• Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, front view overlapping rear view
    Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
    Great affordable tablet

    The Galaxy Tab A8 is a competent budget Android tablet with an excellent display for viewing content. It's a little slower than the S6 Lite, but the main difference is the lack of S Pen and DeX support, making it a little less versatile than the S6 Lite.

    Pros
    • Great price
    • Slightly larger display
    Cons
    • A littler less powerful
    • No S Pen
  • A render of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite in portrait orientation
    Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022
    For the stylus lovers

    Although the S6 Lite is a little faster than the Tab A8, it's the S Pen and DeX support will likely attract you to this model. If you don't need those extras, the Tab A8 might be better for you.

    Pros
    • Slightly better performance
    • S Pen included
    • DeX support
    Cons
    • More expensive
    • Slightly smaller display

Budget-friendly Android tablets are made with a specific goal: Media consumption, light tasks and games, and web browsing. Thankfully, this is something most tablets can do these days, and two of the top contenders are the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022), both of which make it onto our list of best cheap Android tablets. The Tab A8 is the more affordable, but the S6 Lite throws in some nice extras like the S Pen and DeX. Are those extras worth the additional investment? Let's find out.

Price, availability, and specs

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and S6 Lite are part of the company's current tablet lineup, so finding either model at places like Amazon, Best Buy, or directly from Samsung itself shouldn't be a problem.

The MSRP of the Galaxy Tab A8 and Tab S6 Lite are $230 and $350, respectively, and can be found with some discounts pretty regularly, especially on sites like Amazon. You'll find the Tab A8 for around $190-$200 pretty often, whereas the Tab S6 Lite can be found starting at about $250 in some cases. Of course, these tablets have a few different options that can drive up the price a bit, mainly storage options.

The Galaxy Tab A8 offers models with 32, 64, or 128GB of storage, and the S6 Lite comes in 64 or 128GB options. All the models of the S6 Lite have 4GB of RAM, whereas the only Tab A8 model with that much RAM is the one with 128GB of storage; the 32GB and 64GB versions only have 3GB of RAM.


  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A8Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022
    Storage32GB, 64GB, 128GB64GB, 128GB
    Battery7,040mAh7,040mAh
    PriceFrom $230From $350
    Operating SystemAndroid 13 and One UI 5.1.1Android 13 and OneUI 5
    PortsUSB-CUSB-C
    Display type60Hz LCDTFT LCD, 60Hz
    ColorsGray, Silver, Pink GoldOxford Gray, Angora Blue, Chiffon Rose
    Display dimensions10.5", 16:1010.4"
    Display resolution1920 x 12002000 x 1200
    IP ratingNoneNone
    Weight508g465g
    Charge optionsWiredWired
    SIM supportNoNo
    SoCUnisoc Tiger T618Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
    Cellular connectivityNoNo
    Wi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 5
    BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0
    StylusNoS Pen included
    RAM3GB, 4GB4GB
    Front Camera5MP5MP
    Rear Camera8MP8MP
    Dimensions246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9mm244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm
    Charging speed15W wired15W wired

Display

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 while turned on

The Galaxy Tab A8 has a 10.5-inch TFT LCD, just a smidgen larger than the 10.4-inch TFT LCD screen on the S6 Lite (2022). Does that 0.1-inch difference mean much in terms of screen quality? No, you won't notice much difference in resolution on screens this size, even if the 2000 x 1200px display on the S6 Lite seems better on paper. Both will be crisp and clear, so you shouldn't have any problems watching your favorite content on either display.

If there's one slight difference in displays, it's the aspect ratios. Since the screen on the S6 Lite is a bit longer, it sports a 5:3 aspect ratio, which will probably help those black bars that show up when viewing widescreen content (like movies) be a bit smaller. This is a nice touch if you watch a lot of content where that matters; however, the more standard 1920 x 1080px display of the Tab A8 is perfectly suitable.

It's a shame we don't see an IPS panel on the S6 Lite, as the difference in viewing angles between TFT and IPS is significant, but based on the pricing on both of these tablets, it's clear that this is where the compromises needed to be made.

Software

Both tablets ship with older Android software versions — Android 11 on the Tab A8 and Android 12 on the S6 Lite — but both models can be upgraded to Android 13 immediately. In terms of future support, it varies between phones and tablets, and it can also depend on whether the device is an A or S series. The Tab S6 Lite (2022) is an S device in name only, so both devices are only going to get two Android updates and two more years of security patches.

While the basic software experience of these two tablets will remain primarily the same, the S6 Lite supports the S Pen (included in the box) and DeX, something completely absent from the Tab A8.

Overall, the S Pen works really well on the S6 Lite, making writing notes, sketching, or just having a much more precise touch input on the screen feel great. It's the main highlight of the S6 Lite, and it uses the pen quite well, so it's easy to see why the S6 Lite could appeal to students or constant note-takers thanks to the inclusion of the S Pen. Also, it's worth noting that the 60Hz refresh rate on display makes the writing lag just a tiny bit when you're jotting down your thoughts, but it's not too noticeable and doesn't seem to affect the accuracy that much.

Snapdragon performance on topsamsung-galaxy-tab-a8-speakers-1-2 copy

The Galaxy Tab A8 is a budget Android tablet, and the Unisoc Tiger T618 powering the entire thing reminds you of that when you're using it. You'll experience some stuttering and loading times when trying to do anything with a bit more processing power, and multitasking on the Tab A8 is not a fun experience at all. It is a basic machine meant to help you watch your favorite movies and shows, answer emails, and complete basic tasks — not surprisingly, it's a tad on the slow side.

The S6 Lite has a more powerful chip in the Snapdragon 720G, but it's not like it's blowing the Tab A8 out of the water entirely. Sure, you'll notice fewer stutters, and it can run more graphically intense games, but it's still not the high-end chip you see on flagship devices. If you start pushing its limits, you'll see it slow down and perform a little worse. Still, the fact that it's a Snapdragon chip instead of the Unisoc Tiger means more apps will be better optimized to run on the S6 Lite than the Tab A8.

Battery life

While the Galaxy Tab A8 and the Tab S6 Lite (2022) have the same battery capacity — 7,040mAh — you'll notice that the S6 Lite will last longer on average than the Tab A8. This is mostly due to the much more energy-efficient Snapdragon 720G inside the S6 Lite. Plus, the slightly smaller screen helps two, though that's not much of a factor.

Even with the better chip, the difference is only about two hours, whether you're running the screen constantly or using the tablets more conservatively. Neither battery life will impress you, and both tablets will need to be plugged in every day you're using them, but an extra couple of hours can make a world of difference in some situations.

Charging both tablets takes time due to the slow charging speed — maxed out at 15W — so when you plug them into the wall, make sure you have a good chunk of time before you need it again.

Cameras

Close up of camera lens on Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

Unfortunately, tablet cameras never seem to get the same love that phone cameras do, which is doubly true for budget tablets. So, don't expect either device to produce good pictures. The 8MP sensor on both devices can take a photo for you in a pinch, but they'll look grainy and blown out most of the time, especially if you're in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

The front-facing camera is not worth using unless you really have to. Sure, the 5MP sensor on the Tab A8 and Tab S6 will let you take a video call, but don't be surprised if your friends and family ask why you don't look well.

Which one is right for you?

The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) is an easy recommendation. The price difference isn't too significant, and the extra features like DeX and the included S Pen make it well worth it, let alone the superior performance from the Snapdragon chipset. The S Pen is the highlight, though, as it improves every device you find it on, especially on larger screens.

A render of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite in portrait orientation
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022
S Pen support

More power, more features

The 2022 Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite refresh sits right in that sweet spot, below the costly, high-end tablets that lack helpful features like headphone jacks and above the sluggish entry-level tablets best for casual use like the Tab A8. Plus, with the S Pen included and support for Samsung DeX, it's hard not to like the versatility the S6 Lite offers.

If the idea of an S Pen doesn't excite you, and you don't plan on multitasking on your Android tablet, then the Galaxy Tab A8 will save you some money. Sure, it's a tad sluggish sometimes, but its nice, big display makes it perfect for watching movies or surfing the web. If that's all you need, don't overspend and pick up a Tab A8.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, front view overlapping rear view
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
Cheap and cheerful

Great for the basics

Although it won't impress you with its speed, the Galaxy Tab A8 is an excellent and affordable option for people who want a basic tablet. Its display makes it great for watching your favorite content and surfing the web.