Just like smartphone users, tablets users can be split in three big categories: those who like a compact tablet, with a 7″ display, those who like big models, measuring 10″ or even more and finally, those who want something between, like an 8″ display.
As promised in our Best 7 inch Tablets article, a new top is on its way. Today we’re dealing with the latter, making a list with ten of the best 8 inch tablets you can currently get.
You will find the most important specs for each model, alongside a short presentation and details about the price. Arranged randomly, they’re all available on Amazon and can be purchased by pressing the ‘Buy now’ button. There aren’t no affiliate links on the buttons, just the direct ones to the products’ pages.
1. Apple iPad Mini 3 – $329.00
Specs
– 7.9″ display (2048 x 1536)
– Apple A7 dual-core @ 1.3 GHz
– 1 GB DDR3 RAM
– 16/64/128 GB storage
– 5 MP rear camera
– 1.2 MP front camera
– 6470 mAh battery (up to 10 hours)
– 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm
Apple’s latest ‘mini’ iPad is by far one of the best 8 inch tablets on the market, even though it doesn’t have an 8″ display. It came with iOS 8.1 out of the box, but you can upgrade it to iOS 8.4, in order to enjoy the latest features of Apple’s mobile operating system, at least until iOS 9 makes its debut.
It’s arguably one of the best looking devices on the market and it was the first to feature a 7.9″ Retina display, with a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels, able to deliver an impressive image quality, with bright and vivid colors.
The iPad Mini 3 is powered by Apple’s A7 chip, using a dual-core Cyclone processor (ARM v8-based), running at 1.3 GHz. The CPU is aided by a PowerVR G6430 GPU and 1 GB of DDR3 RAM, while the storage capacity counts 16, 64 or 128 GB, without the possibility of expanding it.
On the back, the tablet has a 5MP iSight camera, with autofocus, able to take photos at a maximum resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels and record 1080p videos @ 30fps. Moving on to the front, we can spot a 1.2 MP FaceTime camera, with face detection and able to record 720p videos @ 30fps.
The spec sheet is completed by a Touch ID fingerprint scanners, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and A-GPS, with GLONASS. The iPad Mini 3 is available in Space Gray, Silver and Gold.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full iPad Mini 3 review.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 – $159.99
Specs
– 8.0″ display (800 x 1280)
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core @ 1.2 GHz
– 1.5 GB DDR3 RAM
– 16/32 GB storage (expandable with up to 64 GB)
– 3.15 MP rear camera
– 1.3 MP front camera
– 4450 mAh battery (up to 11 hours)
– 210 x 124 x 8 mm
Besides the Galaxy Tab 4 7.0, present in our ‘Best 7 inch tablets‘ top, Samsung also has a 8.0 tablet, following the same design line and running Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
The TFT capacitive touchscreen has a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels and it’s able to display 16 million colors. Under the hood, it has Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 400 chipset, with a quad-core CPU, clocked at 1.2 GHz, teaming up with 1.5 GB of DDR3 RAM and 16 or 32 gigs of internal storage.
Just like the 7.0″ version, it has a 3.15 MP main camera, able to take 2048 x 1536 photos and shoot 720p videos @ 30fps, while on the front, it sports a 1.3 MP sensor, perfect for high quality video calls and, why not, some quick selfies.
The tablet also has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS and an infrared port. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 is available in white and black.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 review.
3. Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact – $450.00
Specs
– 8.0″ display (1200 x 1920)
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core @ 2.5 GHz
– 3 GB DDR3 RAM
– 16 GB storage (expandable with up to 128 more)
– 8.1 MP rear camera
– 2.2 MP front camera
– 4500 mAh battery (up to 10 hours)
– 213.4 x 123.6 x 6.4 mm
Despite not being so popular, Sony’s Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact was actually one of the best 8 inch tablets released in 2014. With an impressive spec sheet and running Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, it was able to run even the most demanding apps and it’s still one of the best options one can have when looking for a new tablet.
It has a 8.0 TFT LCD Triluminous display, with a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels and able to display 16 million colors and thanks to the X-Reality Engine, you will enjoy a top notch visual experience.
Under the hood we can find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, with four Krait 400 cores, running at 2.5 GHz, alongside 3 GB of RAM and 16 gigs of internal storage. Of course, you can expand the latter with up to 128 more, using a microSD card slot.
The tablet has a 8.1 rear snapper, able to take 3264 x 2448 pixels and record 1080p videos @30fps, while on the front it comes with a 2.2 MP sensor, able to record 1080p videos @30fps.
Other features of the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact worth mentioning are the oleophobic coating, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, NFC and FM radio with RDS. It is available in black and white.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact review.
4. Lenovo IdeaTab A8-50 A5500 – $118.00
Specs:
– 8.0 IPS LCD display (800 x 1280)
– MediaTek MT8382 quad-core @ 1.3 GHz
– 1 GB DDR3 RAM
– 8/16 GB storage (expandable with up to 32 more)
– 5 MP rear camera
– 2 MP front camera
– 4200 mAh battery (up to 9 hours)
– 217 x 136 x 8.9 mm
Considering the price tag, it’s pretty clear that the IdeaTab A8-50 is one of the best 8 inch tablets under $150 you can get right now. It comes out of the box with Android 4.4.2 Jelly Bean, but as soon as you power it up, you will be prompted that an update to 4.4 KitKat is available. It’s a really nice looking device, with a matte black back cover, built very well.
The tablet is powered by an entry-level MediaTek MT8382 chipset, with four cores running at 1.3 GHz, running alongside 1 GB of DDR3 RAM and an internal storage of 8 or 16 GB. But the latter shouldn’t be an issue, as using a microSD card, you can add 32 more.
In terms of camera, it comes with a 5 MP main sensor, which you can use for taking 2592 x 1944 photos, while the front snapper has is using a 2 MP sensor, excellent for high quality video calls.
It has a set of stereo speakers, using the Dolby Digital Plus technology, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and FM radio. The tablet is available in four different colors: black, white, yellow and red.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full Lenovo IdeaTab A8-50 A5500 review.
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S – $397.99
Specs:
– 8.4″ Super AMOLED display (1600 x 2560)
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core @ 2.3 GHz / Exynos 5 Octa 5420 octa-core @ 1.9 GHz and 1.3 GHz
– 3 GB DDR3 RAM
– 16/32 GB storage (expandable with up to 128 more)
– 8 MP rear camera
– 2.1 MP front camera
– 4900 mAh battery (up to 11 hours)
– 212.8 x 125.6 x 6.6 mm
Just like the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, the Galaxy Tab S is Samsung’s flagship tablet from 2014, featuring a high-end spec sheet and a great design. It’s running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat, but an update to 5.0 Lollipop is scheduled.
It has a bigger display, measuring 8.4 inches, with a QHD resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels, while in terms of processing power, it has pretty much everything you can ask from a tablet. The tablet is available in two variants, depending on the market: powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset, with a four Krait 400 cores, running at 2.3 GHz, alongside an Adreno 330 GPU or by Samsung’s own Exynos 5 Octa 5420 chipset, with four Cortex-A15 cores, clocked at 1.9 GHz and four Cortex-A7 cores, clocked at 1.3 GHz, alongside a Mali-T628MP6 GPU.
No matter the chipset, the tablet has 3 GB of RAM and 16 or 32 gigs of internal storage, which can be expanded with a maximum of 128 GB, using a microSD card.
On the back, the Galaxy Tab S has an excellent 8 MP camera, with autofocus and LED flash, able to take 3264 x 2448 photos and shoot 1080p videos, @ 30fps. Finally, the front snapper is using a 2.1 MP sensor, but it’s more than enough.
It also has a fingerprint sensor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, and an infrared port. You can buy it in Dazzling White and titanium Bronze.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 review.
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab A – $168.00
Specs:
– 8.0 TFT display (768 x 1024)
– Samsung quad-core processor @ 1.2 GHz
– 1.5 GB DDR3 RAM
– 16/32 GB storage (expandable with up to 128 more)
– 5 MP rear camera
– 2 MP front camera
– 4200 mAh battery (up to 11 hours)
– 208.3 x 137.9 x 7.4 mm
The third Samsung tablet in our Best 8 inch tablets top is the latest addition to the South Korean manufacturer’s portfolio. It features a design inspired by this year’s Galaxy S6 flagship, with thin bezels and it’s running Android 5.0 Lollipop, customized with the manufacturer’s user interface, TouchWiz.
The Galaxy Tab A is powered by a Samsung-made chipset, with four cores, clocked at 1.2 GHz, alongside 1.5 GB of RAM. It’s not the beefiest configuration, but it’s definitely able to run the latest apps. In terms of storage, it comes in two variants, with 16 ore 32 GB, but no matter what model you choose, you can add 128 more, using a microSD card.
As for the camera, we’re looking at a 5 MP main snapper, with autofocus, which can take 2592 x 1944 photos and shoot 720p videos, while on the front it comes with a 2 MP sensor.
It has Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, GPS with GLONASS and radio. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A is available in Smoky Titanium, Smoky Blue and White.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 review.
7. HTC Nexus 9 – $373.99
Specs
– 8.9″ IPS LCD display (1536 x 2048)
– Nvidia Tegra K1 dual-core @ 2.3 GHz
– 2 GB DDR3 RAM
– 16/32 GB storage (non-expandable)
– 8 MP rear camera
– 1.6 MP front camera
– 6700 mAh battery (up to 11 hours)
– 228.2 x 153.7 x 8 mm
Even though it has almost 9 inches, the spec sheets says 8.9″, that’s why we decided to include the HTC-made Nexus 9 in our Best 8 inch tablets list. Released last year, alongside the Nexus 6, it’s powered by pure Android 5.0 Lollipop (upgradable to 5.1) and it has a really stylish design, with a matte finish on the back.
The 8.9 IPS LCD dispalay has a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels and it’s protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3. It’s powered by NVIDIA’s potent Tegra K1 chipset, with a dual-core Denver CPU, running at 2.3 GHz, alongside the Kepler DX1 GPU and 2 GB of RAM. It’s available in two versions with 16 or 32 gigs of storage, but unfortunately, it doesn’t have a microSD card slot, so you’ll have to rely on cloud storage if you need more space.
It comes with an 8 MP main camera, with autofocus and LED flash, which is able to take 3264 x 2448 photos and record 1080p videos @ 30fps. Also, the 1.6 MP front-mounter camera can be used for high quality video calls or to record 1080p videos @ 30fps.
It has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 and GPS with GLONASS. The Nexus 9 is available in Indigo Black, Lunar White and Sand.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full HTC Nexus 9 review.
8. LG G Pad 8.3 V500 – $315.95
Specs:
– 8.3″ IPS LCD display (1200 x 1920)
– Qualcomm APQ8064 Pro Snapdragon 600 quad-core @ 1.7 GHz
– 2 GB DDR3 RAM
– 16 GB storage (expandable with up to 64 more)
– 5 MP rear camera
– 1.3 MP front camera
– 4600 mAh battery (up to 11 hours)
– 216.8 x 126.5 x 8.3 mm
Released in 2013, LG’s G Pad 8.3 V500 is still a great choice when it comes to 8 inch tablets. It was between the tablets that can receive Android 5.0 Lollipop, so it’s able to run the latest apps with ease. Besides this, it looks like a very well built device, with a premium body.
It comes with a full HD 8.3″ display, with a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels, able to deliver crisp and clear images. Under the hood, it sports a Snapdragon 600 chip, with four Krait 300 cores, clocked at 1.7 GHz, 2 GB of RAM and 16 gigs of internal storage. Also, the latter can be expanded with up to 64 GB, using a microSD card.
On the back, it has a 5 MP camera with autofocus and able to take 2592 x 1944 pictures and shoot 1080p videos @ 30fps. On the other side, it has a 1.3 MP 720p camera, good enough for high quality video calls or selfies.
Other specs worth mentioning are the Bluetooth 4.0 interface, Wi-Fi, GPS with GLONASS and an infrared port. the LG G Pad 8.3 V500 is available in Black and White.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full LG G Pad 8.3 V500 review.
9. Acer Iconia Tab 8 – $174.99
Specs
– 8.0 IPS LCD display (1200 x 1920)
– Intel Atom Z3745 chipset quad-core @ 1.86 GHz
– 2 GB DDR3 RAM
– 16/32 GB storage (expandable with up to 32 more)
– 5 MP rear camera
– 2 MP front camera
– 4600 mAh battery (up to 7.5 hours)
– 215 x 130 x 8.5 mm
Acer joins our list with the Iconia Tab 8, which can be considered one of the best budget 8 inch tablets, with a price tag of $174.99. It has a 8.0″ display, with a full HD resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels, able to display 16 million colors. From this point of view, it’s a great deal, as a lot of tablet with the same display are even more expensive but have a smaller resolution.
It’s powered by an Intel Atom Z3745 chip, with a quad-core CPU, running at 1.86 GHz, while the GPU is a Intel Gen 7 model, teaming up with 2 GB of RAM. The storage capacity counts 16 or 32 gigs, but using a microSD card, you can add up to 32 more.
The Iconia Tab 8 has a pretty decent camera on the back, using a 5 MP sensor able to take 2592 x 1944 pictures and shoot 1080p videos @ 30fps, while the 2 MP front snapper is just what you need for a great video call.
It has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS with GLONASS. The Acer Iconia Tab 8 is available just with a Silver finish.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full Acer Iconia Tab 8 review.
10. ASUS MeMO Pad 8 – $142.97
Specs:
– 8.0 IPS LCD display (800 x 1280)
– Intel Atom Z3745 quad-core @ 1.33 GHz
– 1 GB DDR3 RAM
– 16 GB storage (expandable with up to 64 more)
– 5 MP rear camera
– 2 MP front camera
– 3950 mAh battery (up to 9 hours)
– 211.7 x 124.9 x 8.3 mm
The last entry in our top is ASUS’ MeMO Pad 8, one of the best cheap 8 inch tablets on the market. Despite its affordable price tag, it has a more than decent spec sheet, while the Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system allows you to run the latest applications with no issues at all.
The tablet is powered by an Intel-made Atom Z3745 chipset, with a quad-core CPU, clocked at 1.33 GHz and aided by an Intel Gen 7 GPU and just 1 GB of RAM. It’s a cheap model after all, you can’t expect high-end specs! The storage capacity counts just 16 GB, but fortunately, the tablet also has a microSD card slot, so you can add an extra 64 GB.
In terms of camera, it has a pretty basic 5 MP snapper on the back, able to take 2592 x 1944 photos and shoot 1080p videos. On the front, it’s loaded with a 2 MP sensor, which is perfect for video calls, especially since this is a budget 8 inch tablet.
Finally, it also has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS with GLONASS. The ASUS MeMO Pad 8 is available in Black, White, Purple and Gold.
In order to find all the details about this tablet, check out the full ASUS MeMO Pad 8 review.
And there you have it, this is where our Best 8 inch tablets of the moment top ends. Hopefully, our list will help you choose the model that suits your needs the best and, of course, is withing your budget limits.
We’re absolutely sure that there are a lot of excellent devices on the market, sporting the same display, but we like to think that the ones selected by us are the best you can currently get, offering the best specs in their price category.
Like always, if you want to suggest other models that should make it to a top like this, feel free to tell us about them, using the comments section below.
Keep an eye on our blog, as another guide will be available soon, this time dedicated to users who are looking forward to buying a tablet with a 10″ display!
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