The mid-range Android tablet space is heating up, with the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite offering compelling features at attractive price points. While both aim to deliver a versatile tablet experience, they take different approaches to performance and value. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s 10nm Exynos 9611, especially in sustained workloads. While the S6 Lite offers Samsung’s software polish, the P11 Pro’s raw power and faster 20W charging offer a better overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE-A |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 31. Released 2020, December 14 | 2020, April 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, May 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 264.3 x 171.4 x 6.9 mm (10.41 x 6.75 x 0.27 in) | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 485 g (1.07 lb) | 467 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~263 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 383.5 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide)
8 MP, IR TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor only) | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Slate Grey, Platinum Grey | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray |
| Models | TB-J706F | SM-P610N, SM-P615, SM-P610 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.45 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro
- Stronger processor for multitasking and gaming
- Faster 20W charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially better thermal management
- Likely slimmer bezels for more screen real estate
- Lenovo’s software support may not be as consistent as Samsung’s
- May be slightly more expensive than the S6 Lite
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- More compact and portable design
- Samsung’s established ecosystem and software polish
- Generally lower price point
- S Pen support for note-taking and drawing
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially more throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, detailed display specs are missing. However, considering Lenovo’s focus on multimedia, the P11 Pro likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially a wider color gamut. The Exynos 9611’s GPU may struggle to drive a high-refresh-rate panel effectively, suggesting the S6 Lite is likely limited to a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Bezels are a key consideration; the P11 Pro generally features slimmer bezels, maximizing screen real estate. Color accuracy is also a factor, with Samsung typically prioritizing vibrant, saturated colors, while Lenovo often aims for more natural tones.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most tablet buyers. However, the P11 Pro likely features a more capable main sensor, given Lenovo’s recent focus on improving camera quality in their tablets. The S6 Lite’s camera setup is adequate for basic snapshots, but image processing is likely less sophisticated. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the P11 Pro, if equipped, would further enhance image quality in low-light conditions. We can safely assume both tablets include a basic front-facing camera for video calls.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm) utilizes Kryo 470 cores, offering a balance of performance and efficiency. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s Exynos 9611 (10nm) employs Cortex-A73 and A53 cores. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 730G translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon’s Adreno 618 GPU also provides a more capable graphics experience than the Exynos’ Mali-G72 MP3. While both tablets likely feature similar RAM configurations, the Snapdragon’s architecture provides a clear advantage in overall system responsiveness.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but the Snapdragon 730G’s efficiency gives the P11 Pro an edge in battery life despite the S6 Lite’s potentially larger battery. More importantly, the P11 Pro supports 20W wired charging, significantly faster than the S6 Lite’s 15W charging. This translates to quicker top-ups and less downtime, a crucial advantage for users on the go. A full charge on the P11 Pro will likely take less than 2 hours, while the S6 Lite could require over 3 hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro if you prioritize performance for multitasking, gaming, or demanding applications, and appreciate faster charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or enjoy mobile gaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite if you value a more compact form factor, Samsung’s established ecosystem, and a slightly lower price point, and your usage primarily revolves around media consumption and light productivity tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, is prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles may experience frame drops and reduced performance after extended play. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro’s Snapdragon 730G, with its 8nm process, offers superior thermal efficiency and is less likely to throttle.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Lenovo’s UI and Samsung’s One UI on these tablets?
Samsung’s One UI is known for its polished interface, extensive features, and consistent software updates. Lenovo’s UI, while functional, often lacks the same level of refinement and may receive fewer updates. Samsung’s ecosystem integration is also a benefit for users already invested in Samsung devices.
❓ Is the S Pen a significant advantage for the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, even if the tablet’s performance is lower?
For users who frequently take notes, sketch, or annotate documents, the S Pen is a compelling feature. It offers a natural writing experience and adds a layer of functionality not found on the P11 Pro. However, if your primary use case doesn’t involve stylus input, the P11 Pro’s superior performance may be more valuable.