Skip to main content

It begins. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra rumored to get a notch

What we feared is already happening. After Apple released the new MacBook Pro with a notch, we assumed it would only be a matter of time before we saw this ugly design flourish filter out to other devices. And sure enough, where Apple goes, everyone else follows. Now, Samsung is prepping the launch of the next-gen Galaxy Tab 8 Ultra, complete with a notch.

The Galaxy Tab S8 was leaked a few days back, and it revealed a familiar design with slim bezels and a big display. This year, the company is also rumored to be launching an Ultra variant, which will have an even larger display — and according to leaked renders — a notch.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra render both front and back
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The latest development comes from 91Mobiles in conjunction with tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer, aka @OnLeaks. The leaked S8 Ultra render reveals a notch on the display at the top when held horizontally. It’s a weird design for a tablet. While a notch helps in shrinking the size of the bezels, with the Ultra having slimmer bezels than the base Tab S8, it looks unpleasant — especially when seeing it on the right edge when the tablet is in vertical orientation. And this is purely aesthetic; there’s no Face ID-like tech to improve unlocking the device.

And, following my #Samsung #GalaxyTabS8 leak, now comes your very first look at the MASSIVE #GalaxyTabS8Ultra! (360° video + stunning 5K renders + dimensions)

On behalf of my Friends over @91mobiles -> https://t.co/jEPtgn1jvc pic.twitter.com/iCmZuSdvWE

— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) October 23, 2021

According to the rumors, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra will feature a 14.6-inch display, bigger than the 11-inch and 12.4-inch displays rumored to be present on the Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8+, respectively. There is a pill-shaped camera module to house the rear cameras. You’ll also get a USB-C port, but no headphone jack. The Galaxy Tab S8 series could also be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. The tablet’s release date is expected to be November or December, likely before the rumored S22.

Editors' Recommendations

Prakhar Khanna
Prakhar writes news, reviews and features for Digital Trends. He is an independent tech journalist who has been a part of the…
A significant Galaxy S24 Ultra update might be coming soon
The back of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Samsung released a big software update for the flagship Galaxy S24 Ultra in March that included camera-related improvements. An even more significant update could arrive as early as this summer for the already impressive smartphone.

Read more
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra leaked, and it looks ridiculous
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra square dial leaked render.

Samsung is only a few weeks away from its next big Unpacked event, so it's natural for the leaks to start seeping through. Previous leaks have exposed what the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Flip 6 phones are expected to look like, while Samsung has jubilantly showcased the Galaxy Ring multiple times.

Now, it's time for the watches, with a new design leak revealing the Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra -- a new variant that will launch alongside the standard Galaxy Watch 7 and the cheaper Watch 7 FE. And the design sure is something.

Read more
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 will get a small (but critical) upgrade
Someone wearing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.

Poor battery life is often one of the biggest hurdles for a smartwatch. Samsung knows this and is about to address it on its upcoming Galaxy Watch 7. According to filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ,the new watch will feature improved charging capabilities.

The FCC filings include listings for at least three new Samsung watches. As spotted by Droid Life, the listings for the SM-L300, SM-L305, SM-L310, SM-L315, and SM-R861 are for the Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth only), Galaxy Watch 7 (LTE), and Galaxy Watch FE. Some new watches are expected to support charging up to 15 watts, which is 50% faster than the current Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic models that only support charging up to 10W. This means the new watches might only take 45 minutes to charge from 0% to 100%, compared to the current 90 minutes for the Galaxy Watch 6.

Read more