I rarely test entry-level Android tablets because I can already guess their performance and manufacturers who don't develop good software. As a result, a good user experience is rarely enjoyed.
Recently after I tested the Xiaomi Pad 6 and liked it, I ventured to try the TCL Tab 11 as well. In this article I'll share my thoughts on this tablet and help you rate whether it's worth having?
SPECIFICATIONS
TCL Tab 11
Screen 10.95″″ LCD, 2000 x 1200, 60Hz,
NXTVISION Eye Care
Helio P60T processor (12nm)
4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 chips
4x Cortex-A53
Imagination PowerVR GE8320 Graphics Chip
4GB of RAM
128GB Internal Storage
Main Camera 8 Megapixel, f/2.0
1080p 30fps
8 Megapixel Front Camera, 1080p 30fps
8000mAh battery
18W wired charging
SIM/Telephony WiFi + LTE
Audio Quad-speaker Sound Booster
Scan System None
Sale Price RM 999 (4/128 GB)
SCREEN AND DESIGN
The TCL Tab 11 uses a 10.95″ screen, a 2K resolution LCD panel (2000 x 1200), a relatively thick bezel for a modern tablet and just 60Hz. This tablet screen uses NXTVISION Eye Care technology which is said to increase resolution, improve color and focus on the health of the user's eyes. In my eyes, the color that this screen tries to produce is like the AI technology that is on a smart television. So even though Netflix on this tablet is limited to SD resolution only, it still looks beautiful.
The colors are quite good with acceptable details. The screen is a little dim and the hardest for me is the 60Hz refresh rate as I'm used to 120Hz and above screens. Even so for normal everyday use, this tablet's screen is still good for scrolling. The biggest issue I've had so far is that high resolution videos on YouTube when played will look like the TV is broken because the memory is not high enough to process this feature.
YouTube videos look choppy
This tablet is designed to be used vertically because the NXTVISION technology was also developed to make it easier for users to read text on the screen. The tablet feels solid, premium and those who are aware of its specifications will definitely think the TCL Tab 11 is a flagship product. The downside of this tablet's finish is that it is very easy to catch fingerprints and is a little difficult to wipe clean.
There is nothing on the right side while the left side has volume buttons, a microphone hole and a SIM card slot. On the top there is a power button and two speaker grills and below the same as above only there is a USB-C port. The back panel has a small camera bump similar to a Samsung device and interestingly this Tab 11 is easy to handle because of the non-smooth dull gray finish.
USE AND SOFTWARE
This Tab 11 runs TCL UI based on Android 13. This operating system is very close to stock Android, but it is a little drowned out with its own icon and notification tray. TCL UI is quite good for me because it is light and can operate with a memory of 4GB RAM. It's also easy to use because there are no confusing elements, what you see is directly accessible and not hidden in settings after settings.
TCL UI also brings some interesting additional features for Android tablets. First is stylus support that connects using Bluetooth and charges using USB-C. There is a Jnotes premium application specifically for this tablet user, PC Mode for more professional use and also Smart Manager for memory management and security.
Not forgetting that this tablet supports dual-screen for more efficient productivity and can also be a powerbank for other devices via USB-C. The feature I like the most is the Second Screen where only using Windows +K, this tablet screen once with touch support can be a Windows 11 tablet. Most other tablets use their own software but TCL continues to use what is already developed by Microsoft.
BENCHMARKS AND PERFORMANCE
TCL chose to use an outdated processing chip which is Helio P60T 12nm which was launched in 2018. It is also matched with 4GB RAM memory which is very small for a device of 20203. As a result TCL Tab 11 is not able to operate smoothly. Over the course of more than a month of use, I often experience a rather critical time lag problem.
This tablet is really focused on entertainment only such as listening to music or watching videos. Productivity use is not recommended because of slow performance and interrupts my work. Even playing light games is problematic, Monopoly Go or Marvel SNAP can't run smoothly. If you want to know the benchmark scores of this tablet, here is the list for AnTuTu 3D Lite, Geekbench 6 and also 3DMark.
Not many tablets on the market use the Helio P60T. So the benchmark scores are compared to the Realme C53 (Unisoc Tiger T612), Realme C55 (Mediatek Helio G88), Redmi 12C (Mediatek Helio G85), and Realme Pad 2 (Mediatek Helio G99), all of which are entry-level smartphones.
Geekbench 6
TCL Tab 11 – 316/1224
Realme C53 – 408/1421
Realme C55 – 420/1377
Redmi 12C – 403/1212
Realme Pad 2 – 723/1967
AnTuTu 3D
TCL Tab 11 – 205,796
Realme C53 – 253,978
Realme C55 – 251,263
Redmi 12C – 212,386
Realme Pad 2 – N/A
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
TCL Tab 11 – 185
Realme C53 – 108
Realme C55 – 745
Redmi 12C – 188
Realme Pad 2 – 1354
CAMERA
The camera quality on this tablet is not something I can fully rely on for taking pictures or participating in teleconferences. The 8MP cameras on the back and front of this tablet just complete the specifications to make it look more valuable to buyers. You can see some samples below. The picture does not look vivid or sharp. The quality is like a smartphone camera from a decade ago. Overall the camera quality of this tablet is disappointing.
AUDIO
A tablet that uses a quad-speaker system is a good thing. Only the speaker system that TCL Tab 11 uses is Sound Booster which focuses on audio volume. It's really strong and almost balanced but not satisfying. There is no bass at all, the high and mids are confused and inconsistent. The audio produced is overly processed with software and unnatural.
BATTERY
The most obvious strength of this tablet is the satisfactory battery life. Light use, this Tab 11 is able to last for three to four days with a SOT of around 5 hours. While heavy use can last almost two days with a SOT of 10 hours. The tablet can be charged with USB-C but its power is limited to 18W and the 8000mAh battery capacity takes over two hours to fully charge.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
Here's what you'll receive when you buy the TCL Tab 11;
1x TCL Tab 11
1x USB-A Charger
1x USB-A to USB-C Cable
1x Protective frame can stand
1x Screen protector
1x Stylus
1x Manual set
CONCLUSION
After using this tablet for over a month, I'm quite surprised that I can still persevere with it and not give in to continue using it. There is no doubt that this tablet does not have smooth performance, good audio or a good camera for teleconferencing.
Even so, TCL UI still tries to provide an interesting Android tablet usage experience again with the Second Screen feature and stock Android. For now, the selling price of RM999 is not worth it because you can get the Honor Pad X9 at the price of RM1099 or the Xiaomi Pad 6 and realme Pad 2 at the starting price of RM1299 which I guarantee will give you a more satisfying use experience.
Pro
Nice screen and good for a basic tablet.
Software that is light, simple and looks like stock Android.
Second Screen that turns the tablet into Windows 11.
Try to give the best value in tablet use.
Cons
Very poor performance, slow and frequent lags.
Although the screen is beautiful, high-resolution videos are difficult to play.
Very slow charging for an 8000mAh battery.
Uncompetitive selling price.