A compact Samsung tablet for everyday tasks

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 8.7″ 128GB WiFi Tablet is a compact Android slate designed for everyday browsing, streaming and apps. With a handy 8.7-inch screen and lightweight slate design, it’s made to be carried around the house or slipped into a bag.

Samsung is well established in Android tablets, and this model sits in the affordable to mid-range space rather than competing with high-end flagship devices. You’re getting sensible specs for the money: 8GB of RAM, 128GB storage and Android 15, which should keep things feeling current for a good while.

Owners rate it highly, with a strong 4.6 out of 5 from user reviews, suggesting that for most people it delivers exactly what they expect from a small, value-focused Samsung tablet.

Table of Contents

Key features

  • Android 15 — Runs smoothly with improved productivity
  • WXGA+ screen — Delivers a detailed picture
  • 128GB storage — Holds up to 3200 apps
  • 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera — Take fun shots
  • Facial recognition — Extra secure with an easy login

Who this tablet is best for

The Galaxy Tab A11 8.7″ is a great fit if you want a compact, grab-and-go tablet for browsing, social media, streaming and a bit of light gaming. The 8.7-inch WXGA+ screen is big enough for comfortable viewing, but small enough to use one-handed or for kids to hold.

With 128GB of storage as standard and support for microSD cards up to 1TB, it suits families or students who like to download apps, offline videos and e-books without constantly micromanaging space. The 8MP rear and 5MP front cameras are perfectly adequate for video calls, homework snaps and casual photos.

If you’re on a budget or simply don’t need a big-screen powerhouse, this model makes sense. It’s more of an everyday companion than a pro-level workhorse, but Android 15, the octa-core MediaTek processor and 8GB of RAM mean it’s still responsive enough for multitasking between everyday apps.

It’s less ideal for serious creative work or those wanting a laptop replacement, as there’s no included keyboard or stylus, and the TFT display with 1340 x 800 resolution isn’t aimed at professional photo or video editing.

What we like

The 8.7-inch size strikes a nice balance between portability and usability. It’s easy to hold for long periods, whether you’re reading in bed, handing it to a child in the back seat, or catching up on a series on the sofa.

Performance is solid for the price thanks to the octa-core MediaTek MT8781 processor and 8GB of RAM. Everyday apps, streaming and light gaming should feel smooth, and Android 15 gives you a modern, up-to-date interface with improved productivity and security features.

Storage is generous at 128GB, and the option to add up to 1TB via microSD gives you plenty of room for apps, photos and offline media. That’s a real plus if multiple family members share the tablet.

Security is better than many budget tablets thanks to facial recognition and Samsung Knox, which adds an extra layer of protection for your data. Dolby Atmos support and the dual speakers are also welcome at this level, making films and YouTube clips more immersive than you might expect from a small device.

Wi-Fi 5 connectivity and Bluetooth 5.3 mean it plays nicely with modern routers and wireless headphones, and the USB-C port keeps charging and accessories straightforward.

Where it could be better

The 1340 x 800 TFT display is serviceable, but not especially sharp or premium. With 179ppi, text and small details won’t look as crisp as on higher-resolution tablets, and viewing angles and contrast won’t match an AMOLED panel.

There’s no mobile network option, so you’re limited to Wi-Fi. That may be a drawback if you want to use it on the go without tethering to your phone. There’s also no 3.5mm headphone jack listed, with audio instead relying on Bluetooth, which may not suit everyone.

Battery capacity at 5100mAh is reasonable for the size, but not huge, and there’s no wireless charging. The quoted 2.5-hour full charge time is acceptable, though not especially fast by modern standards.

You don’t get a stylus or keyboard in the box, and the tablet isn’t set up as a productivity powerhouse despite being Samsung DeX compatible. The 1-year warranty is standard but not generous, particularly for a device that may see daily family use.

Everyday use

Day to day, the Galaxy Tab A11 8.7″ is built to be straightforward. The slate design and compact 21.1 x 12.5 x 0.8 cm body make it easy to hold one-handed, and the capacitive touchscreen responds quickly to taps and swipes. Android 15 brings a clean, familiar layout with access to the full Google Play Store.

Unlocking is quick with face recognition, which is much more convenient than typing passwords every time, especially if children or other family members are using it under supervision. Samsung Knox works quietly in the background to keep apps and data more secure.

The dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support provide surprisingly full sound for such a small device, making Netflix, Disney+ or YouTube sessions enjoyable without immediately reaching for headphones. Brightness is rated at a decent 570 nits, so the screen remains legible in brighter rooms, though direct outdoor sunlight will still push it to its limits as with most budget tablets.

Charging and connectivity are simple: you plug in via USB-C, connect to Wi-Fi and pair Bluetooth headphones or speakers. With no mobile data or wired headphone jack to configure, setup stays very straightforward, though those omissions may limit flexibility for some users.

Maintenance is minimal. With solid-state UFS storage and no moving parts, there’s little to worry about beyond keeping it charged and occasionally clearing apps or media you no longer need. The inclusion of light and proximity sensors helps the tablet manage brightness and screen behaviour automatically, reducing the amount of tweaking you need to do.

Performance and features

At the heart of the Galaxy Tab A11 8.7″ is an octa-core MediaTek MT8781 processor, with speeds up to 2.2GHz backed by 8GB of RAM. For a compact, affordable tablet, that’s a strong combination and should handle multiple apps, browsing with several tabs, streaming and casual games without much fuss. It’s not targeting heavy 3D gaming or complex creative workloads, but for mainstream use it feels appropriately capable.

The 8.7-inch WXGA+ TFT display offers a 1340 x 800 resolution. Colours are listed at 16 million with a typical brightness of 570 nits, which suits everyday viewing indoors. While it can’t compete with higher-resolution or OLED panels when it comes to fine detail and contrast, it’s still a comfortable screen for video, shopping, social media and reading.

On the audio front, two speakers with Dolby Atmos support give you a more spacious soundstage than single-speaker rivals. Paired with Bluetooth 5.3 for modern wireless headphones or earbuds, it’s well set up for watching films or listening to music without cables.

The camera setup is modest but practical: an 8MP rear camera with autofocus and up to 10x digital zoom, plus a 5MP front camera for selfies and video calls. There’s no rear flash, but for daylight photos and regular Zoom or Teams meetings, it’s more than adequate.

Feature-wise, you also get Samsung DeX compatibility, which can offer a more desktop-like interface when connected to compatible displays and peripherals. While the lack of bundled keyboard or mouse means it’s not a full laptop replacement out of the box, it’s a nice extra for those who occasionally want a more productivity-focused setup. Security is bolstered by Samsung Knox and face recognition, and with 128GB of UFS storage plus microSD support up to 1TB, you’ve got both speed and room to grow.

Value for money

For an 8.7-inch Wi-Fi tablet at this price point, the Galaxy Tab A11 offers a well-judged balance of performance, storage and features. You’re not paying for cutting-edge display tech or premium metal finishes, but you do get a modern Android 15 experience, generous 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, which many cheaper tablets skimp on.

The inclusion of facial recognition, Samsung Knox security, Dolby Atmos audio and DeX compatibility adds value beyond the bare basics you’d expect from entry-level models. The compromise is mainly in the TFT, HD-class display and the lack of mobile data or wired headphone jack.

With a user rating of 4.6 out of 5 from existing owners, it’s clearly delivering for most buyers. If your priorities are portability, enough power for everyday tasks and plenty of storage without spending flagship money, it represents good value for money. If you want a sharper, more premium display or built-in 4G/5G, you’ll need to spend more or look at higher-end models.

Our verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 8.7″ 128GB WiFi Tablet is a strong choice if you’re after a compact, reliable Android tablet for everyday use. It combines a portable form factor with a capable processor, 8GB of RAM and generous storage, all wrapped in Samsung’s familiar, well-supported ecosystem.

Its main strengths are ease of use, solid performance for daily apps, good audio for the size and thoughtful extras like face recognition, Samsung Knox and DeX compatibility. The user feedback score backs that up, suggesting most owners are very happy with how it fits into their home or family life.

Its limitations are clear: a basic HD TFT display, no mobile network support, no wired headphone jack and a standard 1-year warranty. If you want a sharper screen or plan to use a tablet heavily outdoors or as a full laptop replacement, you may want to look higher up the range. For everyone else, especially families, students and casual users, it’s an appealing, good-value small tablet that does its job without fuss.

FAQs

Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 8.7" good for streaming films and TV?

Yes. The 8.7-inch WXGA+ display, dual speakers with Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi 5 connectivity make it well suited to streaming from services like Netflix, YouTube and Disney+. The resolution isn’t Full HD, but it’s perfectly fine for casual viewing on this screen size.
Yes. It comes with 128GB of built-in UFS storage and a microSD slot that supports cards up to 1TB, giving you plenty of space for apps, photos and offline videos.
No. This model is Wi-Fi only and does not have a mobile network connection. To use it on the go, you’ll need to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots or tether it to your phone.
The specs list Bluetooth for audio but do not mention a 3.5mm headphone socket, so you should plan to use Bluetooth headphones or speakers, or compatible USB-C audio accessories.
It includes face recognition for quick, secure unlocking and Samsung Knox security, which helps protect your data and apps at a system level. You can also use standard Android password or PIN protection.
The tablet has a 5100mAh lithium-ion battery and takes around 2.5 hours for a full charge. Wireless charging is not supported, so charging is via the included USB-C cable.
Its compact size, light weight and straightforward Android interface make it a good option for children, especially for educational apps and videos. Parents can set up user profiles and controls within Android to manage access.
It comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 8.7" 128GB WiFi Tablet Review

£239.00

Overall score

8.5/10

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