Samsung Introduces Galaxy Tab S6: 10.5-Inch AMOLED, Snapdragon 855, New S-Pen
by Anton Shilov on August 1, 2019 12:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Tablets
- Samsung
- Galaxy Tab
- Mobile
- Galaxy Tab S
- Snapdragon 855
Samsung has introduced its new flagship tablet aimed at consumers that need advanced functionality and performance. The Galaxy Tab S6 comes with a large AMOLED display, Qualcomm’s high-end application processor for smartphones and tablets, plenty of storage, compatibility with Samsung’s DeX platform for productivity applications, the company’s Knox security platform, as well as Samsung’s refined S Pen stylus with remote control functionality and wireless charging.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 SoC featuring four high-performance cores, four low-power cores, and Adreno 640 integrated GPU. The application processor accompanied by 6 or 8 GB of LPDDR4/LPDDR4X memory as well as 128 or 256 GB of NAND flash storage (expandable using a microSDXC card). Like other high-end consumer tablets from Samsung released in the recent quarters, the Galaxy Tab S6 is equipped with a 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 2560×1600 resolution, stylus support, and thin bezels. On the audio side of matters, the tablet has four speakers and two microphones.
Imaging capabilities of the Galaxy Tab S6 look rather interesting. For the first time on a consumer tablet from a well-known manufacturer, the device has two camera modules on the back: a 13 MP RGB sensor and a 5 MP 123-degree ultra-wide lens. For some reason, the company decided not to equip its dual camera with a flash though. Meanwhile, there is an 8 MP camera for selfies and video calls on the front.
As far as wireless connectivity features are concerned, the Galaxy Tab S6 has an 802.11ac Wi-Fi controller with MU-MIMO support, Bluetooth 5.0, as well as GPS (+ GLONASS, Beidou, Gallileo). The manufacturer claims that variants with a 4G/LTE modem will be available later this year, but does not elaborate. On the wired side of things, the tablet has a USB 3.1 Type-C interface for audio, data, and charging, as well as a set of POGO connectors for keyboards or other gear.
When it comes to sensors, the Galaxy Tab S6 has an on-screen fingerprint reader, an accelerometer, a compass, a gyroscope, a proximity sensor, RGB light sensor, and so on.
Since the Galaxy Tab S6 is designed primarily for consumers, it is very thin (5.7 mm), light (420 grams), and comes in consumer-friendly gray, blue, or rose enclosures.
Despite it's consumer positioning, the Galaxy Tab S6 can be a very powerful tool for professionals: it comes with a new S Pen stylus that can serve as a remote controller for select applications, it support Samsung’s Knox mobile security platform to protect valuable and confidential information, and it is compatible with Samsung’s DeX platform that enables desktop-like experience on Android-based tablets (e.g., open up multiple windows, re-size windows, drag and drop content, etc.). To make usage of DeX more convenient, the Galaxy Tab S6’s dedicated book cover keyboard comes with a special DeX key to launch or close the environment. Meanwhile, there is no word whether the tablet can support an external display via its USB Type-C connector using an appropriate adapter, however since the smartphone Galaxy counter-parts support this, it's likely the Tab S6 does as well.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 | |
Specifications | |
SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 1x Kryo 485 Gold (A76 derivative) @ 2.84GHz 1x512KB pL2 3x Kryo 485 Gold (A76 derivative) @ 2.42GHz 3x256KB pL2 4x Kryo 485 Silver (A55 derivative) @ 1.80GHz 4x128KB pL2 2MB sL3 |
Graphics | Adreno 640 |
Display | 10.5-inch sAMOLED 2560×1600 |
Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB + microSD |
Memory | 6 GB or 8 GB LPDDR4 (?) |
Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4G+5GHz, MU-MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v5.0 |
GPS | GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo |
Connectivity | USB 3.1 Type-C for data and charging POGO connectors for keyboard |
Camera | Rear Camera: 13 MP RGB + 5 MP ultra-wide Front Camera: 8 MP |
Video | Recording: UHD 4K (3840×2160) @ 30 fps Playback: UHD 4K (7680×430) @ 30 fps |
Audio | 4 × Speakers co-developed with AKG with Dolby Atmos certification USB-C headset |
Sensors | Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, etc |
Battery | 7040 mAh |
Dimensions | 244.5 × 159.5 × 5.7 mm 420 grams (Wi-Fi) |
Color | Mountain Gray, Cloud Blue, Rose Blush |
OS | Android 9.0 Pie |
Price | starts at $649.99 |
Accessories | Book Cover Keyboard, POGO Charging Dock, Slim cover, etc. |
Samsung will start to take pre-orders on the Galaxy Tab S6 on August 23 and will start retail sales on September 6th. MSRP of the basic version of the tablet will start at $649. The new S Pen is bundled with the device, whereas the keyboard will be sold separately.
Related Reading:
- Samsung Unveils Galaxy Tab S5e: 10.5-Inch sAMOLED with USB-C
- Samsung Introduces Galaxy Tab S4: S835, 7300mAh Battery, Samsung DeX
- New Apple iPad with Pencil Support: From $299 for Students
Source: Samsung
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jordanclock - Friday, August 2, 2019 - link
And even if the Tab S6 did have a faster GPU (which you're right, it doesn't), what would it be used for? Android on tablets has been abandoned by developers. If you want a tablet for production, go with an iPad, Windows or hell, ChromeOS.Alistair - Friday, August 2, 2019 - link
it could be used with a 120hz screen, but Samsung didn't provide that either ;) bad GPU and low refresh rate, makes it not very compelling for the same priceimaheadcase - Friday, August 2, 2019 - link
What are you talking about, a tablet literally uses every app on playstore. lolAlistair - Friday, August 2, 2019 - link
So basically the iPad pro is the same price, the GPU is 3 times faster than the best Samsung has to offer in a product coming out 1 year later! I guess Apple was more than 1 year ahead, more like 2 or 3. "The importance of building your own silicon".DroidTomTom - Sunday, August 4, 2019 - link
The sad thing is Samsung literally does design their own CPU and fab it on their own process. Exynos. And they have a huge amount of control over the OS but still 2 or 3 years behind.BenSkywalker - Sunday, August 4, 2019 - link
And on the display side, the iPad pro is only ok if you hate contrast. Some budget phone style display at that price point?Side by side the antiquated TabS has a better display, that's what- five years old now?
Wait, the stylus is extra?
So, for $130 more you get a better GPU and a significantly inferior display? Not sounding so hot.
imaheadcase - Thursday, August 1, 2019 - link
Amazon says its available August 7th. Taking preorders now.It looks pretty neat. I prob get it.
PeachNCream - Thursday, August 1, 2019 - link
I have a phone I use regularly and a laptop I poke at once every few days. I'm not sure where this would fit into the mix.s.yu - Thursday, August 1, 2019 - link
Removal of the headphone jack on a tablet meant to be a productivity tool, yes, totally necessary.GreenReaper - Friday, August 2, 2019 - link
I know, right? It's not like they don't have the space on a tablet, either. Pass.