Samsung's Galaxy Tab lineup offers a wide range of options, but the S8 Ultra and S6 Lite represent vastly different approaches. The S6 Lite provides a compelling entry point into the Galaxy Tab ecosystem, prioritizing affordability and portability. Conversely, the S8 Ultra is a no-compromise flagship, boasting cutting-edge performance and a massive display. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the superior device, offering a dramatically improved experience thanks to its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and stunning display. However, the Tab S6 Lite remains a strong contender for budget-conscious users and students who prioritize portability and basic functionality.
| 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, 66 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 02 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, May 16 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| 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) | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 467 g (1.03 lb) | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | - | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 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 | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.2, 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 11200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray | Graphite |
| Models | SM-P610N, SM-P615, SM-P610 | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 1150 EUR |
| SAR | 1.45 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- Highly affordable price point
- Lightweight and portable design
- S Pen included for note-taking
- Outdated Exynos 9611 chipset
- Slow 15W charging
- Lower display quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
- Massive, high-quality display
- 45W fast charging
- Significantly higher price
- Large and less portable design
- May be overkill for basic tasks
Display Comparison
While both tablets utilize LCD panels, the differences are significant. The Tab S8 Ultra, though specifications aren't provided, is known for its expansive 14.6-inch display, offering a significantly larger canvas for productivity and entertainment. The S6 Lite's 10.4-inch display is more manageable for portability. The S8 Ultra benefits from a more modern panel technology, likely including a higher refresh rate and improved color accuracy, while the S6 Lite focuses on providing a functional viewing experience. The S8 Ultra's larger size also allows for a more immersive experience, particularly for video content.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn't a primary focus for tablets, but the S8 Ultra likely offers a more capable camera system. While specific details are missing, Samsung's flagship tablets typically feature higher-resolution sensors and improved image processing. The S6 Lite's camera is adequate for basic tasks like video calls and quick snapshots, but it won't compete with dedicated cameras or even higher-end smartphone cameras. The S8 Ultra's larger sensor and potentially more advanced features like optical image stabilization (OIS) would result in better low-light performance and sharper images.
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra's Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) is a flagship-level processor, built on a more efficient 4nm process, delivering significantly higher CPU and GPU performance compared to the Tab S6 Lite's Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s octa-core configuration (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) provides a substantial leap in processing power over the S6 Lite’s (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a far superior gaming experience on the S8 Ultra. The 4nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
The Tab S8 Ultra’s 45W wired charging, capable of reaching 100% in 82 minutes, is a significant advantage over the S6 Lite’s 15W charging. While battery capacity isn't specified, the S8 Ultra’s faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, minimizing downtime. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s improved efficiency also contributes to better battery life, despite powering a larger, higher-resolution display. The S6 Lite offers acceptable battery life for its intended use case, but users will likely find themselves reaching for the charger more frequently than with the S8 Ultra.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite if you need a lightweight, affordable tablet for note-taking, web browsing, and light media consumption. It's ideal for students or anyone who values portability above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra if you demand uncompromising performance for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, or multitasking, and if the large screen size and premium features justify the higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 chip in the Tab S6 Lite overheat during prolonged use, like gaming?
The Exynos 9611 is a capable chip for everyday tasks, but it can struggle with demanding games or applications. Prolonged use may lead to noticeable throttling as the chip attempts to manage heat, resulting in reduced performance. It's best suited for casual gaming and lighter workloads.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Tab S8 Ultra truly a game-changer, or is the difference minimal?
The 45W charging on the S8 Ultra is a substantial improvement over the S6 Lite's 15W charging. Reaching 100% in 82 minutes is significantly faster, allowing you to quickly top up the battery and minimize downtime, especially important given the larger display and power demands of the S8 Ultra.
❓ For a student primarily taking notes and reading PDFs, is the Tab S8 Ultra's power overkill?
Yes, for a student focused on note-taking and PDF reading, the Tab S8 Ultra's power is likely overkill. The Tab S6 Lite provides a more than adequate experience for these tasks at a much lower price point. The S Pen functionality is excellent on both devices, making the S6 Lite a more practical and cost-effective choice.
