When it comes to finding the “best” place to buy these Samsung Android tablets, the choices are bountiful, but you may be surprised that your local Walmart has many of these tablets available for pick-up. However, if you had to pick the perfect Samsung tablet, it would have to be the Galaxy Tab S6 with its flagship-level performance and design at a budget price point.
Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Those looking for a powerhouse Android tablet can look at the S5e, but there are some limitations, such as S Pen support. With the Tab S6, there are fewer sacrifices to be made since you get everything Samsung wants you to have for a powerhouse tablet built for productivity.
Samsung includes the S Pen in the box, so you don’t even have to fork out extra dough (unless you lose it). Those who need a tablet that will work without Wi-Fi will be happy to know that there are LTE variants available so you can genuinely get work done anywhere. With the included Snapdragon 855 chipset, you are getting the same chipset that powered many 2019 flagship handsets.
If you want to double down on productivity, you will have to spring for the keyboard cover if you need to do some email triage or writing. That means a few extra bucks out of your wallet, on top of the higher price for the Tab S4. You will want to weigh that along with the fact that you won’t have the luxury of having a fingerprint scanner and will have to rely on face-recognition.
Pros:
- S Pen included
- LTE model available
- Up to 15 hours of battery life
- Works with optional keyboard cover
Cons:
- No fingerprint scanner
- More expensive
- Must purchase keyboard separately
- Smaller battery than Tab S4
Best Overall
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
- $578 from Walmart
Great for those who want the S Pen
If you are someone who needs to get work done without a computer, the Tab S6 is perfect with the included S Pen and optional keyboard cover.
Best for Productivity on a budget: Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
It had been a little while since Samsung launched a new “flagship” tablet to take on the likes of the iPad lineup. However, it seems that instead of offering a true successor to the Tab S4, Samsung took things in a different direction with the Tab S5e, which was announced in February of last year.
This “budget” model comes in at a price point less than the Tab S6 while offering some features S6 owners had hoped for. This includes the lighter weight, slimmer bezels, and the inclusion of 6GB of RAM. Plus, you don’t have to sacrifice the excellent keyboard cover, as Samsung offers one for the Tab S5e also.
There’s the beautiful 2560×1600 Super AMOLED display, but the Tab S5e is also equipped with the mid-range Snapdragon 670 chipset and 6GB of RAM. Plus, there is an in-display fingerprint scanner similar to that of the Galaxy S10 lineup. The company claims the battery lasts around 15 hours, and while it’s smaller than the Tab S4’s battery, it’ll still probably last you all day.
While battery life, the display, and RAM offer an intriguing package, there are some pitfalls. First, Samsung did not include an S Pen, and there is no support, leaving users to third-party stylus options. Additionally, those looking for LTE support will have to look elsewhere as Samsung has not released a cellular variant.
Pros:
- Super AMOLED Display
- Controls your smart home products
- Four AKG-tuned speakers
- Up to 6GB of RAM
- Decent battery life
Cons:
- Must purchase keyboard separately
- No stylus/S Pen included
- No LTE variant
Best for Productivity on a budget
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
- $488 from Walmart
Fantastic value in a flagship package
The Galaxy Tab S5e is a fantastic choice for those who don’t want to pay for a flagship tablet. Just be prepared to lose some features.
If you want last-gen specs: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
Those looking for a powerhouse Android tablet can look at the S5e or Tab S6, but there are some limitations. With the Tab S4, there are fewer sacrifices to be made since you get everything Samsung wants you to have for a powerhouse tablet built for productivity.
Samsung includes the S Pen in the box, so you don’t even have to fork out extra dough (unless you lose it). Those who need a tablet that will work without Wi-Fi will be happy to know that there are LTE variants available so you can genuinely get work done anywhere. This is even more true with the included 7,300mAh battery, which is rated for 16 hours of video playback. With the included Snapdragon 835 chipset, you are getting the same chipset that powered many 2018 flagship handsets.
If you want to double down on productivity, you will have to spring for the keyboard cover if you need to do some email triage or writing. That means a few extra bucks out of your wallet, on top of the higher price for the Tab S4. You will want to weigh that along with the fact that there is only 4GB of RAM for a “productivity” tablet and the lack of a fingerprint scanner.
Pros:
- S Pen included
- LTE Model available
- Up to 16 hours of battery life
- Works with optional keyboard cover
Cons:
- Must purchase keyboard separately
- More expensive
- No fingerprint scanner
- 4GB of RAM
If you want last-gen specs
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
- $648 from Walmart
Still a great buy
Despite featuring last-gen specs, the Tab S4 is still extremely capable and offers better battery life than current offerings.
Best for Media-watching: Samsung Galaxy Tab A (10.1-inch)
Launched around the same time as the Galaxy Tab S5e, 2019’s Tab A 10.1 is an interesting tablet in Samsung’s lineup. On one hand, Samsung included a 10.1-inch Full HD display with decently-slim bezels and a premium metal design.
On the other hand, there are some pitfalls, such as the inclusion of only 2GB of RAM, and the weight, coming in at 1.03 lbs. That may not seem to be much, but it will definitely be tiresome to hold during some Netflix binge sessions compared to some of the other tablets.
It’s kind of obvious that Samsung introduced this for those who just want a tablet with a big screen so they can play their games or watch videos. And for that, the Tab A 10.1 will perform admirably with its 13 hours+ of video playback and that nearly bezel-less display. Just don’t expect to be able to enjoy 4K content. You will also likely want to throw a microSD card in for your content.
Pros:
- Dolby Atmos surround sound
- Up to 13 hours of battery life
- Expandable Storage
Cons:
- No 4K display
- Heavier than others
- 2GB of RAM
Best for Media-watching
Samsung Galaxy Tab A (10.1-inch)
- $319 from Walmart
Great for just about everyone
Some folks just want a tablet with a big screen to watch their favorite content, and that’s where the Tab A 10.1 comes into play.
Best for E-reading: Samsung Galaxy Tab A (8-inch)
Some tablets on the market aren’t designed to help you get work done, but instead, they are just to be companions for when you have time to kill. That’s where the Galaxy Tab A 8-inch tablet comes into play. This is more like the perfect e-reader for Samsung lovers rather than a full-blown tablet.
Instead of going with a plastic build, Samsung opted to bring this A into 2019 with a metallic design, which will certainly catch some eyes. Plus, it weighs just 0.79 pounds, so you’ll likely be comfortable holding this for long reading sessions.
On the downside, Samsung only released one storage variant (32GB), leaving you to possibly offload much of your video content to a microSD card. This may not be an issue for some, but it is rather disappointing to see such an omission from the company. Another downside is the WXGA display, which sports a resolution of 1280×800 and won’t really be the best way to view your content on the go.
Pros:
- Perfect size for e-reader
- Lightweight
- Up to 14 hours of video playback
- Expandable storage
Cons:
- Only one storage option
- 2GB of RAM
- 1280×800 (WXGA) resolution
Best for E-reading
Samsung Galaxy Tab A (8-inch)
- $139 from Walmart
Get some reading done, but not much else
The 8-inch Tab A is excellent for those who want an e-reader with some additional functionality thanks to the smaller display and lightweight design.
Best for Kids: Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition
The argument for whether children should have their own smart devices continues to rage on, especially as technology advances. However, when you have options such as the Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition, the decision can hopefully be a little bit easier to make.
This 8-inch tablet includes a durable bumper case to protect against the inevitable drops that will occur. Samsung also includes more than 20 kid-friendly applications to keep your children engaged while ensuring they don’t end up accidentally downloading or purchasing apps without your permission.
Samsung even included content that follows with the STEM and Common Core curriculums, making it easier for study sessions. And with battery life coming in at up to 13-hours, your Tab A Kids Edition will
Pros:
- Included durable bumper case
- STEM Curriculum support
- Expandable storage
- Samsung Kids included for three months
Cons:
- 2GB RAM
- Expandable storage limited to 32GB
- Extra bumper covers come separate
Best for Kids
Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition
- $150 from Walmart
Get the kids an excellent tablet like this
In today’s world, kids are getting electronic devices, but not many of them can teach. That’s not the case with the Tab A Kids Edition.
Bottom line
It can be tough finding the best tablet to fit all of your needs, especially when those needs can change at a moment’s notice. But when it comes to the Galaxy Tab S6, you would be hard-pressed to find a better Android tablet on the market. Between the gorgeous 10.5″ Super AMOLED display, 6GB of RAM, and even faster charging, the S6 impresses on all fronts.
And if you are someone concerned with security and the lack of a fingerprint scanner, have no fear. Samsung has included its convenient fingerprint scanner, which has been embedded into the Power Key. There’s also face recognition to go along with the traditional pattern, PIN, or password options.
The only downside is that Samsung opted to slim down the bezel to keep the sleek profile of the Tab S6. This results in a slight hit in battery life when compared to the Tab S4 or budget-minded Tab S5e. And while the S Pen is included, you’ll have to spring for the keyboard if you want a laptop-like experience.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central and iMore. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter, and he’ll get back to you.
