Question Galaxy Tab S8 lagging in games compared to Tab S7

[Ray Adams]

Hello
I have upgraded my Tab S7 to Tab S8. And I have expected new device be much faster and smoother, but what I found that games are really lagging! It was perfectly smooth on S7 but not on S8. Game mode does not help much. I do not play a log of games on this tablet as I used it mostly for developement, but I do play Harry Potter Puzzle and Spells and this game lags pretty bad on S8.

What can be done to fix it or should I wait for Samsung to release update? I do know about Samsung's throttling on S8 devices but I never expect it to be that bad.

 

[Ray Adams]

And in addition (don't want to open another thread) it seems that S8 has more aggressive memory settings because it unloads apps from memory over time. Which never happened on S7. S8 has more memory and I think it should keep more opened apps, not reloading them. And yes, settings in developer section (do not keep activities) is not enabled

 

[Jake.S]

And in addition (don't want to open another thread) it seems that S8 has more aggressive memory settings because it unloads apps from memory over time. Which never happened on S7. S8 has more memory and I think it should keep more opened apps, not reloading them. And yes, settings in developer section (do not keep activities) is not enabled

This has to do to android 12, s7 was only on android 11, but also is on 12 now. So then it automatically puts apps into deep sleep. You can remove that under battery settings area and remove apps from deep sleep mode.

About lagging it might be new game mode from samsung since apparently samsung did on purpose limit hardware but added a settings into app that let's you gain more performance in games. Should be in game engine or w.e name is and then settings and then Labs and enable experimental feature there that should boost performance and stop limit the hardware for game.

 

[Ray Adams]

When I replaces S7 it was already on Android 12 but I never observed such behavior. Anyway, I have put game into never sleep list. As about lags, unfortunately I found no options for that

 

[SavXL]

Hello
I have upgraded my Tab S7 to Tab S8. And I have expected new device be much faster and smoother, but what I found that games are really lagging! It was perfectly smooth on S7 but not on S8. Game mode does not help much. I do not play a log of games on this tablet as I used it mostly for developement, but I do play Harry Potter Puzzle and Spells and this game lags pretty bad on S8.

What can be done to fix it or should I wait for Samsung to release update? I do know about Samsung's throttling on S8 devices but I never expect it to be that bad.

I was noticing this particular with emulation since I don't play many native android games. When playing Sonic Colors at native res on my Tab S7+, it would almost never go below 30fps in level, and almost never below 60fps in the hub and menus. However, when I tried doing the same on the S8+, I had a bunch of stuttering and performance issues no matter what version of dolphin I used. There was a workaround to this (at least for me). These issues only happened when I restored my data to my new S8+ with Smart Switch, but when I just put all my data and stuff on there manually, the issues seemingly stopped happening. The only game I throttle in is Fortnite, which didn't have the 90fps option even though the S7+ did. The game still didn't feel much different before and after the throttle, still pretty consistent framerates overall.

Edit: Just fixing typos.

 

[HPLazerJetPrinter1012]

I was noticing this particular with emulation since I don't play many native android games. When playing Sonic Colors at native res on my Tab S7+, it would almost never go below 30fps in level, and almost never below 60fps in the hub and menus. However, when I tried doing the same on the S8+, and I had a bunch of stuttering and performance issues no matter what version of dolphin I used. There was a workaround to this (at least for me). These issues only happened when I restored my data to my new S8+ with Smart Switch, but when I just put all my data and stuff on there manually, the issues seemingly stopped happening. The only game I throttle in is Fortnite, which didn't have the 90fps option even though the S7+ did. The game still didn't feel much different before and after the throttle, still pretty consistent framerates overall.

Did you used cloud backup or restored through cable or it's the same thing? I have similar problem, but with benchmark results. My device can't get even average model score in 3DMark (about 2 to 8%). Geekbench scores are worse than snapdragon 865 devices. I don't know what's going on. I already tried to reflash stock rom with odin, but that didn't help. Hopefully not using cloud backup will help.

 

[SavXL]

Did you used cloud backup or restored through cable or it's the same thing? I have similar problem, but with benchmark results. My device can't get even average model score in 3DMark (about 2 to 8%). Geekbench scores are worse than snapdragon 865 devices. I don't know what's going on. I already tried to reflash stock rom with odin, but that didn't help. Hopefully not using cloud backup will help.

I initially restored with a cable, but once I started getting shawty performance, I made a backup on my sd card and restored it from there with Smart Switch. I never used cloud backup since that takes a lot of time for me. After getting suboptimal results with both, I just bit the bullet and slowly started adding everything and getting it to how it was on my old devices. Only then did I get getting substatiall better results. Now I can run a lot of Wii/GC/3DS/PS2 games at 1.5x, 2x, and sometimes even 3x without getting throttled. Not sure why using smart switch tanked my performance, but all I know is that it's not tanking now.

 

[Ray Adams]

Thats interesting. Because I also moved data using cable. I do not know how good is cloud since I never did it before (only on Apple devices).
I might try to fully format tablet and test it again.
Will provide more information later

 

[HPLazerJetPrinter1012]

Thats interesting. Because I also moved data using cable. I do not know how good is cloud since I never did it before (only on Apple devices).
I might try to fully format tablet and test it again.
Will provide more information later

I tried formatting few days ago, and that didn't help. At least for me this problem is not related to Smart Switch. Do you also have bad benchmark scores? I understand that benchmarks are not very good indicator of performance (especially due to GOS), but I expect to have at least average SD8gen1 performance, not the level of SD855.

 

[Ray Adams]

Did reset to factory settings. It is much better at least for now. Benchmark - tested only Geekbench 5. Result the same

 

[Bege21]

Hi.. I'm experiencing the same problem here.. any updates regarding this problem? My geekbench score can't even surpass an exynos 2100.. it only achieve around 700ish on single core.. the first time I notice this is when I tried playing granturismo with aethersx2.. and it can't even handle the 1x reso.. hhhh.. really frustrated here.. please kindly share any clues regarding this topic thanks in advance.. sorry not a native English speaker

 

[wesleycp4]

I had same problem, but, i solved using this:
ADB AppControl 1.7.5
(disable all game service (i'm not remember how many)). For me it's work great

--edit
i disabled bixdy and others apps too

 

[Bege21]

First.. thank you for the answer! Might try it out later..

So it's like disabling the "GOS" right? Is it different from the "alternate game performance" option in game booster? They said it's the "official" way to disable the GOS.. but yeah I didn't find any difference after enabling that option though... Hmm..

Hmm...also.. What makes me wonder is.. I saw some reviewers review this device without any tweaking needed and they could achieve a 8gen1'ish results in benchmarks.. and also if you know ETA prime on YouTube.. he reviewed a tab s8 ultra and is able to run a granturismo 4 with aethersx2 (ps2 emulator) in 3x reso in default settings with no problems... I know it's a different device but it's supposed to have a same Chip right?
All of this things makes me frustrated because it was not what i expected from a 8gen1 device.. moreover I saw a sd870 device could run the granturismo 4 in the same settings with no problems.. it really broke my heart..

 

[JohnTheFarm3r]

The issue mainly lies in the SOC.

Even though, SD8 Gen 1 has a much higher peak performance, especially in GPU, it can't sustain that performance due to excesive power consumption which results in thermal throttling.

GOS is another thing that affects the whole experience, it's limiting the performance of the device.

 

[Bege21]

The issue mainly lies in the SOC.

Even though, SD8 Gen 1 has a much higher peak performance, especially in GPU, it can't sustain that performance due to excesive power consumption which results in thermal throttling.

GOS is another thing that affects the whole experience, it's limiting the performance of the device.

Yeah.. I think this is mainly what cause the problem.. The 8gen1 itself..

a quick update regarding this from me..
I've done some re-test in benchmark and real game perfomance but this time im doing it in a well conditioned (cooled) room..
previously I was doing the test and gaming and in a room without any Air Conditioner and I lived in a tropical country which is really hot and humid...
the benchmark results (3d wildlife) came out Nice in a well cooled room, It scores what most of Tab S8 would score and the real life perfomance (PS2 emulator) is also improved..
it manages to handle GranTurismo 4 in aethersx2 with 3x reso on safe setting quite well..
the CPU temperature is well managed in around 35'ish Celcius compared to 45'ish when not using any air conditioner...

 

[JohnTheFarm3r]

Yeah.. I think this is mainly what cause the problem.. The 8gen1 itself..

a quick update regarding this from me..
I've done some re-test in benchmark and real game perfomance but this time im doing it in a well conditioned (cooled) room..
previously I was doing the test and gaming and in a room without any Air Conditioner and I lived in a tropical country which is really hot and humid...
the benchmark results (3d wildlife) came out Nice in a well cooled room, It scores what most of Tab S8 would score and the real life perfomance (PS2 emulator) is also improved..
it manages to handle GranTurismo 4 in aethersx2 with 3x reso on safe setting quite well..
the CPU temperature is well managed in around 35'ish Celcius compared to 45'ish when not using any air conditioner...

CPU temperature 35 Celsius degrees? Are you talking about an ABSOLUTE idle? Because even if you would put a bag of ice on the TAB it wouldn't sit that low under usage. Even small loads will put the CPU around 50-60 Celsius degrees. Under heavy load up to 85-90 till the thermal throttle hits in.


Also, that ONE wildlife mark test doesn't do much. The idea is stability, better known as SUSTAINED performance, and that's where SD8 Gen 1 ****s itself. Try running a Wildlife standard stress test (20-minute loop) and post the screenshot, you'll see what I mean.

 

[Bege21]

CPU temperature 35 Celsius degrees? Are you talking about an ABSOLUTE idle? Because even if you would put a bag of ice on the TAB it wouldn't sit that low under usage. Even small loads will put the CPU around 50-60 Celsius degrees. Under heavy load up to 85-90 till the thermal throttle hits in.


Also, that ONE wildlife mark test doesn't do much. The idea is stability, better known as SUSTAINED performance, and that's where SD8 Gen 1 ****s itself. Try running a Wildlife standard stress test (20-minute loop) and post the screenshot, you'll see what I mean.

I only saw the perf-z indicator from samsung though.. so yeah.. i know i might just straight up wrong about this I just straight saying what I saw.. and honestly I'm not an expert in this.. just a mere consumer..

Yeah I got you.. it goes downhill even after the first one.. what I'm trying to say was that I never reach that score before in warm room so yeah it's mainly the CPU problem..

What mainly being my concern before was I'm scared that I got scammed with a fake/unoriginal/refurbished tab s8.....

 

[Catmobile]

Harry Potter plays fluently on Tab S8 Plus here.

 

[Ray Adams]

I have sent my S8 to my mom and bought S8 plus. Did not restore, set it up from scratch. No lagging in games, including HP. So, it could be related to thermal soliton in S8 plus as it is bigger

 

[Lolorider64]

First.. thank you for the answer! Might try it out later..

So it's like disabling the "GOS" right? Is it different from the "alternate game performance" option in game booster? They said it's the "official" way to disable the GOS.. but yeah I didn't find any difference after enabling that option though... Hmm..

Hmm...also.. What makes me wonder is.. I saw some reviewers review this device without any tweaking needed and they could achieve a 8gen1'ish results in benchmarks.. and also if you know ETA prime on YouTube.. he reviewed a tab s8 ultra and is able to run a granturismo 4 with aethersx2 (ps2 emulator) in 3x reso in default settings with no problems... I know it's a different device but it's supposed to have a same Chip right?
All of this things makes me frustrated because it was not what i expected from a 8gen1 device.. moreover I saw a sd870 device could run the granturismo 4 in the same settings with no problems.. it really broke my heart..

Yes you have to run 4 adb Commands that also disables game booster and game launcher then GOS will stay disabled even after restart. I've done this and turn ram plus off. I also disabled or put into deep sleep all of the bs apps. I also went to advance features and turned off all of everything causes I don't use the s-pen so no need for air actions and stuff to be on. If you want the ADB commands let me know.