The mid-range tablet market is heating up, with the Honor Pad X8 Pro and Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 vying for attention. Both aim to deliver a solid Android experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dives deep into their core components – specifically the Snapdragon 685 and Helio G99 chipsets – to determine which tablet offers the best performance, battery life, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance in everyday tasks and light gaming, the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 emerges as the better choice. The Helio G99’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable uplift in CPU-intensive workloads compared to the X8 Pro’s Cortex-A73 setup, making it more responsive for multitasking and demanding apps.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 05 | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 05 | Available. Released 2023, January |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 267.3 x 167.4 x 6.9 mm (10.52 x 6.59 x 0.27 in) | 269.1 x 169.4 x 7.4 mm (10.59 x 6.67 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 495 g (1.09 lb) | 520 g (1.15 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 12L |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Purple, Mint | Storm Grey, Sage |
| Models | - | TB350FU |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 350 EUR |
Honor Pad X8 Pro
- Potentially better power efficiency with Snapdragon 685.
- Honor's established software update track record.
- Competitive price point.
- Older Cortex-A73 CPU architecture.
- Likely lower peak performance compared to Helio G99.
- Limited detailed specifications available.
Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2
- More powerful Helio G99 chipset with Cortex-A76 cores.
- Improved multitasking and app responsiveness.
- Potentially better gaming performance.
- May exhibit slightly lower battery life under heavy load.
- Lenovo's software update history can be inconsistent.
- Similar price point to the Honor Pad X8 Pro.
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor Lenovo provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, both tablets likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The real differentiator will be color accuracy and peak brightness, which require independent testing. Given the similar target price points, we anticipate comparable viewing experiences, though the Lenovo’s panel *may* benefit from slightly better color calibration based on Lenovo’s historical display performance. Bezels are expected to be similar, contributing minimally to the overall user experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most buyers in this segment. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups focused on basic photography and video calls. Without detailed sensor specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the emphasis on performance in the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2, it’s plausible that Lenovo invested slightly more in image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially resulting in marginally better image quality. The inclusion of a dedicated Night Mode or HDR processing would be a notable advantage for the Lenovo.
Performance
The core of this comparison lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2’s MediaTek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This configuration provides a significant advantage in single-core and multi-core performance over the Honor Pad X8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685. The Snapdragon 685 utilizes four Cortex-A73 cores at 2.8 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.9 GHz. While the Snapdragon 685 boasts a higher clock speed on its prime cores, the architectural advantage of the Cortex-A76 in the Helio G99 translates to better instructions-per-clock (IPC) and overall responsiveness. This means the Lenovo will handle demanding apps and multitasking more smoothly. Both utilize a 6nm process, suggesting similar power efficiency, but the Helio G99’s more modern architecture likely offers a slight edge.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While neither manufacturer specifies battery capacity, the Snapdragon 685 is generally known for its power efficiency. However, the Helio G99’s architectural improvements and potentially more aggressive power management features could offset the Snapdragon’s inherent efficiency. Charging wattage is also a critical factor, and without this information, it’s difficult to assess which tablet will offer faster charging speeds. Real-world testing is required to determine which tablet delivers longer screen-on time and quicker charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad X8 Pro if you prioritize a potentially more efficient chipset and a brand known for consistent software updates within the Honor ecosystem. It’s a solid option for casual users focused on media consumption and basic productivity. Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 if you prefer a tablet with a more powerful CPU for smoother multitasking, slightly better gaming performance, and a generally more responsive user experience, even if it means potentially sacrificing some battery efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G99 is designed with thermal efficiency in mind, and its 6nm process helps mitigate heat generation. While some throttling is possible during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming, the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 is unlikely to experience severe overheating issues. The tablet's thermal design will play a crucial role, but the G99 is generally well-behaved in this regard.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 685's CPU architecture impact real-world app loading times compared to the Helio G99?
The Snapdragon 685's older Cortex-A73 cores have lower IPC (instructions per clock) compared to the Helio G99's Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to slower app loading times and a less responsive user interface, particularly with larger or more complex applications. The Helio G99 will consistently outperform the Snapdragon 685 in tasks that heavily rely on CPU performance.
❓ Is the difference in performance between these two tablets noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming?
For basic tasks like web browsing and video streaming, the difference may be subtle. However, when multitasking – switching between apps, running background processes, or editing photos – the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2’s Helio G99 will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience due to its superior CPU performance.
