A bigger tablet is a poor trade if its size means it gets left at home. The Galaxy Tab A11 weighs 335 g, and its 8.7-inch screen makes a manageable companion for a commute. The linked SM-X133 is the international 64 GB Wi-Fi version. Download material before leaving home, use a phone hotspot or consider the separate 64 GB LTE version if your carrier supports it.
In depth
Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 review
Published
Best fora reader who wants a compact screen for downloaded books, shows and music.
At a glance
- Screen size
- 8.7 inches
- Panel technology
- TFT LCD
- Processor
- MediaTek Helio G99
- Storage
- 64GB
- Operating system
- Android
Pros
- Small 335 g body
- Headphone jack and microSD slot
Cons
- Low resolution for fine print
- 4 GB of memory leaves little multitasking headroom
Display
- 8.7 inches
- 1340 × 800
- Up to 90 Hz
The A11 raises the Galaxy Tab A9's refresh ceiling from 60 to 90 Hz, so a web page can move more smoothly under a finger. Resolution stays at 1340 × 800. A novel with adjustable text makes better use of that combination than a full-page manual full of tiny labels. Zooming a diagram also means moving around the page.
Notebookcheck found scrolling smoother on its 4 GB/64 GB Wi-Fi A11, yet could still see jagged edges on the low-resolution screen. Apps sometimes paused while loading. A higher refresh rate addresses only one of those experiences. 1
Performance & Storage
- MediaTek Helio G99
- 4 GB
- 64 GB
A Helio G99 and 4 GB of memory set sensible expectations for browsing or opening one media app at a time. The card slot accepts up to 2 TB. A card can take a large collection of downloaded music, photos or supported video downloads without increasing the memory available to a running app.
Connectivity & Audio
- USB-C · USB 2.0
A 3.5 mm jack makes a pair of wired headphones an easy travel companion, while Bluetooth 5.3 handles a wireless pair. The front camera rises to 5 MP from the A9's 2 MP. The Wi-Fi-only model still requires a suitable network before placing a video call.
Alternatives
The Galaxy Tab A11+ has a larger 1920 × 1200 display and four speakers. Choose it when a second viewer or a textbook-sized page is a more common use than reading one-handed.
Verdict
The A11 is a good fit for portable, largely single-app use. Choose it for the small body and practical ports, with the limits of its screen resolution in mind.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- NotebookcheckSamsung could have put more effort into this update – Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 tablet review - Notebookcheck Review (opens in a new tab)https://www.notebookcheck.net/Samsung-could-have-put-more-effort-into-this-update-Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-A11-tablet-review.1137482.0.html
Scrolling and app loading on a 4 GB/64 GB Wi-Fi Galaxy Tab A11.