Screen
Getting to know a tablet starts with the screen - I mainly use the tablet to watch videos, browse the browser, and sometimes read or play. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has moderately wide frames surrounding an IPS display with a diagonal of 10.4 inches and a resolution of 2000 × 1200 pixels. The display is under protective glass with a good oleophobic coating, bright and moderately glares under the sun.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
The 18:9 aspect ratio, in my opinion, is not the best option for a tablet when you want to surf the Internet. But this format is better suited for watching movies.
Design
The tablet comes in different colors; in addition to neutral black, there are also options in blue and pink. In any case, the case will be aluminum, thin and quite light, the dimensions are excellent.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
The front part is generally featureless: no logos or mentions of Samsung, it looks simple and concise. The matte back part gets very dirty, this is especially noticeable on dark colors. The only thing that stands out is the camera lens.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
| SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S6: CAMERAS
The 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel wide-angle cameras on the back of the Galaxy Tab S6 take good photos that will make you forget how awkward it is to take pictures with a tablet.
The Galaxy Tab S6's 13-megapixel main camera captures a ton of detail in the photos we took. We could read even the smallest text after enlarging the image.
And when not everything fits into the frame, we simply switch to the ultra-wide-angle 5-megapixel lens, which was able to fit everything we needed into the frame. Unfortunately, images taken with this lens are lower resolution and not as clear.
We were also pleased with the vibrant and accurate colors in photos taken with the main lens, like the pink flowers shot in the park.
The Galaxy Tab S6's 8-megapixel front-facing camera also takes great photos, especially when you use Live Focus mode to create artificial background blur. We could see individual strands of hair, and clothing received precise shades of color.
Performance
The characteristics are as follows: 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal memory, a compartment for microSD up to 1 TB. You can also choose a tablet with 128 GB of internal memory, but the amount of RAM will remain the same.
Memory card tray for Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablet. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
The processor is Samsung Exynos 9611, introduced at the end of 2020. This chip is familiar from the company's smartphones. For example, it can be found in the Galaxy A51 or M31.
Benchmark performance results. The performance is average, under load the power sags by almost 20%
The hardware is not top-end, but the tablet is not a flagship one, but is aimed at the middle class. Therefore, demanding games like CoD Mobile or PUBG will not fly here, but the favorite strategy Kingdom Rush Vengeance went perfectly smoothly.
The Dead Ahead Zombie Warfare toy runs smoothly. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
Moving through the menu is periodically hindered by stuttering out of the blue. I suspect that the software requires debugging - at least Samsung smartphones with similar hardware work more smoothly. Here you start to navigate through the menu and feel how the tablet thoughtfully performs a simple operation, switch between applications - and again slow animation. Moreover, if you sit in the Chrome browser or play, then there are no such problems.
| SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S6: PERFORMANCE
Equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor and 6GB of RAM, the Galaxy Tab S6 handled our tasks without any problems. The tablet quickly loaded 15 tabs in the Internet browser and showed no signs of slowing down when we loaded a 1080p video in the YouTube app. We then switched to DeX mode to be able to manage browser windows. However, after loading eight Chrome tabs, everything else was running in the background.
Despite the high performance offered by the new Snapdragon 855 chips, the Galaxy Tab S6 still can't keep up with Apple's latest iPads. In the Geekbench 4 overall performance test, the Galaxy Tab S6 scored 10,387. This is a good increase over last year's Galaxy Tab S4 (6,592), but far behind the iPad Air (11,471) and 11-inch iPad Pro (17,878). The tablet average of 5,387 has nothing to do with the performance of these premium devices.
We saw similar results on the 3D Mark Ice Storm Unlimited graphics test. The Galaxy Tab S6 scored 77,386 points, one point ahead of the iPad Air (77,385). Again, the Tab S6 was more powerful than the Galaxy Tab S4 (39,563) and the average tablet (29,657). However, the 11-inch iPad Pro is in a different league (105770).
Software
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite runs Android 10, the OneUI 2.0 interface is already familiar from the company’s smartphones. I will list the convenient features:
- Two shortcuts to quickly access applications on the lock screen are configured;
- There is a widget for quickly launching the necessary programs in the menu;
- Supports simultaneous work with two applications on one screen;
- You can switch to gesture controls instead of buttons.
Two applications on one screen of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablet. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
S Pen
A very pleasant bonus was the presence of the S Pen included with the tablet. It is attached to the case with a magnet; it will not fall off on its own, but if you accidentally touch it, you can lose it. Therefore, you should think about buying a case.
The S Pen is located in a special compartment of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite case. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
You can draw with the help of the S Pen, I'm not much of an artist, so I won't brag about my scribbles. Alternatively, you can take text notes by hand, writing down your ideas or supplementing screenshots with comments. It is difficult to write texts from dictation, the speed is low and it is not possible to take notes as quickly as with a pen.
I note that neither the DeX dock nor the keyboard case can be connected to the tablet. Samsung retained these features for the more expensive older model Samsung Galaxy Tab S6.
Examples of creativity in the PENUP coloring app. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
I recommend trying the PENUP app. There you can find dozens of coloring pages; you can share your creative results on social networks or look at the ideas of other users. Coloring pages are suitable for both adults and children; you can choose from simple and complex designs. After that, you take a pen and carefully paint the white sheet with bright colors, escaping from quarantine isolation.
| SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S6: DEX MODE
DeX mode returns with the Galaxy Tab S6, giving users a familiar desktop experience when they want to be more productive.
If you've used Chromebooks or Windows 10 laptops, DeX will look familiar. The taskbar sits at the bottom of the display and gives you access to open apps as well as important settings like volume, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Android apps are pinned to the DeX desktop. Please note that not all applications are supported by DeX.
Samsung has made several notable improvements to Dex over the years. Firstly, the taskbar has been expanded so that the icons are now easier to click. It's a nice addition, but we think the interface is still better navigated using the S-Pen or touchpad.
Samsung is also adding a DeX hotkey to the BookCover keyboard so you can easily switch between modes. The transition process begins instantly, and the Galaxy Tab S6 switches between the main Android 9 interface and DeX in a matter of seconds.
DeX is a good solution for turning an Android tablet into a laptop replacement, and we found ourselves switching to this mode whenever we wanted to do more than just browse a website or watch a video.
The main advantage of DeX over Android 9 is that it allows you to keep multiple windows open at once. Moreover, DeX also supports split screen for more than two windows (you can open up to 20 windows at the same time). We browsed Chrome tabs on the right side of the Galaxy Tab S6 while watching YouTube videos in the top left corner and saving notes in the bottom left corner.
Read : Best 2 in 1 laptops: Best laptop tablets
I wish DeX allowed us to snap windows to the sides of the screen using a keyboard shortcut or dragging them into place. Lining up windows can be labor intensive.
Communications
With Wi-Fi everything is stable, 2.4 and 5 GHz networks are supported, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS and GLONASS are available. If you plan to take your tablet out of the house, then look towards the version with LTE support. Then install an additional SIM card in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite and get the Internet where you want. Although you can always use modem mode and distribute the Internet from your smartphone, it’s up to you to decide whether to pay extra for the more expensive version with LTE or not.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
Shoot like a smartphone
Taking photographs with a tablet is usually a rather pointless activity, because it is almost impossible to get high-quality images. Manufacturers rarely bother with cameras here, but even here the Galaxy Tab S6 is an exception.
It received, firstly, a dual main camera with very decent characteristics, 13 and 5 megapixels (the iPad Pro has a single and 12 megapixel camera), secondly, an advanced shooting application, where there is even a night mode (as well as portrait, panoramic and professional, where you can manually set the settings).
We won’t, of course, expect the Galaxy Tab S6 to have the same shooting quality as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+, but overall this tablet copes well with photography.
To see the photo in original resolution, click on it
Shooting under artificial lighting in auto modeShooting at night in night mode
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Working hours
The battery capacity is 7040 mAh, the tablet is charged via USB Type-C, and the kit includes a 15 W power adapter with support for fast charging. It takes about three hours to fully charge.
If you use a tablet to watch videos, then at an average brightness level, the device connected to Wi-Fi sits down by 8-10% per hour. In games, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite discharges almost twice as fast, the performance is good. On average, you can charge the tablet once every two to three days, if you do not load the tablet with games.
Case
The magnetic case attaches tightly to the tablet without special fasteners, so you don’t have to worry about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite accidentally falling out of it. The stylus inside the case is also attached to a magnet; it is also securely fixed.
One of two options for tilting the tablet in a stand case for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
The case protects the front and back of the tablet, there are two tilt angles - the accessory is simple and well thought out. It is made of slightly rough plastic, I think it won’t get very dirty.
The case costs 6,290 rubles, but if you order it together with the tablet, then you get a 50% discount on the accessory in black, blue or pink.
| SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S6: BOOKCOVER KEYBOARD
The new BookCover keyboard is a mixed bag.
The optional keyboard costs $179 (RUR 11,500 + VAT) if you want to make the Galaxy Tab S6 your main device.
BookCover consists of two parts: the keyboard (which now has a touchpad) and the stand cover. The only thing holding the cover on the back of the Galaxy Tab S6 is a thin adhesive surface. We found that if you don't press the cover against the tablet hard enough, it will come off when you try to open the stand.
Everything else about the case is great. The textured surface makes the Galaxy Tab S6 easy to hold, and the sturdy kickstand opens up to about 120 degrees before the lid opens. We also like that the part that covers the S-Pen folds down so you can access the stylus.
The BookCover keyboard attaches to the Pogo connector on the left side of the Galaxy Tab S6. When this connection is established, the Galaxy Tab S6 immediately switches to DeX mode. If you prefer to stay on the Android interface, don't worry, you can quickly switch back with a keyboard shortcut.
The keyboard itself works decently, although users with larger hands will find it a bit cramped. The oval keycaps are small, especially the row with tiny numbers, and there's not a lot of space between the keys. On the plus side, the keys click into place and have a decent amount of travel (1.1mm), and we were able to type at normal speeds once we got used to their small size, thanks to the 71g actuation force.
Although it's small and fairly cheap, the BookCover Keyboard's touchpad gives the Galaxy Tab S6 an edge over the iPad and is a big step towards making the Galaxy Tab S6 a true laptop replacement.
Apple iPad
The main and main contender for attention is the Apple iPad 10.2. The basic model with an excellent balance of price and characteristics costs 27,990 rubles. The version with LTE costs much more - 38,990 rubles.
But remember that this iPad only gets 32 GB of memory - that's not much. However, if you look at photos in the cloud, browse websites and put on a few toys, then you can live tolerably with this volume. I still recommend looking at the iPad 10.2 with 128 GB, this one will cost 34,990 rubles.
Apple iPad 10.2 tablet. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
You decide for yourself which platform is closer: iOS or Android, and then order the appropriate tool for work or entertainment. I like the basic iPad better, it is more playful and nimble, there is no hint of slight thoughtfulness when performing simple tasks, as is the case with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.
