addition to Samsung Experience 9. Secure Folder allows you to designate a private location on the tablet where you can store documents and secondary instances of apps you’d like to keep away from prying eyes.

Samsung Flow lets you to share photos and information between your tablet and Samsung smartphone. And if you’re a parent with young children, you’ll definitely appreciate Kids Mode, an app that lets you create a custom homepage with kid-friendly content.

For the most part, Samsung’s UI adds only minor changes to the stock Android experience.

You still have access to almost any app in the Google Play store, and can easily add your own custom skins. Fire OS is built to showcase Amazon’s products and services and has no resemblance to the interface you may already be accustomed to if you use an Android smartphone.

That said, Fire OS is easier to use and offers more guidance toward finding content if you aren’t already familiar with Android.

Samsung Galaxy Tab E () Software Update

Its compact size and long battery life make it a good option for media consumption or basic productivity tasks on the go, especially if you want access to Google Play.

If you’re looking to save even more money, the Fire HD 8 is available for less than half the price of the Tab A and offers a fairly similar experience from a hardware perspective.

It would be an understatement to say Steven Winkelman is obsessed with smartphones and tablets. Steven received his BA magna cum laude in English and worked for several years as an editor for a peer-reviewed journal.

In he completed his MA in jo See Full Bio. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links.

13.02.2020 – Android Security Patch Level: This software update brings the latest Android Nougat OS with a fresh, simple user interface, along with new ways to customize your device. Abe L. Hyon L December 4, , am.

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PCMag reviews products independentlybut we may earn affiliate commissions from buying links on this page. Terms of use. Pros Solid performance.

Good build quality. Access to Google Play store.

DO NOT do this. Samsung galaxy tab a 8 0 (2018) firefox Standard Email Messaging Ports.

Cons Underwhelming cameras. A bit pricey for what you get. Similar Products. Amazon Fire HD 8 Amazon Fire HD Apple iPad Amazon Fire 7 Samsung Galaxy Tab S4.

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Apple iPad Pro Lenovo Tab 4 8. Other Samsung Tablets. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.

Steven Winkelman Analyst, Consumer Electronics. Get Our Best Stories! How to Snap the Best Selfies. The 13 Coolest Features in iOS See More.

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Unfortunately, there are still a handful of redundant apps like Samsung Mail, Samsung Internet, and Samsung Notes that cannot be uninstalled. Samsung galaxy tab a 8 0 (2018) firefox Hyon L December 4, , am. Samsung Flow lets you to share photos and information between your tablet and Samsung smartphone.