Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 vs. Galaxy Tab S6
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 is one of the best Android tablets currently on the market. It combines a beautifully crisp display with a powerful processor, enduring battery life, generous storage options, and a sharp contemporary design. While Android tablets have something of a checkered reputation insofar as UX goes, the Tab S7 also does a laudable job in the software department, with its DeX mode making it noticeably more usable as a productivity tablet. However, is it really that much better than its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S6, which was released only a year earlier?
We answer this question in this Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 versus Galaxy Tab S6 comparison. By looking at the specs, designs, displays, performance, cameras, and software of each, we should clear up whether it’s worth upgrading if you already own a Tab S6. We’ll also answer the question of whether it’s worth new buyers going for a Tab S7 if they can find a Tab S6 significantly cheaper.
Specs
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 | |
| Size | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches) | 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7mm (9.62 x 6.28 x 0.22 inches) |
| Weight | 498 grams (1.1 pounds) | 420 grams (14.8oz) |
| Screen size | 11-inch TFT | 10.5-inch Super AMOLED |
| Screen resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels (274 pixels-per-inch) | 2560 x 1600 pixels (287 pixels-per-inch) |
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB |
| MicroSD card slot | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB, 8GB |
| Camera | 13-megapixel and 5MP rear, 8MP front | 13MP and 5MP rear, 8MP front |
| Video | 4K at 30 frames per second | 4K at 30 fps |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | No | No |
| Battery size | 8,000mAh | 7,040mAh |
| App marketplace | Google Play Store | Google Play Store |
| Network support | ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile | ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile |
| Colors | Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Bronze |
(Cellular only in Mystic Black)
Design, display, and durability
You’ll struggle to notice a significant design difference between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy Tab S6. Both tablets feature the same slim bezels around their respective displays, giving each a sleek appearance that benefits from the lack of a home button. Both also have an aluminum back and frame, and the only discernible difference between the two is the redesigned rear camera module on the Tab S7. This is now more seamlessly integrated with magnetic space for the S Pen, giving it a (fractionally) sharper look than its predecessor.
Differences are more noticeable, however, when it comes to the display of each tablet. The Tab S7 sports an 11-inch TFT-based display, lacking the Super AMOLED of not only the Tab S7 Plus, but also the older Tab S6. This means that, while the Tab S7 does offer a bigger screen, the latter isn’t quite as vivid or as rich as the Tab S6’s 10.5-inch display. The Tab S6 also provides more pixels per inch at 287 compared to 274. Again, this isn’t a big gap, but it does serve to enhance the S6’s display a little further in relation to its successor.
As for durability, neither tablet offers any kind of official water resistance rating, so don’t go diving with them. On the other hand, their aluminum frames and rears should offer resistance against everyday knocks and impacts.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Performance, battery life, and charging
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chip, which happens to be the fastest processor currently available for Android devices. Combined with 6GB of RAM (upgradable to 8GB for extra money), it provides more than enough computing muscle to handle the vast majority of apps and tasks you’re likely to throw at the Tab S7. By contrast, the Tab S6 runs on the Snapdragon 855, which, despite being a touch slower than the 865, is certainly no slouch. However, the S6’s base model packs only 4GB of RAM, so you may notice a difference in loading times from one tablet to another.
It’s also worth pointing out that the Tab S7 houses 128GB of internal memory as standard, whereas the Tab S6 provides only 64GB. In an age of social media and compulsive photo-taking (not to mention app-downloading), 64GB is a little stingy, so the S7 certainly comes off looking better in this department. Of course, both devices come with a microSD card slot, so you can bump up the memory of either.
It’s a similar story with the batteries of both devices. While the Tab S6 does use an ample 7,040mAh cell, the Tab S7 outdoes it with an 8,000mAh counterpart. In practice, we’ve found that the S7’s battery life is exceptional, coming very close to fulfilling Samsung’s promises of 14 hours of battery life. With the S6, you won’t quite get this far, although it will see you into a second day if you’re a light or moderate user.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
Cameras
On paper, the Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S6 feature identical fear and front cameras. On the back, they give you a 13MP wide lens and a 5MP ultrawide, with both featuring the same aperture sizes on each model. Likewise, each tablet comes with an 8MP selfie camera on the front, which is capable of capturing HD (1080p) video at 30 fps.
In practice, both tablets take barely distinguishable photos. This means that the main 13MP wide lens generally captures bright, colorful, and detailed pics during the day, but struggles a little with noise during the night. Similarly, the ultrawide lenses on both devices sacrifice a considerable amount of detail as they capture more of the scene, which is probably what you’d expect when only 5MP is on offer.
Still, both tablets work well as far as photographing or scanning documents are concerned, while their selfie cameras are perfectly usable when it comes to video calls and teleconferencing. This round is therefore a tie.
Software and updates
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S6 both come with the S Pen, which docks magnetically to the rear of both devices. This stylus is intuitive and easy to use, and opens a wide range of features and functionality, particularly for professionals and creatives. Most notably, it features a note-taking system that makes annotating or marking up documents effortless. Its palm rejection is also highly reliable, so you can write or draw with your palm resting on the screen without causing unwanted inputs.
Both tablets also present you with the option of purchasing Samsung’s Book Cover Keyboard separately for 199. This is all but essential if you plan to use DeX mode, although there are third-party options available if you want to save some money. They may also feature more responsive and consistent trackpads, as well as backlighting for keys.
Given that both tablets promise the same special features, this round is another tie.
Price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 can be purchased from Samsung for 650 for the 128GB model (Wi-Fi), 730 for the 256GB model, or 830 for the 512GB model. The cellular version is available with 128GB of storage only and will cost you 850. Samsung is also offering money off when you part-exchange an older eligible model.
The Galaxy Tab S6 can no longer be bought directly from Samsung. However, you are still likely to find it online from retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. This will likely be in renewed or refurbished form, but will probably save you a not insignificant amount of money in comparison to the Tab S7.
Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
There’s not much in it, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a better tablet overall than the Galaxy Tab S6. Its main advantages include a more powerful processor, as well as the inclusion of more RAM and internal memory as standard. It will also guarantee you one extra year of software updates, making it a little more future-proof than the older Tab S6. Still, its predecessor matches it in most departments and does in fact offer a richer, more vivid display, so anyone already owning an S6 will likely not need to upgrade just yet. It can also be found online at a discount compared to the S7, so anyone who wants to save some money may prefer it over its younger sibling.
Editors’ Recommendations
Simon Chandler is a journalist based in London, UK. He covers technology and finance, contributing to such titles as Digital…
Google has an interesting release cycle with its Pixel lineup. The mainline Pixel devices — currently the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro — come out in the fall. Then during the following spring, a budget Pixel comes out. Last year, we got the Pixel 6a before the Pixel 7 series, and now we have the Pixel 7a arriving ahead of the upcoming Pixel 8.
Though Google brought about some improvements in the Pixel 7a compared to its predecessor, it also comes at a cost — 150 more, to be exact. Google is keeping the Pixel 6a around for another year, and with a new price of 349, it’s a tempting buy over the 499 Pixel 7a. But is it worth saving a few bucks when the Pixel 7a has so many upgrades? Let’s break it down. Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a: specs
It’s hard to find a bad Android phone these days — but what’s the best Android phone in 2023? It’s a daunting question, but one we aim to answer for you in this article.
There’s a lot to consider when buying a new Android phone. Do you want a big screen? How much do you value camera performance? Are you a big-time gamer? Need a long battery life? We’ve compiled a list of Android phones to fit everyone’s needs, regardless of your priorities or preferences.
Samsung is the global smartphone market leader, but it’s also known for its tongue-in-cheek advertisements. The company recently ran an ad campaign where everyone constantly asks the main character to send them photos taken with the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Something similar happened when I attended a close friend’s wedding in India last month.
I carried the Galaxy S23 Ultra to the wedding, then on a vacation, leaving every other camera behind. Anyone who saw the images it took immediately inquired what model it was and blurted, “These are as good as a DSLR!” While that may sound exaggerated, I’m confident you will be flooded with similar opinions when you see the pictures below.
Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 vs. S6 Lite (2022): Is the budget S-series tablet actually better?
The Galaxy Tab A8 is a competent budget Android tablet with an excellent display for viewing content. It’s a little slower than the S6 Lite, but the main difference is the lack of S Pen and DeX support, making it a little less versatile than the S6 Lite.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022
Although the S6 Lite is a little faster than the Tab A8, it’s the S Pen and DeX support will likely attract you to this model. If you don’t need those extras, the Tab A8 might be better for you.
Android tablets are great when you want a device with a decent size screen to watch Netflix, surf the web, play some games, or even get a few small tasks done. And if that’s your goal, the good news is you don’t have to spend a lot of money. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) are some of Samsung’s best cheap Android tablets, and due to the similarities between the two models, you may be looking at which one is the right option for you. Both tablets will cover the basic functions of a tablet, but the S6 Lite offers a little more versatility thanks to the S Pen support and the ability to use Samsung’s DeX; however, does that make it worth the extra dollars?
Price, availability, and specs
Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and S6 Lite are part of the company’s current tablet lineup, so finding either model at places like Amazon, Best Buy, or directly from Samsung itself shouldn’t be a problem.
The MSRP of the Galaxy Tab A8 and Tab S6 Lite were 230 and 350, respectively, and can be found with some discounts pretty regularly, especially on sites like Amazon. You’ll find the Tab A8 for around 180 pretty often, whereas the Tab S6 Lite can be found starting at about 280 in some cases. Of course, these tablets have a few different options that can drive up the price a bit, mainly storage options.
The Galaxy Tab A8 offers models with 32, 64, or 128GB of storage, and the S6 Lite comes in 64 or 128GB options. All the models of the S6 Lite have 4GB of RAM, whereas the only Tab A8 model with that much RAM is the one with 128GB of storage; the 32GB and 64GB versions only have 3GB of RAM.
| 32, 64, 128 GB | 64 or 128 GB |
| Unisoc Tiger T618 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G |
| 3 or 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Up to 9h | Up to 11h |
| 8MP, 5MP | 8 MP, 5 MP |
| 10.5″ 1920 x 1200 | 10.4″ 1200 x 2000 |
| Starting at 230 | Starting at 350 |
| Yes | Yes |
Tiny display differences
The Galaxy Tab A8 has a 10.5-inch TFT LCD, which is just a smidgen larger than the 10.4-inch TFT LCD screen on the S6 Lite (2022). Does that 0.1-inch difference mean much in terms of screen quality? No, you won’t notice much difference in resolution on screens this size, even if the 2000 x 1200px display on the S6 Lite seems better on paper. Both will be crisp and clear, so you shouldn’t have any problems watching your favorite content on either display.
If there’s one slight difference in displays, it’s the aspect ratios. Since the screen on the S6 Lite is a bit longer, it sports a 5:3 aspect ratio, which will probably help those black bars that show up when viewing widescreen content (like movies) be a bit smaller. This is a nice touch if you watch a lot of content where that matters; however, the more standard 1920 x 1080px display of the Tab A8 is perfectly suitable.
Only one has S Pen software support
Both tablets ship with older Android software versions — Android 11 on the Tab A8 and Android 12 on the S6 Lite — but both models can be upgraded to Android 13 immediately. In terms of future support, Samsung typically offers two years of major Android software updates to its new products, which means we will likely see the S6 Lite get the bump to Android 14 at some point, but the Tab A8 will probably be stuck with Android 13 forever.
While the basic software experience of these two tablets will remain primarily the same, the S6 Lite supports the S Pen (included in the box) and DeX, something completely absent from the Tab A8.
Overall, the S Pen works really well on the S6 Lite, making writing notes, sketching, or just having a much more precise touch input on the screen feel great. It’s the main highlight of the S6 Lite, and it uses the pen quite well, so it’s easy to see why the S6 Lite could appeal to students or constant note-takers thanks to the inclusion of the S Pen. Also, it’s worth noting that the 60Hz refresh rate on display makes the writing lag just a tiny bit when you’re jotting down your thoughts, but it’s not too noticeable and doesn’t seem to affect the accuracy that much.
Snapdragon performance on top
The Galaxy Tab A8 is a budget Android tablet, and the Unisoc Tiger T618 powering the entire thing reminds you of that when you’re using it. You’ll experience some stuttering and loading times when trying to do anything with a bit more processing power, and multitasking on the Tab A8 is not a fun experience at all. It is a basic machine meant to help you watch your favorite movies and shows, answer emails, and complete basic tasks — not surprisingly, it’s a tad on the slow side.
The S6 Lite has a more powerful chip in the Snapdragon 720G, but it’s not like it’s blowing the Tab A8 out of the water entirely. Sure, you’ll notice fewer stutters, and it can run more graphically intense games, but it’s still not the high-end chip you see on flagship devices. If you start pushing its limits, you’ll see it slow down and perform a little worse. Still, the fact that it’s a Snapdragon chip instead of the Unisoc Tiger means more apps will be better optimized to run on the S6 Lite than the Tab A8.
Small battery life differences
While the Galaxy Tab A8 and the Tab S6 Lite (2022) have the same battery capacity — 7,040mAh — you’ll notice that the S6 Lite will last longer on average than the Tab A8. This is mostly due to the much more energy-efficient Snapdragon 720G inside the S6 Lite. Plus, the slightly smaller screen helps two, though that’s not much of a factor.
Even with the better chip, the difference is only about two hours whether you’re running the screen constantly or using the tablets more conservatively. Neither battery life will impress you, and both tablets will need to be plugged in every day you’re using them, but an extra couple of hours can make a world of difference in some situations.
Charging both tablets takes time due to the slow charging speed — maxed out at 15W — so when you plug them into the wall, make sure you have a good chunk of time before you need it again.
Fairly useless cameras
Unfortunately, tablet cameras never seem to get the same love that phone cameras do, which is doubly true for budget tablets. So, don’t expect either device to produce good pictures. The 8MP sensor on both devices can take a photo for you in a pinch, but they’ll look grainy and blown out most of the time, especially if you’re in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
The front-facing camera is not worth using unless you really have to. Sure, the 5MP sensor on the Tab A8 and Tab S6 will let you take a video call, but don’t be surprised if your friends and family ask why you don’t look well.
Which one is right for you?
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) beats out the Tab A8 in most categories, making it a solid contender for most to pick up. It’s got a better chip that also is more energy efficient, meaning you can do more and do it for longer. Overall, it should provide a better experience and will probably receive more support going forward, which is a nice bonus.
How to Use Your Samsung Galaxy Tab As a Phone
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time.
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Don’t let its size fool you. Though it’s actually considered to be a tablet, a Galaxy Tab can still be used as a smartphone. You don’t need any additional expensive accessory to do this. All you need is your Galaxy Tab and some basic tinkering skills.
Getting What You Need
- You can also look around the sides of the tablet or behind its battery for any slot that a SIM card might fit in. It’s a small slot only a little larger than that of a memory card, and is very easy to find.
- the first is by purchasing a prepaid type SIM from your local gadget store. You can get these SIMs for under 5, depending on the provider it’s from. You also don’t have to pay any monthly bill, just top-up from your local store or carrier outlet before you use it.
- The second way is by getting a postpaid SIM directly from a mobile carrier. Unlike prepaid SIMs, you can get a postpaid SIM card for free, but you have to pay a monthly phone bill to keep it working.
- For tablets with the SIM slot located along the sides, you no longer need to turn off the device first before you put the SIM card in. For the other models, switching off your tablet may be necessary before inserting the SIM card.
- After inserting the SIM card, you should see the signal icon on the upper right-hand corner of the screen go up, telling you that it’s now connected and receiving signals from the SIM card provider.
Using Your Samsung Galaxy Tab as a Phone
- To end the call, simply tap the red phone icon and the call should terminate at once, leading you back to the home screen.
- Tap the “Recipient” field found at the top of the app screen and type in the phone number where you want to send the message to. If you already have contacts saved on your Galaxy Tab, suggested names will appear as you type in the number.
- Enable mobile data. Open the notification tray by sliding your fingers from top to bottom of the tab’s screen. Once the notification tray has been expanded, tap the “Mobile Data” quick setting button (the arrows point up and down) found on the upper portion of the tray to enable this feature.
- Start surfing. Tap the “Internet” application from the home screen to open the tablet’s native web browser. Type in the address of the website you want to visit and press the “Go” button on the keyboard to start surfing.
Community QA
Since you can’t call and that is the main purpose of a phone, then you can’t. But you still can if you want to and just text or download an app like Text Now or Google Voice or one of those apps that lets you make calls on an Android tablet.
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When you open contacts, tap the three dots, settings, contacts to show, and tap “all contacts,” or “SIM card.” This should let your contacts on the SIM card be accessed.
Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a 30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even 1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a 30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even 1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a solid iPad competitor
Tom’s Guide Verdict
Samsung’s got a winner on its hands with the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, one of the best Android tablets period and a solid competitor to Apple’s iPad.
Cons
- – Underwhelming performance
- – Some Android apps still need tablet optimization
- – Face unlock recognition is unreliable
Why you can trust Tom’s Guide?
Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what’s best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
The world of Android tablets has needed the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite — an iPad competitor for the Android side. The Tab S6 Lite’s screen and sound are strong enough to stand side by side Apple’s 329 iPad, and we’re not even bothered that the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite costs 20 more, at 349. That’s because Samsung’s packed in an S-Pen stylus for free, which no other tablet maker does.
If the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s performance were a little snappier, and its facial recognition more reliable, I would be far more in love with this slate. Neither flaw is a dealbreaker, though, as this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite review will explain why this isn’t just one of the best Android tablets, but one of the best cheap tablets on the market.
Price: 349 Display: 10.4-inch, 2000 x 1200 pixels OS: Android 10 with Samsung One UI 2 Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches Weight: 1 pound Cameras: 5.0 MP (front), 8 MP (rear) Memory: 4GB of RAM Storage: 64GB Processor: Samsung Exynos 9611 Ports: USB-C, headphone jack
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Price, availability and accessories
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite costs 349, and is on sale now at Samsung.com and other retailers.
While I love that Samsung includes the S-Pen Stylus, I felt myself missing a keyboard cover accessory. I tested the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with a Samsung Book Cover case (69.99 extra) that has space where keys could be, where I kept typing without thinking. Samsung’s tablet supports Bluetooth and USB-C keyboards.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Design
With incredibly slim bezels — measuring 0.3 to 0.4 inches — the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is closer to a floating panel than any other tablet in this price range, as the Microsoft Surface Go 2 bezels measures between 0.5 and 0.4 inches and the iPad (2019)’s bezels are 0.8 and 0.3 inches. The Tab S6 Lite’s metallic back (Samsung declined to name which metal that is) feels plenty sturdy.
How I make aesthetic digital notes ✨ Samsung tablet | android apps ️
We tested an Oxford Gray Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, which looks very dark, almost black. You can also buy the tablet in Angora Blue and Chiffon Rose.
Measuring 0.3 inches thick and weighing 1 pound, the Tab S6 Lite is lighter than the Surface Go 2 (0.3 inches thick, 1.25 pounds) and even a hair lighter than the 10.2-inch iPad (0.3 inches, 1.1 pounds). The original Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (0.2 inches, 1 pound) is a bit thinner.
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s headphone jack is on its top edge, its USB-C port is on the bottom and its microSD reader is on the right (as are the power and volume buttons).
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Display
Watching the trailer for Netflix’s Space Force on the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, I noted decent color reproduction and detail. I saw strong reds in a glowing hallway that Steve Carrell was running down, a range of blues in the skies behind the shuttle, as well as the texture of the sandy fields Carrell fell down in while training in his suit.
Our colorimeter rated the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite for 98.4% of the sRGB spectrum. That’s a little less colorful than the ratings from the iPad (105%), the Surface Go 2 (107%) and the original Galaxy Tab S6 (122%)
According to our light gun, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite produces up to 435 nits of brightness, which isn’t enough for colors to not darken when viewed at 30 degrees to the left or right. Still, it’s brighter than the 408-nit Surface Go 2 and slightly dimmer than the 450-nit iPad. The regular Galaxy Tab S6 produced a max of 290 nits in a dimly lit room, though its display shoots up as high as 473 nits when its sensors detect a ton of ambient light.
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s 10.4-inch 2000 x 1200-pixel touchscreen panel provides accurate responses to touch. It speedily recognized taps and swipes as I navigated Android and offered smooth scrolling in Chrome.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: S-Pen
I’ve got to give Samsung credit. While I wish the Tab S6 Lite had the iPad’s 329 price, throwing in the S-Pen stylus for free makes the 349 price tag more than acceptable (especially as the Apple Pencil costs 99 extra). This S-Pen also feels better to hold and write with, thanks to a flattened side for improved grip and how its tip gives ever so slightly when pressed hard against the screen.
Also, the S-Pen provides a fantastic note-taking experience. As I doodled in the Samsung Notes app, I saw incredibly fast input recognition, with nearly no lag at all — on par with the Apple Pencil.
Even better, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s S-Pen docks by snapping onto the tablet’s side (like the iPad Pro) and not plugging into its ports (like the iPad).
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Audio
A pair of AKG-branded speakers pump strong and sweet sound out of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. As I listened to the tablet fill my home office with the bass of Keys N Krates’ “Keep it 100” and the delicate vocals of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Fake Mona Lisa” I was impressed by the tablet’s Dolby Atmos-supporting speakers.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Performance
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is armed with the Samsung Exynos 9611 CPU and 4GB of RAM, enough for a slight amount of productivity. After splitting my screen between 6 Chrome tabs (including Giphy) and a 1080p YouTube video, I noticed some pauses when I moved between tabs. The iPad performed similarly, while the Surface Go 2 stayed snappy with a dozen tabs.
The bigger annoyance I saw was a bit of slowdown when resizing the split view screen when dragging the divider left or right — and that happened no matter how many tabs I had open. The iPad also pauses while you resize the split-screen, but the process looks less awkward, because of how both sides grey out while you’re moving and then clear up when you release. That doesn’t happen with the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, where the divider moves and everything stays the same, only re-drawing the pixels once you release.
On the Geekbench 5 general performance benchmark, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite hit a not-bad multicore score 1,291. We saw higher scores of 1,429 from the iPad (A10 Fusion SoC) and 1,563 Surface Go 2 (Intel 8th Gen Core m3 with 8GB of RAM).
Playing the Asphalt 9 racing game, which runs on most devices, my expectations were lowered at the start, as the animated diamond in the corner of the loading screen skipped around a bit. This continued as I played the game, which had stuttery motion during car crashes.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite will last all day. Our battery test (web surfing on Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness) took 12 hours and 40 minutes to drain the Tab S6 Lite of a full charge. That beats the times from the Surface Go 2 (11:39) and the 7th Gen iPad (11:58). The Galaxy Tab S6 (8:58) didn’t make it nearly as long as this Lite model.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Cameras and face unlock
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s 5-megapixel front camera and 8-megapixel rear cameras proved capable as I snapped shots around the house. The selfie I snapped showed plenty of detail in my increasingly shaggy quarantine hair, and my skin was rendered in accurate hues. A bowl of apples I shot also came out clearly, with plenty of different greens and slight browns, showing which were ripe and which I should have eaten earlier.
My only real issue with the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s cameras is that I found the front sensor to be inconsistent when I used it to unlock the tablet via face identification. This mostly happened in rooms that were low on ambient light, and left me (multiple times) to enter my password manually.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Software
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite runs Android 10, something we don’t see from the Amazon Fire tablets (which run a proprietary fork of Android that’s restrictive). And while that’s great, some popular Android apps still have a ways to go on tablets.
While Slack and Netflix are on par with their iOS counterparts, the app is still just one giant column, stretching all of your content across the screen — with no sidebar on the right. Similarly, Spotify on iOS makes better use of a tablet’s screen space with a Now Playing section on the left and the content you’re navigating on the right. On the Tab S6 Lite, there is no split to the screen, and there’s a lot of unused space.
Password manager app 1Password doesn’t work with Samsung’s biometric face identification, making me type my absurdly long (but still memorable) unlock code out.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite makes a strong argument as to how good an Android tablet can be. Its sharp and colorful display mixes with strong audio to make a great device for streaming shows and songs around the house, and its thin bezels make it feel more modern than many other tablets. If only its performance were snappier and Android developers paid more attention to how their apps look on tablets, this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite review would be a lot more positive.
For more speed and a stronger ecosystem, the Surface Go 2 and iPad give you a more unified tablet experience — though the 399 Surface Go 2 costs 50 more and adding on the iPad’s stylus bumps its price to 429 (80 more than the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite). But thanks to fantastic battery life, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the best tablet running Android.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 – The Best Tablet for Mobile Content Creators and Creative Travelers
I spent several weeks testing the Samsung Galaxy S6 Tablet, and I was able to perform most of my professional tasks from the device. Daily tasks such as sorting communications, editing documents, surfing the web, and managing files were all easy to master.
And if all you need to do is stay in touch with your colleagues, friends, and family, then the Tab S6 excels at ways to connect you!
Here are the Top 10 reasons why Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is the best for mobile content creators and creative travelers
The Samsung Super AMOLED Display
Samsung boasts the best tablet display in the business when it comes to creating and watching media.
The 10.5-inch 2560 x 1600-pixel Super AMOLED display gives you true blacks that are outstanding and impossible to replicate on an LED-based display. Add to this a wide range of color options to choose from, including “natural” settings for accurate photo editing and enhanced saturation modes that will get the most out of visually stunning movies and videos.
Integrated Fingerprint reader
That display now comes with a neat new trick on the Tab S6: an integrated fingerprint reader. This authentication and unlock method is new to this generation of devices and it replaces the iris/face scan as the only biometric unlock option from the Tab S4. It performed very well in my testing experience and it just comes with that added cool factor of being a piece of tech sorcery, an ‘open sesame’ with your fingertips, all the more mesmerizing if this is your first time using an in-built display fingerprint reader.
High Performing Processor
Expandable Memory – MicroSD Card
The Tab S6 has up to 256GB of storage, plus support for microSD cards for expansion. So that means you can technically add microSD cards up to 1 TB, resulting in a total of 1,25 TB of storage, which is more than plenty enough room for your creative content.
S-Pen Stylus
I mentioned editing above, so here is where the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 has an added advantage over other tablets in this area: (queue the drum rolls) … the S-Pen. Samsung’s stylus is updated in this version with Bluetooth connectivity that endows it with additional “superpowers” like the ability to act as a remote for the camera, presentations, and other software.
However, in my opinion, the S Pen still performs best in its capacity as an actual stylus. For pressure-sensitive applications, including sketching and painting, it’s fantastic and fun, but where it really took center stage was in photo-editing software like Adobe’s Lightroom. Stylus input means you can get super specific and accurate with your edits. This applies to editing video, too, where the stylus helps you make precise trims to video timelines.
Handwritten Notes with the S-Pen
You can easily create handwritten notes with the S-Pen (even if you, like yours truly, you are really averse to your handwriting), and if you do so using Samsung’s own Notes application, you get automatic OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and search indexing. I was delighted and impressed at how seamlessly well it worked, considering how terrible my handwriting is.
For printed characters, the Samsung Notes app had no trouble at all identifying words accurately in my scribbles and retrieving the right results when searching by keyword.
Because this S-Pen uses Bluetooth, it now comes with an in-built rechargeable battery. Like Apple’s Pencil, it charges wirelessly, attaching magnetically to the tablet to power up. Samsung has designed a groove in the back of the tablet to dock the S-Pen for charging, and while this isn’t reliable enough to hold the stylus when you toss the tablet in your bag unprotected, you can invest in a trusted accessory, the Tab S6 cover, which nicely wraps the S Pen with a fold-down flap for easy storage.
Dual Cameras of the Tab S6
Samsung went out of its way to upgrade the cameras on the Tab S6 — adding a dual camera feature. It’s now equipped with a super-wide-angle lens in addition to the standard one, giving you a lot of creative options when it comes to both photography and videos.
They’re fine cameras, augmented by Samsung’s built-in software, but the super-wide-angle lens tends to have a fair bit of distortion and possibly not the best resolution. Generally, I think you should avoid shooting too much with tablet cameras, but it’s still a nice option to have in case you’re in a pinch.
Dolby Atmos for the Perfect Sound
Good videos need the right sound, which on the Galaxy Tab blares out from 4 speakers that have been optimized with AKG technology and can be added at the touch of a button to Dolby Atmos and smaller EQ adjustments.
You can hear the result quite well. When turned up to the maximum volume, the speakers produce a space that is quite remarkable for such a slim tablet and a neat frequency body. Sure, it’s not high-end audio, but it is more than what I expect from a tablet and the sound quality is good enough to stream over the tablet.
DEX – The Best Way to Multitask– Laptop Replacement
If you want a bigger screen, plug an HDMI cable into a monitor or TV and the Tab S6 automatically goes into DeX mode.
The Galaxy Tab S6’s ability to serve as a laptop boils down to the DeX, Samsung’s desktop interface. However impressive, let’s face it, a pure Android tablet just doesn’t offer the productivity you get from a desktop operating system, so I would not recommend disposing of your laptop just yet.
DeX adds a desktop interface to Android that supports up to 20 windowed programs. The ability to open multiple programs and resize them onto a familiar desktop interface made me forget that the Galaxy Tab S6 runs on a mobile OS.
The main improvement Samsung made to DeX was to extend the taskbar and space out the icons, which made it much easier to navigate on the Galaxy Tab S6’s small 10.5-inch display. I found myself working with DeX for everything other than simple tasks like watching videos, checking social media, or browsing the web. For instance, I wrote this article in DeX mode, because it was easier to manage my Windows as I listened to music on Play Music, typed in Google Docs, and browsed the web in a Chrome tab.
Apart from downloading third-party programs, there are a few things I couldn’t do on DeX that I can do on Windows or macOS. In fact, the DeX interface looks practically identical to those two OS’, with a taskbar at the bottom, an app icon in one corner, and shortcuts pinned to a home screen.
DeX performs better on the Tab S6 than on any other Samsung tablet. One contributing factor is that you can now transition from Android to DeX via a dedicated DeX key that, switches you seamlessly between the two modes. It’s a small, but welcome addition that makes Android and DeX feel more cohesive.
One final reason why the Galaxy Tab S6 makes for a decent laptop replacement is that the new Book Cover keyboard has a touchpad. There are several advantages to cursor support, but the most noteworthy is that you don’t have to reach up to touch the Galaxy Tab S6’s display when you’re typing on the keyboard.
Огляд Samsung Galaxy A54. Знову хіт?
Samsung Tab S6 Keyboard-Cover (Optional)
The Tab S6 does not come with a keyboard in the box.
The keyboard attaches to the tablet via magnets and a pogo pin connector — no Bluetooth pairing here — and it’s separate from the back cover and kickstand that sticks to the tablet.
It’s surprisingly easy to adjust to typing on the keyboard, even though it has a smaller layout than a standard keyboard. There are function keys at the top, and the Tab S6 supports a variety of keyboard shortcuts, though I wish they were more universally supported across the Android ecosystem.
Overall, even if the keyboard is not quite full-sized, I found it offers a generally pleasant typing experience. One feature I would have loved to see on the keyboard is a backlight, as it would have made my work in a dimly lit airplane cabin much less challenging. However, it’s not a major disadvantage, as it is not found on other tablet keyboards either.
Samsung also added a responsive and clicky touchpad, and there’s also a dedicated DeX switch key now. This lets you hold down the Function key and press the DeX button once to switch back and forth from the DeX productivity interface.
Samsung Productivity Creators Apps
These are the apps I use daily and are very convenient to use on the Galaxy S6 Tablet.
Productivity and Blogging
Microsoft Office Suite, Google G-Suite, Trello, Smart-Recorder, WordPress, PenUp
Photo Editing:
Adobe Lightroom, Google Snapseed, PicsArt, InShot, Lens Distortion, Magisto, JustSnow, VSCO
Chat-Communication:
Whats-app, Telegram, Slack, Messenger, Zoom, Webex
YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Samsung S-Pen – Apps
interesting are the applications centered around the functionalities of the S-Pen. The most notable mention on this list is the friendly everyday app “Samsung Notes”, which is just equally good for short notes, handwriting recognition, and your occasional doodle.
It’s also great fun to use the app “PENUP“, which presents works of art created with the tablet. The results are really cool, so I’m looking at all you talented artists out there.
If you like to split your screen, it also works well with the Galaxy Tab and you can, for example, work concomitantly on the browser and the notes app. The S-Pen glides precisely, be it while writing, drawing, or controlling applications by pressing a button, gesture, or Bluetooth. The handwriting recognition works so smoothly that I was a little surprised.
A Full Day of Battery Life
The Galaxy Tab S6 can get you through a full day of work. I used it for five hours straight on a plane and the battery dipped to just 50 percent. Add a few more hours of use at the hotel, and the tablet had dropped to 25 percent right before I went to bed.
If you plan on using this tablet non-stop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., it will last the whole time if you’re not gaming or using processor-intensive apps — but it won’t be powered much longer after.
I think most people will be more than happy with the battery life on the Tab S6. Powering it back up isn’t particularly fast though, taking a little more than 2 hours to go from zero to 100.
The Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is, without a doubt, the best Android tablet available. It combines top-notch hardware with Samsung’s evolving DeX approach to mobile productivity, and while DeX isn’t perfect in all areas, you’re better off having it available rather than not.
Meanwhile, the Tab S6 working in standard Android mode is an excellent, super-fast media consumption device and photo-editing powerhouse. If you’re in the market for a tablet, the Tab S6 is an easy choice.
Who is the New Tab S6 Tablet from Samsung for?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is aimed at several target groups.
The primary audience would be the business sector, notably all those employed in creative fields or media. Think designers, graphic designers, architects, bloggers, writers, PR specialists – the list can go on. These professions involve a lot of handwriting, photo- and video-editing, note-taking, or recording. Even a fast Internet connection will help this category of users in their professional lives.
Another major target group is young people, such as high-school pupils and university students. In addition, not-so-hardcore gamers can be a target audience, as the Samsung Tab S6 is very powerful and scores high with its good graphics and sound system in terms of entertainment.
Is the Tab S6 Right for Mobile Pros?
The answer to this question is “It depends.”
I spent several weeks with the tablet and I was indeed able to perform the majority of my professional tasks from the device. Managing communications and files, editing documents, and browsing the web for research were all easy to master. All the while, I was able to stay in touch easily with family, friends, and associates through all social media outlets.
Need to do some heavier lifting? I downloaded Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. All these apps ran well on the tablet, except for the obvious limitations that were due to screen size. You can use the trackpad, your finger, or the S-Pen to navigate the screen. The Snapdragon 855 had no trouble tackling PowerPoint. Nor did it run into any trouble with Adobe Lightroom Mobile, which can be RAM-intensive. Editing photos was easy.
Samsung provided me the tablet with the Samsung Book Cover keyboard. In my view, this accessory is absolutely necessary for users to be properly productive. The keyboard comes in two pieces. One attaches to the rear of the Tab S6 and protects the S-Pen, while the other section consists of the keyboard and snaps to the pins magnetically.
You’ll find a full keyboard complete with number keys, arrow keys, and other buttons for interacting with the UI, such as searching and toggling DeX on and off. I like the trackpad and especially that you can turn it off. I found it worked well enough for writing emails, keeping up with Slack, and, yes, contributing to this review.
As for battery life, the 7,040mAh lithium-ion battery crushes it. The Tab S6 easily coasted through 12 hours of productivity, which is well above a full work day. over, it recharges relatively rapidly with the included 2A charger.
Is the Galaxy Tab S6 Good for Movies and Music?
Absolutely yes. The 2,560 x 1,600 screen is a fantastic canvas upon which to project your favorite video content. Movies and shows from Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video all look fantastic on the screen, which delivers deep blacks and rich colors.
Not only do the speakers sound very good, but Dolby Atmos is also on board for enhancing and customizing sound. There is no headphone jack (nor is there an adapter), but the Bluetooth options are robust, and the tablet works very well with Samsung’s own Galaxy Buds. Bottom line, I was pleased with the sound quality, both when blasting it through the tablet’s speakers and when listening privately via Galaxy Buds.
Then there are the cameras. The tablet has three cameras, including a 13MP/5MP dual array on the back and an 8MP selfie sensor on the front. I appreciate that the Galaxy Tab S6 can capture 4K video and that the selfie camera has a 123-degree field of view for all-encompassing video calls.
The Galaxy Tab S6 is the best Android tablet I’ve used or reviewed. It matches superb hardware with plenty of horsepower and productivity features for people on the go. Similarly, the impressive display and tuned sound profile make the tablet a great multimedia device.
If you want a tablet for mobile content production and creative travelers, the Tab S6 is the only one to get.
Addendum
I wrote this review on the Galaxy Tab S6. I was unable to work as quickly as I would on a normal laptop, but I’ve successfully replaced my laptop with the Tab S6 for the past few weeks, and it’s been an enjoyable and reliable experience.
I’ve used Google Snapseed and Adobe Lightroom on the Tab S6 to edit photos with the S-Pen.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 – The Best Tablet for Mobile Content Creators and Creative Travelers was last modified: July 14th, 2022 by gregor
