The tablet market is booming, offering options for every budget and need. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the budget-friendly Honor Pad 8 and the established Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Pad 8 offers impressive value with a larger display and decent performance for the price. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite boasts a more refined software experience, slightly better performance, and the One UI advantage. For most users, the S6 Lite is the better choice, but budget-conscious buyers will appreciate the Pad 8.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE-A |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 22 | 2020, April 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 29 | Available. Released 2020, May 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 278.5 x 174.1 x 6.9 mm (10.96 x 6.85 x 0.27 in) | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 520 g (1.15 lb) | 467 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~194 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.0 inches, 409.9 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 350 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Gold, Mint | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray |
| Models | HEY-W09 | SM-P610N, SM-P615, SM-P610 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1468:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-22.7 LUFS (Excellent)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 279242 (v9)
GeekBench: 1545 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Honor Pad 8
- Large 12.95-inch display
- Good value for money
- Decent performance for casual use
- 22.5W fast charging
- Slightly less powerful processor
- Less refined software experience
- Camera quality could be better
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- Smoother performance
- Polished One UI software
- Slightly better camera quality
- Samsung ecosystem integration
- Slower 15W charging
- Smaller display
- Higher price point
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad 8 takes the lead with its larger 12.95-inch display, offering a more immersive viewing experience for videos and games. While both have good contrast ratios (1468:1 for Honor, likely similar for Samsung), the Honor's brightness of 392 nits is a slight advantage. The Tab S6 Lite's 10.4-inch display is still excellent, but smaller.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a primary focus for tablets, but the Tab S6 Lite generally has slightly better cameras. The Honor Pad 8's cameras are adequate for basic use, but the S6 Lite's offer better detail and color accuracy. (Specific megapixel counts are needed for a more precise comparison).
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite's Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, generally outperforms the Honor Pad 8's Snapdragon 680 (6nm). While the Snapdragon 680 is efficient, the Exynos 9611 offers a smoother multitasking experience and better responsiveness, especially with demanding apps. The Tab S6 Lite's RAM (typically 4GB) also contributes to better performance.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable, with both tablets offering all-day usage for moderate use. The Honor Pad 8's larger battery capacity (typically 8300mAh) gives it a slight edge, but the Tab S6 Lite's efficient processor helps it compete. The slower 15W charging on the S6 Lite is a drawback compared to the Pad 8's 22.5W charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Honor Pad 8? Students, casual users, and those on a tight budget who prioritize a large screen for media consumption. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite? Users seeking a more polished Android experience, slightly better performance for multitasking, and the Samsung ecosystem integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and smoother performance. However, the Honor Pad 8 can handle less demanding games well.
❓ Is the Honor Pad 8 good for students?
Yes, the Honor Pad 8's large display and affordable price make it a good option for students who need a tablet for note-taking, reading, and research.
