Samsung launched the 2024 Galaxy Tab S6 Lite without much fanfare. After quietly sneaking into several European markets, the slate is finally available in the United States. It’s cheap but powerful—and now comes with a $100 Amazon gift card.
The base model has 64GB of storage, but a microSD slot lets you add more storage (as long as fast storage isn’t needed). There’s also a 128GB version, although that one also only has 4GB of RAM, which isn’t much for a 2024 device.
This generation is powered by the Exynos 1280 and is otherwise the same as the 2022 version. Note that the tablet supports DeX, but not the display – multi-window multitasking is only available on its own 10.4-inch LCD (2,000 x 1,200 pixels, 15:9, 60Hz).
Amazon is clearing stock of the 2022 edition, selling it for as low as $200. This makes recommendations fairly easy. Now, excluding gift cards, the 2024 version costs $230. But it’s not that simple, you have to actually buy something with that $100 gift card.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ has a simpler offer – the base model costs $170. It runs on a Snapdragon 695, which puts it on par with the Exynos 1280 in terms of performance (the Samsung chip has a slight edge). However, you get a 90Hz 11-inch LCD (1,920 x 1,200 pixels, 16:10) and the hardware is largely the same. What’s missing is DeX and stylus support.
The Tab A9+ also has a microSD slot, but you’ll probably want to buy the 128GB version anyway—it has 8GB of RAM instead of 4GB, and it’s only $220. The Tab S6 Lite (2024) only offers 4GB of RAM.
We’ll also mention the Galaxy Tab A9 here, but it’s not a suitable replacement for the Tab S6 Lite. If you’re looking for a small tablet, the A9 has an 8.7-inch LCD (1,340 x 800 pixels, 15:9) and costs slightly less than the plus model. However, unless size is a concern, the Tab A9+ is the better choice.
The slightly more expensive one is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE. This monitor has a better quality display – IPS LCD with a resolution of 2,304 x 1,440 pixels (16:10) and runs at 90Hz. Despite being an S-series tablet, it lacks DeX support and has no video output.
Still, you get a chipset upgrade (Exynos 1380) and more RAM – 6GB on the base 128GB model and 8GB on the 256GB model. The microSD slot is still available. In addition, the FE tablet is IP68 dustproof and waterproof, making it more durable. They charge at 45W, so you can get back to movies or games faster (the Tab S6 Lite only has 15W).
If you have more money to spend, you can go bigger – the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ has a 12.4-inch display (still a 90Hz IPS LCD, with a higher resolution to keep the pixel density the same). It also has a larger battery (10,090mAh vs. 8,000mAh) but is otherwise identical to the regular Tab S9 FE.
Another option is the 2022 flagship tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. It has an 11-inch 120Hz LCD (2,560 x 1,600 pixels, 16:10) and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. This product does support DeX, both on its own display and on an external display connected via USB-C. Since it’s a few years old, it’s running out of updates – however, there should be 2 OS updates left.
Let’s look beyond the Samsung stable. The Amazon Fire Max 11 is a budget 11-inch tablet with an IPS LCD (2,000 x 1,200 pixels) and stylus support. There’s a microSD slot here, too, but you’ll probably want the 128GB version since it eliminates ads (currently, it costs $5 to eliminate ads, but you can also pay $15 more and get double the storage).
Another option is the OnePlus Pad. It’s expensive, but it comes with the Dimensity 9000 for high-end performance – nothing new, but it’s still a flagship chip. The 11.61-inch IPS LCD runs at 144Hz, which is suitable for high frame rate gaming, and it also supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for better image quality when streaming.
If you want to get into or stay in the iOS ecosystem, there are only a few options in this price range. The 2020 Apple iPad is still pretty capable, and the $250 price tag seems great until you notice that it only has 64GB of storage. This will become very stressful as iOS and apps are updated. Since there’s no 128GB option, you’ll have to upgrade to the $380 256GB model.
The 2022 Apple iPad is more modern, with a USB-C port and video output (although there’s no Stage Manager, which is reserved for higher-performance iPads). It has more RAM (4GB vs. 3GB), but its starting storage capacity is still only 64GB, and the next upgrade to 256GB is expensive.
Since we’re talking about tablets, let’s take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+. If you’re considering the Tab S6 Lite, it’s probably out of your price range, but it comes with a large 12.4-inch OLED display (120Hz) and a fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 with support for DeX and video output.
However, this starts in 2022. The 2023 Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is now down to $800 — expensive, but last week the same model was selling for $870 . If you buy the 512GB model, you’ll also get 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB). Regardless, the Tab S series has a microSD slot.
One more thing – DJI launched the Avata 2 this week. Unlike the Mavics, the Avata series focuses on FPV flying, that is, first-person view using the included goggles. The DJI Avata 2 is cheaper than its predecessor and has an improved 1/1.3-inch image sensor, not to mention longer battery life. Officially, one battery can provide up to 23 minutes of flight time, but you can purchase multiple batteries and replace them as needed.
DJI Open 2
Fly more combinations
3 battery pack includes two-way charging hub and crossbody bag
We may earn a commission from qualifying sales.