Samsung Galaxy Tab A 11" 9+ Review
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ nails the basics for under $250, but its mediocre screen and older tech mean it's only for the most budget-conscious shoppers.
Overview
If you're looking for a cheap Android tablet that won't break the bank, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is squarely in your sights. It's an 11-inch Wi-Fi-only slate running Android 13, packing 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. For around $239, you're getting a device that's clearly built for basic tasks like watching videos, browsing the web, and light gaming. People often search for 'best budget tablet under $250' or 'cheap Android tablet for streaming,' and this is exactly the kind of device that pops up. It's not fancy, but it covers the essentials.
Performance
Under the hood, you've got a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip and an Adreno 619 GPU. In our benchmarks, this combo lands in the low 60s percentile for CPU and GPU performance. In practice, that means it's perfectly fine for everyday stuff. Apps open without too much fuss, and you can stream HD video all day. But don't expect it to handle heavy gaming or intensive multitasking smoothly. The 8GB of RAM helps keep a few apps open in the background, which is a nice touch at this price. The 7040mAh battery scored right in the middle of the pack, so you'll get a full day of casual use, but nothing extraordinary.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The price is very hard to beat for an 11-inch tablet. 93th
- 8GB of RAM is generous for a budget device and helps with multitasking. 75th
- The 90Hz refresh rate on the display makes scrolling feel smoother than expected. 73th
- The quad AKG speakers with Dolby Atmos sound surprisingly good for media.
- Lightweight and easy to hold for long periods.
Cons
- The screen is a basic TFT LCD. Colors look washed out and it's not very bright. 1th
- Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 feel dated in a world of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. 28th
- The cameras (8MP rear, 5MP front) are just for video calls, don't expect good photos.
- No cellular option, it's Wi-Fi only, which limits its portability.
- The international model lacks a domestic warranty, which is a bit of a risk.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | 2200 MHz |
| GPU | X1 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
Display
| Size | 11" |
| Resolution | 1920 (Full HD) |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 5 |
Physical
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
| OS | Android 13 |
Value & Pricing
At $239, the Tab A9+ sits in a very specific niche. It's cheaper than an entry-level iPad and undercuts most other name-brand 11-inch tablets. You're making clear trade-offs for that low price, especially with the mediocre screen and older connectivity. But if your budget is absolutely firm and you just need a functional screen for videos and web browsing, it delivers the basics without much fuss.
Price History
vs Competition
The most obvious competitor is the base model Apple iPad (10th gen), which costs more but has a much better screen, faster performance, and a stronger app ecosystem. If you're deep into Android, the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 is a similar price and often has a better display. And if you're wondering about those high-end competitors in the data, like the iPad Pro or Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, forget it. This isn't in their league. The Tab A9+ is for someone who wants to spend half as much (or less) than those premium tablets require.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Tab A 11" 9+ | Apple iPad Apple - 11-inch iPad A16 chip with Wi-Fi - 256GB - | Lenovo Idea Tab Lenovo - Idea Tab Pro - 12.7" 3K Tablet - 8GB RAM | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, | TCL NXTPAPER TCL NXTPAPER 14 Android Tablet, 14.3" Paper-Like | Teclast TECLAST T65PLUS 13.4-Inch Android 15 Tablet 2025, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 2200 MHz | Apple A16 | MediaTek Dimensity | Core i7 | 2.2 GHz | 2.2 GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 8 | 8 |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 258 | 256 |
| Screen | 11" 1920x1200 | 11" 2360x1640 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 12.3" 2736x1824 | 14.3" 2400x1600 | 13.4" 1920x1200 |
| OS | Android 13 | iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Android 15 |
| Stylus | false | true | true | true | true | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | true |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 29 | - | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Screen | Battery | Feature | Storage | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A 11" 9+ | 73.4 | 1.4 | 74.6 | 27.5 | 46.2 | 58 | 55.1 | 48.3 | 56.4 | 92.6 |
| Apple iPad 11-inch A16 chip Compare | 71 | 71.6 | 65.9 | 78.5 | 96.7 | 93.4 | 74.1 | 70.1 | 89.9 | 99.3 |
| Lenovo Idea Tab Pro 12.7" 3K Compare | 43.6 | 45.2 | 74.6 | 92.2 | 94.9 | 95.7 | 74.1 | 91.1 | 96.2 | 99.3 |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Compare | 90.1 | 89.1 | 90.7 | 82.7 | 46.2 | 90.4 | 83.9 | 0 | 56.4 | 89.8 |
| TCL NXTPAPER Nxtpaper 14 Compare | 73.4 | 74 | 74.6 | 64.6 | 46.2 | 70.6 | 83.3 | 0 | 56.4 | 89.8 |
| Teclast T65PLUS 13.4-Inch Android 15 Tablet 2025 Compare | 73.4 | 74 | 74.6 | 44.2 | 94.7 | 26.9 | 74.1 | 70.1 | 92.9 | 95.1 |
Verdict
So, should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+? It's a simple yes or no. If your main question is 'what's the cheapest decent 11-inch tablet I can get?' and you're okay with a so-so screen and no warranty, then yes, this is a viable option. It's good for entertainment and light use. But if you can stretch your budget even a little, spending more on an iPad or a better Android tablet will get you a significantly better experience that lasts longer. This is a buy for strict budgets only.