The Lenovo M10 FHD REL and Honor Pad 5 10.1 represent compelling options in the crowded budget tablet space. Both aim to deliver a functional Android experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different approaches to processing power and efficiency. This comparison dives deep into their core specifications to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance for everyday tasks like browsing, video streaming, and light productivity, the Honor Pad 5 10.1 emerges as the better choice. Its Kirin 659 chipset, with its more aggressive core configuration, offers a noticeable performance edge over the Snapdragon 450 in the Lenovo M10 FHD REL.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, January 24. Released 2020, January 24 | 2019, June. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 243 x 164 x 7.8 mm (9.57 x 6.46 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Yes - cellular model only | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 520 g (1.15 lb) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~74.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 320 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.36 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Kirin 659 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Mali-T830 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), EMUI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.4, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Glacial Blue |
| Models | TB-X605FC, TB-X605LC, ZA4Y0079IN, TB-X605M, TB-X605L | AGS2-AL00HN |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Lenovo M10 FHD REL
- Potentially better battery life due to the Snapdragon 450's efficiency.
- Simple and reliable Android experience.
- Lower price point (likely).
- Slower processor compared to the Kirin 659.
- Less responsive user interface.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
Honor Pad 5 10.1
- Faster processor for smoother performance.
- More responsive user interface.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- Potentially better display calibration.
- Potentially shorter battery life.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- 16nm process is less efficient than 14nm.
Display Comparison
Neither Lenovo nor Honor provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. Both tablets feature 10.1-inch FHD (1920x1080) panels. However, given Honor's history with display technology, it's reasonable to expect slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles on the Pad 5. The absence of information regarding panel type (IPS vs. TFT) or peak brightness makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the Honor Pad 5 likely benefits from a more refined display calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with basic camera setups geared towards video calls rather than photography. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but given the target price point, image quality will be similar – adequate for casual use but not competitive with smartphones. Focusing on the chipset's image signal processor (ISP) capabilities, the Kirin 659 likely offers slightly better image processing, but the difference will be minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad 5 10.1’s Kirin 659 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.36 GHz and another four at 1.7 GHz. This contrasts with the Lenovo M10 FHD REL’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, which employs eight Cortex-A53 cores all clocked at 1.8 GHz. The Kirin 659’s higher clock speeds on its performance cores translate to faster application loading times and a more responsive user experience, particularly noticeable when switching between apps. The Kirin 659 is fabricated on a 16nm process, while the Snapdragon 450 is on 14nm. While 14nm is generally more efficient, the Kirin's core configuration provides a performance advantage that likely outweighs the efficiency gain.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 450’s 14nm process generally offers better power efficiency than the Kirin 659’s 16nm process. This suggests the Lenovo M10 FHD REL *could* achieve slightly longer battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Honor Pad 5’s more efficient processing of tasks due to its faster cores might offset some of this advantage, leading to comparable real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo M10 FHD REL if you need a simple, reliable tablet primarily for static content consumption like reading ebooks or watching pre-downloaded videos, and prioritize a potentially longer battery life due to the more efficient Snapdragon 450. Buy the Honor Pad 5 10.1 if you prefer a tablet capable of handling more demanding tasks like multitasking, light gaming, and smoother web browsing, and are willing to trade some potential battery life for increased responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor Pad 5 10.1 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Kirin 659 can handle some gaming, PUBG Mobile will likely require low to medium graphics settings for a playable experience. The chipset isn't designed for intensive gaming, and you may encounter occasional frame drops. The Lenovo M10 FHD REL would struggle even more with such titles.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 450 and Kirin 659 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and email?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Kirin 659's faster cores and more aggressive core configuration result in snappier app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience. While the Snapdragon 450 is adequate for basic tasks, the Kirin 659 provides a more fluid and enjoyable experience.
❓ Which tablet is better for video streaming and watching movies?
Both tablets are suitable for video streaming, given their FHD displays. However, the Honor Pad 5 10.1's smoother performance may result in a slightly more enjoyable viewing experience, especially when navigating streaming apps or fast-paced action scenes.
