Breaking Down the Acer Iconia Tab A1-811: Review, Build Quality and Full Specs

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 is a 7.9-inch tablet from 2013 that aimed to give buyers a compact reading and media device with mobile internet built in. This Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 review looks at the tablet on its published specifications, its place in the Acer range of the time, and what it could and could not do well. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 tablet was announced in the second quarter of 2013 and released in the second quarter of 2013, so it belongs firmly to the early Android tablet era, before large phones and cheap large tablets changed the market. Readers who want a quick sense of the device should start with the headline facts: a 7.9-inch screen, a quad-core MediaTek processor, 1 GB of RAM, a 5 MP rear camera, and a 4960 mAh battery in a body that weighs 410 g in its Wi-Fi form and 430 g in its 3G form.

That last detail matters more than it first sounds. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 specs include a SIM slot and HSPA mobile data, which set it apart from its close sibling, the Wi-Fi-only A1-810. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 vs Acer Iconia Tab A1-810 comparison is therefore the first question many buyers asked in 2013, and it remains the clearest way to understand this model. Both tablets share the same 7.9-inch 1024×768 screen, so the difference is not the display. The difference is connectivity and silicon: the A1-811 adds 3G and uses the MediaTek MT8389W, while the A1-810 stays on Wi-Fi and uses the MT8125. For a closer look at the sibling, see Acer Iconia Tab A1-810 Specifications, Review and Verdict: Is It Worth It? For a wider Acer tablet from the same period, Our Acer Iconia Tab A3 Review: Usability, Storage and Detailed Specs shows how Acer scaled the same idea up to a larger screen.

This guide is based on published specifications and launch coverage, not on a fresh hands-on test of a new unit, because the tablet is a classic device from 2013. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 hands-on reports from 2013 launch coverage described a small, light tablet built for reading, browsing, video and casual apps, and the specifications support that picture. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 guide below works through design, display, performance, camera, battery, storage and connectivity in turn, then gives the full specifications table, the pros and cons, and answers to common questions. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 price in India in 2013 was around Rs. 15,999, which placed it in the budget to mid-range tablet group of its year.

Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 Overview

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 release came at a time when 7 to 8-inch tablets were popular as a middle ground between a phone and a 10-inch tablet. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 features list reads like a checklist for that role: a screen large enough for books, magazines and web pages, a processor fast enough for the apps of the day, a battery sized for a day of mixed use, and enough ports to connect it to a television or a computer. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 Android version was Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the version current for many tablets launched in 2013. That software gave it the standard Jelly Bean interface, Google apps, widgets, and access to the app catalogue of the time.

Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 performance for casual games and apps was the practical test for most owners. With a quad-core 1.2 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM, it could run the everyday apps of 2013, including browsers, email, video players, e-book readers and light games, but it was not a device for heavy multitasking or demanding 3D games by later standards. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 processor is a MediaTek MT8389W quad core 1.2 GHz Cortex A7 processor, a chip built for efficiency and low cost rather than top speed. That choice kept the price down and kept heat low, which suited a small plastic tablet. In short, the Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 quad core 1.2 GHz Cortex A7 processor was built for efficiency rather than top speed.

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 value in 2013 came from the combination, not from any single part. No single specification led its class. The screen was modest in resolution, the cameras were basic, and the RAM was already at the lower end for a tablet that wanted to run several apps at once. What made the package useful was that it put a readable screen, 3G, GPS, Bluetooth and a micro HDMI port together in a light body for about Rs. 15,999 in India. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 alternatives in 2013 included other 7 and 8-inch Android tablets and the Wi-Fi-only A1-810 for buyers who did not need mobile data.

Design and Build Quality

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 design is simple and practical. The front is dominated by the 7.9-inch screen with a plain bezel, the back is plastic, and the edges carry the ports and buttons. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 build quality and plastic body design reflect its price: the materials are light and functional rather than premium, and the tablet is easy to hold for long reading sessions. Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 build quality was acceptable for a budget tablet of 2013, with a solid feel in normal use and no claim to metal construction or water resistance. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 dimensions and weight for daily use are 208.7 x 145.7 x 11.1 mm, with a weight of 410 g for the Wi-Fi version and 430 g for the 3G version. That 20 g difference is small, and most owners would notice the SIM slot more than the extra weight.

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 dimensions are 208.7 x 145.7 x 11.1 mm, which makes it taller and wider than a 7-inch tablet but still narrow enough to hold in one hand for short periods. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 weight of 410 g or 430 g is light for a tablet with a 4960 mAh battery, and the 11.1 mm thickness is chunky by later standards but normal for 2013. The tablet fits in a small bag, a coat pocket in some cases, and a car mount, and it works well as a bedside reader or a kitchen recipe screen. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 weight difference between WiFi and 3G versions is 20 g, and the 3G version adds the SIM tray and the mobile radio without changing the screen, the cameras or the battery size.

In the Hand and Everyday Handling

How to use Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 for reading and browsing is simple: hold it in portrait for books and web pages, turn it to landscape for video, and use the on-screen keyboard for short messages. The 7.9-inch size suits portrait reading because a page of text fits well, and the 4:3 aspect ratio of the 1024×768 screen gives more width for a web page than a widescreen 16:10 tablet of the same diagonal. The plastic back gives grip, and the light weight helps during long sessions. The tablet has no fingerprint sensor and no stylus, so control is by touch alone, with the volume rocker and power button on the edge.

Ports, Buttons and the Micro HDMI Output

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 ports include a micro USB port, a micro HDMI port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot, plus a SIM slot on the 3G version. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 micro HDMI port for external display use lets owners connect the tablet to a television or monitor with a suitable cable, which was a useful feature in 2013 for showing photos and video on a larger screen. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 micro USB port and charging options cover charging and data transfer to a computer, and the headphone jack covers wired listening. 3G connectivity is the defining difference from the Wi-Fi-only sibling. The power button and volume controls sit on the side, within easy reach when the tablet is held in landscape.

Display

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 display is a 7.9-inch TFT LCD with a resolution of 1024×768 pixels. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 review with 7.9 inch display needs to be clear about what that means in practice: text is readable, photos look clear at normal viewing distance, and video is watchable, but fine text and small icons are not as sharp as on later tablets with higher pixel density. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 screen size and pixel density 162 ppi put it in the middle of the 2013 tablet range. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 display resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels is the same as the A1-810, so buyers choosing between the two do not need to weigh a screen difference.

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 screen is a TFT LCD panel, which means colours are decent for its class but viewing angles and contrast are narrower than on IPS panels used in some rivals. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 TFT LCD screen viewing angles are acceptable when looking straight at the tablet, and the image washes out a little when viewed from a sharp side angle. That is normal for TFT LCD tablets of this price in 2013. The 4:3 ratio suits reading and browsing, while video in 16:9 leaves black bars at the top and bottom. Brightness is enough for indoor use and for shaded outdoor use, but direct sunlight makes the screen hard to read, as with most tablets of the period.

Resolution, Size and Pixel Density

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 screen measures 7.9 inches diagonally, and the pixel density is 162 ppi. At that density, individual pixels are not obvious in photos and video, but small text can look a little soft. The screen is a good size for a child, a commuter, or anyone who wants a tablet that is larger than a phone without the bulk of a 10-inch device. For e-books, the page size is close to a small paperback, and for web browsing, the width shows a useful amount of a desktop-style page without constant sideways scrolling.

Outdoor Use and Viewing Angles

Outdoor use is the weak point of most TFT LCD tablets from 2013, and this model is no exception. In bright daylight, owners needed shade or a higher brightness setting, and the battery paid the price. Indoors, the viewing angles are fine for one person, and two people can share a video if they sit close together. The screen has no laminated glass or anti-reflective coating claim in the published specifications, so reflections are visible under strong light.

Performance and Software

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 performance is built around the MediaTek MT8389W. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 specs with MediaTek MT8389W chipset show a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 design with a PowerVR SGX544 graphics unit, 1 GB of RAM, and 8 GB or 16 GB of internal storage. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 chipset is the MT8389W, not the MT8312, and that correction matters because the two chips have different graphics and modem support. The MT8389W supports the 3G radio that defines this model, while the MT8125 in the A1-810 is the Wi-Fi-only counterpart.

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean performance in everyday use was smooth for single tasks. Opening a browser, reading a book, playing a video, or checking email worked well. Switching between several heavy apps could slow the tablet down, because 1 GB of RAM fills quickly, and Android 4.2 would close background apps to free memory. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 software is Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with Acer apps and widgets on top, and it includes the Google apps of the time. There is no published claim of a later official Android update to a newer major version for this model, so buyers should treat Android 4.2 as the software it shipped with.

Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 RAM and storage for basic tasks are enough for reading, browsing, email, video and light games. The 1 GB of RAM is the main limit, not the processor speed. Owners who kept the number of open apps low and avoided heavy widgets had the best experience. The tablet is not suited to modern apps that need more RAM, newer Android versions, or 64-bit support, and that limit should be clear to anyone considering it as a classic device in 2026.

Everyday Apps and Casual Games

Everyday apps ran well for the standards of 2013. A web browser with a few tabs, an e-book reader, a music player, and a video app could all work on this tablet. Casual games with simple graphics also ran well. Demanding 3D games ran, but with lower detail and frame rates, and long gaming sessions could warm the back of the tablet. The quad-core processor helped with video playback and with apps that used more than one core, but the single-core speed of a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 was modest, so heavy web pages with many scripts took longer to load than on faster tablets.

Gaming and Multitasking Limits

Multitasking is where the 1 GB of RAM shows. Switching from a browser to a game and back could force a reload, and widgets that updated in the background used memory that could have gone to the foreground app. For best results, owners closed apps they were not using and kept the home screen simple. This is a tablet for one task at a time, done well, rather than a tablet for juggling many apps at once.

Camera

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 camera setup is basic, as expected for a budget tablet from 2013. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 camera quality with 5MP rear camera is enough for daylight snapshots, documents, and quick photos to share, but it is not a replacement for a phone camera or a dedicated camera. The rear camera is a 5 MP unit with autofocus, and the front camera is a VGA 0.3 MP unit for video calls. There is no flash listed in the published specifications, so low-light photos are noisy and soft.

The rear camera can record video, and the autofocus helps with close subjects such as a page of text or a product label. Colours in daylight are acceptable, and detail is fair in the centre of the frame. At the edges, detail softens, and in indoor light, the camera needs a steady hand to avoid blur. The front camera is only for video calls, and its VGA resolution gives a soft image that is fine for a call but not for a portrait photo. Owners who wanted good photos used a phone, and used the tablet camera for convenience.

Rear Camera

The 5 MP rear camera with autofocus is the stronger of the two cameras. It can capture a usable photo in daylight, scan a document, or record a short clip. The lack of a flash and the small sensor limit it indoors, and the tablet form makes it awkward to hold steady for a photo. For a tablet of this price in 2013, a 5 MP autofocus rear camera was a reasonable specification, and it matched the needs of most tablet owners, who used the camera only now and then.

Front Camera

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 front VGA camera for video calls is a 0.3 MP unit. It works for video chat in good light, and the 7.9-inch screen makes the other person easy to see. The image is soft, and the camera struggles in dim rooms. It is a functional video-call camera, not a selfie camera, and that matches how most people used a front camera on a tablet in 2013.

Battery Life

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 battery is a 4960 mAh unit, listed as 18.6 Wh. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 battery life with 4960mAh battery depends on use: reading and light browsing with Wi-Fi use less power than video with 3G, GPS and high brightness. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 battery capacity of 4960 mAh explained in plain terms is a mid-size tablet battery for 2013, larger than a phone battery and smaller than a 10-inch tablet battery. It was sized to give a day of mixed use, with reading lasting longer than video.

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 charging time and battery endurance were not published as a single official figure in the sources used here, so this review does not invent a precise hour count. In general, a tablet of this size and battery could last through a working day of reading and browsing, and through several hours of video, with the exact result depending on brightness, network use and apps running in the background. The micro USB port is the charging port, and charging from empty to full took several hours with the charger supplied at the time. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 battery is not user-removable in the published specifications, so a worn battery in a used unit would need service rather than a simple swap.

To make the battery last, owners could lower brightness, turn off 3G when Wi-Fi was available, close unused apps, and turn off GPS when it was not needed. Those steps mattered more on a tablet with 1 GB of RAM and a mobile radio, because background apps and a weak mobile signal both use power. For a classic device in 2026, battery health in a used unit is the first thing to check, because a battery from 2013 will have lost capacity with age.

Storage and Connectivity

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 storage options with microSD card support are 8 GB or 16 GB of internal storage, plus a microSD card slot for expansion. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 storage is therefore flexible for its class: the internal storage holds the system, apps and some media, and the card holds music, photos, video and books. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 RAM is 1 GB, and that RAM, not the storage size, is the limit on how many apps can run at once. Buyers who planned to carry a lot of video chose the 16 GB version and a large microSD card. For more on how Acer handled storage in a larger tablet of the same era, see Acer Liquid E2 in Depth: Review, Build Quality and Full Specifications for a related Acer device from the period, and note that the A1-811 keeps the same idea of expandable storage in a smaller body.

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 WiFi and 3G connectivity features are the heart of this model. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, micro USB, micro HDMI, and 3G with a single SIM on HSPA networks. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 3G SIM support for mobile internet means owners could browse, check email and use maps away from Wi-Fi, which was a real advantage in 2013 when public Wi-Fi was less common. The tablet supports GSM and HSPA bands as listed in the specifications table, and it does not list 4G LTE. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS connectivity cover wireless headphones and accessories, and navigation and location apps.

Storage, SIM and Everyday Connections

The microSD slot is the most useful port for many owners, because it lets the tablet carry a library of books and video without filling the internal storage. The SIM slot on the 3G version takes a standard SIM of the period, and the tablet can use mobile data for browsing and email. GPS works with maps apps, and Bluetooth 4.0 pairs with headsets, keyboards and speakers. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 speakers are built-in stereo speakers, suited to video and casual listening in a quiet room, with headphones giving better sound for music. The combination of Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth and GPS makes the tablet a capable travel companion for its time, even if the screen and processor are modest by later standards.

Full Specifications

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 full specifications table and details below bring together the published GSMArena specifications for this model. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 specs in this table are the reference for the rest of the review, and the text above explains what each line means in everyday use.

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 tablet released in second quarter 2013, and the table above shows why it was a balanced budget tablet rather than a specialist device. Every part is modest, but every part is present, and the 3G radio is the part that lifts it above the Wi-Fi-only A1-810. The published specifications are the basis for every claim in this review.

Pros and Cons

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 pros and cons for budget buyers are clear once the specifications are set out. The strengths are the compact size, the light weight, the 3G option, the micro HDMI port, and the expandable storage. The weaknesses are the modest screen resolution, the 1 GB of RAM, the basic cameras, and the old Android version. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 verdict depends on what the buyer wants: as a classic 2013 tablet for reading, browsing and video, it is a fair example of its class; as a modern daily tablet, it is not, because its software and RAM cannot run current apps well.

Pros

Compact 7.9-inch size and light weight for reading and travel. 3G with a SIM slot for mobile internet away from Wi-Fi. Micro HDMI port for connecting to a television or monitor. Expandable storage with a microSD card slot. A 4960 mAh battery sized for a day of mixed use. GPS and Bluetooth 4.0 for maps and wireless accessories.

Cons

1024×768 TFT LCD screen with modest sharpness and viewing angles. Only 1 GB of RAM, which limits multitasking. Basic 5 MP rear camera and VGA front camera, with no flash listed. Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, with no later major update in the published record. No 4G LTE, and a plastic body that feels plain next to metal tablets. The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 comparison with later tablets shows how far screens, RAM and software have moved since 2013.

Verdict: Who Should Buy It

The Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 verdict is that it suited a buyer in 2013 who wanted a small, light tablet with mobile internet, a readable screen, and room for a memory card, at a budget price of about Rs. 15,999 in India. It did not suit a buyer who wanted a sharp screen, a good camera, or heavy multitasking. In 2026, the Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 is it worth buying in 2026 question has a different answer: it is worth buying only as a classic or collector device, or for very light offline reading and media on a used unit with a healthy battery, after checking that the apps needed still run on Android 4.2. For a wider view of Acer phones from the same era, Acer Liquid S1 Review and Specifications: Value for Money, Everyday Performance and the Verdict shows how Acer applied a similar value idea to a phone, while Acer Liquid Z3 vs the Rest: Review and Specifications Compared gives a comparison-style review from the same period.

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions cover the points buyers ask most about the Acer Iconia Tab A1-811, using the published specifications.

When was the Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 released?

It was announced in the second quarter of 2013 and released in the second quarter of 2013. Retail sources mention August 2013, and launch coverage in India points to availability on 4 October 2013, so the safe statement is the second quarter of 2013 for the release, with India availability in October 2013.

What is the difference between the Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 and the Acer Iconia Tab A1-810?

Both have the same 7.9-inch 1024×768 screen, so the display does not differ. The A1-811 has 3G with a SIM slot and uses the MediaTek MT8389W chipset, while the A1-810 is Wi-Fi only and uses the MT8125 chipset. The A1-811 is also 20 g heavier in its 3G form, at 430 g against 410 g.

How much RAM and storage does the Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 have?

It has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB or 16 GB of internal storage, plus a microSD card slot for expansion. The 1 GB of RAM is the main limit for multitasking, while the card slot helps with media storage.

Does the Acer Iconia Tab A1-811 support 3G and GPS?

Yes. It supports 3G HSPA with a single SIM for mobile internet, and it has GPS for maps and location apps, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, micro USB and micro HDMI. It does not list 4G LTE support.