If you’re looking for an affordable Android tablet, Lenovo’s tabs should be on your radar. The Chinese tech giant has been churning out some of the best budget and mid-range Android tablets for years.
The Lenovo Tab M10 and the newer Tab P11 are two of their most popular models. They both offer solid performance, long battery life, and sharp displays at very reasonable prices.
But which one is better for you? Let’s take an in-depth look at what each tablet has to offer and how they compare to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Specs | Lenovo Tab M10 | Lenovo Tab P11 |
| Release Year | 2019 | 2020 |
| Display | 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD, up to 320 nits | 11-inch 2000 x 1200 IPS LCD, 400 nits |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio P22T | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 |
| RAM | Up to 4GB | Up to 6GB |
| Storage | Up to 128GB | Up to 128GB |
| Rear Camera | 5MP | 8MP with autofocus |
| Front Camera | 5MP | 8MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, up to 8 hrs video playback | 7500 mAh, up to 15 hrs video playback |
| Charging | 10W | 20W fast charging |
| Speakers | Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos | Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Software | Android 9 Pie (upgradable to 11) | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) |
| Dimensions | 9.29 x 6.06 x 0.32 inches | 10.24 x 6.19 x 0.25 inches |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs | 1.1 lbs |
Lenovo Tab M10: The Basics
The Lenovo Tab M10 was released in 2019 as an update to the previously popular Tab M10. It comes with a 10.1” 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD display, MediaTek Helio P22T processor, up to 4GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage, and a 5MP front camera.
The Tab M10 runs Android 9 Pie out of the box. But Lenovo has confirmed it will get an update to Android 11.
It packs a 5000mAh battery which can deliver up to 8 hours of mixed usage per charge. The tablet supports 15W rapid charging with the included power adapter.
For connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, a USB 2.0 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. There’s also a microSD card slot for storage expansion up to 256GB.
The Lenovo Tab M10 measures 9.29 x 6.06 x 0.32 inches and weighs about 1.1 pounds. It comes in slate grey and platinum grey color options.
Lenovo Tab P11: What’s New
The Lenovo Tab P11 was launched in 2020 as a direct successor to the Tab M10 Plus. It comes with an 11-inch 2000 x 1200 IPS LCD display with 400 nits brightness and TDDI touch technology.
Powering the tablet is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 octa-core chipset, paired with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It ships with Android 10 and is guaranteed to get Android 11 and 12 updates.
For imaging, there’s an 8MP auto-focus rear camera and 8MP fixed-focus front camera. The Tab P11 is powered by a 7500mAh battery which delivers up to 15 hours of video playback per charge.
Other key features include quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, four microphones, USB-C charging, and a microSD card reader.
The tablet measures 10.24 x 6.19 x 0.62 inches and weighs around 1.1 pounds, similar to the Tab M10 but with slimmer bezels. It comes in slate grey and platinum grey colors.
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Comparing Displays
The most noticeable difference between the two tablets is the display size. The Tab P11 sports an 11-inch panel, while the Tab M10 has a 10.1-inch screen.
Both utilize IPS LCD technology with Full HD+ resolution for crisp and vibrant visuals. The P11’s panel is brighter at 400 nits (M10 peaks at 320 nits), has a 16:10 aspect ratio, and uses TDDI touch tech for better responsiveness.
For watching movies and playing games, the bigger and brighter screen on the Tab P11 is more enjoyable. It has slimmer bezels for a more modern look as well.
But the M10’s display is also sharp and works great for everyday use. Unless you really value the extra screen space, both tablets offer an excellent viewing experience.
Performance Comparison
When it comes to raw performance, the Tab P11 easily beats the Tab M10 thanks to its newer Snapdragon 662 chipset. The 662 has eight Kryo 260 cores clocked at up to 2GHz and is fabricated on an efficient 11nm node.
Benchmarks show the P11 scores around 50% higher on Geekbench and AnTuTu compared to the Helio P22T-powered Tab M10. This results in noticeably faster loading times for apps and games.
The Snapdragon 662 can also handle intensive 3D games like Call of Duty Mobile and Asphalt 9 at high settings without any hiccups. In comparison, heavy games tend to stutter on occasion on the Tab M10.
Both tablets perform well for everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, note taking, social media apps, and more. But the P11’s chipset provides a snappier, lag-free experience especially when multitasking or using demanding apps.
Android Version And Software
Out of the box, the Tab P11 runs Android 10 with Lenovo’s ZUI 12 skin on top. The Tab M10 launched with Android 9 Pie and Lenovo’s older ZUI skin.
Lenovo has confirmed that the P11 will get at least two major OS updates, up to Android 12. The M10 is also slated to get Android 11.
So in terms of long-term software support, both tablets are on par. Lenovo’s ZUI skin adds some nice customizations like Kid’s Mode, Productivity Mode, and Dolby Atmos software. But it’s relatively light compared to skins from Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.
The Tab P11 obviously has the benefit of launching with a newer OS version. But the M10’s software is still fast and capable, and upcoming Android 11 update will bring it to parity with the P11.
Cameras
You probably won’t be using tablets to take professional photos. But good cameras are still nice to have for video calls or scanning documents.
Both the Tab M10 and Tab P11 feature 8MP front and rear shooters. But on the P11, the main camera uses auto-focus while the front camera is fixed focus. The M10 has fixed focus on both cameras.
This gives the P11 an edge for capturing sharper, clearer photos and videos, especially in low light. The M10’s cameras are decent but a bit noisy.
For casual use, either tablet can capture usable photos and enable HD video chats. But thanks to its auto-focus main lens, the Tab P11 delivers slightly better image quality overall.
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Battery Life And Charging
With their big batteries, both tablets can easily deliver all-day battery life. You’ll have no issues using either model for 8-10 hours on a single charge with mixed usage.
However, the Tab P11’s massive 7500mAh battery gives it a clear advantage in terms of endurance. Lenovo claims up to 15 hours of video playback compared to 8 hours on the M10.
Standby time is equally impressive – up to a month on the P11 versus 21 days on the M10. Both tablets charge via USB-C. But the Tab P11 supports 20W rapid charging, allowing its battery to go from 0 to 100% in under 3 hours.
Overall, the P11 is the undisputed winner when it comes to battery stamina. It packs nearly 50% more capacity than the M10, lasts notably longer on a charge, and recharges faster too.
Audio Quality
One of the Tab P11’s biggest assets is its fantastic quad speaker system tuned by Dolby Atmos. Combined with the Atmos software enhancements, you get expansive, detailed sound whether watching movies or listening to music.
The Tab M10 also has Dolby Atmos support. But its dual speakers can’t match the power and loudness of the P11’s speaker setup.
Both tablets have standard headphone jacks. The P11 supports high-res audio through its USB-C port as well. If audio quality matters, the Tab P11 is easily the better choice.
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Design And Build Quality
Lenovo’s tabs share a very similar design language with metal backs, minimal bezels, and nearly identical dimensions.
The Tab P11 is a tad slimmer at 0.25 inches versus 0.32 inches on the Tab M10. It also has a sleeker look thanks to its thinner screen borders. But otherwise, the two tablets look and feel premium.
Build quality is solid on both devices as well. The metal chassis prevents any creaking or flexing. At just over 1 pound each, they offer a comfortable one-handed experience too.
With their slate grey and platinum grey color options, the tablets suit any setting whether home, office, or on the go. Overall, it’s a toss up between the M10 and P11 when it comes to design and construction.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is a slight upgrade over the regular P11 model. It has 6GB of RAM as standard, more premium design with an all-metal body, and optional LTE support. Performance, software, cameras, battery life, and display are mostly similar.
Overall, the P11 Plus is only worth buying if you really need the LTE connectivity or appreciate its more stylish design. Otherwise, the standard P11 gives you 95% of the same features for less money.
The Lenovo Tab P11 was first announced in August 2020. It went on sale globally in November 2020. The tablet debuted with Android 10 and has since been updated to Android 11. Lenovo has confirmed it will also get Android 12 down the line.
The main differences between the Lenovo Tab M10 and Tab P10 are:
Display size: M10 has a 10.1” screen while the P10 has a 10.3” display
Performance: P10 uses Snapdragon 450 chipset which is faster than M10’s Helio P22T
Battery life: P10 has a 6000mAh battery versus 5000mAh on M10
Charging: P10 supports 18W fast charging compared to 10W on M10
Software: P10 launched with Android 9 Pie, M10 runs Android 8.1 Oreo
Overall, the Tab P10 is the better performer with its larger display, more powerful processor, faster charging, and extra battery capacity. But the M10 costs less while still offering decent mid-range specs.
The original Lenovo Tab M10 was first released in 2019. It came with Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box.
In 2020, Lenovo launched the Tab M10 FHD Plus model which had a higher resolution display, 2GB more RAM, and Android 9 Pie. This second-gen M10 model is still available today alongside the newer M10 HD Gen 2 variant.
So in summary:
1st gen M10: launched 2019 with Android 8.1
2nd gen M10 FHD: launched 2020 with Android 9
M10 HD Gen 2: newer 2022 model with Android 11
The Tab M10 remains one of Lenovo’s most popular and affordable Android tablets, packing decent specs and features at budget pricing.
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The Verdict
So which Lenovo tablet should you choose? Here are some key pointers:
- The Tab P11 is the better performer, with faster loading apps and games thanks to its Snapdragon 662 chipset. It also has a brighter 11-inch 2K display that’s ideal for movies and games.
- With excellent Dolby Atmos quad speakers and long 15-hour battery life, the P11 is the multimedia powerhouse. It charges quickly too.
- On the other hand, the Tab M10 still offers smooth performance for everyday use. Its display is also sharp and vibrant.
- The Tab M10 costs considerably less than the P11, making it the budget choice. You can often find it $100 cheaper or more.
- Both tablets have modern software with guaranteed updates, solid metal builds, decent cameras, and microSD expansion.
Overall, the Tab P11 is worth its higher price if you need top-notch performance and entertainment features. But the Tab M10 remains a great affordable option for casual users. It represents much better value for money if you’re on a tight budget.