Lenovo's Pad Pro line offers compelling tablet experiences, but the original Pad Pro and the 2022 refresh present distinct choices. The key difference lies in their chipsets: Qualcomm's Snapdragon 870 5G in the original versus MediaTek's Kompanio 1300T in the newer model. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on how they impact performance, charging, and overall usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing sustained performance and gaming, the original Lenovo Pad Pro with the Snapdragon 870 is the better choice. While the Pad Pro 2022 gains a charging speed bump to 30W, the Kompanio 1300T represents a step down in raw processing power, making the original a more future-proof option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 24 | 2022, August 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 31 | Available. Released 2022, August 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 264.3 x 171.4 x 5.8 mm (10.41 x 6.75 x 0.23 in) | 6.8 mm thickness |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 485 g (1.07 lb) | 480 g (1.06 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~263 ppi density) | 1536 x 2560 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 383.5 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.2 inches, 357.0 cm2 |
| Type | OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 90Hz, 420 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 120Hz, 420 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek MT8797 Kompanio 1300T (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 | Android 12, ZUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | - | 13 MP, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP
8 MP, IR TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by JBL | Tuned by JBL |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, magnetic connector, video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Infrared Face ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Unspecified |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, QC3 | 30W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 8200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Gray, Gold |
| Models | ZA910001CN, TB-J716F | - |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 320 EUR |
Lenovo Pad Pro
- Superior processing power with Snapdragon 870
- Better sustained performance for gaming and demanding apps
- More future-proof chipset
- Slower 20W charging
- Potentially slightly higher thermal output under heavy load
Lenovo Pad Pro 2022
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Potentially better power efficiency (though offset by performance)
- More modern chipset fabrication process (6nm)
- Lower overall performance compared to Snapdragon 870
- Less capable GPU for gaming
- May struggle with demanding multitasking
Display Comparison
Both tablets share a similar display profile, though specific details like panel type and resolution aren't provided. However, the core difference lies in the processing power driving the visuals. The Snapdragon 870's Adreno 660 GPU will deliver a smoother experience in graphically demanding applications compared to the Kompanio 1300T's integrated GPU. Without specific display specs, we can assume both offer a comparable viewing experience for everyday tasks.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specifications are absent. Therefore, the camera performance is unlikely to be a major differentiating factor. We can assume both offer adequate cameras for video calls and casual snapshots, but neither will compete with dedicated camera phones.
Performance
The chipset is the defining factor here. The Lenovo Pad Pro's Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) boasts a more mature architecture and higher clock speeds (up to 3.2 GHz) than the Pad Pro 2022's MediaTek Kompanio 1300T (6nm). While the Kompanio 1300T benefits from a smaller fabrication process, the Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 cores, particularly the prime core, offer superior single-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches and a more responsive user interface. The 6nm process of the Kompanio 1300T *should* offer better efficiency, but the architectural advantages of the Snapdragon 870 likely offset this in real-world usage, especially under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Pad Pro 2022’s 30W wired charging is a clear advantage over the original Pad Pro’s 20W charging. This means quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. However, battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. The Snapdragon 870, despite its higher performance, is known for relatively good power efficiency. The Kompanio 1300T’s 6nm process *should* contribute to better efficiency, but the performance gap means the Pad Pro 2022 may need to work harder for similar tasks, potentially negating some of that efficiency gain.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Pad Pro if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing, graphically intensive games, or frequent multitasking. Its Snapdragon 870 provides a significant performance advantage. Buy the Lenovo Pad Pro 2022 if you prioritize faster charging and are primarily focused on media consumption, light productivity, and casual gaming, accepting a trade-off in peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kompanio 1300T in the Pad Pro 2022 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Kompanio 1300T is less powerful than the Snapdragon 870. While it can run Genshin Impact, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The original Pad Pro will provide a significantly better gaming experience with higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Pad Pro 2022 compared to the 20W charging on the original?
While a precise time difference depends on battery capacity (which isn't specified), 30W charging will noticeably reduce charging times. Expect a faster top-up from 0-50% and a quicker overall charge cycle compared to the original Pad Pro. However, the performance trade-off should be considered.
❓ Is the 6nm process of the Kompanio 1300T enough to offset the Snapdragon 870's architectural advantages in terms of battery life?
Not necessarily. While the 6nm process is more efficient, the Snapdragon 870's core design and overall performance characteristics are optimized for power efficiency. The Kompanio 1300T may need to work harder to achieve the same tasks, potentially negating the efficiency gains of the smaller node.
