TCL Tab 11 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+: A Detailed Comparison

The sub-$300 Android tablet market is heating up. The TCL Tab 11, with its older but proven MediaTek Helio P60T chipset, faces off against the newer Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, powered by the 5G-capable Snapdragon 695. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications to determine which tablet offers the best value and performance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is the better choice. Its more modern 6nm Snapdragon 695 chipset delivers superior performance and efficiency compared to the TCL Tab 11’s 12nm Helio P60T, alongside the benefit of 5G connectivity. While the TCL Tab 11 is a capable device, the A9+ offers a more future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL Tab 11 Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, February 262023, October 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, MayAvailable. Released 2023, October 17
Body
Dimensions259 x 163.6 x 6.9 mm (10.20 x 6.44 x 0.27 in)257.1 x 168.7 x 6.9 mm (10.12 x 6.64 x 0.27 in)
SIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)
Weight462 g (1.02 lb)480 g or 492 g (1.06 lb)
 Stylus support-
Display
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~213 ppi density)1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~206 ppi density)
Size10.95 inches, 341.3 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPSTFT LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 619
OSAndroid 13Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal-64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF8 MP, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, 100˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm5 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Unspecified-
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningUnspecifiedGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS - cellular model only
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity (accessories only)Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass
Battery
Charging18W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 8000 mAhLi-Po 7040 mAh
Misc
ColorsDigital Lavender, Dark GrayGraphite, Silver, Navy
Models9166G, 9466XSM-X210, SM-X215, SM-X216B
PriceAbout 180 EUR$ 199.99
SAR-0.42 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.19 W/kg (body)

TCL Tab 11

  • Potentially lower price point
  • 18W wired charging
  • Capable for basic tasks

  • Older, less efficient chipset
  • Likely lower sustained performance
  • No 5G connectivity

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

  • More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • 5G connectivity for on-the-go use
  • Likely better sustained performance

  • Slightly slower charging (15W)
  • Potentially higher price
  • Samsung's software bloat (subjective)

Display Comparison

Neither TCL nor Samsung provided display specs beyond resolution. However, the choice of chipsets hints at display capabilities. The Snapdragon 695 often pairs with higher refresh rate panels, suggesting the A9+ *may* offer a smoother visual experience. The older Helio P60T is likely paired with a standard 60Hz panel. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon allows for more power to be allocated to the display, potentially resulting in higher brightness and better color accuracy. Bezels are likely comparable given the price points, focusing on functional design rather than premium aesthetics.

Camera Comparison

Given the price bracket, camera performance isn't a primary focus. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally more refined, potentially leading to slightly better image quality in good lighting conditions. Expect both to struggle in low-light scenarios. The presence of 5G in the A9+ *could* facilitate faster uploads of photos and videos, but this isn't directly related to camera hardware.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) boasts a more modern architecture with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. This contrasts with the TCL Tab 11’s MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T (12nm) featuring 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x Cortex-A53 cores. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 is significantly more efficient, leading to less heat generation and sustained performance. While both are octa-core, the Snapdragon’s Kryo cores offer a performance advantage, particularly in multi-threaded tasks and gaming. The A9+ is likely to exhibit less throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified, but the Snapdragon 695’s superior efficiency gives the Galaxy Tab A9+ an advantage. The 6nm process consumes less power than the Helio P60T’s 12nm process. While the TCL Tab 11 has 18W wired charging, the A9+ has 15W. The efficiency gains of the Snapdragon may offset the slightly lower charging wattage, resulting in comparable or even faster real-world charging times. Users prioritizing all-day battery life will likely benefit from the A9+’s more efficient chipset.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL Tab 11 if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity. It’s a solid option for casual users on a tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ if you value performance, 5G connectivity for on-the-go use, and a more efficient processor that will hold up better over time. This is the better choice for students, travelers, and anyone who wants a tablet that can handle more demanding applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy Tab A9+ handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 695 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it's capable of running Genshin Impact at lower settings (medium or low) with acceptable frame rates. The TCL Tab 11’s Helio P60T will struggle with this title, requiring significantly reduced settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ Does the 5G connectivity on the Galaxy Tab A9+ significantly impact battery life?
Using 5G will naturally consume more battery than Wi-Fi. However, the Snapdragon 695’s efficiency helps mitigate this impact. Samsung’s software likely includes power-saving modes to optimize battery life when using 5G, allowing for reasonable usage times even on cellular networks.
❓ Is the TCL Tab 11 a good choice for taking notes with a stylus?
The TCL Tab 11 doesn't officially support a stylus, and its screen likely lacks the necessary digitizer technology for accurate handwriting recognition. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ also doesn't come with a stylus, but it's more likely to be compatible with third-party styluses offering a better writing experience.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the two tablets?
The TCL Tab 11 runs a relatively clean version of Android. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ features Samsung’s One UI, which includes additional features and customization options, but also comes with pre-installed apps (bloatware) that some users may find undesirable. Samsung also typically provides longer software update support.