Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
All of the power
$650 at Amazon
Pros
- Available with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM
- Starting base storage of 128GB
- Fingerprint scanner and face recognition
- Storage expandable up to 1TB
- Includes S Pen
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Smaller battery
- Must purchase keyboard separately
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 includes many features and specs that power users have been hoping for. This includes the option for 8GB of RAM, expandable storage up to 1TB and the same processor found in many flagship handsets.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
Old reliable
$548 at Amazon
Pros
- Headphone jack built-in
- Larger battery
- Iris scanning biometrics
- Includes S Pen
Cons
- No fingerprint scanner
- Last year’s processor
- Heavier
- Must purchase keyboard separately
When it launched, the Tab S4 was Samsung’s best attempt to provide the ultimate Android tablet experience. It fell short in some areas but is still a solid option, provided that you are ready to miss out on better specs and the lack of Samsung Dex Mode.
Let’s face it. There is only one big player when it comes to finding the ultimate workhorse Android tablet, and that’s Samsung. Now that the Galaxy Tab S6 has launched, we are taking a look at whether it’s worth upgrading from your trusty Galaxy Tab S4.
New and shiny or old and reliable?
Samsung is great at throwing in a bunch of new specs into its iterative upgrades to devices year after year. But it seems that the tide is changing a bit, as there is a considerable difference when looking at the Tab S6 compared to last year’s Tab S4.
Both tablets have the same 10.5-inch Super AMOLED with the same resolution of 2560 x 1600. However, Samsung trimmed the bezels on the Tab S6 even more to give you a lighter and thinner device.
Part of the lighter weight comes in the battery department, as the Tab S6 sees a smaller 7,040mAh battery. Compared to the Tab S4, which has a 7,300mAh battery, this may seem like a bit of a disappoint. However, Samsung still claims the Tab S6 will last the same 15-hours as its predecessor.
| Display | 10.5-inch AMOLED (2560 x 1600) | 10.5-inch AMOLED (2560 x 1600) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 855 | Snapdragon 835 |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB; expandable | 64GB/256GB expandable |
| Rear Camera | 13MP | 13MP + 5MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 8MP |
| Speakers | Four | Four |
| Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Weight | 420g | 482g |
| Battery | 7040mAh | 7300mAh |
| Dimensions | 245 x 160 x 5.7mm | 249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1mm |
Both of these tablets are equipped with an 8MP front-facing camera, and a 13MP primary rear camera. But Samsung opted for the dual-camera setup on the Tab S6 and threw in a 5MP secondary camera so you can get good pictures if that’s your kind of thing.
Minor Similarities, significant differences
Another commonality between these two is the four AKG-tuned speakers, offering somewhat of a surround sound experience. This makes media-playback amazing, as you’ll hear more details than you would from other tablets and even computers.
For some folks, the Tab S4 may hold the key to the castle, as it still includes the 3.5mm headphone jack. Samsung finally omitted this from the Tab S6, as the decline of the headphone jack slowly continues.
Samsung played it smart with both tablets and has included its S Pen with both the Tab S4 and the Tab S6. Although, the Tab S6’s S Pen has been updated and even can attach magnetically to the tablet for charging and just to keep it from getting lost.
Another big win for the Tab S6 comes in the RAM and storage department. The base model of the Tab S6 comes equipped with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage. Meanwhile, the Tab S4 was limited to just 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage.
Samsung realized more is better and there is now an 8GB/256GB variant available for the Tab S6. This is probably overkill at first glance until you look deeper into what the software has to offer. As for the Tab S4, it just can’t keep up with 4GB of RAM in 2019.
Speaking of the storage, both tablets offer a microSD card slot, but the Tab S4 loses this category. You can only use up to a 400GB microSD card, whereas the Tab S6 can take up to a 1TB card, offering a lot more on the storage front.
Despite all of the similarities, there are enough major differences between the Tab S6 and Tab S4 to warranty the upgrade. The Tab S6 is much more powerful, has the same amount of battery life despite a smaller battery, and is even priced at the same point as the Tab S4.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
New powerhouse
$650 at Amazon
Samsung’s new flagship tablet is more impressive than you may think.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is a fantastic option for a workhorse tablet with the included S Pen, optional keyboard and exciting spec sheet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
Old hotness
The Galaxy Tab S4 served admirably as the flagship tablet, but it’s time to step aside.
$548 at Amazon
The Tab S4 is still a great option for those who don’t want the new and shiny toy. Just don’t expect it to handle everything you can throw at it with its limited processing power.
