Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 vs Tab A9: What’s New in Samsung’s Latest 8.7-inch Tablet (2025)

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Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy Tab A11 (8.7-inch) in September 2025, marking the long-awaited refresh to its compact tablet line-up. Arriving nearly two years after the Galaxy Tab A9 (released October 2023), the new model aims to refine what made its predecessor one of Samsung’s most popular small tablets, affordability, portability, and everyday usability.

What happened to Galaxy Tab A10? NOBODY KNOWS. In Samsungs infinite wisdom, they have skipped the running model number Tab A10 for Tab A11. This means the affordable line of tablets from the company, ‘skipped a model’ turning 11 instead.

For current Tab A9 owners, the question is simple: is the Tab A11 worth the upgrade? And for new buyers, how does this latest release stack up as an entry-level Android tablet in 2025?

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between the Tab A11 and Tab A9, from display quality and performance to battery life, cameras, and everyday experience. Find out what’s genuinely improved, what remains the same, and whether Samsung’s new compact tablet justifies the jump.

Table of Contents

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7″): compact, capable and still a solid everyday tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Android Tablet (on Amazon)

Released in late 2023, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7″) was designed as a reliable all-rounder for casual users. Compact, lightweight, and affordable, it quickly became a go-to choice for students, families, and anyone seeking a no-fuss entertainment and productivity tablet. Its 8.7-inch TFT display with a 1340 × 800 resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate offers crisp visuals for browsing, streaming, and light gaming, while the dual speakers enhance the experience with decent stereo sound for its size.

Powering the tablet is the MediaTek Helio G99 octa-core processor, a capable mid-range chip that provides smooth performance for everyday multitasking, from video calls and note-taking to streaming and web browsing. The storage and RAM options (up to 8 GB + 128 GB) give users flexibility, and the microSD card slot allows expansion for those with large media libraries.

Battery life is respectable, with a 5,100 mAh cell supporting up to 10 hours of mixed use, making it ideal for travel or all-day study sessions. The 8 MP rear camera and 5 MP front camera handle casual photography and video calls adequately, though not designed for professional use. Connectivity features like Bluetooth 5.3, dual speakers, and Samsung’s One UI based on Android complete the package, offering a clean, user-friendly experience that benefits from regular updates.

While the newer Tab A11 refines many of these aspects, the A9 and A11 share a similar design language, display size, and overall portability. Both continue Samsung’s focus on creating small, accessible tablets that balance price, performance, and usability, proof that the compact tablet still has a place in today’s mobile lineup.

Key features/specs:

Display: 8.7″ TFT, 1,340 × 800 resolution, 60 Hz refresh rate.
Processor: MediaTek Helio G99 octa-core in many versions.
Storage/RAM: Options like 4 GB+64 GB, 8 GB+128 GB; microSD expandability.
Battery: Around 5,100 mAh (per one spec listing) with up to “10 hours” claimed use.
Cameras: Rear 8 MP; front 5 MP (some listings show 2 MP front in certain variants)
Dimensions/Weight: ~211 × 124.7 × 8.0 mm, weight ~332 g.
Other: Bluetooth 5.3, microSD slot, dual speakers, One UI/Android.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 (8.7″)

Launched in September 2025, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 (8.7″) builds upon the solid foundation of the Tab A9, refining the formula rather than reinventing it. Both tablets share the same compact 8.7-inch form factor, 1340 × 800 resolution, and lightweight, portable design — ideal for students, families, and casual users who value convenience and affordability. However, the A11 introduces subtle but meaningful upgrades that make it feel more modern and responsive.

The most noticeable improvement is the 90 Hz display refresh rate, which makes scrolling, navigation, and animations noticeably smoother compared to the A9’s 60 Hz panel. It’s a change that enhances the overall user experience, especially for reading, sketching, or light gaming. Under the hood, Samsung keeps the MediaTek Helio G99 processor, but with refined software optimisation through One UI and the latest version of Android, performance feels snappier and more consistent in day-to-day use.

Storage and memory options remain generous, with configurations offering up to 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, along with microSD expansion up to 2 TB — perfect for media-heavy users. The dual speakers with Dolby Audiodeliver richer, more immersive sound, while Bluetooth 5.3 ensures stable wireless connectivity. Battery capacity stays at 5,100 mAh, promising a similar all-day runtime, though software efficiency gains may stretch it further.

The 8 MP rear and 5 MP front cameras are unchanged on paper but benefit from improved image processing, producing better clarity and colour balance for video calls and everyday photography. In short, the Tab A11 doesn’t overhaul the A9’s formula — instead, it polishes it with smoother visuals, better audio, and refined usability, making it the more enjoyable tablet to live with.

For anyone still using the Galaxy Tab A9, the upgrade to the A11 might not be essential, but it’s certainly tempting. For new buyers, the Galaxy Tab A11 (8.7″) represents one of the most balanced compact tablets in Samsung’s lineup — familiar, reliable, and just that bit smoother where it counts.

Key features/specs:

Display: 8.7″ with 1,340 × 800 resolution; importantly, the refresh rate is boosted to 90 Hz.
Processor: MediaTek Helio G99 in many leaks/specs.
Storage/RAM: At least up to 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage; microSD support up to 2 TB in some markets.
Battery: 5,100 mAh listed in official specs.
Cameras: Rear 8 MP, front 5 MP in many spec listings.
Dimensions/Weight: ~211 × 124.7 × 8.0 mm, weight ~335 g.
Other: Bluetooth 5.3, Dolby audio, dual speakers, Samsung ecosystem/software support.

What Has Improved in the A11 vs. A9

Higher refresh rate display (90 Hz vs 60 Hz): The A11 offers a smoother scrolling and UI experience, which is a tangible upgrade.
Potentially newer hardware support & storage/RAM configuration: The A11 lists up to 8 GB RAM / 128 GB storage and higher microSD specs, which improves multitasking and future-proofing.
Software/support continuity: As the newer model, the A11 should receive updates for longer and may include newer feature support in Samsung’s ecosystem.

What Has Stayed the Same or Only Minor Bumps

Screen resolution is the same 1,340 × 800, which means clarity/definition doesn’t change significantly.
Battery size remains similar (5,100 mAh) in the specs listed — so if your usage is heavy, you may not see a big jump in endurance.
Camera specs are largely similar (8 MP rear / ~5 MP front) — meaning camera performance may improve modestly (software tweaks) but not drastically.
Both models share similar physical size, weight and general build, so ergonomics and portability are essentially unchanged.

Is the Galaxy Tab A11 Worth the Upgrade?

If you currently own the Tab A9 and you’re keen on smoother UI, better multitasking, and slightly better future-proofing, then yes, the Tab A11 brings real tangible benefits (especially the 90 Hz refresh). However, if your usage is fairly light (media, browsing, reading) and you’re satisfied with the A9’s performance and display fluidity, the upgrade may not feel dramatic. The core experience remains very similar.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 refines the formula that made the Tab A9 so popular. It keeps the same ultra-portable 8.7-inch form factor but brings noticeable upgrades where it counts, a brighter display, improved battery life, and updated software support. For Tab A9 owners, the jump may not feel dramatic, but those seeking smoother multitasking and longer usability will appreciate the refinements.

If you’re buying your first small tablet, the Tab A11 stands out as one of the best value options in 2025 — perfect for students, kids, or anyone wanting a lightweight device for streaming, note-taking, and travel. The Tab A9 still holds its own as a budget-friendly pick, but the A11 delivers a more polished experience that makes it the natural choice moving forward.