Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite review

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite emerges as a formidable contender against the iPad, presenting itself as possibly Samsung’s most impressive non-premium tablet to date. Boasting notable features like the included S Pen, extensive software customization capabilities, and an aesthetically pleasing design, it certainly holds its own in the tablet market. Nonetheless, there are certain performance shortcomings that may impact users’ overall satisfaction.

Two-minute review

Describing every fresh Android tablet as an iPad contender has become somewhat cliché, yet in this examination of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, such comparisons are difficult to circumvent. The tablet appears to be a deliberate endeavor by Samsung to challenge Apple’s dominant position in the tablet industry.

With its pricing, screen dimensions, and diverse features, the device seems crafted to lure users from the iOS ecosystem to the realm of Android tablets.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to the premium Tab S6, yet its resemblance to its high-end counterpart is limited. Rather, it bears more resemblance to a standout member of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A series, known for its economical offerings.

Given Prime Day 2021’s slated arrival on June 21, there’s a possibility of a price drop for the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, particularly with the recent introduction of the Tab S7 FE. If you’re considering purchasing the widely acclaimed S6 Lite, it could be advantageous to hold off until then and explore the potential discounts.

The standout feature of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is its inclusion of an S Pen stylus, marking it as the most budget-friendly Samsung tablet to offer such functionality.

This feature proves invaluable for tasks like doodling, note-taking, and annotating. Unlike the Apple Pencil, which requires an additional purchase for use with iPads, Samsung’s stylus comes included. However, in comparison to Apple’s counterpart, Samsung’s stylus falls short in certain aspects.

The tablet exudes durability both in its feel and appearance, boasting smaller bezels compared to the Galaxy Tab A and a robust rear panel that seems capable of withstanding impact. Additionally, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature not always guaranteed in tablets, will likely be welcomed by many users.

Beyond stylus concerns, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite exhibits additional shortcomings. It may occasionally lag in responsiveness, displaying slight delays when tapping or swiping the screen. Furthermore, its chipset proves inadequate for running high-end games or handling other demanding tasks.

Another challenge lies in the fact that Android, particularly Samsung’s One UI adaptation of it, falls short of the refined tablet experience offered by iPadOS. However, there are compensatory features and advantages, particularly within the stylus functionality, that may mitigate this disparity.

Despite these drawbacks, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite remains a viable option as a portable entertainment device. Its display quality surpasses expectations for a budget tablet, boasting an aspect ratio that enhances the viewing experience compared to numerous iPads. Therefore, if your primary aim is to find a portable device for enjoying movies or TV shows, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite presents a compelling choice.

While the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite may not achieve perfection as a mid-range tablet, there’s still plenty to appreciate about it. Its strengths are notable enough for us to consider it one of the top contenders among Android tablets.

If the offerings such as the S Pen, quality screen, and affordability pique your interest, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite presents a compelling alternative to the entry-level iPad. However, if you prioritize a smooth user experience and an impeccable stylus performance, perhaps an iPad would better suit your needs.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: price and availability

The availability of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite varies depending on your location, which can be somewhat perplexing. As of the current writing, the tablet isn’t accessible in the US.

However, it’s anticipated to be released with a price tag of $349 for its Wi-Fi-only variant, and there’s a possibility of an LTE version as well. Samsung has indicated that the device is slated for release in the second quarter of this year, implying that it should hit the shelves by the end of June.

In the UK, the tablet is presently accessible, with the Wi-Fi-only model priced at £349, while opting for LTE connectivity raises the price to £399.

Both price points apply to the 64GB storage variants, the sole options available in the UK. Conversely, in Australia, solely the 128GB models are on offer. The Wi-Fi-only version is priced at AU$649, whereas the Wi-Fi and LTE variant costs AU$799.

In areas where it’s accessible, purchasing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is convenient through the Samsung website, Amazon, and select carriers offering the LTE version.

Additionally, certain retailers may include the tablet’s ‘Book Cover’ folio case as a complimentary addition with the purchase, making it worthwhile to explore different shopping options.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: design:

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite boasts a durable build, featuring a glass front complemented by a metal frame and rear. This construction instills confidence in its ability to withstand occasional drops.

However, due to the choice of materials, the device does carry a bit of weight, tipping the scales at 467g. For context, this is roughly twice the weight of most smartphones. Measuring at 244.5 x 154.3 x 7mm, it maintains a reasonably average size relative to its screen size and isn’t overly bulky.

In fact, it’s compact enough to fit into large pockets of certain clothing items, making it conveniently portable.

An appealing design aspect of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is its slim bezels surrounding the screen, distinguishing it from iPads and Galaxy Tab A models. This minimal bezel design contributes to a high screen-to-body ratio, ensuring a sizable display without the device feeling excessively large to hold.

On the rear of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, you’ll find the rear camera positioned in the top-left corner when holding the device in portrait orientation. The top of the device features a 3.5mm headphone jack, while the right edge houses the power button and volume rocker. Additionally, you’ll find a USB-C port located on the bottom edge of the device.

It’s worth noting that not all budget-friendly tablets are equipped with USB-C ports; some opt for micro USB instead, which tends to offer slower data transfer and charging speeds.

Therefore, the inclusion of a USB-C port in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a commendable choice. Furthermore, the presence of the audio jack will undoubtedly satisfy users who prefer wired headphones.

The Tab S6 Lite offers a choice of colors including Oxford Gray, Angora Blue, or Chiffon Rose, though availability may vary by region. In our review, we had the Oxford Gray model, as depicted in the images.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite includes the S Pen stylus, a handy tool for drawing, sketching, and note-taking, right out of the box. Unlike its higher-end counterpart, the full-fat Galaxy Tab S6, there isn’t a designated slot within the body to store the stylus. Instead, you can attach it magnetically to the right edge. However, if you opt for the Book Cover (which we tested alongside the tablet, as depicted in the images), it conveniently provides a compartment for storing the stylus.

Though the inclusion of a bundled stylus may capture the interest of potential buyers and undoubtedly alters the tablet usage experience, it’s not flawless. We’ll delve into some of the issues later in this review.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: display

10.4-inch LCD screen
2000 x 1200 resolution, 5:3 aspect ratio
Good for watching movies and TV shows

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite features a 10.4-inch LCD screen boasting a resolution of 2000 x 1200. While this is only marginally smaller than its non-Lite counterpart, the absence of the higher-resolution AMOLED panel found in the premium tablet is one of the compromises made in this budget-friendly model.

The screen quality of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is commendable for an LCD display. It offers ample brightness and visibility, even in outdoor settings. However, compared to displays on other devices, colors may occasionally appear somewhat subdued, and during gaming or movie sessions, the lower resolution may become noticeable.

That being said, the resolution of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite may suffice for many, especially depending on the streaming services used or subscription packages owned. Only individuals with access to 4K content might find the tablet falling short of their expectations.

Moreover, the 5:3 aspect ratio, being just a slight deviation from 16:9 (specifically 15:9), aligns well with the aspect ratio commonly used for broadcasting many TV shows and streaming movies. Consequently, when viewing content on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, you’ll notice fewer prominent black bars at the top and bottom of the screen compared to iPads, which typically feature 4:3 displays.

The LCD display technology causes black to appear relatively bright on the screen.

Unlike LED panels, which achieve black by turning off the LEDs, LCD achieves black by simultaneously displaying all colors. As a result, when viewing dark content, such as when using Android 10’s dark mode, the display may still appear bright, which can be less soothing for your eyes and doesn’t seem to significantly conserve battery. It’s important to acknowledge that this issue is prevalent among all LCD devices, including the Tab S6 Lite.

While swiping the screen with either the S Pen or a finger, we observed that the screen exhibited slightly less responsiveness compared to other tablets. There seemed to be an increased sense of friction or resistance. The exact reason for this behavior is not entirely clear, but it’s possible that it’s attributable to the materials used for the screen or any protective films applied over it. Nonetheless, it proved to be a bit inconvenient when navigating through swiping or utilizing the S Pen for drawing purposes.

Over time, we became accustomed to this behavior, but when using the device alongside an iPad equipped with an Apple Pencil, the disparity becomes quite apparent. However, our primary issue with the S Pen was related to palm detection.

Unlike iPads, where the device can differentiate between inputs from the Apple Pencil, your finger, or the palm of your hand, and disregards inputs from the latter, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite lacks this feature. As a result, you can’t rest your palm on the screen while sketching or writing.

When utilizing the S Pen on the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, if you happen to rest your palm on the display, the device interprets it as a distinct input and reacts accordingly. This can inadvertently lead to unintended actions, such as drawing a line, altering the cropping of a screenshot, or even initiating unintended navigations by swiping and opening apps. If Samsung aims to provide the most optimal stylus experience on its tablets, it’s imperative for them to implement palm detection technology.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: specs, performance and camera

Mid-range Exynos 9611 chipset with 4GB RAM
A touch sluggish to use
8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera

Powering the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the Exynos 9611 chipset, manufactured by Samsung itself. This chipset has been previously featured in various mid-range and budget-friendly smartphones, including the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A50s. It is coupled with 4GB of RAM.

While the Exynos 9611 chipset isn’t exceptionally powerful, it suffices for tasks that aren’t overly demanding. We observed that less demanding games, as well as well-optimized ones, ran smoothly on the device. For example, we were able to navigate through Call of Duty:

Mobile matches without issues. However, more demanding games tended to experience lag or even caused the device to crash. For instance, PUBG Mobile encountered such difficulties just minutes into a match.

The primary performance concern lies in the navigation speed, characterized by a slight delay when swiping between menus, tapping the screen for typing, or launching a new app.

Individuals accustomed to lower-end tablets or phones may find this delay familiar, as it’s typically associated with mid-range specifications. However, as a consequence, using the Galaxy Tab can be somewhat frustrating at times. Importantly, this issue is not present in lower-end iPads, which operate more seamlessly in comparison.

This inconvenience wasn’t persistent, as the issue tended to arise primarily when numerous background processes were active or apps were being downloaded. However, it’s worth noting that the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite will never match the swift navigation experience of an iPad.

During our benchmark test, the Tab S6 Lite yielded a multi-core score of 1,313, which is less than half of the Galaxy S20’s 3,061. While this score may seem relatively low, it’s important to note that we lack other tablet scores for comparison, as Geekbench, the testing program utilized, altered its scoring system in late 2019. Nonetheless, we can draw comparisons to smartphones.

In terms of speed, the Tab S6 Lite only outperformed some extremely budget-friendly options, such as Redmi’s Note 8T, which scored 1,158. Surprisingly, it even fell short when compared to mid-range smartphones like the Oppo Reno 2Z, which scored 1,482. Overall, the performance of the Tab S6 Lite in this aspect was rather disappointing, which could account for issues like game crashes and sluggish navigation.

As previously noted, navigation on the Tab S6 Lite tends to be sluggish. This is particularly evident in its face recognition unlocking feature, which seldomly worked before we resorted to typing in our password. Additionally, the need to hold the tablet at an unnaturally distant angle from your face further complicates this process.

Regarding the cameras, the rear shooter is 8MP. It’s improbable that you’ll opt for this over your smartphone for photography, which is actually a positive aspect. The pictures appeared slightly dim, and if you utilized the 10x digital zoom extensively, they tended to appear grainy. However, the quality wasn’t egregiously poor.

The primary camera boasts a 5MP lens, perfect for those who engage in regular video calls or enjoy capturing selfies. While the hardware may not be groundbreaking, it offers a variety of modes tailored for self-portraits, which will surely delight users.

Among these modes is Live Focus, enabling post-picture background editing, while AR Doodle allows real-time face doodling using the S Pen. Additionally, users can explore various filters and beauty enhancements. Notably, both front and rear cameras support 1080p video recording, enhancing the versatility of this device.

Android 10 with OneUI skin
Android isn’t as good for tablets as iPadOS
No stylus palm detection

The operating system of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is Android 10, featuring Samsung’s One UI interface. One UI primarily alters the visual aspects of the standard Android experience, though typical of Android forks, it introduces additional tweaks and adjustments.

As an illustration, within One UI, all downloaded applications are directed to an app drawer rather than cluttering the main home page. This streamlined approach facilitates personalized homepage organization by allowing users to select specific apps for display.

Moreover, Samsung devices offer an array of practical widgets for the tablet’s home pages, including weather updates, Spotify controls, and email previews. In summary, One UI stands out by providing extensive customization possibilities compared to many other Android variations.

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S6 LITE SPECS

Weight: 467g
Dimensions: 244.5 x 154.3 x 7mm
Display size: 10.4-inch
Resolution: 1200 x 2000
Chipset: Exynos 9611
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64/128GB
Rear camera: 8MP
Front camera: 5MP
Pre-installed software: Android 10
Battery: 7,040mAh
Charging: 15W wired

Pros

+Robust design
+Plentiful UI customization options
+S Pen stylus included

Cons

–Some issues with S Pen
–Can be a little sluggish in use
–Android not perfectly optimized for tablets

Buy Now

$238.58

Price:

$238.58

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite review