TCL Tab A1 Plus Review (2026): Cheap Tablet That Doesn’t Feel It
The 2.4K resolution at this size works out to a pixel density of 236 ppi. For comparison, the base model iPad screen is 2360 ×
The 2.4K resolution at this size works out to a pixel density of 236 ppi. For comparison, the base model iPad screen is 2360 × 1640 pixels at 264 ppi. Side by side, the two are very close in terms of resolution. Color is somewhat subjective, but I prefer the slightly more vibrant Tab A1 Plus screen to an iPad. If the iPad is too apples-to-oranges of a comparison for you, consider the similarly priced Samsung Tab 11, which offers a mere 1080p screen with a 90-Hz refresh rate that lacks the visual punch and smooth UI of the Tab A1 Plus.
The Tab A1 Plus screen also carries a certification for emitting very low amounts of blue light, which is great if you’re planning to use it in the evenings or before bed (though it’s an open question how much blue light actually affects sleep). Whether I was watching Red Sox games in the MLB app, reading through my RSS feeds, or getting work done, I never felt as if I were using a budget screen with the A1 Tab Plus. In fact, everything about holding this thing feels very much like holding an iPad. The aluminum unibody design is very thin (6.7 mm) and lightweight at just over 1 pound (542 grams).
It’s solid enough that you can hold the corner without worrying about it flexing, and it’s light enough that you can actually hold it that way for a while. The A1 Plus is rated IP54, which means it’ll be safe against dust and splashes. Corners Were Cut Photograph: Scott Gilbertson Basic economics demands that a tablet this cheap—which rivals the iPad in screen size and quality, and currently costs almost $200 less—has some downsides. Which is to say corners had to be cut to hit this price point. The camera isn’t bad, but it’s definitely not as premium as the screen and body.
The 8-MP rear camera is fine for scanning documents and snapping a quick photo for reference purposes (think: receipts you need to file), but it’s not something you’d want to use for vacation photos. We would hope most people aren’t doing that with a tablet anyway (if you are, consider upgrading your travel camera). The front camera is 5 MP and, again, serviceable for video calls but nothing to rave about.
The BriefWire