Given the company's tablet release schedule so far, we're scratching our heads as to where the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is at; the Galaxy Tab S7 came out in August of 2020, but it looks like Samsung has skipped a new tablet release for 2021.

However, the good news is that Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra version may be worth the wait if the newly leaked specifications from SamMobile turn out to be correct.

First of all, even with the possibility of the dreaded camera notch, it looks like it could be a proper competitor to Apple; according to SamMobile, the 14.6-inch tablet's bezels are very thin at 6.3mm, and the body is even thinner at 5.5mm. To put that in perspective, the 11-inch iPad Pro is 5.9 mm thick.

But it's what's inside that matters, and one of the benefits of the later release date is that Samsung can pack more powerful internals into the tablet. Sure enough, SamMobile claims that the tablet will use the brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, and there also appear to be three different variations on RAM and storage space: 8GB/128GB, 12GB/256GB, 16 GB/512GB.

The 11,200mAh battery will reportedly support 45W fast charging, and a total of four cameras will be evenly distributed on the front and back; the 13MP main camera will be paired with a 6MP ultrawide lens, and dual 12MP lenses on the front front, and a dual 12MP lens on the front.

The S Pen will likely magnetically attach to the back of the tablet again when not in use, and Samsung will likely add some new tricks in the Android 12 OS as well, with a One UI 4.1 skin.

According to SamMobile, it will bring "new customization and personalization" options, adjustable app window transparency, the ability to launch apps from the taskbar, and an Extra Dim mode to reduce eye fatigue when using the tablet in dark places The company said. It is also said to be the first tablet to feature the Samsung Health app and has a tablet-friendly layout featuring three columns.

Samsung's DeX ("Desktop Experience," a mode that allows the device to connect to a monitor with mouse and keyboard support) will reportedly return, but currently supports both landscape and portrait modes.

Availability could be one small fly in the ointment. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is rumored to be a mainstay product, but it is not widely available. The tablet will reportedly only be available in limited quantities and in certain regions, and new inventory is not guaranteed when units run out.

Even if this report proves to be accurate, strong sales figures could of course change Samsung's mind. We will just have to see how it performs when we get our hands on the tablet, which will hopefully be early next year.