Samsung Galaxy Tab A11: Everything you need to know

After skipping over the Galaxy Tab A10 completely, some of us were starting to wonder if Samsung’s entry-level tablets were gradually being phased out, but with the all-new Galaxy Tab A11 and the A11+ now available, we can put those fears to rest.

While Samsung certainly puts the weight of its marketing department into its flagship series of tablets (and you can see as much now with the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 range), the A-series has long been a great option for anyone who wants the core Android tablet experience without spending a small fortune.

For browsing the web on a larger screen or enjoying a more cinematic video stream whilst saving your phone’s battery in the process, Samsung’s budget tablets are hard to argue with on pure value alone, which is why we were bigs fans of both the Galaxy Tab A9 and the A9+. Still, with both of those tablets having been on the market for a few years now, an upgrade was starting to feel justified and that’s exactly what we’ve got with the latest pairing.

We’ve got a Galaxy Tab A11 in for testing so tuned for our full review in the near future and we hope to get an A11+, too. To find out all the key aspects of the Tab A11, including the new features it brings to the table, as well as how much it costs, just keep on reading.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11: What’s new?

90Hz is now available across the board

One of the big reasons why folks would have wanted to pick the Galaxy Tab A9+ over the standard A9 is that the former benefited from a smoother 90Hz refresh rate, which made it a better option overall for a bit of light gaming and web browsing.

Well, this time around, you don’t have to spend extra to enjoy the feature.

The Galaxy Tab A11 and the A11+ will share a 90Hz refresh rate from the jump. Even though having to deal with 60Hz has been a somewhat understandable concession in the past, given the budget pricing of the A-series, having that leap to 90Hz is a big deal for bringing Samsung’s tablets into the modern age, where it’s perfectly acceptable to see a 120Hz refresh rate on some of the best budget phones.

Credit: Samsung

Screen sizes (8.7- and 11-inch) and resolution have remained the same, so if you’re not that fussed about refresh rates, then you may find a more tempting buy with a discount Galaxy Tab A9, although for our money, it’s the next feature that stands as the biggest reason to upgrade.

Seven years of software and security updates

After years of conceding plenty of ground to Apple in this area, we’ve seen Samsung start to make a real push towards extending the longevity of its smartphone, and it now appears as if that same courtesy is being extended to the company’s new budget tablets.

Unlike the Tab A9 and A9+, which received four years of software and security updates from launch, the new A11 range will have a total of seven years.

That’s a massive win for consumers as it means that, so long as you take care of your A11 device, you’ll be able to use it for a longer period of time, knowing that Samsung will take care of any bugs or security flaws as they appear, and get the latest version of Android for years to come.

The selfie camera has a much-needed upgrade

There are certainly some users out there who shudder at the idea of ever engaging with the front-camera on their tablet, but as an affordable means of enjoying video calls with friends and relatives from afar, their significance on budget tablets cannot be underrated, which is why we’re glad to see Samsung paying the feature some much-needed attention.

Doing away with the 2Mp selfie camera of old, the A11 series now boasts a 5Mp front-facing camera on both tablets, which should provide greater clarity and detail, paving the way for a smoother video experience overall.

Samsung

When is the Galaxy Tab A11 release date?

Even though Samsung unveiled both tablets in the A11 range at the same time, the company opted for a staggered release in bringing them to market.

The Galaxy Tab A11 was available to buy first in certain territories, including France and the UK, although surprisingly, it is still not available in the US at the time of writing, and we don’t yet know what Samsung plans to do with regard to a US release.

The Galaxy Tab A11+ arrived just a few weeks later to buy in those aforementioned territories, with the US still waiting for an official announcement.

For some added context, here are the release dates for previous A-series Samsung Galaxy Tabs:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 series: October 2023
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 series: January 2022
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 series: September 2020

Chris Martin / Foundry

How much does the Galaxy Tab A11 cost?

In what is certainly a nice surprise to folks who are looking to upgrade to Samsung’s latest range of tablets, the standard Galaxy Tab A11 actually has a cheaper starting price than the Tab A9. You can buy the A11 now for as little as £149, a whole £20 less than the initial £169 asking price of the A9.

That starting price is for the 64GB model, but there is a 128GB version priced at £189 for those who want a bit more storage for extra apps and keeping plenty of films and TVs shows available offline.

Black Friday deal: The Galaxy Tab A11 is already available for as little as £99.

There’s also an LTE version of the A11 which provides network access via a SIM card, and comes in at a heftier £199 for the 64GB model, and £239 for the 128GB.

While Samsung initially delayed an announcement regarding pricing for the Galaxy Tab A11+, we now know that this larger tablet retails for £249 for the 128GB model. If you want a bit more storage, then there’s a 256GB option which will set you back £299.

Just like with the A11, you’re saving a bit of money here as the 128GB model of the Galaxy Tab A9+ had an asking price of £289.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 prices

• 64GB – £149
• 128GB – £189
• 64GB + LTE – £199
• 128GB + LTE – £239

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ prices

• 128GB – £249
• 256GB – £299

Credit: Samsung