It looks like Samsung might be hard at work on a new Fan Edition device, but surprisingly (or not), this is definitely not set to join the high-end Galaxy S smartphone family.
That's because we're not looking at an Android handset at all here, but rather a tablet aiming for a considerably lower price point than the early 2022-released premium Galaxy Tab S8 trio.
By all indications, this will be known as the Tab S8 FE... eventually, getting benchmarked earlier today in presumably very advanced pre-release form with Android 13 software already on board. While the SM-X506B model number doesn't exactly suggest a strong family connection to the SM-T73x (aka Galaxy Tab S7 FE) from last year, we really cannot think of another device that could fit the specs revealed by Geekbench (via GalaxyClub Netherlands).
We're talking a fairly modest 4GB RAM count and a similarly unimpressive octa-core MediaTek MT8791V processor, aka Kompanio 900T. The latter chipset is slightly faster than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750 powering the Tab S7 FE, so we're almost certain this is an impending Galaxy Tab S8 FE... or perhaps Tab S8 Lite variant.
The SM-X506B model apparently supports 5G speeds, and at the right price and the right moment, this undoubtedly affordable Android mid-ranger could absolutely make a splash in a stagnant but very crowded and competitive market easily dominated by Apple.
It remains to be seen when exactly might the Galaxy Tab S8 FE be released and whether it will manage to beat the existing Tab S8, Tab S8+, and Tab S8 Ultra to the Android 13 punch, which would certainly be highly unusual.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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