Samsung appears to be tinkering with its tablet playbook, and if recent rumors are to be believed, we could be seeing a new, budget-friendly addition to the Galaxy Tab S10 family. According to credible sources like tipster AssembleDebug and Android Authority, the tech giant is reportedly working on a Galaxy Tab S10 Lite and it could hit shelves at an even lower price point than the current Fan Edition (FE) lineup.
The idea of a “Lite” version brings an expectations of being budget-friendly, pared-down specs, and a no-frills experience. But Samsung might be aiming to make a balance giving enough performance and attributes to keep casual patrons happy while trimming the fat to keep costs at an all time low.
One of the more interesting details to came up from these leaks is the choice of processor. The Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is rumored to run on the Exynos 1380, a two-year-old chip that made its launch in midrange gadgets back in 2023. While not cutting-edge by today’s standards, the chip still packs enough power for everyday tasks and light gaming, thanks to its Arm Mali G68 GPU.
The Exynos 1380 also supports displays up to a Full HD+ resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate — so if Samsung includes a quality panel, the S10 Lite might still offer a snappy and enjoyable viewing experience.
On top of that, the leaked data hints at both Wi-Fi-only and cellular versions of the tablet, catering to a wider scope of patrons and use cases.
What Does this Mean for the Fan Edition Line
If this rumor pans out, the Tab S10 Lite would sit below the already- affordable-conscious Tab S10 FE and FE Plus — the latter of which inaugurated with a 13.1-inch display and a $649 cost tag. That’s a hefty chunk of change for a “fan edition,” which was once meant to be a budget-friendly flagship alternative.
The S10 Lite could serve as a truly entry-level option, potentially coming in under $499 and appealing to students, casual streamers, and folks who just want a tablet for basic entertainment and productivity.
But with more models comes more confusion. Samsung’s tablet lineup is starting to resemble a family tree with too many branches. First, the base Tab S10 was nowhere to be found during the flagship launch in late 2024. Now, we may get a Lite version after the fact — potentially crowding a lineup that already has the FE models.
In another twist, Samsung may be planning to overhaul the next generation entirely. New reports suggest the Galaxy Tab S11 series could *ditch the “Plus” model* altogether. That would leave us with just two options: a base Tab S11 and a top-of-the-line Tab S11 Ultra.
This is a pretty big change, considering Samsung has leaned heavily into the base/Plus/Ultra tiered strategy across both phones and tablets. Removing the middle-tier Plus model could simplify things for consumers — or just as easily create a pricing and feature gap that’s hard to ignore.
Possibility of a Partnership with MediaTek
MediaTek’s flagship chipsets have been gaining ground lately in performance and efficiency, so it’s not entirely far-fetched. But it would mark a noticeable change in direction for a brand that’s mostly stuck to in-house or U.S.-centric hardware for its high-end products.
As exciting (or confusing) as these leaks are, they still leave us with more questions than answers. We don’t yet know what display sizes the Tab S10 Lite or Tab S11 gadgets will offer, what kind of build quality to expect, or how costly will shake out across global markets.
And with so many possible models in the mix — from the S10 Lite to FE Plus, to potential S11 variants — it’s unclear how Samsung plans to streamline the experience for buyers.
If Samsung does launch a Tab S10 Lite, it could be a welcome addition for users who just want a capable, affordable tablet without all the bells and whistles. Meanwhile, the possible S11 series shake-up could signal a new era of streamlined high-end options — or just add to the lineup’s growing complexity.
Either way, Samsung’s tablet strategy seems to be evolving. Whether it’s responding to market demands or just throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks, one thing is clear: the Galaxy Tab family isn’t standing still.
