The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Pad X7 and Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) represent compelling options for users seeking affordable entertainment and productivity. Both tablets utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset in some configurations, but key differences in charging speeds and CPU options (particularly in the Lenovo) necessitate a deep dive to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) emerges as the slightly better choice. Its 20W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Honor Pad X7’s 10W, and the availability of a more powerful Helio G80 variant provides a performance boost for those prioritizing gaming or demanding applications.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/75 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, July 24 | 2022, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 24 | Available. Released 2022, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 211.8 x 124.8 x 8 mm (8.34 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) | 251.2 x 158.8 x 7.5 mm (9.89 x 6.25 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 365 g (12.87 oz) | 465 g (1.03 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 625 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | 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 | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) - LTE model Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) - Wi-Fi only model |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 - LTE model Mali-G52 MC2 - Wi-Fi only model |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMCP/uMCP |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM Radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 7020 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Storm Grey, Frost Blue |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 260 EUR |
Honor Pad X7
- Consistent Snapdragon 680 performance across all models.
- Potentially lower price point depending on retailer.
- Sleek and minimalist design (based on brand aesthetic).
- Slow 10W charging.
- Lack of detailed display specifications.
- Camera performance likely to be basic.
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
- Faster 20W charging for reduced downtime.
- Option for a more powerful MediaTek Helio G80 processor.
- Larger screen size (typically 10.61 inches).
- Helio G80 variant’s 12nm process may lead to throttling.
- Performance varies significantly between Snapdragon and Helio models.
- Potential for higher price depending on configuration.
Display Comparison
Both tablets lack detailed display specifications in the provided data, but given their price points, we can assume both utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of information regarding resolution, peak brightness, or color gamut makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus’s slightly larger screen size (typically 10.61 inches vs. the Honor Pad X7’s 10.4 inches) may offer a more immersive viewing experience. Without specific data, it's reasonable to assume similar viewing angles and color reproduction capabilities.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and the provided data doesn’t offer specifics beyond the chipset. It’s safe to assume both feature modest camera setups geared towards video calls and casual snapshots. Detailed sensor sizes and lens apertures are unavailable, making a meaningful comparison impossible. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature.
Performance
The core of both tablets often revolves around the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm). This chipset features an octa-core configuration with 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores, promising similar CPU performance in the Snapdragon 680 variants. However, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) introduces a Wi-Fi only model powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). While the Helio G80’s Cortex-A75 cores clock slightly higher at 2.0 GHz, its older 12nm process node is less efficient than the Snapdragon 680’s 6nm node. This means the Helio G80 may offer a short burst of higher performance but could throttle more quickly under sustained load. The Snapdragon 680’s superior thermal efficiency benefits longer gaming sessions and multitasking.
Battery Life
While battery capacities aren’t specified, the most significant difference lies in charging speeds. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) supports 20W wired charging, allowing for a considerably faster 0-100% charge time compared to the Honor Pad X7’s 10W charging. This difference is crucial for users who rely on their tablets throughout the day and need to minimize downtime. Even with a similarly sized battery, the Lenovo’s faster charging provides a tangible usability advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad X7 if you prioritize a consistently smooth experience with the Snapdragon 680 across all variants and are less concerned with rapid charging. It’s ideal for casual users focused on media consumption and light productivity. Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) if you value faster charging, and potentially higher performance with the Helio G80 option, making it a better fit for users who game occasionally or multitask frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) with the Helio G80 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio G80, while offering a performance boost, is built on a 12nm process. This means it's more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 680's 6nm process during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming. Expect some performance reduction after extended play, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the tablet unusable.
❓ Which tablet is better for video streaming and casual web browsing?
Both tablets are well-suited for video streaming and web browsing. The Snapdragon 680 in both devices provides sufficient power for these tasks. However, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus’s potentially larger screen size (10.61 inches) may offer a more immersive viewing experience, while its faster charging ensures less downtime between viewing sessions.
❓ Is the difference between the Snapdragon 680 and Helio G80 noticeable in everyday use?
For basic tasks like email, social media, and document editing, the difference between the Snapdragon 680 and Helio G80 will be minimal. However, when launching apps, multitasking, or playing graphically intensive games, the Helio G80 may exhibit slightly faster loading times and smoother performance, though at the cost of potential thermal throttling.
