I spend most of my time on my phone, but I still use a cheap Samsung tablet for certain tasks. The bigger display is far better for working on the go and doubles as a Kindle for nighttime reading. For me, Android tablets are more flexible than iPads. They integrate better with Windows via Phone Link, and I can also turn my tablet into a portable monitor and connect it to my laptop in a pinch.

That’s why I couldn’t miss the opportunity to try the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+. The brand skipped a year, and its new tablet is the entry-level successor to the 2024 Galaxy Tab A9+. I spent a week with it to see what it could do and if it’s worth buying, and this is how it went.

3.5/5

Brand

Samsung

Storage

128GB

CPU

Mediatek MT8775

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A11+ is an entry-level tablet ideal for lightweight tasks such as browsing and using productivity apps.

Pros & Cons

• Fantastic price
• Handles most everyday tasks
• Quality feel

• No S Pen compatibility
• Basic cameras
• Average display

Price, availability, and specs

Entry-level elegance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ retails at $250, but you can find it at around $210 on Amazon. It’s an appealing proposition for buyers who get Samsung quality and lightweight processing power without paying double for the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite.

The basic configuration I tested is powered by the MediaTek MT8775 chipset with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, although it might be worth adding another $60 to upgrade to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Alternatively, you can expand the storage up to 2TB with the MicroSD slot.

Graphics are courtesy of an 11-inch TFT display with a 1200 x 1920 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The 90Hz refresh rate is about standard for a budget-friendly tablet and still matches the mid-range Galaxy Tab S10 FE.

For an entry-level tablet, the Galaxy Tab A11+ has a solid-feeling aluminum chassis with a classy gray or silver finish. At 10.12 x 6.64 x 0.27 inches, it’s almost identical in size to the older Galaxy Tab A9+, and it’s just a tad lighter at 1.06 lbs. The left side follows the usual Samsung formula with the power and volume buttons, while the MicroSD card reader is on the left. You also get four speakers in each corner and a USB-C port at the bottom for charging the 7040mAh battery. The rear of the Galaxy Tab A11+ houses the basic 8MP autofocus camera, offering 1080p video recording at 30fps.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ is currently available from the Samsung website and Amazon for between $210 and $300.

What I liked about the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+

A decent daily driver

First impressions count, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ has a silky matte finish that feels durable and matches the build quality of its pricier siblings. The touchscreen offers instant response with no lag during more demanding tasks.

There’s no hiding the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ is an entertainment-first tablet, and it provides a clear, bright screen with decent visuals for movies and other content. It has some drawbacks, like a narrow viewing angle and low pixel density, but I still found it adequate for my needs.

I usually prefer big screens for content, but I felt immersed in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and appreciated the intricate vehicle and costume details. The Batman is a notoriously dark movie, and I could easily track the nighttime action and car chases after increasing the Galaxy Tab A11+’s brightness. Sound is as important as visuals when enjoying content, and the quad-speaker system provides high volume despite lacking low-end oomph. You can always connect Bluetooth speakers or headphones if you want surround sound or more bass.

Next up was gaming. I connected a Bluetooth controller and tried titles like Shadow Warrior 4 and Asphalt 8. They ran perfectly without motion blur and looked amazing on the display.

I occasionally use my tablet for work, and the Galaxy Tab A11+ ate up everything I threw at it. It handled multiple open Chrome tabs and productivity apps, like Word and Excel, running simultaneously without a hitch, with no delays when switching between them.

The 6GB of RAM was one of my biggest worries when testing the Galaxy Tab A11+, and I had low expectations regarding its capabilities. However, my fears were unfounded as it effortlessly handled all my tasks without freezing or lag.

The battery life was decent throughout, and I consistently got around 10 hours of use while browsing and watching YouTube videos. It was no surprise that it decreased when I turned up the brightness and watched long movies. The Galaxy Tab A11+’s 25W charging is an upgrade over the Galaxy Tab A9’s 15W, and it took around 30 minutes to get the battery from 0 to 40% and around 1.5 hours for a full charge.

What I didn’t like about the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+

Fewer upgrades than expected

You can’t expect entry-level devices to be perfect, and the Galaxy Tab A11+ is no different. The front and rear cameras get the job done, but won’t compete with the average smartphone. It’s also the only model in the Samsung tablet lineup without S Pen support. The LCD display isn’t in the same league as the AMOLEDs on the higher-tier models, but you get what you pay for, and it’s in line with the pricing.

At the end of the day, the Tab A11+ is the definition of an iterative update, offering a slight performance bump over the A9+ while retaining the same overall design, battery capacity, display, and camera system.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+?

It’s not for everyone

This comes down to what you’re looking for in a tablet. The Galaxy Tab A+ does what it’s meant to do and provides an accessible option for casual users who’ll benefit from its decent visuals and everyday practicality. Professionals and creatives might be better off spending a bit more for the superior performance, crisper display, and S Pen functionality of Samsung’s other tablets.

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this tablet for my admittedly light use. Price is the deciding factor, and I don’t feel the need to pay twice as much for tablets with features I don’t need.

3.5/5

Brand

Samsung

Storage

128GB

CPU

Mediatek MT8775