with every spec and feature imaginable. But does that extensive list also mean there's a charger in the box? Over the years, many companies have ditched their Android tablet ambitions. Google doesn't make Android tablets anymore, nor does Motorola, and there's yet to be a OnePlus tablet despite years of rumors suggesting otherwise. As challenging as the Android tablet market can be, that hasn't stopped Samsung from being a dominant force in the space.
Most recently, Samsung released a trio of new tablets. Following 2020's Galaxy Tab S7 series, Samsung now has the Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. If you're in the market for a tablet experience, these are the ones you want to consider. Samsung's touting the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, S Pen , 120Hz displays, and a whole lot more. In other words, these are flagship Android tablets through and through.
Unfortunately, there's one aspect of the Tab S8 family that doesn't feel very flagship-like at all. None of the Galaxy Tab S8 models come with a charger in the box. There's a USB-C cable that can connect to a wall charger, but the charger itself is nowhere to be found. This is true of the Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra. If you're buying any of these tablets, be prepared to also buy a compatible charger if you don't have one already.
The First Samsung Tablet Without A Charger In The Box
Not including charging adapters is expected with modern smartphones these days. This is true of the iPhone 13, Google Pixel 6, Galaxy S22, and a myriad of other handsets. However, not getting a charger with a tablet isn't something we've seen before. Even Apple — the company that notoriously started this whole trend — still includes a free charging adapter with all of its iPad models. For whatever reason, Samsung decided included tablet chargers are no longer a necessity.
What does this mean for you? If you have a USB-C wall charger already, you should be able to use it to charge the Galaxy Tab S8 without a problem. Just make sure it's around 20W or faster. If you try charging the Tab S8's massive battery with a small 5W or 10W charger, it's going to take forever to get the battery to 100 percent. If you need a new charger, Samsung sells its official 45W one for around $50. There are also 45W and 60W models from Anker for even less.
Not getting a charger with the Galaxy Tab S8 is undoubtedly annoying. However, it's also not terribly surprising. Companies have now gone a couple of years without including chargers with their smartphones — and they keep selling just fine. It was only a matter of time before chargers also stopped coming with tablets. It's annoying and easy to complain about, but so long as folks keep buying them, it's a practice Samsung isn't going to abandon any time soon.
Source: Samsung