Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE vs. S6 Lite: A Deep Dive into Samsung's Mid-Range Tablet Lineup

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S series offers a compelling blend of features and price. The Tab S6 Lite (2020) established a strong foundation, but the Tab S7 FE arrived to address some limitations and offer a larger screen experience. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two tablets, focusing on performance, display, and battery life to determine which one best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE emerges as the superior choice. Its more modern Snapdragon 778G (Wi-Fi model) or 750G (5G model) chipset delivers significantly improved performance over the Tab S6 Lite’s Exynos 9611, justifying the price difference. While the S6 Lite remains a viable option for basic tasks, the S7 FE provides a smoother, more future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2020) Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, April 02. Released 2020, May 162021, May 25
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, June 18
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in)284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in)
SIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight467 g (1.03 lb)608 g (1.34 lb)
 -Stylus support
Display
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density)1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density)
Size10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCDTFT LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) - 5G modelOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi model
ChipsetExynos 9611 (10 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi model
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi model
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP5 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G)
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model onlyGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (5G)
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, gyroAccelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only)
 -Samsung DeX
Battery
Charging15W wired45W wired, 100% in 190 min
TypeLi-Po 7040 mAhLi-Po 10090 mAh
Misc
ColorsChiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford GrayMystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink
ModelsSM-P610N, SM-P615, SM-P610SM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735
PriceAbout 380 EURAbout 650 EUR
SAR1.45 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU-1.15 W/kg (body)
Tests
Display-Contrast ratio: 1886:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker--27.2 LUFS (Good)
Performance-AnTuTu: 292530 (v8), 355430 (v9) GeekBench: 1904 (v5.1) GFXBench: 9.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2020)

  • More affordable price point
  • Highly portable and lightweight design
  • S Pen included

  • Outdated Exynos 9611 chipset
  • Slower charging speed (15W)
  • Smaller display

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 778G/750G chipset
  • Larger and brighter display
  • Faster 45W charging

  • Higher price tag
  • Slightly heavier than the S6 Lite
  • S Pen requires separate purchase (depending on region)

Display Comparison

The Galaxy Tab S7 FE boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 522 nits compared to an unspecified brightness for the S6 Lite. Both share a 1886:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction quality. However, the larger 10.5-inch screen of the S7 FE provides a more immersive viewing experience, particularly for media consumption and creative tasks. The S6 Lite’s 10.4-inch display, while still adequate, feels comparatively cramped. While neither display is explicitly stated to be AMOLED, the S7 FE’s higher brightness makes it more usable in outdoor environments.

Camera Comparison

Neither tablet excels in the camera department, but the S7 FE offers a slightly more capable setup. Both tablets likely feature similar primary sensors, but the S7 FE benefits from the more powerful image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon chipset, potentially resulting in better image processing and low-light performance. The inclusion of a higher resolution front-facing camera on the S7 FE is also beneficial for video conferencing. The 2MP macro cameras on both devices are largely inconsequential and should not be a deciding factor.

Performance

The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Tab S6 Lite relies on the Exynos 9611, a 10nm chipset with a Cortex-A73/A53 CPU configuration. The Tab S7 FE offers two chipset options: the Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) and the Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). The 6nm Snapdragon 778G, found in the Wi-Fi model, features a more advanced Cortex-A78 CPU architecture, offering a significant performance uplift in both single-core and multi-core tasks. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the S7 FE. The 8nm Snapdragon 750G is still a step up from the Exynos 9611, providing a noticeable improvement in efficiency and responsiveness. The S7 FE’s potential for LPDDR4x RAM (vs. the S6 Lite’s unspecified RAM type) further contributes to its performance advantage.

Battery Life

The Tab S7 FE supports 45W wired charging, completing a full charge in approximately 190 minutes. The Tab S6 Lite is limited to 15W charging, resulting in a significantly longer charging time. While the S7 FE’s battery capacity is not specified, the faster charging speed mitigates any potential disadvantage compared to the S6 Lite. The more efficient Snapdragon chipset in the S7 FE also contributes to better battery life during typical usage scenarios.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2020) if you prioritize extreme portability and a lower price point for basic tasks like note-taking, web browsing, and light media consumption. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE if you prefer a larger, brighter display, demand better performance for multitasking and gaming, and value the potential for 5G connectivity (depending on the model).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Tab S6 Lite overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to throttle under sustained load, meaning performance will decrease over time during demanding games. While it can handle casual gaming, extended sessions may result in noticeable lag and frame drops. The Snapdragon 778G/750G in the S7 FE offers significantly better thermal management and sustained performance.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Tab S7 FE worth the extra cost?
The value of 5G connectivity depends on your usage scenario and network availability. If you frequently travel to areas with limited Wi-Fi access and require fast internet speeds on the go, the 5G model may be worthwhile. However, if you primarily use your tablet at home or in locations with reliable Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi model offers similar performance at a lower price.
❓ What is the real-world difference in multitasking performance between the two tablets?
The Tab S7 FE handles multitasking far more smoothly than the S6 Lite. The Snapdragon 778G/750G chipsets, coupled with potentially faster RAM, allow for seamless switching between apps and running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The S6 Lite can struggle with more than a few apps open at once.