Nobody makes Android tablets the way Samsung does. The company is an outlier as it still comes out with a flagship Android tablet every year. As part of the company’s vision to offer something for everyone, Samsung’s lineup also includes mid-range and affordable options. Its flagship tablets have really come into their own over the past few years.
This variety can often present a challenge to those who just want to know what the best Samsung Galaxy tablets are. To help them out, we have created this list of best Samsung tablets which breaks down the strength of each option and explains who should buy them, and why. In addition to detailed information about each tablet, you’ll also find links to our in-depth reviews for these tablets.
Our Best Samsung Tablets List For May 2023
Samsung has switched things up with the Galaxy Tab S8 series. This is the first time that it has launched three new flagship tablets simultaneously. On February 9, 2022, the company unveiled its Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+ and the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra tablets.
Best Samsung Tablet – Spec monster: Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
There’s no denying the fact that the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is one of the best Android tablets on the market. It’s also the largest and most feature-packed flagship tablet from Samsung yet. It has an absolutely bonkers 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This is also the first tablet from Samsung to feature a notched display, which allows for slimmer bezels.
Powering the tablet is Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset that has an integrated 5G modem. It’s paired with 8/12/16GB of RAM and 128/256/512GB internal storage. A big 11,200mAh battery powers the device and supports 45W wired fast charging.
One UI 4.1 adds many productivity features to make the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra the best option for power users. An ultra-low latency S Pen provides a lifelike writing experience.
Reasons to buy: Largest display, 120Hz refresh rate, epic performance and battery life.
Who should buy: Power users who need a tablet for work and enterprise customers who need tablets for business applications.
Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Specs | Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra hands-on | Buy Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra from Samsung
Best Samsung Tablet – Productivity: Galaxy Tab S6
Much like its successor, the Galaxy Tab S6 was undoubtedly the best Android tablet to be released in 2019. It was also the first time that Samsung shipped its flagship tablet with the latest high-end chipset. Samsung initially released the LTE model only but later followed up with a separate 5G model.
The Galaxy Tab S6 also happened to be the first Samsung tablet to feature a dual camera setup at the back. Despite being a year old, it’s still one of the best Samsung tablets for its $729 price tag, and can often be purchased at a discount these days. That’s because it offers a better display than the base Galaxy Tab S7 and there’s really no significant difference in performance.
Reasons to buy: Great build quality, separate 5G variant, Super AMOLED display and dual cameras.
Who should buy: Anyone who needs a powerful Android tablet and feels that the Galaxy Tab S7+ is just too much for them.
Galaxy Tab S6 Specs | Galaxy Tab S6 Review | Buy Galaxy Tab S6 from Amazon
Best Samsung Tablet – Entertainment: Galaxy Tab S5e
Do you only need a tablet to watch Netflix, occasionally browse the internet and use social media apps? The Galaxy Tab S5e is the best option for you. Granted, all of this can also be done by the most basic of tablets, but there won’t be any frustrating performance issues with the Galaxy Tab S5e.
The $479 Galaxy Tab S5e was Samsung’s thinnest tablet when it came out, yet it got a beautiful metal build and a gorgeous 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display. You really can’t beat the quality of Samsung’s AMOLED display and watching video content on it is truly a visual delight. Rich sound is provided by its AKG-tuned quad speakers, making it a well-rounded device for chilling with on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Reasons to buy: Incredibly light and thin, exceptional display, quad speakers and side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Who should buy: Customers who want a tablet purely for the purpose of consuming multimedia content.
Galaxy Tab S5e Specs | Galaxy Tab S5e Review | Buy Galaxy Tab S5e from Amazon
Best Samsung Tablet – S Pen on a budget: Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite earlier this year with the sole purpose of bringing the S Pen to the masses. Previously, one needed to purchase Samsung’s flagship tablet just to get the S Pen experience. With the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Samsung has significantly lowered that barrier of entry.
It still feels sufficiently premium thanks to its metal body. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite also has something that none of the tablets mentioned above have: a 3.5mm headphone jack. Don’t expect a gorgeous AMOLED panel, though, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has a 10.4-inch LCD display. The tablet isn’t suited to heavy workloads but if you don’t need that much power, at $429 it’s a great option for those who want the S Pen experience without breaking the bank. It’s often available for purchase online at a decent discount.
Reasons to buy: Affordable, S Pen, 3.5mm headphone jack and good build quality.
Who should buy: Those that don’t require a powerful tablet but would like to have the S Pen experience without spending a fortune.
Galaxy Tab S6 Lite Specs | Galaxy Tab S6 Lite Review | Buy Galaxy Tab S6 Lite from Amazon
Why These Are The Best Samsung Tablets This Month
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is without a doubt one of the best tablets that Samsung has made. From its large and vibrant display to its top-of-the-line specs, this is an exceptional tablet that power users are bound to love.
The Galaxy Tab S6 also finds its way on the list. Even though it’s a bit old, it’s still a great option for those who need a productivity tool but don’t necessarily feel the need to buy the latest model.
Samsung continues to sell the Galaxy Tab S5e as well because it fits nicely into its tablet lineup. This isn’t really meant for any heavy workloads but is a great option for watching content. The display is gorgeous and the tablet itself is impossibly thin, making for a very comfortable user experience.
Lastly, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a viable option for customers who want to experience the S Pen on a large display but don’t need a flagship tablet. It offers them the opportunity to experience the best of what the S Pen has to offer at a reasonable price point.
