The tablet market offers a surprising number of options, even on a budget. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 and the Lenovo Tab M9. Both promise affordability and decent features, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab M9 takes the crown. Its newer Helio G80 chipset provides significantly better performance than the MediaPad M3 Lite 8's Snapdragon 435. While the Huawei offers a slightly better display, the M9's processing power and modern features make it the superior choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, June. Released 2017, June | 2022, December 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 213.3 x 123.3 x 7.5 mm (8.40 x 4.85 x 0.30 in) | 215.4 x 136.8 x 8 mm (8.48 x 5.39 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 310 g (10.93 oz) | 344 g (12.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~173 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 9.0 inches, 230.0 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8940 Snapdragon 435 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat), EMUI 5.1 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 4GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, white, space grey | Arctic Grey, Frost Blue |
| Models | CPN-AL00, CPN-W09, CPN-L09 | TB310FU |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8
- Slightly higher resolution display
- Good build quality
- Decent audio (dual speakers)
- Outdated chipset
- Slow performance
- No fast charging
- Limited software updates
Lenovo Tab M9
- Faster performance (Helio G80)
- Larger display
- Better multitasking capabilities
- Modern software experience
- 10W charging
- Lower resolution display compared to M3 Lite 8
- Plastic build feels less premium
Display Comparison
The Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 boasts an 8-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. It offers good color accuracy and viewing angles. The Lenovo Tab M9 features an 8.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1340 x 800. While the M3 Lite 8 has a higher resolution, the Tab M9's slightly larger size provides a more immersive experience. Both displays are adequate for media consumption, but the Huawei's sharper resolution gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 has a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. The Lenovo Tab M9 features an 8MP rear camera and a 8MP front camera. Image quality is acceptable for basic video calls and casual snapshots, but don't expect exceptional results. The Tab M9's slightly better resolution gives it a minor advantage.
Performance
Here's where the Lenovo Tab M9 truly shines. Its Mediatek Helio G80 chipset, built on a 12nm process, offers a substantial performance boost over the Huawei's older Snapdragon 435 (28nm). The G80's dual Cortex-A75 cores provide significantly faster processing speeds, making multitasking and gaming noticeably smoother. The M3 Lite 8 struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Tab M9 has a 5100 mAh battery, while the Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 has a 4800 mAh battery. While the difference isn't massive, the Tab M9's more efficient chipset and slightly larger battery generally translate to longer battery life. The Tab M9 also supports 10W wired charging, a feature absent on the M3 Lite 8.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 is a good option for users primarily seeking a basic tablet for media consumption and light tasks, especially if they prioritize a slightly better screen. The Lenovo Tab M9 is ideal for those needing a more responsive tablet for gaming, multitasking, and general productivity, offering a more modern and capable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Lenovo Tab M9 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G80 chipset.
❓ Does the Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 get software updates?
Huawei's software update support has been limited in recent years. Don't expect frequent or major updates for the MediaPad M3 Lite 8.
