iPad 10.2 (2021) vs. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen): Which Budget Tablet Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) is the superior choice. Its A13 Bionic chip provides significantly more processing power, ensuring smoother multitasking and a longer software support lifespan. While the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus offers a competitive price, it can't match the iPad's overall performance and ecosystem integration.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) | Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - A2603 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/75 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2604 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2022, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 24 | Available. Released 2022, May |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in) | 251.2 x 158.8 x 7.5 mm (9.89 x 6.25 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 487 g (Wi-Fi) / 498 g (LTE) (1.07 lb) | 465 g (1.03 lb) |
| Stylus support (1st gen only) | Stylus support | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.2 inches, 322.2 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) - LTE model Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi only model |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) - LTE model Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) - Wi-Fi only model |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 610 - LTE model Mali-G52 MC2 - Wi-Fi only model |
| OS | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | eMCP/uMCP | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | - |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM Radio |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0; magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh) | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Storm Grey, Frost Blue |
| Models | A2603, A2604, iPad12,1, iPad12,2 | - |
| Price | About 430 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1123:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -29.4 LUFS (Average) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 617292(v9) GeekBench: 3124 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)
- Significantly faster A13 Bionic chip
- Superior display quality with True Tone
- Longer software support and ecosystem integration
- Higher price point
- Limited storage options at base price
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
- More affordable price
- 20W fast charging
- LTE connectivity option available
- Slower processor performance
- Likely lower display quality
- Shorter software support lifespan
Display Comparison
The iPad 10.2 (2021) boasts a measured peak brightness of 513 nits and a 1123:1 contrast ratio, providing a vibrant and clear viewing experience. While the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus’s display specifications aren’t detailed, it’s likely to offer lower brightness and contrast. The iPad’s True Tone technology, which adjusts the display’s color temperature to match ambient lighting, is also a significant advantage for comfortable long-term use. The lack of information on the Tab M10 Plus’s panel type suggests it likely doesn’t offer the same color accuracy or viewing angles as the iPad.
Camera Comparison
Both tablets feature basic photo and video capabilities, but neither are designed for serious photography. The iPad 10.2 (2021) likely benefits from Apple’s image signal processing, offering better image quality than the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus. Given the lack of detailed camera specifications for both devices, it’s safe to assume that the cameras are primarily intended for video calls and casual snapshots. Focusing on sensor size or aperture would be speculative without further data.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Apple’s A13 Bionic (7nm+) is a hexa-core powerhouse, featuring two high-performance Lightning cores and four efficiency Thunder cores. This architecture delivers significantly faster processing speeds compared to the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) or MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm) options. The A13 Bionic’s superior CPU and GPU performance translate to smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The 6nm Snapdragon 680 offers improved efficiency over the 12nm Helio G80, but still falls short of the A13’s raw power. The A13’s Neural Engine also provides advantages in machine learning tasks.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) supports 20W wired charging, which is a reasonable charging speed. The iPad 10.2 (2021)’s battery capacity isn’t specified, but Apple typically optimizes both hardware and software for efficient power management. While the Lenovo’s faster charging might offer a quicker top-up, the iPad’s optimized power efficiency could result in comparable or even longer real-world battery life, depending on the tasks performed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) if you prioritize performance, longevity, and access to a vast app ecosystem, even if it means spending a bit more. It’s ideal for students, creative tasks, and users who want a tablet that will remain usable for years to come. Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) if your primary needs are media consumption, light web browsing, and basic productivity, and you’re looking for the most affordable option.