👍 Pros
- Solid build quality with an aluminum back
- Dedicated microSDXC slot for expandable storage
- Impressive battery life for media consumption
👎 Cons
- Outdated processor struggles with demanding tasks
- Low display resolution for an 8-inch screen
- Only 2GB of RAM limits multitasking
Expert Review & Rating
Alright, let’s talk about the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017). This tablet, announced and released in September 2017, was designed to be a budget-friendly option, and it mostly delivers on that promise. It’s got a pretty decent build for its price point, featuring a glass front and an aluminum back and frame, giving it a more premium feel than you might expect. Measuring 212.1 x 124.1 x 8.9 mm and weighing 364 g, it’s comfortable to hold and carry around. The 8.0-inch IPS LCD display, while not the sharpest at 800 x 1280 pixels (~189 ppi), is perfectly fine for casual browsing and media consumption. It even launched with Android 7.1 Nougat and was upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie with One UI, which is a nice touch for longevity.
Performance & Everyday Use
Under the hood, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017) is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 chipset, built on a 28 nm process. This includes a Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and an Adreno 308 GPU. Now, let’s be real, this isn’t a powerhouse. For light tasks like web browsing, email, and watching videos, it’s perfectly adequate. However, if you’re planning on doing any serious multitasking or playing graphically intensive games, you’re going to feel the limitations of that 2GB of RAM and the older chipset. Storage options are 16GB or 32GB, but thankfully, there’s a dedicated microSDXC slot, so you can easily expand your storage for all your photos and videos.
Cameras & Photography
When it comes to cameras, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017) keeps things simple. You get an 8 MP main camera on the back with an f/1.9 aperture and autofocus. It even has an LED flash and HDR, which is a nice bonus for a tablet in this price range. It can record 1080p video at 30fps, which is decent for quick snaps or video calls. The 5 MP front-facing camera is also capable of 1080p@30fps video, making it suitable for video chats. Don’t expect to replace your smartphone camera with this, but for casual use, it gets the job done.
Battery & Verdict
One of the standout features of this tablet is its battery life. It’s packed with a non-removable Li-Ion 5000 mAh battery. Samsung claims up to 14 hours of multimedia talk time or a whopping 153 hours of music playback, which is seriously impressive. You can definitely get through a full day of use, and then some, without needing to reach for a charger. Considering its estimated launch price of about 200 EUR, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017) offers a solid package for basic tablet needs. It’s not going to win any speed contests, but for media consumption, light browsing, and as a travel companion, it’s a pretty good value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Honestly, no. With its Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) processor and Adreno 308 GPU, plus only 2GB of RAM, this tablet isn't built for heavy gaming. You'll likely experience significant lag and low frame rates on demanding titles.
Absolutely! The 5000 mAh non-removable battery is a real strong point here. You can expect up to 14 hours of multimedia use or a massive 153 hours of music playback, so it'll easily last you through long sessions.
For its price point, the cameras are decent but not exceptional. You get an 8 MP rear and a 5 MP front camera, both capable of 1080p@30fps video. They're fine for casual photos, video calls, or scanning documents, but don't expect flagship-level photography.