The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) and Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) are both excellent mid-range Android tablets, but cater to slightly different needs. Deciding which one is right for you depends on your budget, desired performance, and intended use. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make the best choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) offers significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 732G/720G chipset and S Pen support. While the Tab A8 is a more budget-friendly option, the S6 Lite's superior processing power and included stylus make it the overall winner for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 14 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 23 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 465/467 g (1.03 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by AKG | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | SM-P613, SM-P619 | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 1.01 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022)
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 732G/720G)
- Included S Pen for note-taking and drawing
- Slightly better display quality
- More RAM options available
- Higher price point
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- More affordable
- Good for media consumption
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight and portable
- Weaker performance (Unisoc T618)
- No included stylus
- Lower screen quality
- Limited RAM options
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature a 10.5-inch display, offering a spacious viewing experience. The S6 Lite generally has slightly better color accuracy and brightness, though both are perfectly adequate for everyday use. The Tab A8's display is known for its good viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The S6 Lite has a slightly better main camera, but both produce acceptable results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is mediocre on both devices. Don't buy either for serious photography.
Performance
This is where the S6 Lite shines. The Snapdragon 732G/720G chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Tab A8's Unisoc Tiger T618. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S6 Lite. The Tab A8 is sufficient for basic tasks but can struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two tablets, both offering around 10-12 hours of mixed usage. Actual battery life will vary depending on usage patterns and screen brightness.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) is ideal for students, creative users, and anyone who wants a tablet for productivity and light gaming. The Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) is a great choice for casual users, media consumption, and those on a tighter budget who prioritize affordability over raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S Pen worth the extra cost on the S6 Lite?
Yes, if you plan on taking notes, sketching, or using the tablet for creative tasks, the S Pen is a valuable addition. It significantly enhances the S6 Lite's versatility.
❓ Can the Tab A8 handle streaming video and browsing the web?
Absolutely! The Tab A8 is perfectly capable of handling streaming video and web browsing. However, don't expect it to excel at more demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.
