Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 10.5" T860NZAAXAR 2019, Qualcomm, 8GB, 128GB, Mountain Gray

The Galaxy Tab S6's Snapdragon 855 still ranks in the 95th percentile for CPU performance, which is wild for a 2019 tablet. The Super AMOLED display is the real reason to buy, and at $180 refurbished with the S Pen included, it's a solid deal. Just know the GPU is at the 2nd percentile and Android 12 is the final update.

The Snapdragon 855 here is the star of the show. At the 95th percentile for CPU, this thing handles app switching, document editing, and even some gaming better than most tablets we've tested. The 8GB of RAM helps too, sitting at the 67th percentile, which means you can keep a browser, a note app, and a video call running without constant reloads. Owners back this up, saying everyday performance for apps and games is smooth.

Then there's the GPU. 2nd percentile. That's not a typo. The Adreno 640 was fine in 2019, but in our current database it's essentially at the bottom of the barrel. Graphic-intensive games will run, but you'll be dropping settings and accepting frame rate dips. The 128GB of storage is middle of the pack at the 55th percentile, and connectivity lands at the 59th percentile with WiFi 5 and Bluetooth. Fine for browsing and streaming, but don't expect WiFi 6 speeds.

Against the Apple iPad Air M3, the Tab S6 gets absolutely demolished on GPU performance and software longevity. The M3 chip is in a different universe, and iPadOS updates will keep coming for years. But the iPad Air M3 costs several times more than $180. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad 7 both offer newer processors, higher refresh rate displays, and current Android versions, though they also cost significantly more. The Vekfulpc T60 Pro and UMIDIGI Active T1 are closer in price, but their displays and build quality don't touch the Tab S6's Super AMOLED panel. If you're budget-constrained and prioritize screen quality and stylus input, the Tab S6 holds its own. If you have any room in the budget, the Xiaomi Pad 7 is the smarter long-term buy.

At $180 for a refurbished unit, the value proposition is genuinely compelling if you know what you're getting. You're paying for that Super AMOLED display, the S Pen, and a CPU that still outperforms most budget tablets. The 4.5-star rating across 420 reviews suggests most buyers feel good about the purchase. But factor in the dead-end software situation and the 2nd percentile GPU, and this is a tablet with an expiration date. If you need something for notes, reading, and media consumption, $180 is hard to beat. If you want to play games or expect updates past Android 12, keep looking.

The Galaxy Tab S6 sits in a weird spot in 2025. Its Snapdragon 855 chip still lands in the 95th percentile for CPU performance among tablets in our database, which is genuinely surprising for a device from 2019. That's paired with 8GB of RAM and a 10.5-inch 2560x1600 Super AMOLED panel that owners consistently call out as the best thing about this tablet. For $180 refurbished, you're getting a screen that punches way above its price class.

But the cracks show fast. The GPU ranks in the 2nd percentile, dead last among basically everything we've tracked. Android 12 is the end of the road for software updates. And while the 7040mAh battery is solid at the 72nd percentile, the 60Hz refresh rate feels dated next to even budget tablets shipping today. This is a tablet you buy for the display and the S Pen, not for future-proofing.

Skip this if you play graphic-intensive games. The GPU at the 2nd percentile is a dealbreaker for anything beyond casual titles. Also skip it if you care about software updates, since Android 12 is the end of the line. And if you're buying refurbished, be prepared for the possibility of missing accessories. Several owners reported no S Pen or a generic charger in the box. If any of those are dealbreakers, the Xiaomi Pad 7 or even a newer budget Samsung tablet will serve you better long-term.

The Galaxy Tab S6 is a display-first tablet that still impresses in 2025, as long as you accept its limitations. The 95th percentile CPU and that gorgeous Super AMOLED screen make it a joy for reading, note-taking, and streaming. The included S Pen sweetens the deal at $180. But the 2nd percentile GPU and Android 12 ceiling mean this is not a device for gamers or anyone who wants software support beyond what's already installed. Buy it for what it is: a premium-feeling media and productivity tablet at a budget price, with a hard stop on future updates.