AI comparison report

TCL Tab A1 vs A1 Plus

By CompareAI Editorial Team · Published 2026-09-23 · How we compare

Choose the TCL Tab A1 for an ultra-slim, IP54-rated 11-inch slate, or opt for the TCL Tab A1 Plus if you want a larger 12.2-inch 120Hz NXTPAPER display and a b…

Who wins: TCL Tab A1 or A1 Plus?

Choose the TCL Tab A1 first if you want a sleek, lightweight 11-inch tablet with IP54 build protection for everyday use, but choose an A1 Plus option—such as the TCL Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER—if you require a larger 12.2-inch 120Hz screen, faster 33W charging, and 10,000mAh battery capacity.

Based on our analysis across 5 dimensions with 20 sources, TCL Tab A1 scores 7.6/10 overall while A1 Plus scores 8.0/10 overall.

DimensionTCL Tab A1A1 Plus
Display Quality and Screen Technology7.5/108.5/10
Processing Power and Memory6.8/107.5/10
Battery Capacity and Charging Speed7.5/108.5/10
Design, Build Quality, and Portability8.5/106.8/10
Audio, Cameras, and Media Features7.8/108.5/10
Overall7.6/108.0/10

Should I choose TCL Tab A1 or A1 Plus?

Verdict: Choose the TCL Tab A1 first if you want a sleek, lightweight 11-inch tablet with IP54 build protection for everyday use, but choose an A1 Plus option—such as the TCL Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER—if you require a larger 12.2-inch 120Hz screen, faster 33W charging, and 10,000mAh battery capacity.

Choose the TCL Tab A1 for an ultra-slim, IP54-rated 11-inch slate, or opt for the TCL Tab A1 Plus if you want a larger 12.2-inch 120Hz NXTPAPER display and a bigger 10,000mAh battery.

The choice comes down to form factor, screen technology, and performance tiers. The TCL Tab A1 delivers high portability with a 6.2mm thickness, a 430g metal unibody, an IP54 rating, an 11-inch 2.1K 90Hz display, a MediaTek Helio G100 processor with 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, and an 8,000mAh battery supporting 20W charging. In contrast, the TCL Tab A1 Plus steps up to a 12.2-inch 2.4K 120Hz NXTPAPER display, an upgraded 4nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor with up to 256GB storage, an 8MP front camera, and a larger 10,000mAh battery with faster 33W charging. Alternatively, if considering the Xiaomi Redmi A1+ under the A1 Plus label, it serves as a budget 192g smartphone with a 6.52-inch HD+ 60Hz screen, Helio A22 chip, 2GB/3GB RAM, and 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging.

Best for TCL Tab A1

  • Users looking for a slim 6.2mm, lightweight 430g metal unibody tablet that is easy to hold
  • Durability with an IP54 dust and splash resistance rating
  • Balanced multimedia consumption on an 11-inch 2.1K 90Hz display
  • Everyday app performance powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G100 processor with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage
  • Solid battery life from an 8,000mAh battery with 20W USB-C charging

Best for A1 Plus

  • Users seeking a larger 12.2-inch 2.4K 120Hz NXTPAPER anti-glare display on the TCL Tab A1 Plus
  • Higher tablet performance with the 4nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset and up to 256GB storage
  • Heavy usage requiring a large 10,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging
  • Sharper video calls with an 8MP front-facing camera on the TCL Tab A1 Plus
  • Ultra-budget pocket portability with the 192g Xiaomi Redmi A1+ smartphone form factor

When not to compare directly

Do not compare the TCL Tab A1 directly to the Xiaomi Redmi A1+ as comparable tablets, because the Redmi A1+ is a compact 6.52-inch entry-level smartphone rather than a productivity tablet like the TCL Tab A1 or TCL Tab A1 Plus.

What are the key differences between TCL Tab A1 and A1 Plus?

  • Display Quality and Screen Technology

    While the TCL Tab A1 delivers an 11-inch 2.1K 90Hz LCD screen, the A1 Plus category spans from a small 6.52-inch HD+ 60Hz phone display on the Redmi A1+ to a larger, smoother 12.2-inch 2.4K 120Hz NXTPAPER screen on the TCL Tab A1 Plus.

    TCL Tab A1: The TCL Tab A1 features an 11-inch 2.1K display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering fluid motion and crisp resolution for general tablet productivity and media consumption.

    A1 Plus: The A1 Plus line offers vastly different displays, ranging from the Redmi A1+ smartphone with a modest 6.52-inch HD+ (1600 x 720) 60Hz panel to the TCL Tab A1 Plus tablet equipped with an advanced 12.2-inch 2.4K 120Hz NXTPAPER anti-glare display.

    Scores — TCL Tab A1: 7.5/10, A1 Plus: 8.5/10

    Determines screen real estate, clarity, fluid motion, and overall visual comfort during multimedia consumption, browsing, or productivity.

    Sources: Redmi A1+ Specs - Xiaomi Nigeria, TCL TAB A1 Plus NXTPAPER Android Tablet, 12.2" 2.4K ...

  • Processing Power and Memory

    While the TCL Tab A1 offers a 6nm MediaTek Helio G100 processor with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, the A1 Plus lineup spans from the low-end quad-core Helio A22 with 2GB or 3GB RAM in the Redmi A1+ to the higher-performing 4nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 with 6GB RAM and up to 256GB storage in the TCL Tab A1 Plus.

    TCL Tab A1: The TCL Tab A1 is equipped with an octa-core MediaTek Helio G100 processor, 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 128GB of internal storage, providing capable responsiveness and smooth multitasking for everyday Android apps.

    A1 Plus: The A1 Plus range includes the TCL Tab A1 Plus featuring an octa-core Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor with 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage, as well as the ultra-budget Xiaomi Redmi A1+ phone powered by an entry-level quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 chip with 2GB or 3GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC 5.1 storage.

    Scores — TCL Tab A1: 6.8/10, A1 Plus: 7.5/10

    Dictates responsiveness, multitasking efficiency, gaming capability, and overall smoothness when running modern Android applications.

    Sources: TCL TAB A1, Redmi A1+ Specs - Xiaomi Nigeria

  • Battery Capacity and Charging Speed

    The TCL Tab A1 provides an 8,000mAh battery with 20W charging, whereas A1 Plus models offer either a 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging on the Redmi A1+ or up to a 10,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging on the TCL Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER.

    TCL Tab A1: The TCL Tab A1 is equipped with an 8,000mAh battery that supports 20W USB-C fast charging for all-day usage and quicker top-ups.

    A1 Plus: Devices under the A1 Plus moniker vary, ranging from the Redmi A1+ smartphone with a 5,000mAh battery and 10W charging to the TCL Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER tablet featuring a larger 10,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging.

    Scores — TCL Tab A1: 7.5/10, A1 Plus: 8.5/10

    Affects device longevity away from a power outlet and how rapidly users can top up battery levels for uninterrupted usage.

    Sources: TCL TAB A1, TCL TAB A1 Plus NXTPAPER

  • Design, Build Quality, and Portability

    While the TCL Tab A1 offers a slim 6.2mm, 430g metal slate design with an IP54 rating, the Redmi A1+ provides a much lighter 192g pocket-sized phone body and the TCL Tab A1 Plus steps up to a significantly larger 12.2-inch footprint.

    TCL Tab A1: The TCL Tab A1 tablet features an ultra-slim 6.2mm metal unibody design weighing approximately 430g, backed by an IP54 dust and splash resistance rating for enhanced durability during transport and daily handling.

    A1 Plus: Under the A1 Plus designation, the Xiaomi Redmi A1+ smartphone offers a pocketable 192g handheld plastic build measuring 164.9 x 76.75 x 9.09mm, whereas the larger TCL Tab A1 Plus tablet adopts an expansive 12.2-inch slate form factor.

    Scores — TCL Tab A1: 8.5/10, A1 Plus: 6.8/10

    Influences durability, hand fatigue during prolonged use, water/dust resilience, and overall ease of transport.

    Sources: TCL TAB A1, Redmi A1+ Specs - Xiaomi Nigeria

  • Audio, Cameras, and Media Features

    While the TCL Tab A1 relies on a 5MP front camera with quad speakers, the upgraded TCL Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER elevates video clarity with an 8MP front camera alongside its quad stereo sound array.

    TCL Tab A1: The TCL Tab A1 is equipped with quad stereo speakers supported by Sound Booster technology capable of elevating volume up to 200%, alongside a 5MP centered front camera for video calling and an 8MP rear camera for photo capture and 1080p video recording.

    A1 Plus: The A1 Plus range spans the TCL Tab A1 Plus tablets—featuring quad stereo speakers with 200% Sound Booster paired with up to 8MP front and 8MP rear cameras—and the Redmi A1+ smartphone, which offers an 8MP dual AI rear camera, 5MP selfie camera, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

    Scores — TCL Tab A1: 7.8/10, A1 Plus: 8.5/10

    Essential for video calls, capturing casual photos, and immersive audio performance when watching movies or listening to music.

    Sources: TCL TAB A1, TCL TAB A1 Plus NXTPAPER

What are the pros and cons of TCL Tab A1 vs A1 Plus?

TCL Tab A1

Strengths

  • Features a slim 6.2mm metal unibody design weighing approximately 430g, backed by an IP54 dust and splash resistance rating.
  • Equipped with an 11-inch 2.1K display running at a smooth 90Hz refresh rate.
  • Houses an 8,000mAh battery that supports 20W USB-C fast charging.
  • Powered by a 6nm octa-core MediaTek Helio G100 processor paired with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
  • Includes quad stereo speakers with Sound Booster technology capable of boosting audio volume up to 200%.

Weaknesses

  • The 90Hz refresh rate and 11-inch screen size are lower than the 120Hz refresh rate and 12.2-inch 2.4K anti-glare display offered by the TCL Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER.
  • Internal storage is capped at 128GB, whereas the TCL Tab A1 Plus offers configurations up to 256GB.
  • Features a smaller 8,000mAh battery with slower 20W charging compared to the 10,000mAh capacity and 33W fast charging on the TCL Tab A1 Plus.
  • Uses a 5MP front-facing camera, offering lower resolution than the 8MP selfie camera on the TCL Tab A1 Plus.

A1 Plus

Strengths

  • The TCL Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER features a large 12.2-inch 2.4K anti-glare display with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate.
  • The TCL Tab A1 Plus is powered by a 4nm octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor with 6GB RAM and storage options up to 256GB.
  • The TCL Tab A1 Plus houses a substantial 10,000mAh battery supporting faster 33W wired charging.
  • The TCL Tab A1 Plus includes an upgraded 8MP front-facing camera alongside an 8MP rear camera and quad stereo speakers with 200% Sound Booster.
  • The Redmi A1+ smartphone option provides a lightweight 192g compact handheld form factor with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Weaknesses

  • The Redmi A1+ features an entry-level quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 processor with only 2GB or 3GB of RAM and 32GB of slow eMMC 5.1 storage.
  • The Redmi A1+ is limited to a small 6.52-inch HD+ (1600 x 720) 60Hz display.
  • The Redmi A1+ supports only basic 10W charging for its 5,000mAh battery.
  • The TCL Tab A1 Plus has a significantly larger footprint due to its 12.2-inch display compared to the more compact 11-inch TCL Tab A1.

Where does this data come from?

  1. TCL TAB A1
  2. Redmi A1+ Specs - Xiaomi Nigeria
  3. TCL TAB A1 Plus NXTPAPER
  4. Xiaomi Redmi A1+ Unboxing And Review: Redmi A1 Plus
  5. TCL's New A1 NXTPAPER Tablets Mix Business and ...
  6. Gionee A1 Plus with dual rear camera and large battery ...
  7. TCL Unveils TAB A1 Plus Tablet Now Available on Amazon
  8. Xiaomi Redmi A1+ - Specifications
  9. TCL TAB A1 Plus NXTPAPER | TCL Global
  10. Redmi A1+ review: Affordable phone with the promise of ...
  11. TCL TAB A1 NXTPAPER | TCL Global
  12. Redmi A1 Plus Price, Official Look, Design, Specifications ...
  13. TCL's latest Android tablet duo includes an affordable 11- ...
  14. Redmi A1 Plus | Xiaomi United Arab Emirates
  15. What is the battery life of the TCL TAB A1 Plus?
  16. Xiaomi Redmi A1+ Review - Benchmarks
  17. TCL TAB A1 Plus NXTPAPER Android Tablet, 12.2" 2.4K ...
  18. Xiaomi Redmi A1+ Review: An Affordable All-Rounder
  19. TCL Tab A1 Plus - Reviews and Specs
  20. Xiaomi Redmi A1+ First Look Review: A1 Plus Performance

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