The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite and Lenovo Tab P11 Plus represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget tablet space. While both aim to deliver a versatile Android experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving that goal. The S6 Lite leverages Samsung’s established brand and S Pen support, while the P11 Plus counters with a more modern chipset and faster charging. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which tablet offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus emerges as the stronger choice. Its MediaTek Helio G90T chipset, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Samsung’s older 10nm Exynos 9611. Coupled with 20W charging, the P11 Plus offers a more responsive and convenient experience, making it ideal for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 02 | 2021, June 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, May 16 | Available. Released 2021, July 29 |
| 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) | 258.4 x 163 x 7.5 mm (10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 467 g (1.03 lb) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by AKG | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray | Slate Grey, Platinum Grey, Modernist teal |
| Models | SM-P610N, SM-P615, SM-P610 | ZA940124SE |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 1.45 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- Integrated S Pen support for note-taking and drawing.
- Established Samsung software ecosystem and support.
- Compact and lightweight design for portability.
- Older Exynos 9611 chipset offers lower performance.
- Slower 15W charging.
- Potentially less efficient power consumption.
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G90T chipset.
- Faster 20W wired charging.
- Modern 12nm process node for improved efficiency.
- Lenovo’s software update track record is less consistent than Samsung’s.
- May lack the brand recognition and ecosystem integration of Samsung.
Display Comparison
Neither Samsung nor Lenovo provided display specs beyond the basic resolution. However, the focus here isn't on cutting-edge display tech. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies in the processing power needed to drive them, which ties into the chipset discussion. Bezels are comparable, suggesting neither prioritizes a truly immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy is likely similar, geared towards general consumption rather than professional color work.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most tablet buyers in this price range. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots and video calls, but not competitive with dedicated cameras or high-end smartphones. The focus should be on the front-facing camera for video conferencing, and both are likely to deliver acceptable results in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). The G90T features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, offering substantially better single-core performance than the S6 Lite’s Cortex-A73 cores at 2.3 GHz. While the S6 Lite’s clock speed is higher, the A76 architecture is more efficient and powerful. The G90T’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU also provides a more capable graphics experience. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the P11 Plus. The 12nm process node of the G90T also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus’s 20W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s 15W charging. This faster charging speed significantly reduces downtime, allowing users to quickly top up the battery when needed. Even if the P11 Plus has a slightly smaller battery capacity, the faster charging mitigates this difference, providing a more convenient user experience. The Exynos 9611’s less efficient architecture in the S6 Lite may also contribute to slightly faster battery drain during intensive tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite if you prioritize S Pen integration for note-taking and creative tasks, and value the Samsung ecosystem. Its established software support and brand recognition are also key benefits. Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus if you prioritize raw performance for the price, faster charging speeds, and a more modern chipset architecture. This tablet is better suited for users who enjoy streaming video, casual gaming, and multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Tab S6 Lite struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Exynos 9611 is likely to struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. You'll likely need to lower graphics settings significantly to achieve playable frame rates, and even then, expect some stuttering. The Helio G90T in the P11 Plus offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus with the 20W charger?
While a precise time requires testing, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2-2.5 hours with the included 20W charger. This is considerably faster than the Samsung Tab S6 Lite’s 15W charging, which could take closer to 3-3.5 hours.
❓ Is the S Pen on the Tab S6 Lite worth the extra cost if I only need it occasionally?
If you only plan to use a stylus occasionally for simple tasks like signing documents or quick notes, the S Pen functionality might not justify the price premium of the Tab S6 Lite. Universal styluses are available for the P11 Plus at a lower cost if you need occasional stylus input.
❓ How does Lenovo’s software update policy compare to Samsung’s for these tablets?
Samsung generally provides more consistent and longer-term software updates for its tablets compared to Lenovo. While Lenovo has improved its update cadence, Samsung typically offers at least one major Android version update and several years of security patches, providing a more secure and up-to-date experience.
