Test of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: one amoled screen less, but one more stylus

Technical sheet Technical Video Design Design and screen Performances Software Photos Autonomy Price and Availability Conclusion COMMEMENTS SEED THE PRODUCT PABLE TO DEPROMTABLE TO 299 €

Presented in April 2020, the TAB S6 Lite wants to attract moderate budgets while offering a multimedia experience worthy of the name.This being offered at less than 400 euros, it will be interesting to look at the relevance of the compromises chosen by Samsung.Here is our test and opinion of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

Nine months after the release of the Galaxy Tab S6, Samsung offers its light version, called unsurprisingly Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.Available in France since the end of April 2020, this model is dedicated to more moderate budgets, and the South Korean manufacturer therefore had to make some concessions.For example, forget about the AMOLED screen and the high -end processor.

The Tab S6 Lite keeps the S Pen stylus, but its abilities have been revised downwards.In the catalog, this tablet therefore seems to want to take the place of the Galaxy Tab S5E, and is positioned at the rate level against the 8th generation iPad.Offered at less than 400 euros for its Wi-Fi version, did the TAB S6 Lite choose the right compromises?Answer in our test and full opinion.

This test was carried out with a tablet which was loaned to us by Samsung.

Technical sheet of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

Our video handling

YouTube ’ABONNON LINK in FRANDROC

No amoled, but a controlled design

The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite looks like it is mistaken for its big sister, the Tab S6, and therefore offers a design in tune with the times.The 10.4 inch screen occupies around 80 % of the front and, if the edges are not particularly fine, they have the merit of being uniform and to be just thick enough to offer a good takinghand.Understand that the fingers and palms of hands do not overflow on the screen.

The format of the tablet is relatively compact: its 24.4 cm in height and 15.4 cm in length make it easily transportable in a backpack and even a handbag.The TAB S6 Lite is not the finest of the tablets, however: count 7 mm thick, against 5.7 mm and 6.1 mm respectively for the TAB S6 and the new iPad Air.

The Tab S6 Lite screen has a 10.4 inch diagonal // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is not so light as that and weighs 47 grams more than its high -end version, the Tab S6.With 467 grams on the clock, the feeling in hand remains very good: the mass of the product is equitably distributed and the edges of the tablet are rounded.

The back and the matt aluminum contours give a premium impression to the product, an impression confirmed by the finishes proposed by Samsung.Even if the Tab S6 Lite is not a high-end tablet, the South Korean manufacturer applies and makes a nice copy on this side.

The matt aluminum back of the tablet // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Fandroid

The unlock button as well as the volume buttons are located to the right of the tablet, leaving the left edge devoid of any element.Note in passing that the pimples inspire confidence, they are not soft and produce real “clicks”.Surprise, the high edge of the device is decorated with a mini-jack socket.This element is becoming increasingly rare and if its absence disturbs less and less, some will still be happy to find it here.On the photo side, there is an 8 megapixel sensor on the back and a 5 -megapixel selfie sensor.

The Tab S6 Lite from all angles // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

The USB-C port is located on the low slice.Good news, in addition to boarding a microSD slot, our test model also has a nano sim location.Yes, Samsung offers two variations of its Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: a classic Wi-Fi model, and a 4G compatible model.The latter can therefore be used to make calls and to surf the 4G network - provided you use a SIM card obviously.The 4G model is obviously more expensive than the classic model.

The microSD and nano sim location of the tablet // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

The Tab S6 Lite has two speakers signed AKG.In addition to delivering surprisingly powerful sound, the latter are positioned to avoid any obstruction when the tablet is in landscape mode.The hands come to land just below each speaker-one at the top and the other at the same level at the same level.Note that even at high volume, the sound does not undergo any big distortion.In short, the two speakers offer a great experience for viewing movies and series, even if we will recommend the use of a helmet to enjoy more impactful bass.

One of the two speakers of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

The TAB S6 Lite TAB screen has a 10.4 inch diagonal and offers a definition of 2000 x 1200 pixels, the equivalent of a full HD - the resolution of 224 ppp will largely suffice to the Lambda user.Format 5: 3 of the screen is pleasant during films sessions, since the black bands displayed at the top and bottom are more discreet than on more conventional formats.

Large used to AMOLED technology for its smartphones and tablets, Samsung has nevertheless decided to equip its tab s6 lite with a LCD slab.This choice of the manufacturer is difficult to understand, because it is supposed to replace the TAB S5E, which had an AMOLED screen - released last year at a similar price.

It's a shame, but that does not mean that LCD technology is to be thrown away, especially when offered by Samsung.So we end up with a very good slab, with colors sufficiently “petting” to be attributed to a Samsung screen.The most picky will however regret the absence of settings dedicated to the screen in the device settings.

The Tab S6 Lite is a good tablet to watch content // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

The brightness of the screen is not phenomenal and remains more than enough for inner use.My rare outings with the tablet make me say that use under the sun is neither optimal nor not recommended.The slab would however gain visibility if the reflections were better absorbed.

It is especially in very low light conditions that this LCD slab poses a problem: even adjusted to the lowest, it remains too bright and complicates the viewing of videos in the evening in her bed.The slab does not burn the eyes either, but we would have appreciated better management of the minimal brightness.

A rudimentary stylus, but without integrated battery

The tablet is delivered with an S Pen, this famous name that Samsung gives to its stylics.That of the Tab S6 Lite is very simplistic and does not offer all the options offered by the stylus of high -end products.Exit Bluetooth compatibility: the stylus does not act as a remote control and it is therefore not possible to use it remotely to take a photo for example.

The absence of Bluetooth also means that you will not have to recharge the S Pen, but also that you will not be able to interact with the tablet via gestures.We are not necessarily going to complain: this feature had not marked us more than that in our test of the Galaxy Tab S6.

The S Pen stylus of the Tab S6 Lite // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

The S Pen of the Tab S6 Lite is made up of a single button, which allows you to open the shortcut window dedicated to it.Please note, the tip of the stylus must be very close to the screen so that the tablet detects it and reacts.If you don't want to use the button, know that it is also possible to make this window appear by pressing a small floating logo on the tablet screen.The shortcuts can be rearranged and here is a non -exhaustive list of the S Pen functions proposed: Create a note, capture, intelligent selection, AR Doodle ... It is also possible to add applications of applications.

The shortcut window opens thanks to the stylus

The experience proposed by the Tab S6 Lite with its stylus is good, nothing more.The latter works and takes into account our movements, but the feeling of sliding is not the most pleasant, precisely because the stylus does not give this impression of sliding - at least fluid sliding.The weak, but perceptible latency surely explains this feeling.

This tablet is certainly not intended to serve as a creation tool, but a little more fluidity would not have been too much.Professionals already know that they will have to turn to higher -end models, such as the Galaxy Tab S7+ and the iPad Pro to name a few.The note taking in the dedicated application remains quite pleasant and the functions offered cover a wide range of needs.It is for example possible to easily annotate a PDF document.

Also, we advise you to use the Gboard keyboard and activate gestural entry, the latter greatly facilitating text entry with the stylus.

Some functions proposed by S Pen

Let us also emphasize the presence of a sympathetic feature inspired by the Galaxy Note: The note taking on the screen in standby.With the Tab S6 Lite, just approach the screen stylus on standby and click on your only button to trigger a quick note - no need to wake up the screen or even unlock the tablet.

Also note that the detection and rejection of the palm of the hand works well on this model: we have not had a problem of triggering accidental action.Understand that the tablet does not react when you are forced to put part of the hand on the screen to take notes.

The note taking on the screen in standby // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

While the Tab S6 proposed a concave space on its back to store the S Pen, the Tab S6 Lite is satisfied with a magnetic system.That's always it, but the S Pen can only take root on the right edge of the tablet, just below the volume buttons.

Those who hold the tablet with the left hand and interact with it via their right hand will not have a problem, but those who make the opposite will be embarrassed by the position of the stylus and will then be forced to use it - orto leave it at the bottom of the drawer.No luck for left -handers so.

The S Pen joined the right edge of the tablet // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

In short, if the S Pen of the Tab S6 Lite is not the most effective, it still offers some good features with the Samsung Notes application and above all has the merit of being included in the box for purchasingthe tablet.In any case, those who have never used a stylus unfortunately do not risk changing habit with that of the Tab S6 Lite.

A slightly too light processor

The Tab S6 Lite is not a monster of power.It was not designed with this in mind, of course, and its positioning explains its performance, but we would not have refused a little more power.The on -board processor is exynos 9611, which can be found on mid -range Samsung phones, such as the Galaxy A51 and the Galaxy A50S, and even on the Galaxy M30s, an entry -level telephone.On the Tab S6 Lite, this processor is accompanied by 4 GB of RAM.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

This configuration does not row the tablet, but the latter is still subject to a few slowdowns when several applications are open in the background.These small slowness are for example felt in the form of a delay in the opening of an application.Also, when we slide our fingers on the tablet, we find the same feeling of friction as with the stylus: the screen seems less reactive than normal.The supports and finger shifts are well detected by the tablet, but it is sometimes impressed that the screen emits a slight and frustrating resistance.

This problem is surely more linked to the screen itself than to the tablet processor.In short, the Tab S6 Lite will not suit those accustomed to high -end products and 90 or 120 Hz screens, which is normal in view of the tablet positioning.

The processor holds the road with mobile games, but it should not be asked too much level fluidity // source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

For occasional players, know that Call of Duty Mobile runs without too many problems, provided you do not push the graphics to the maximum of their quality.Be careful, that does not make the tab s6 reads a real game machine.For this, it will be necessary to turn to higher -end models and invest in a controller to avoid tiring your arms during long sessions with such a large screen - this problem is inherent in all tablets.

We are critical of the exynos 9611 and 4 GB of RAM combo, but remember that the TAB S6 Lite is more than web navigation, to spend time on social networks, to take notes with the stylus, but especially to consumeMultimedia content - not to say watch series in the evening in bed.In short, the tablet does what is asked for it and is not precisely focused on productivity, which is also confirmed by the absence of Dex and Keyboard mode.It is then difficult to justify the existence of a 4G model: the classic Wi-Fi model seems to us much more relevant, especially since it is offered at a more attractive price.

The Android/One UI combo

No surprise on the side of the bone, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite runs on Android 10 with the One Ui 2 interface.1.This combo has already proven itself on the brand's phones and is a great success on this tablet.The multitasking, an important element on this type of product, is for example very well managed.You can display applications in split screens, and even add a third via a floating window.

Navigation remains in this relatively fluid and pleasant case, but we will regret as previously explained the absence of a slightly more swift processor, which could have made the experience multitasking a little more pleasant.A functionality allows you to display a multi -minded component on one of the sides of the screen, which facilitates as its name suggests the passage in multitasking mode.

The multitasking mode works relatively well on the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

As usual, Samsung offers a myriad of features and you sometimes have to sort it out to find your way around, like the control center completely invaded by shortcuts.The manufacturer's interface will delight those who spend time customizing their device and allows for example to mask certain drawer applications.We find without surprise the dark theme as well as navigation by gestures.Samsung obliges, you will not escape the duplicates of Samsung/Google applications, but let us still emphasize an effort to create ecosystem: thanks to a connection with your Samsung phone, it is possible to answer calls orSMS directly from the tablet.

The Tab S6 Lite does not embark a fingerprint sensor, but Samsung still offers 2D facial recognition.In addition to not being really secure, the latter is capricious: the tablet sometimes recognizes us quickly in complicated situations, but conversely takes several seconds to detect our face when it is in front of it.We therefore tend to abandon this mode of unlocking and go directly through more conventional methods such as the diagram or the PIN code.Shame.

Finally, note that the system memory uses 11 of the 64 GB proposed by the TAB S6 Lite and that it is possible to extend this storage capacity with a microSD card.

A botched photo part

Few people take photos with a tablet, so that this criterion is very little considered during the purchasing decision.Samsung understood this well and has not walked away: the photos recorded by the 8 -megapixel rear sensor and the 5 megapixel selfie sensor are very mediocre.The tablet has a remarkable ability to take fuzzy photos, even in the middle of the day.

In complicated light conditions, the presence of noise makes the photos inevitable for social networks, even if Samsung offers a lot of options in the parameters of the camera application - which is also strangely called “video” on theTab S6 Lite.

Some examples of photos captured by the Tab S6 Lite // Source: Maxime Grosjean for Frandroid

Let us emphasize the presence of a document scan functionality, which the rear sensor can manage under good light conditions.The front sensor offers photos devoid of details, but it will be enough for videoconferences and Google Duo.The two sensors are also able to record videos in 1080p.

Comfortable autonomy

The Tab S6 Lite is rather enduring.To give you an idea of the autonomy proposed by the 7040 mAh of its battery, we have simulated an intensive use of the tablet on a day with different tasks, such as video reading, web navigation as well as word processor.With a light fixed at 50 %, the tablet will have taken 9 hours and 35 minutes to unload.

In practice, the TAB S6 Lite can easily reach 13 hours of autonomy (lit screen)

However, this test does not really reflect standard use, since the Tab S6 Lite was constantly used during this test - for 9 hours and 35 minutes so.With a more classic use, you can easily wait a few days before having to recharge the tablet.Note for example that a PowerPoint consultation of 1 hour and 20 minutes resulted in a loss of 13 % battery - always with the light set to 50 %.

The tablet would be Samsung compatible with the "fast" load of 15 W, but this is not the case with the sector block included.The latter offers everything except a quick charge: count almost 4 hours for a full load - the passage from 0 % to 20 % is carried out in 45 minutes.You should not be in a hurry.

Price and availability of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is offered at 399 euros for the classic Wi-Fi model, and 469 euros for the 4G version.These two models are currently on promotion at 349 euros and 409 euros respectively on the manufacturer's site and on Amazon.Two colors are available: blue and gray.