The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e established a strong foundation for a mid-range premium tablet experience. The Tab S6 5G builds upon that, aiming for a more powerful and connected experience. This comparison dissects the core differences – from the significant chipset upgrade to the addition of 5G – to determine which tablet best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset delivers a substantial performance leap over the S5e’s Snapdragon 670. However, the S5e remains a compelling option for those seeking a more affordable tablet for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, January 29 | 2019, February. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, January 30 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm (9.63 x 6.28 x 0.22 in) | 245 x 160 x 5.5 mm (9.65 x 6.30 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 420 g (14.82 oz) | 400 g (14.11 oz) |
| | Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~287 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~288 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.5 inches, 321.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10+ | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 615 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm | - |
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by AKG | Tuned by AKG/HARMAN |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Samsung DeX
ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mountain Gray | Black, Gold, Silver |
| Models | SM-T866N | SM-T725, SM-T720 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 410 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 152610 (v7)
GeekBench: 5684 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G
- Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
- 5G connectivity for on-the-go productivity
- Improved multitasking capabilities
- Slower charging speed (15W vs 18W)
- Potentially higher price point
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
- More affordable price
- Faster charging speed (18W)
- Good battery life for everyday tasks
- Less powerful processor for demanding applications
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. The S6 5G’s Snapdragon 855+ is better equipped to handle graphically intensive tasks displayed on the screen. The S5e’s Snapdragon 670, while capable, will show its limitations with demanding games or video editing. We expect both to offer similar color accuracy, but the S6 5G’s GPU will provide a smoother visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets likely feature similar camera setups focused on basic functionality. The S6 5G’s superior image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 855+ will likely result in slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, but the difference won’t be dramatic. The focus here isn’t photography; it’s video conferencing and occasional snapshots.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G boasts the Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7nm), an octa-core processor with a peak clock speed of 2.96 GHz. This is a substantial upgrade over the Tab S5e’s Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10nm). The 855+’s Kryo 485 cores, with their tiered clock speeds, offer significantly improved multi-core performance and single-core responsiveness. The 10nm process of the 670 is less efficient, meaning the S5e will likely throttle more under sustained load. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the S6 5G.
Battery Life
The Tab S5e features 18W wired charging, while the S6 5G is limited to 15W. This seemingly favors the S5e, but the Snapdragon 855+’s improved efficiency partially offsets this. The S6 5G’s more powerful processor will consume more power during intensive tasks, but its ability to complete those tasks faster could result in overall similar battery life in real-world usage. The S5e will likely offer longer battery life during lighter workloads like video streaming.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding applications, multitasking, and benefiting from 5G connectivity for on-the-go productivity. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e if you prioritize a balance of portability, affordability, and sufficient power for media consumption, light productivity, and casual gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855+ in the Tab S6 5G handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855+ is more than capable of running Genshin Impact and similar titles at high settings. While it won't match the performance of the latest flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Snapdragon 670 in the S5e.
❓ How much of a real-world benefit does 5G connectivity provide on the Tab S6 5G?
The benefit of 5G depends heavily on your location and carrier coverage. In areas with strong 5G signals, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds, making it ideal for streaming high-resolution video, downloading large files, and participating in video conferences on the go. However, if you primarily use Wi-Fi, the 5G capability will be less impactful.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Tab S6 5G a significant drawback compared to the S5e's 18W?
While 18W is faster on paper, the difference in charging times won't be massive. The Snapdragon 855+'s efficiency helps mitigate the slower charging speed. You'll likely only notice a slight difference in 0-100% charge times.
