Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Nearly every tablet these days wants to be an iPad competitor. Does Samsung’s latest release bring Android tablets any closer to upsetting the status quo?

Design

The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has a glass front and a metal back. Reviewers said that it seemed hardy and as if it could take a beating. But it is heavy because of all those metal and glass parts.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has a 10.4-inch screen running at a resolution of 2000 by 1200 pixels. Reviews found it nice and bright with great outdoor visibility. However, some reviewers stated that the colors could seem washed out and not quite as brilliant as they’d have liked.

Tech Radar says, “The screen quality is pretty good for LCD…”

Performance

Google has yet to successfully optimize Android for tablets. At times reviewers commented that the tablet was sluggish when transitioning between apps or menus. It didn’t multitask well, but it displayed movies and shows or videos without a problem. It could run middle spec games, but anything really graphic intensive led to stuttering and freezing.

Wired.com says, “… The performance on the tablet is just OK. I noticed stutters now and then, and switching between apps can take longer [than] I’m used to. But the overall sluggishness is still disappointing.”

Software & Storage

The tablet runs Android 10 with Samsung’s UI running over-top. Reviewers found the approach enjoyable, allowing you to have only the apps you want to be displayed without clutter. It supports 64GB to 128GB of storage — more than enough for the average user.

Cameras

The tablet offers an 8MP camera on the back and a 5MP front-facing camera. While reviews indicated that they’re good for video calls, they likely won’t replace your existing smartphone camera.

Battery Life

Battery life was good for a tablet of its size. Reviewers said that the long-lasting battery made up for a lot of the small issues with the tablet. It also supports 15-watt fast-charging.

Engadget notes, “It clocked 10 and a half hours on our video rundown battery test, beating the Chromebook Duet and matching the iPad. In general, too, the S6 Lite hung around longer than a day before needing to be plugged in.”

Audio

The speakers on the Tab S6 Lite are impressive for their size. Reviewers felt they offer better sound than most smartphones but if you like bass, it’s somewhat lacking. Most reviewers recommended using a Bluetooth speaker or headphones instead if you really want the full audio experience.

Extras

If you’re looking to get a little work done or get creative with your tablet, the included S Pen made reviewers very happy. They indicate the stylus is accurate, easy to use, and feels great in the hand. Whether you’re editing photos, marking up PDFs, or drawing your next masterpiece, it should be leaps and bounds better than your typical basic stylus. The only issue reviewers found was occasional hiccups with the palm rejection on the display.

Specs at a Glance

• Aluminum chassis
• 10.4-inch LCD display
• 2.3 GHz Octa-core Samsung Exynos 9611Processor
• 4GB of RAM
• Android 10
• 64 to 128GB of storage
• 8MP rear camera w/ 5MP front-facing lens
• 7040 mAh battery
• S Pen Stylus

Bottom Line

Android tablets, in general, have yet to really challenge the iPad for the top of the tablet charts. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 comes very close only missing out on some of the more premium features and speed.

CNet, “Despite being called Lite, Samsung’s [mid-range] tablet has plenty to offer anyone looking for an Android tablet to do more than stream movies and shop.”

Engadget, “If you’re looking for a capable Android tablet for watching videos, reading ebooks and Zooming with your loved ones, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a solid option. It offers fast performance, long battery life, and a premium, modern design. Samsung also throws in an S Pen, making this a well-rounded midrange tablet for the [price].”