The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G, originally a premium offering, now faces competition from the refreshed Tab S6 Lite (2024). While both tablets share a similar aesthetic, they diverge significantly under the hood. This comparison dissects the key differences – from the Snapdragon 855+ in the S6 5G to the Exynos 1280 in the S6 Lite – to determine which tablet best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and 5G connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G remains the superior choice, despite its age. However, the Tab S6 Lite (2024) delivers a compelling balance of efficiency and affordability, making it ideal for everyday tasks and students.
| 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, 17, 20, 25, 26, 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 | 2024, March 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, January 30 | Available. Released 2024, March 28 |
| 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) | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 420 g (14.82 oz) | 465/467 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~287 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.5 inches, 321.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10+ | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | - |
| 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 | - | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by AKG | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro (wi-fi model only) |
| | Samsung DeX
ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mountain Gray | Gray, Mint, Rose Gold |
| Models | SM-T866N | SM-P620, SM-P625 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | $ 215.00 |
| SAR | - | 0.95 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 855+ processor for demanding tasks.
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- Potentially higher-quality display (based on original price point).
- Less power-efficient processor leading to shorter battery life.
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load.
- Likely higher price point.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024)
- More power-efficient Exynos 1280 processor for longer battery life.
- More affordable price point.
- Sleek and portable design.
- Less powerful processor compared to the Snapdragon 855+.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
- Potentially lower display quality.
Display Comparison
Both tablets likely feature LCD panels, but specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are not provided. The S6 5G’s original price point suggests a potentially higher-quality display. However, the S6 Lite (2024) benefits from a newer manufacturing process, potentially leading to improved efficiency. The absence of LTPO technology in either model means refresh rate adjustments won't be as dynamic as on flagship tablets.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most tablet buyers. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups. The S6 5G’s camera specs are unavailable, but its original positioning suggests a slightly more capable sensor. The S6 Lite (2024) likely features a basic camera array suitable for quick snapshots and video calls. Focusing on sensor size and aperture would be beneficial, but data is lacking. The presence of OIS is also unknown for both models.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Galaxy Tab S6 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) was a flagship processor in its time, boasting a powerful octa-core configuration with a peak clock speed of 2.96 GHz. In contrast, the Tab S6 Lite (2024) utilizes the Exynos 1280 (5nm). While the Exynos 1280’s Cortex-A78 cores offer strong performance, the Snapdragon 855+ generally delivers superior GPU performance, crucial for gaming. The 5nm process of the Exynos 1280 provides better power efficiency, potentially mitigating the Snapdragon’s tendency to throttle under sustained load. The S6 5G likely utilizes LPDDR4X RAM, while the S6 Lite (2024) may benefit from slightly faster LPDDR5, though the impact will be marginal.
Battery Life
Both tablets feature 15W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience. The actual battery capacity of both devices is not provided. However, the Exynos 1280’s superior power efficiency in the S6 Lite (2024) will likely translate to longer real-world battery life, especially during typical usage scenarios like web browsing and video streaming. The Snapdragon 855+ in the S6 5G, while powerful, consumes more energy, potentially requiring more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G if you need a tablet capable of demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, or running multiple applications simultaneously, and if 5G connectivity is a must-have. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) if you prioritize portability, long battery life for note-taking and streaming, and a more budget-friendly price point for everyday productivity and entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Tab S6 Lite (2024) overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280's 5nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While it won't match the raw cooling capacity of a flagship device, it's unlikely to overheat significantly during typical gaming sessions. Expect some performance throttling after extended periods, but it should remain playable.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Tab S6 5G worth the extra cost if I primarily use Wi-Fi?
If you consistently have access to reliable Wi-Fi, the 5G connectivity on the Tab S6 5G is likely not worth the premium. 5G's primary benefit is mobile connectivity, offering faster speeds when Wi-Fi is unavailable. Consider your typical usage scenarios before prioritizing 5G.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 855+ handle multitasking compared to the Exynos 1280?
The Snapdragon 855+ generally excels at multitasking due to its more powerful CPU and GPU. It can handle more demanding applications running simultaneously without significant slowdown. The Exynos 1280 is capable, but may exhibit some lag when pushing it to its limits with numerous apps.
