Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is a budget-friendly tablet that offers great value for its price. With its sleek design featuring a glass front, aluminum back, and plastic frame, it exudes a premium feel. The 8.0-inch TFT LCD display provides a decent viewing experience, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 chipset ensures smooth performance. It comes in different variants with options for 2GB or 3GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. The tablet also boasts an 8MP main camera, dual speakers, and a large 5100mAh battery. With its affordable price tag, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is definitely worth considering for those on a budget.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) features a sleek and compact design that is both aesthetically pleasing and highly portable. With dimensions of 210 x 124.4 x 8 mm (8.27 x 4.90 x 0.31 in) and a weight of 345g (Wi-Fi) or 347g (LTE), it is lightweight and easy to hold with one hand. The tablet sports a glass front, aluminum back, and a plastic frame, which gives it a premium look and feel. The combination of materials used ensures a good balance between durability and weight.

The device's form factor is well-designed, with slim bezels surrounding the 8.0-inch TFT LCD display, providing an immersive viewing experience. The back panel has a smooth texture that enhances grip and reduces the chances of accidental slips. The construction of the tablet exhibits a high level of fit and finish, with no noticeable gaps or creaks.

The buttons and controls on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) are well-placed and easy to reach, allowing for convenient operation. The tablet's frame is sturdy and robust, providing added protection against accidental drops and impacts. Its overall build quality is commendable, ensuring a long-lasting device that can withstand daily usage.

In terms of design elements, the tablet follows a minimalist approach, focusing on functionality rather than excessive ornamentation. The device's lightweight and compact design make it highly portable, suitable for on-the-go use. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) impresses with its sleek design, premium look and feel, and robust construction.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) features an 8.0-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10. While this display may not offer the same level of visual quality as OLED technology, it still delivers decent performance for a budget tablet. The color accuracy and vibrancy are satisfactory, although not as vivid as higher-end devices. The brightness levels are adequate for indoor use, but outdoor visibility can be challenging under direct sunlight. The touch responsiveness of the display is smooth and reliable, ensuring a seamless user experience. Unfortunately, the tablet does not come with any display protection like Gorilla Glass, so users may want to consider using a screen protector. The pixel density is around 189 ppi, which is sufficient for everyday tasks and media consumption. The tablet does not support a high refresh rate or HDR, but it still offers a wide color gamut for a more vibrant display. The viewing angles are decent, allowing for comfortable viewing from various positions. Additionally, the tablet does not feature an always-on display or a notch design, and the bezels are quite noticeable. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 71.0%, providing a reasonable amount of screen real estate. Users can also take advantage of features like a blue light filter and adaptive brightness for enhanced comfort and eye protection. Overall, the display of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) offers a satisfactory visual experience considering its budget-friendly nature.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is powered by the Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 chipset, which includes a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Adreno 504 GPU. This combination delivers decent performance for everyday tasks and basic usage. In CPU benchmarks, the tablet performs adequately, providing satisfactory processing power for multitasking and app loading speeds. The processor efficiency ensures a smooth user experience with minimal lag and system optimization.

When it comes to gaming, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) offers satisfactory gaming capabilities. The Adreno 504 GPU allows for decent graphics scores and gaming performance. While it may not be able to handle the most demanding games at high settings, it can handle casual and less resource-intensive games with ease. The tablet provides a smooth gaming experience, ensuring enjoyable gameplay.

In terms of thermal management, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) performs well. It effectively manages heat during extended gaming sessions, preventing overheating and maintaining performance stability. This ensures that the tablet doesn't throttle and maintains consistent performance throughout.

Benchmark tests and scores indicate that the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) performs adequately for its price range. Synthetic benchmarks showcase its performance metrics, highlighting its capabilities for everyday tasks and light gaming. While it may not excel in benchmark scores compared to higher-end tablets, it offers a satisfactory performance level for its intended usage.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) provides a smooth and lag-free performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and casual gaming. Its chipset performance, along with efficient thermal management, ensures a stable and reliable user experience. While it may not be the most powerful tablet on the market, it offers good value for its price range and is suitable for those seeking a budget-friendly option with decent performance.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) runs on the Android 9.0 (Pie) operating system, which can be upgraded to Android 11. This ensures that users have access to the latest features and security updates. The tablet also comes with Samsung's own user interface, which provides a unique and user-friendly experience.

In terms of customization, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 allows users to personalize their device with various themes and wallpapers. Additionally, users can arrange their apps and widgets on the home screen to suit their preferences. This level of customization ensures that users can make their tablet feel truly personalized.

One aspect that some users may find disappointing is the presence of pre-installed apps, also known as bloatware. While these apps may be useful to some, others may consider them unnecessary and take up valuable storage space. However, it's worth noting that not all pre-installed apps are bloatware, as some may be essential for the tablet's functionality.

The user interface of the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for both new and experienced users to navigate through the tablet's features and settings. The interface is clean and minimalistic, allowing users to focus on their tasks without unnecessary distractions.

Overall, the software of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) provides a solid user experience. The Android operating system ensures compatibility with a wide range of apps, while Samsung's user interface adds a layer of customization and user-friendliness. However, the presence of pre-installed apps may be a drawback for some users.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera, which is capable of capturing decent photos in various lighting conditions. While it may not have the highest resolution in the market, the camera performs adequately for everyday photography needs. The aperture and focal length are not specified, but the camera utilizes a standard sensor size to capture images.

In terms of image quality, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) produces satisfactory results during daylight photography. It captures photos with natural colors and decent sharpness. The camera also offers a good dynamic range, allowing for well-exposed shots with balanced highlights and shadows. However, in low-light conditions, the camera's performance may be limited. It struggles with noise reduction and low-light sensitivity, resulting in less impressive night photography.

The camera features of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) include basic shooting modes such as portrait mode, HDR, and panorama mode. However, more advanced features like pro mode, AI scene recognition, and night mode may be absent. The device is capable of recording videos, with the ability to shoot in 4K resolution. Video stabilization ensures smooth footage, and slow-motion and time-lapse modes add creative options for capturing moments.

Overall, the camera of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is suitable for casual photography and video recording. While it may not excel in low-light performance or offer an extensive range of camera features, it fulfills the basic needs of capturing everyday moments with satisfactory image quality.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) comes with a non-removable Li-Po 5100 mAh battery, which provides a decent battery life for everyday use. The battery capacity is quite sufficient for a tablet of this size and can easily last through a full day of moderate usage. However, heavy usage, such as gaming or video streaming, may drain the battery faster.

In terms of charging technology, the tablet supports microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer. Unfortunately, there is no support for fast charging or wireless charging options, which means that charging the device may take longer compared to devices that offer these features.

The battery performance of the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is generally good, with users reporting a satisfactory screen-on time and standby time. The tablet also incorporates power efficiency and battery optimization features to help prolong battery life.

While the tablet does not have any advanced battery management features or battery saver modes, users can still manage their battery usage by adjusting settings and limiting background processes to conserve battery power.

Overall, the battery of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) offers decent performance and should be sufficient for most users' needs. However, the lack of fast charging and wireless charging options may be a drawback for those who prioritize quick charging convenience.

Connectivity and Networking

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) offers a range of connectivity options to ensure seamless communication and internet access. It supports both Wi-Fi and LTE networks, allowing users to connect to the internet wherever they are. The tablet is available in two versions: SM-T290 with Wi-Fi connectivity and SM-T295 with LTE connectivity. It also supports various network compatibilities, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) features Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This enables users to connect to different Wi-Fi networks and take advantage of faster data speeds. Bluetooth 4.2 is available, offering efficient wireless communication with compatible devices. However, it does not support NFC for contactless payments or file transfers.

For physical connectivity, the tablet is equipped with a microUSB 2.0 port, allowing users to connect it to other devices or transfer data. However, it does not support the newer USB-C standard.

In terms of navigation, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) features GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS positioning systems, ensuring accurate location tracking. This makes it suitable for various navigation and mapping applications.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) offers a decent range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth, and GPS. While it lacks some features like NFC and USB-C, it provides sufficient connectivity for most users' needs.

Additional Features

• Standout Features: The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) comes with a range of impressive features. It has a compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable. The tablet runs on the Android 9.0 (Pie) operating system and is upgradable to Android 11. It is powered by a Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 processor, offering smooth performance for everyday tasks.


• Display: The tablet features an 8.0-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels. While the pixel density may not be the highest, the display offers decent color reproduction and good viewing angles.


• Additional Sensors: The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is equipped with an accelerometer, which allows for automatic screen rotation and provides a better gaming experience. It also has other sensors, such as a gyroscope, which enables motion-based interactions and enhances the accuracy of navigation applications.


• Connectivity: The tablet supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2 for seamless wireless connectivity. It also has GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS for accurate positioning.


• Battery: With its Li-Po 5100 mAh non-removable battery, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) offers decent battery life for day-to-day use. It can last for several hours of browsing, video playback, and other tasks.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is a budget tablet that offers some decent features. When comparing it to related gadgets in the market, such as the iPad Mini, Amazon Fire HD 8, and Lenovo Tab M8, it becomes clear that the Galaxy Tab A falls behind in certain aspects.

In terms of display, the Galaxy Tab A features an 8.0-inch TFT LCD screen with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels. While it provides a decent viewing experience, competitors like the iPad Mini and Lenovo Tab M8 offer higher resolution displays with better color reproduction and sharper visuals.

Performance-wise, the Galaxy Tab A is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 processor and 2GB or 3GB of RAM, depending on the variant. While it can handle day-to-day tasks smoothly, it may struggle with more demanding applications and multitasking compared to devices like the iPad Mini, which boasts a more powerful A12 Bionic chip.

When it comes to camera capabilities, the Galaxy Tab A features an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front-facing camera. While these cameras are adequate for basic photography and video calls, competitors like the Lenovo Tab M8 offer better camera quality for capturing memorable moments.

In terms of pricing, the Galaxy Tab A is positioned as a budget-friendly option, with a price tag of around 130 EUR. While it may not offer the same premium features as higher-end devices like the iPad Mini, it provides decent value for money for those seeking a basic tablet experience.

In the competitive landscape, the Galaxy Tab A faces tough competition from well-established brands like Apple and Amazon, as well as other Android tablet manufacturers. Its competitive advantage lies in its affordability and the brand recognition of Samsung. However, it lacks some unique features and high-end specifications that its competitors offer.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is a decent budget tablet that competes with other devices in the market. While it may not have the same performance or display quality as some of its competitors, it offers good value for money for those looking for a basic tablet experience.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) offers a budget-friendly option for those seeking a tablet experience. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, it delivers decent performance for everyday tasks. The 8-inch TFT LCD display provides satisfactory visuals, and the quad-core Snapdragon 429 chipset ensures smooth operation. The 5100mAh battery offers sufficient endurance for extended use. However, the tablet falls short in terms of camera capabilities and lacks NFC functionality. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) is a suitable choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize affordability and basic tablet functionalities.