Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Leaked Render Notch?
Yes, early leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra showed a small notch (a cutout) in the center of the top bezel, similar to a smartphone punch-hole camera, but the final retail version does not have a notch. The production model instead uses a uniform, slightly thicker bezel that houses the front camera and sensors, so the notch you may have seen in pre-release images was either a prototype design or a rendering error that was corrected before launch.
Background: The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Leaks
Leaks about Samsung’s premium tablet line began circulating in late 2021 and intensified in early 2022, ahead of the official Unpacked event in February 2022. The Tab S8 Ultra was the most anticipated of the three models (S8, S8+, S8 Ultra) because it was rumored to be the largest and most powerful Android tablet yet, with a 14.6-inch AMOLED display. Early renders from reputable leakers (e.g., @OnLeaks and @FrontTron) showed a design with a small, centered notch at the top of the screen, which would have housed two front-facing cameras and a sensor. That notch looked much like the one on the iPhone X series, but smaller and less obtrusive. The renders also showed extremely thin bezels on all sides, which would have made a notch necessary to accommodate the camera hardware without increasing the bezel size.
Why the Notch Was Rumored
The idea of a notch on a tablet made sense for a few reasons:
- Camera hardware: The Tab S8 Ultra was confirmed to have a 12MP ultra-wide + 12MP wide-angle front camera system, which requires more space than a single camera.
- Thin bezels: Samsung was pushing for a near-edge-to-edge display, and a notch would allow the cameras to sit within the screen area rather than in a thick bezel.
- Competition: Apple had already used a notch on the iPad Pro (11-inch and 12.9-inch) since 2018, so a notch on a high-end Android tablet would have been seen as a competitive move.
However, the notch was never officially confirmed by Samsung. It appeared only in third-party renders and CAD files that were shared with media outlets. Those files are often based on early prototypes or schematics that may not reflect the final production design.
What the Final Design Actually Looks Like
When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra on February 9, 2022, the device did not have a notch. Instead, the top bezel is slightly thicker than the side bezels, and it houses the two front cameras and a small LED indicator. The bezel is uniform across the top, with no cutout into the display. The side and bottom bezels are extremely thin (about 6.3 mm), but the top bezel is noticeably larger (about 10.5 mm) to accommodate the camera hardware. This design choice gives the tablet a clean, symmetrical look when held in landscape orientation (which is how most people use a tablet for video calls or media). The front cameras are centered in that top bezel, so they appear to be at the top of the screen when the tablet is in landscape mode. This is a deliberate design decision for video conferencing, as it places the camera at eye level when the tablet is on a keyboard cover or stand.
How the Camera Hardware Works
The Tab S8 Ultra’s front camera system consists of two 12MP sensors: one standard wide-angle (with a 120° field of view) and one ultra-wide (also 120°). The ultra-wide lens allows you to capture more of the room in a video call, and Samsung’s software uses the two cameras to create a “auto-framingâ€� effect that keeps the subject centered. The cameras are placed in the top bezel, not in a notch or punch-hole, so there is no display obstruction. The tablet also has a feature called “Video Call Effectâ€� that can blur the background or replace it with an image. The camera hardware is the same as on the Galaxy S22 series, which means it performs well in low light and produces sharp video.
Why the Leaks Were Wrong
It’s common for leaked renders to be inaccurate because they are based on CAD files that may be outdated, incomplete, or intentionally misleading. In this case, the notch in the early renders was likely a placeholder for the camera module that Samsung had not yet finalized. The final design opted for a slightly thicker bezel instead of a notch, which is arguably a better choice for a tablet because:
- No display obstruction: A notch would cut into the screen area, which is more noticeable on a large display than on a phone.
- Usability: In landscape mode, a notch at the top would be in the middle of the screen, which could be distracting when watching full-screen video or using apps.
- Cost and manufacturing: A notch requires more complex display manufacturing and could increase the cost or reduce yield.
So, the final design is a compromise that keeps the bezels thin while avoiding a disruptive cutout.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the Tab S8 Ultra has a notch because some early reviews or articles used the leaked renders. Another is that the front cameras are in a punch-hole, which they are not. The cameras are in the top bezel, which is slightly thicker than the other bezels. Some users also confuse the Tab S8 Ultra with the iPad Pro, which does have a notch on the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models (though the iPad Pro’s notch is actually a true cutout in the display). The Tab S8 Ultra does not have any cutout in the display at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra have a notch?
A: No, the final retail version of the Tab S8 Ultra does not have a notch. The front cameras are housed in a slightly thicker top bezel, which is uniform and does not cut into the display.
Q: Why did some leaked renders show a notch?
A: Those renders were based on early prototype CAD files that likely used a placeholder for the camera module. Samsung later changed the design to use a thicker bezel instead of a notch.
Q: Is the top bezel on the Tab S8 Ultra noticeable?
A: Yes, the top bezel is about 10.5 mm thick, which is noticeably larger than the side bezels (about 6.3 mm). When held in landscape, it looks like a slim, uniform bar at the top. It’s not obtrusive, but it is visible.
Q: How many front cameras does the Tab S8 Ultra have?
A: It has two front cameras: a 12MP wide-angle and a 12MP ultra-wide. They are placed side by side in the top bezel.
Q: Can I hide the top bezel with software?
A: No, you cannot hide the bezel itself, but you can use the tablet in full-screen mode for apps and videos. The bezel is always visible, but it’s not a cutout, so it doesn’t interfere with the display content.
Q: Does the Tab S8 Ultra have a punch-hole camera like the Tab S7?
A: No, the Tab S7 had a single front camera in a small punch-hole in the top bezel (when in landscape). The Tab S8 Ultra uses a larger bezel with two cameras, so there is no punch-hole.
Alternatives and Comparisons
If you’re considering a large Android tablet and are concerned about the bezel design, the Galaxy Tab S8+ (12.4-inch) has a similar design but with a single front camera and a slightly thinner top bezel. The standard Tab S8 (11-inch) also has a single camera and a uniform bezel all around. The iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021 and later) has a true notch at the top when held in portrait, but when in landscape, the notch is on the side. The Tab S8 Ultra’s approach of a thicker top bezel is arguably cleaner and more practical for landscape use. If you prefer a tablet with no visible camera cutout at all, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro and the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro have cameras in the bezel, but the bezels are thicker overall.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.