The most bothersome thing about Samsung’s flagship Android tablets

Samsung’s got the only worthwhile Android tablets in the market, especially when you get into the flagship territory. Pretty much each year, without fail, Samsung has made the best flagship tablet that your money can buy.

In 2020, after a gap of many years, Samsung once again split its flagship tablet lineup into two models with the Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+, with their dimensions, screen size, and battery capacities being the main differentiators. In 2022, Samsung launched three models of its newest flagship slate, the Galaxy Tab S8, once more with similar differences but this time with the added differentiation of their camera setups.

But there’s one negative thing common between the Galaxy Tab S7 series and the Galaxy Tab S8 series, and it’s one that’s begun bothering me as I use the Galaxy Tab S8 more and more: the LCD screens on the base models.

Now, before you get the wrong idea, let me be clear that the LCD panels Samsung uses on its flagship tablets are of the highest quality. But, they aren’t AMOLED panels, and that is a major point of concern for the user experience, even as other aspects of the displays across the models remain similar (like the support for a 120Hz refresh rate and support for a low-latency S Pen).

Nothing beats AMOLED tech, especially on a tablet-sized screen

This is something I’ve especially noticed as I’ve started watching more TV shows on my tablet instead of the TV or my PC. The lack of true blacks is the biggest frustration for me, especially as I watch some of the new Disney+ Star Wars shows, which have some of the best visuals in TV shows right now. Even in general, the contrast levels offered by AMOLED screens are simply unbeatable.

What's more frustrating is the fact is that Samsung is not giving you AMOLED displays on some of its top-of-the-line tablets despite being a maker of the best AMOLED displays on the market. Sure, two of the three Galaxy Tab S8 models have AMOLED displays if you want them, but what if any customer wants the more easy-to-handle 11-inch screen of the base model?

As someone who’s been following Samsung’s rise to the number one position in the Android market over the years, it really bothers me that the company thinks putting LCD displays on its flagship tablets is a good idea. I can see them being suitable for budget phones or tablets, but tablets (or phones) that cost you upwards of $800? Nuh-uh, that’s not acceptable, no matter what Samsung’s reasons might be (I mean, I guess regular customers don't care all that much, but is that a solid reason?).

What about you? Do you care which type of display technology Samsung uses on its high-end tablets, or are you okay with either LCD or AMOLED? Should Samsung reconsider its position on this matter, or should they continue on their current trajectory? Let me know down in the comments!

Galaxy Tab S8 review | Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review

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