A 12.2-inch 120Hz display, expandable storage and a metal build give TCL’s budget tablet a premium feel, although its modest processor and limited software support reveal where costs have been cut.
TCL’s TAB A1 Plus is aimed squarely at buyers who want a large Android tablet without paying premium-tablet money. In a category where many budget models still settle for compact screens and sluggish refresh rates, TCL has built around a 12.2-inch 2.4K panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3:2 aspect ratio, a combination that makes reading, web browsing and split-screen use feel far less cramped than on typical entry-level slates. TCL says the device also includes Google Gemini tools and Writing Assist, as well as an 8,000mAh battery with 20W charging.
The hardware choices show a clear trade-off between display-led usability and raw speed. The tablet runs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable by microSD to 2TB. That is enough for routine browsing, streaming, document work and other everyday tasks, but reviews from Notebookcheck and Chip both note that the chipset is not intended for demanding gaming or heavy applications. Chip found that the device can stutter when returning to the home screen and can be slow to install apps, while more intensive workloads quickly expose its limits.
The physical design is another area where TCL has tried to stretch the value proposition. The TAB A1 Plus uses a metal unibody, measures 6.7mm thick and weighs 542g, making it slimmer than many budget rivals but still substantial in the hand. TCL also gives it an IP54 rating for resistance to dust and splashes, which is unusual at this price. Those attributes help it feel more expensive than it is, even if the weight will be noticeable in one-handed reading sessions.
Display quality is the tablet’s strongest selling point. TCL’s own product page describes a 12.2-inch 2.4K IPS screen with 100% sRGB coverage, while independent summaries highlight the 120Hz refresh rate and the productivity-friendly 3:2 shape. That format gives more vertical space than a conventional widescreen tablet, which is useful for long documents, websites and side-by-side app use. The downside is that the glossy panel is still a standard LCD rather than a matte NXTPAPER display, so reflections and outdoor glare remain a practical limitation.
Audio appears to have been treated with similar seriousness. TCL equips the tablet with quad speakers, and the company says the system is designed for clearer sound and video use. That should make it a better fit than many low-cost tablets for streaming films, calls and casual media viewing. The cameras, by contrast, are functional rather than notable: the device has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, which are sufficient for video chats and quick document capture, but not a reason to buy it.
Software support and connectivity reveal more of the budget positioning. The tablet runs Android 16, and TCL says Android 17 is planned. Notebookcheck also lists Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C and a 3.5mm jack-free design as part of the package, alongside an 8,000mAh battery and support for USB-C Power Delivery. That mix is sensible for an inexpensive media tablet, but the lack of Wi-Fi 6 and the limited upgrade promise leave it behind better-supported rivals from larger Android vendors.
Taken as a whole, the TCL TAB A1 Plus is less a general-purpose performance tablet than a carefully judged large-screen media machine. It offers a strong display, practical battery capacity, expandable storage and a sturdier build than many rivals at the same price, while accepting compromises in gaming, camera quality and long-term software support. For buyers who value screen size and day-to-day comfort more than benchmark scores, TCL has made a persuasive case.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
