Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 review: The Androi 2-in-1 laptop you want
The latest tablet from Samsung is amazingly thin, lightweight, and looks like a premium product. But with Android tablets forever losing the battle against the iPad, has Samsung done enough to convince consumers that this is better for consuming content and productivity than what Apple offers? Let’s find out the detail in this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 review with Lifetravell.
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Display of Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
A tablet as expensive as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 really needs a great display , and this one is a cracker. The 10.5-inch Super AMOLED screen, which displays 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, is a real feast for the eyes and is able to handle any situation. For a tablet like this, which is not only meant for consuming multimedia content, but also for working productively on the move, this is absolutely necessary. When it comes to the display quality, the Galaxy Tab S6 is without a doubt one of the best tablets you can buy.
As handsome and vibrant as the display is, I have two main issues with it that are hard to overlook. Firstly, the 16:10 aspect ratio is much more suited to watching videos, playing games and generally using the Tab S6 as a multimedia device than it is for getting any work done. This is the case in both Android mode and DeX mode. Nobody needs to pay $650 for a great multimedia tablet, so this is a problem for Samsung. The Apple iPad Pro’s 4:3 aspect ratio, for example, is more conducive to multitasking and productivity.
Keyboard of Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Samsung sent us the tablet with the Book Cover keyboard. In my view, this costly accessory is absolutely necessary for people to be truly productive. The keyboard comes in two pieces. One attaches to the rear of the Tab S6 and protects the S Pen, while the other section consists of the keyboard and snaps to the pins magnetically.
You’ll find a full keyboard complete with number keys, arrow keys, and other buttons for interacting with the UI, such as search and toggling DeX on and off. I dig the trackpad, and dig that you can turn it off even more. I’m sure some will complain about the keyboard, but I found it worked well enough for writing emails, keeping up with Slack, and, yes, contributing to this review. The biggest issue: No backlight.
The keyboard costs $180, though you can snag it for half price if you order it bundled with the tablet from Samsung.
As for battery life, the 7,040mAh lithium-ion battery crushes it. The Tab S6 easily coasted through 12 hours of productivity, which is well more than a full work day. Moreover, it recharges relatively rapidly with the included 2A charger.
Screen of Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
As usual, the super AMOLED screen on the Tab S6 is beautiful. It was perfectly readable as I edited stories at a cafe outside on a bright, sunny day, and everything on it looks crisp thanks to its 2,560 x 1,600 resolution.
Colors are rich and blacks are dark as night. Dim scenes in videos aren’t difficult to see because of how bright the screen can get. There’s HDR10+ support too, so if you watch HDR movies you’ll benefit from the added contrast.
I enjoyed several episodes of Netflix’s The Spy, which look fantastic on this tablet. Topping it all off is the quad-speaker setup. It provides clear and dynamic sound, making the Tab S6 an excellent entertainment system.
However, there’s no headphone jack. I have Bluetooth earbuds, but there are times when I’ve forgotten to charge them. It’s a disappointing omission.
Worry-free performance
The Tab S6 has yet to let me down with its performance, and that’s because it’s powered by the flagship processor found in most Android phones this year: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855. The model I tested had 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage as well as a MicroSD card slot in case more space is needed (an 8GB RAM and 256GB storage model is also available).
With multiple tabs open in Samsung’s Internet browser and several app windows open on top of each other, the Tab S6 never slowed down. Apps launched swiftly, resizing them was a snappy affair, and games like Alto’s Odyssey, Pako: Forever, and Grand Mountain ran without any stutters.
