Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 is currently one of the best Android tablets on the market. It combines a beautiful crisp display with a powerful processor, stable battery life, generous storage options and a sharp contemporary design. While Android tablets have a checkered reputation similar to UX, the Tab S7 does an admirable job in the software segment, with its DeX mode making it significantly more usable as a productivity tablet. However, is it really much better than its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S6, which was released just over a year ago?
We have answered this question by comparing this Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 vs Galaxy Tab S6. Looking at the specs, design, display, performance, camera and software of each one, we should make it clear if you already own a Tab S6 it is worth upgrading. We will also answer the question whether new buyers are worth going for the Tab S7 if they find a Tab S6 significantly cheaper.
Glasses
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 | |
Size | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches) | 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm (9.62 x 6.28 x 0.22 inches) |
Weight | 498 g (1.1 lb) | 420 g (14.8oz) |
Screen size | 11-inch TFT | 10.5-inch Super AMOLED |
Screen resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels (274 pixels-per-inch) | 2560 x 1600 pixels (287 pixels-per-inch) |
Operating system | Android 11 | Android 11 |
Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB |
MicroSD card slot | Yes | Yes |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
RAM | 8GB | 6GB, 8GB |
The camera | 13-megapixel and 5MP rear, 8MP front | 13MP and 5MP rear, 8MP front |
Video | 30 frames 4K per second | 4K at 30 fps |
Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes |
Water resistant | No. | No. |
Battery size | 8,000mAh | 7,040mAh |
App Marketplace | Google Play Store | Google Play Store |
Network support | AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile | AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile |
Color | Mysterious black, mysterious silver, mysterious bronze
(Cellular in mysterious black only) |
Mountain Gray, Cloud Blue, Rose Blush |
Price | $ 649 + | $ 649 + (now reduced online) |
Review score | News | 3.5 stars out of 5 |
Design, display, and durability
You will strive to notice a significant design difference between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy Tab S6. Both tablets feature the same thin bezel around their respective displays, giving each a smoother look that benefits from the lack of a home button. Both have an aluminum back and frame, and the only obvious difference between the two is the redesigned rear camera module on the Tab S7. It is now more seamlessly integrated with the magnetic field for the S Pen, giving it a (sharper) sharp appearance than its predecessor.
The differences in the performance of each tablet are more noticeable. The Tab S6 has an 11-inch TFT-based display, not only the Tab S7 Plus, but also the older Tab S6’s Super AMOLED. This means that while the Tab S7 offers a larger screen, the latter isn’t as bright or rich as the Tab S6’s 10.5-inch display. The Tab S6 also offers 287 more pixels per inch than the 274. Again, this isn’t a big deal, but it does help improve the S6’s display with its successor.
For durability, no tablets have any official water resistance rating, so don’t go diving with them. On the other hand, their aluminum frame and backs should offer resistance against everyday injuries and impacts.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Performance, battery life, and charging
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ chip, the fastest processor currently available for Android devices. Combined with 6GB of RAM (can be upgraded to 8GB for extra money), it provides enough computing muscle to handle most apps and tasks you can probably throw at the Tab S7. In contrast, the Tab S6 runs on the Snapdragon 855, which, despite being slower than the 865+, is certainly not a slouch. However, the base model of the S6 packs only 4GB of RAM, so you may notice a difference in the loading time from one tablet to another.
It is also worth mentioning that the Tab S7 has 128GB of internal memory as standard, whereas the Tab S6 provides only 64GB. In the age of social media and compulsive photography (not to mention app-downloads), 64GB is a bit stingy, so the S7 certainly looks better in this category. Of course, both devices come with a microSD card slot, so you can bump up the memory of both.
This is the same story with the batteries of both the devices. While the Tab S6 uses a substantial 7,040mAh cell, the Tab S7 surpasses it with an 8,000mAh counterpart. In fact, we’ve seen that the S7’s battery life is exceptional, coming very close to fulfilling Samsung’s promise of 14 hours of battery life. With the S6, you won’t get that far, though it will see you on the second day if you’re a light or medium user.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
The camera
On paper, the Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S6 have identical fears and front cameras. On the back, they give you a 13MP wide lens and a 5MP ultraviolet, both featuring the same aperture size in each model. Similarly, each tablet has an 8MP selfie camera on the front, capable of capturing HD (1080p) video at 30 fps.
In practice, both tablets take pictures that have just been separated. This means that the main 13MP wide lens usually captures bright, colorful and detailed images during the day, but at night fights a bit with sound. Similarly, the ultraviolet lenses on both devices offer considerable detail because they capture more of the scene, which is probably what you might expect when there is only a 5MP offer.
Still, both tablets work well for taking pictures or scanning documents, while their selfie cameras are perfectly usable for video calls and teleconferencing. This round is therefore a tie.
Winner: Tie
Software and updates
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is shipped with Android 10 and Samsung’s One UI 2.5, and the Tab S6 was initially launched with Android 9, both upgrades to Android 11. Fans of Android tablets may be aware that the operating system does not fully translate into tablet formats, and some third-party apps do not scale to the correct screen size, for example. However, this is a problem that affects both tablets, so neither loses its mark.
Both devices benefit from DeX mode, which is ideal for anyone planning to use their tablet as a laptop. DeX mode transforms your home screen into something like a Windows desktop, enabling users to open multiple apps as Windows at the same time and resize them according to your work preferences. This is a serious feature if you want to use your tablet for work, but keep in mind that not all third party applications are compatible with DeX.
Although both tablets look identical from a software standpoint, we’re going to give this round to the Galaxy Tab S7. Why? OK, since only three generations of updates are guaranteed for each device, the S7 that was released a year later makes a significant difference.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
Special features
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S6 both come with the S Pen, which magnetically docks the back of both devices. This stylus is intuitive and easy to use, and opens up a wide range of features and functionality, especially for professionals and creatives. Most notably, it has a note-taking system that annotates or marks up documents. Its palm rejection is also highly reliable, so you can write or draw with the palm of your hand on the screen without causing unwanted input.
Both tablets present you with the option to buy Samsung Book cover keyboard Separately for $ 199. This is all essential if you plan to use DeX mode, although there are third party options available if you want to save some money. They may feature more responsive and consistent trackpads as well as backlighting for keys.
Given that both tablets promise the same special features, this round is another tie.
Winner: Tie
Price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 can be purchased from Samsung for GB 650 for the 128GB model (Wi-Fi), $ 730 for the 256GB model, or $ 830 for the 512GB model. The cellular version is only available with 128GB storage and will cost you 850 Samsung is also offering a discount if you part-exchange an older qualified model.
The Galaxy Tab S6 can no longer be purchased directly from Samsung. However, you can still find it at retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart. This will probably be in the form of a renewal or renewal, but will probably save you a negligible amount of money compared to the Tab S7.
Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
There’s not much in it, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a better tablet overall than the Galaxy Tab S6. Its main advantages include a more powerful processor, as well as more RAM and the inclusion of internal memory as standard. This will guarantee you one more year of software updates, making it a bit more futuristic than the old Tab S6. Nonetheless, its predecessors match it in most respects and actually offer a richer, more vibrant display, so anyone who already owns an S6 probably won’t need to upgrade them yet. It can also be found online at a discount compared to the S7, so anyone who wants to save some money may prefer it over their younger siblings.
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