Samsung Tab S6 review: A gorgeous looking tablet with exceptional camera, fine speakers

Samsung Tab S6 review: Not too long ago, tablets were the next big thing. It made sense as well. People were opting for bigger screens for media consumption and productivity. The dream didn't last for too long though. As users refused to look beyond smartphones, most companies have stopped making tablets. Some of them still do but there are very few options in the Indian market. Samsung, however, remains hopeful and continues to bring new products in this segment - the latest being Samsung Tab S6, launched in India last week. 

The new tablet follows Samsung Tab S5e in the country and comes with several improvements. Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e price in India went up to Rs 39,999 and the Book Cover Keyboard would have cost you an extra Rs 7,999. At that point, we had asked with smartphones getting bigger and laptops getting smaller, would you spend so much on a tablet?

So, Samsung has priced the Tab S6 at Rs 59,900. And, this time you need to pay Rs 10,999 for the Keyboard Cover. Yeah, the Tab S6 will cost you around Rs 71,000 in India, less than what Apple has priced its new iPhone at. The relief here is that as part of launch offers, you can get the Keyboard Cover at an introductory price of Rs 5,499. But, the question remains - is Samsung Tab S6 worth your money? Since the product aims to improve productivity while you are on the go, I decided to take it on a small three-day trip. Here is what I think of it. 

Samsung Tab S6 review: Premium Look and Feel

One thing Samsung always gets right is the design of its products. Over the last 10 months, it has introduced several good-looking devices like S10, Note 10 series and A50s. Samsung Tab S6 is no different. It is a gorgeous looking tablet that draws instant attention. It comes in Mountain Gray and Cloud Blue colour options. At 420 grams, it is lighter and thinner than the previous Tab S4. At the back panel, you get a dual camera setup, Samsung branding and a magnetic cut out for keeping, yes you guessed it right, the Stylus S Pen. 

Tab S6 features quad speakers just like Tab S5e that change orientation depending upon how you are holding the device. The speakers are loud and in ideal conditions, you don't even need to attach them to Bluetooth speakers. One thing that you will be quick to notice is that 3.5mm jack is missing which is slightly disappointing to see. On the front, you get a 10.5-inch Super AMOLED Display that comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner. The built quality is really good, giving Tab S6 a premium look and feel.

The Book Cover Keyboard comes in two parts - a folding keyboard that attaches to a magnetic connector on the bottom edge of the tablet, and a rear cover which also acts as a kickstand. The latter is attached to the back of the tablet using a big sticky strip. The stand can be adjusted at different angles while working or streaming content. The back cover also covers up the stylus, protecting it from falling. 

You need this keyboard cover to get the best out of the tablet. Unfortunately, the magnet at the back is not very strong and the cover keeps coming off, especially if you are using in a moving car, bus or in odd sitting positions. This is a major issue as the cover itself is quite expensive. 

The keyboard comes with a touchpad, decent key size and a dedicated button for Dex Mode. The only thing missing here is the backlight. 

Samsung Tab S6 review: Powerful Performance 

Samsung Tab S6 has a high-quality display that produces bright colours giving you a great viewing experience from odd angles and in different light conditions. This is also the first tablet to come with support for HDR10+, so you can stream content in the best possible quality. The screen size is almost perfect for watching movies, playing games and even to go through images in your gallery. I used the Samsung Tab S6 to watch 'SpiderMan: Into the Verse', 'Game Over' and 'Dear Comrade' while I was travelling. The video quality was simply amazing. 

Like most premium Samsung devices, this also comes with DeX Mode. So, whenever you are working on docs, sending mails etc, you can switch from the standard Android screen. Having a dedicated key only helps the cause. I used the DeX mode to write several mails while travelling and also to pen down this review. Tab S6 turns out to be very useful. 

Samsung has also come with DeX Labs - a feature that allows you to force Android apps to open in full screen for better use in desktop mode. I used this while running Netflix and Prime Video. Even the forced version of the app ran well without streching the content. However, you need to restart the apps everytime you open them for maximising. This can be annoying at times and is something Samsung should look into for future. 

Tab S6 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor which has been used most flagship smartphones of the year like OnePlus 7 Pro, Redmi K20 Pro, Asus 6z and Black Shark 2. The chipset is known for delivering a powerful performance which can be felt while using Tab S6 as well. Multitasking on this device is really smooth and you can play games without any heating issues as well. 

The tablet is designed for long hours of usage and packs a 7040 mAh battery which might take a while to get charged but lasts forever. You can expect around 10 to 11 hours of battery life even after continuous usage on the device. When not used, the tablet can last easily over 36 hours. 

Samsung Tab S6 review: Camera Bliss

We don't usually associate good cameras with a tablet but Samsung has done an exceptional job in the imaging department with Tab S6. It includes a 13 MP main camera and 5 MP ultra-wide camera, live focus capabilities The ultra wide angle lens is capable of capturing 123-degree field of view - as wide as the human eye. The colour reproduction by the rear camera is strong and the bigger screen only makes your job easier by offering a larger frame.

The rear camera excels in most settings and it is a blessing to have a ultra wide angle lens. I managed to take some breathtaking shots on the Samsung Tab S6 with greater detailing. In some cases, the image quality was as good as OnePlus 7T, if not better. 

The S Pen is primarliy designed for drawing or taking handwritten notes on the tablet. But, it also comes with support Air Actions like the Note 10 series, acting as remote control for the device. This just adds another dimension to your image taking capabilities. You can simplay place the tablet wherever you want and click images by using the stylus. 

Oh, and did I mention that the S Pen allows you to click great 'fake' candid images of yourself!  pic.twitter.com/IAbRiQ1HgB

— Manas Tiwari (@manast10) October 13, 2019

Oh, and did I mention that the S Pen allows you to click great 'candid' images of yourself! 

Samsung Tab S6 review: Final Verdict

Samsung Tab S6 comes with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage priced at Rs 59,990. The Book Cover keyboard is an optional buy but your producitvity will be hit without it. The absence of 3.55 mm jack and issues with back cover's magnet are few concerns. Despite that, Tab S6 offers you a top display, powerful chipset, impressive camera setup and a premium design. 

While I was travelling, I used the device to write emails, watch movies, stream music and click images. It delivered on each front. The S Pen adds a new aspect to the tablet. Yes, Tab S6 remains to be a pricey option but if you have the money, you will be served well by spending it on this device.