Is the funds S-series pill truly higher?

• Supply: Samsung

  Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

  Nice inexpensive pill

  $192 $230 Save $38

  The Galaxy Tab A8 is a reliable funds Android pill with a wonderful show for viewing content material. It is slightly slower than the S6 Lite, however the primary distinction is the shortage of S Pen and DeX help, making it rather less versatile than the S6 Lite.

  Execs

  • Nice value
  • Barely bigger show

  Cons

  • A littler much less highly effective
  • No S Pen

• 

  Supply: Samsung

  Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022

  For the stylus lovers

  $250 $350 Save $100

  Though the S6 Lite is slightly quicker than the Tab A8, it is the S Pen and DeX help will doubtless appeal to you to this mannequin. For those who do not want these extras, the Tab A8 could be higher for you.

  Execs

  • Barely higher efficiency
  • S Pen included
  • DeX help

  Cons

  • Costlier
  • Barely smaller show

For those who’re available in the market for a budget-friendly Android pill, you may discover that they provide a implausible expertise for actions like streaming Netflix, looking the online, taking part in video games, and dealing with mild duties. The excellent news is you needn’t break the financial institution to get pleasure from these advantages. Among the many high contenders on this class are the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022), each of which stand out as a few of finest low-cost Android tablets. For those who’re torn between the 2, which choice most closely fits your wants is value contemplating. Whereas each tablets cowl the important pill capabilities admirably, the S6 Lite takes it a step additional with S Pen help and the comfort of Samsung’s DeX characteristic. The query stays: is the additional funding justified for these extra capabilities?

Value, availability, and specs

Each the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and S6 Lite are a part of the corporate’s present pill lineup, so discovering both mannequin at locations like Amazon, Finest Purchase, or immediately from Samsung itself should not be an issue.

The MSRP of the Galaxy Tab A8 and Tab S6 Lite are $230 and $350, respectively, and could be discovered with some reductions fairly recurrently, particularly on websites like Amazon. You will discover the Tab A8 for round $190-$200 fairly usually, whereas the Tab S6 Lite could be discovered beginning at about $250 in some circumstances. In fact, these tablets have a couple of completely different choices that may drive up the worth a bit, primarily storage choices.

The Galaxy Tab A8 affords fashions with 32, 64, or 128GB of storage, and the S6 Lite is available in 64 or 128GB choices. All of the fashions of the S6 Lite have 4GB of RAM, whereas the one Tab A8 mannequin with that a lot RAM is the one with 128GB of storage; the 32GB and 64GB variations solely have 3GB of RAM.

• 	Samsung Galaxy Tab A8	Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022
  Storage	32, 64, 128 GB	64GB/128GB
  CPU	Unisoc Tiger T618	Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
  Reminiscence	3 or 4 GB	4 GB
  Battery	As much as 9h	7,040mAh, as much as 11h
  Digicam (Rear, Entrance)	8MP, 5MP	8 MP, 5 MP
  Show (Dimension, Decision)	10.5″ 1920 x 1200	10.4″ 1,200 x 2,000 60Hz
  Value	Beginning at $230	Beginning at $350
  Headphone jack	Sure	3.5mm Stereo

Tiny show variations

The Galaxy Tab A8 has a ten.5-inch TFT LCD, which is only a smidgen bigger than the ten.4-inch TFT LCD display on the S6 Lite (2022). Does that 0.1-inch distinction imply a lot by way of display high quality? No, you will not discover a lot distinction in decision on screens this dimension, even when the 2000 x 1200px show on the S6 Lite appears higher on paper. Each will likely be crisp and clear, so you should have no issues watching your favourite content material on both show.

If there’s one slight distinction in shows, it is the facet ratios. For the reason that display on the S6 Lite is a bit longer, it sports activities a 5:3 facet ratio, which is able to most likely assist these black bars that present up when viewing widescreen content material (like motion pictures) be a bit smaller. This can be a good contact for those who watch a whole lot of content material the place that issues; nevertheless, the extra customary 1920 x 1080px show of the Tab A8 is completely appropriate.

Just one has S Pen software program help

Each tablets ship with older Android software program variations — Android 11 on the Tab A8 and Android 12 on the S6 Lite — however each fashions could be upgraded to Android 13 instantly. When it comes to future help, Samsung sometimes affords two years of main Android software program updates to its new merchandise, which implies we’ll doubtless see the S6 Lite get the bump to Android 14 sooner or later, however the Tab A8 will most likely be caught with Android 13 ceaselessly.

Whereas the essential software program expertise of those two tablets will stay primarily the identical, the S6 Lite helps the S Pen (included within the field) and DeX, one thing fully absent from the Tab A8.

Total, the S Pen works very well on the S6 Lite, making writing notes, sketching, or simply having a way more exact contact enter on the display really feel nice. It is the primary spotlight of the S6 Lite, and it makes use of the pen fairly properly, so it is simple to see why the S6 Lite may attraction to college students or fixed note-takers because of the inclusion of the S Pen. Additionally, it is value noting that the 60Hz refresh price on show makes the writing lag only a tiny bit if you’re jotting down your ideas, nevertheless it’s not too noticeable and would not appear to have an effect on the accuracy that a lot.

Snapdragon efficiency on high

The Galaxy Tab A8 is a funds Android pill, and the Unisoc Tiger T618 powering all the factor reminds you of that if you’re utilizing it. You will expertise some stuttering and loading occasions when attempting to do something with a bit extra processing energy, and multitasking on the Tab A8 shouldn’t be a enjoyable expertise in any respect. It’s a fundamental machine meant that can assist you watch your favourite motion pictures and reveals, reply emails, and full fundamental duties — not surprisingly, it is a tad on the sluggish facet.

The S6 Lite has a extra highly effective chip within the Snapdragon 720G, nevertheless it’s not prefer it’s blowing the Tab A8 out of the water fully. Positive, you may discover fewer stutters, and it might probably run extra graphically intense video games, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not the high-end chip you see on flagship gadgets. For those who begin pushing its limits, you may see it decelerate and carry out slightly worse. Nonetheless, the truth that it is a Snapdragon chip as an alternative of the Unisoc Tiger means extra apps will likely be higher optimized to run on the S6 Lite than the Tab A8.

Small battery life variations

Whereas the Galaxy Tab A8 and the Tab S6 Lite (2022) have the identical battery capability — 7,040mAh — you may discover that the S6 Lite will last more on common than the Tab A8. That is principally because of the far more energy-efficient Snapdragon 720G contained in the S6 Lite. Plus, the marginally smaller display helps two, although that is not a lot of an element.

Even with the higher chip, the distinction is just about two hours whether or not you are operating the display continuously or utilizing the tablets extra conservatively. Neither battery life will impress you, and each tablets will must be plugged in every single day you are utilizing them, however an additional couple of hours could make a world of distinction in some conditions.

Charging each tablets takes time because of the sluggish charging pace — maxed out at 15W — so if you plug them into the wall, be sure you have a superb chunk of time earlier than you want it once more.

Pretty ineffective cameras

Sadly, pill cameras by no means appear to get the identical love that cellphone cameras do, which is doubly true for funds tablets. So, do not count on both machine to provide good footage. The 8MP sensor on each gadgets can take a photograph for you in a pinch, however they’re going to look grainy and blown out more often than not, particularly for those who’re in less-than-ideal lighting circumstances.

The front-facing digital camera shouldn’t be value utilizing except you actually must. Positive, the 5MP sensor on the Tab A8 and Tab S6 will allow you to take a video name, however do not be stunned in case your family and friends ask why you do not look properly.

Which one is best for you?

The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) beats out the Tab A8 in most classes, making it a stable contender for many to select up. It is obtained a greater chip that is also extra vitality environment friendly, that means you are able to do extra and do it for longer. Total, it ought to present a greater expertise and can most likely obtain extra help going ahead, which is a pleasant bonus.

If the thought of an S Pen would not excite you, and you do not plan on multitasking in your Android pill, then the Galaxy Tab A8 will prevent some cash. Positive, it is a tad sluggish typically, however its good, large show makes it excellent for watching motion pictures or browsing the online. If that is all you want, do not overspend and choose up a Tab A8.