If you’re eyeing the sleek Galaxy Tab S8 and wondering about its accessories, you’re not alone. One of the burning questions on many potential buyers’ minds is: Does the Galaxy Tab S8 come with a charger? Let’s cut to the chase – no, it doesn’t.
Samsung has decided to exclude the charging brick from the Galaxy Tab S8’s box, following a trend we’ve seen with some of their other high-end devices.
In this blog post, we’ll unpack what you actually get in the Galaxy Tab S8 box, why Samsung’s made this decision, and what it means for you as a consumer. We’ll also explore your charging options and how to ensure you’re getting the most out of your new tablet’s battery life.
Key Takeaways
The Galaxy Tab S8 does not come with a charger in the box. Samsung includes a USB-C cable but no charging brick, citing environmental reasons. Users need to purchase a compatible charger separately or use an existing one.
What’s Included in the Galaxy Tab S8 Box?
When you crack open that shiny new Galaxy Tab S8 box, here’s what you’ll find:
- The Galaxy Tab S8 tablet (obviously!)
- S Pen stylus
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- SIM ejection tool (for models with cellular connectivity)
- Quick Start Guide and warranty information.
Noticeably absent is the charging brick that many of us have come to expect with new devices. It’s a bit like buying a new electric kettle and finding out you need to supply your own plug – a tad inconvenient, to say the least.
Why Doesn’t Samsung Include a Charger?
Samsung’s decision to omit the charger isn’t unique to the Galaxy Tab S8. They’ve been gradually phasing out chargers from their premium devices, and there are a few reasons behind this move:
- Environmental concerns: Samsung claims that by not including chargers, they’re reducing electronic waste. The idea is that many users already have compatible chargers lying around.
- Cost-cutting: Let’s be honest – not including a charger saves Samsung money, which may (or may not) be reflected in the device’s price.
- Slimmer packaging: Without the charger, the box can be smaller, which means more efficient shipping and less packaging waste.
- Following industry trends: Other tech giants like Apple have also stopped including chargers with some of their devices.
While these reasons make sense from a business and environmental perspective, they can be a bit of a headache for consumers who don’t have a compatible charger on hand.
Related post: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Review.
What Kind of Charger Does the Galaxy Tab S8 Need?
If you’re in the market for a new charger for your Galaxy Tab S8, here’s what you need to know:
- The Galaxy Tab S8 supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) charging
- It can handle up to 45W fast charging
- You’ll need a USB-C charger that supports these specifications.
Samsung sells its own 45W charger, but there are plenty of third-party options available too. Just make sure whatever you choose meets the USB-PD standard and can deliver up to 45W of power for the fastest charging speeds.
Making the Most of Your Galaxy Tab S8’s Battery Life
While we’re on the topic of charging, let’s talk about how to keep your Galaxy Tab S8 juiced up and ready to go:
- Use power-saving mode: The Galaxy Tab S8 comes with a power-saving mode that can extend your battery life when you’re running low.
- Adjust screen brightness: The display is often the biggest battery drain. Lowering the brightness can significantly extend your usage time.
- Turn off features you’re not using: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS can all drain your battery when not in use. Toggle them off when you don’t need them.
- Update your apps: Developers often optimise their apps for better battery performance, so keeping them updated can help.
- Use dark mode: The Galaxy Tab S8’s AMOLED display uses less power when displaying darker colours, so using dark mode can save battery life.
The Broader Trend: Are Chargers Becoming a Thing of the Past?
Samsung’s decision with the Galaxy Tab S8 isn’t happening in isolation. We’re seeing a trend across the tech industry where chargers are increasingly being left out of the box. Here’s a quick comparison of some popular tablets and their charger situations:
Tablet Model | Charger Included? |
---|---|
Galaxy Tab S8 | No |
iPad Pro | Yes |
Microsoft Surface Pro | Yes |
Amazon Fire HD | Yes |
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro | Yes |
As you can see, while some manufacturers are following Samsung’s lead, many are still including chargers with their tablets. It’s worth noting that this trend is more prevalent in high-end devices, with budget and mid-range tablets often still coming with chargers included.
What This Means for Consumers
The lack of a charger in the box has a few implications for Galaxy Tab S8 buyers:
- Additional cost: If you don’t have a compatible charger, you’ll need to factor in the cost of purchasing one separately.
- Potential confusion: Not all chargers are created equal, and choosing the right one can be confusing for less tech-savvy consumers.
- Inconvenience: It’s a bit of a pain to have to shop for a charger separately when you just want to start using your new tablet.
- Environmental impact: While Samsung cites environmental reasons for this decision, the reality is a bit more complex. If consumers end up buying chargers separately, it could potentially lead to more packaging and shipping-related waste.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy Tab S8 is a cracking piece of kit, but the absence of a charger in the box is admittedly a bit of a downer. It’s a trend we’re likely to see more of in the future, so it’s worth being prepared and perhaps holding onto those old chargers a bit longer.
At the end of the day, while it might be a slight inconvenience, it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for most people. The Galaxy Tab S8 offers a fantastic tablet experience, and once you’ve sorted out your charging situation, you’ll be able to enjoy all it has to offer.
Before we conclude, here’s a question for you: How do you feel about manufacturers not including chargers with new devices? Do you think it’s a positive step for the environment, or just an inconvenience for consumers? Share your thoughts in the comments below – I’d love to hear your perspective!
Thanks for reading, and if you found this post helpful, don’t forget to share it with your tech-savvy friends who might be eyeing a Galaxy Tab S8 of their own. Happy tablet-ing!
Citation:
Samsung Tab S8.