The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but finding the right balance between performance and price can be challenging. We pit the Lenovo Pad, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, against the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8, featuring the Kirin 980, to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for everyday tasks and beyond.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Kirin 980, built on a 7nm process, offers a significant architectural advantage over the Lenovo Pad’s Snapdragon 662, translating to smoother multitasking and more demanding application handling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/75 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 24 | 2019, June. Released 2019, July 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 01 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 258.4 x 163 x 7.5 mm (10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 in) | 257 x 170 x 7.2 mm (10.12 x 6.69 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 498 g (1.10 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~280 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.8 inches, 338.2 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TDDI IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP
TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by Harman Kardon
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector |
| 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 | Face recognition, accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, QC3 | - |
| Type | Li-Po 7700 mAh | Li-Po 7500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Champagne Gold |
| Models | ZA7R0232CN | SCM-AL09, SCM-W09 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 300 EUR |
Lenovo Pad
- More affordable price point
- Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 support for faster charging
- Good power efficiency for basic tasks
- Less powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Likely lower build quality compared to the MediaPad M6 10.8
- Potentially limited long-term software support
Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8
- Significantly more powerful Kirin 980 chipset
- 7nm process for improved performance and efficiency
- Likely better build quality and materials
- Potentially higher price
- Charging speed unknown, may be slower than Lenovo Pad
- Huawei's software ecosystem limitations
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided, the MediaPad M6 10.8's larger 10.8-inch screen likely offers a more immersive viewing experience. Both tablets likely utilize IPS LCD panels common in this price bracket. The absence of high refresh rate or OLED technology on either device suggests a focus on cost-effectiveness. Color accuracy and peak brightness will be key differentiators, but without specific data, it's difficult to assess which tablet excels.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the MediaPad M6 10.8’s positioning as a more premium device, it likely features a more capable camera system. The Lenovo Pad likely prioritizes cost savings in this area. Image processing capabilities of the Kirin 980 could also contribute to better photo quality on the Huawei tablet, even with similar sensor sizes.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8’s Kirin 980, fabricated on a 7nm process, boasts a more advanced architecture than the Lenovo Pad’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The Kirin 980’s octa-core configuration, featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores, provides a substantial advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The Snapdragon 662, while efficient, relies on Kryo 260 cores that are less powerful. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the MediaPad M6 10.8. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged use.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 662’s efficiency could partially offset the Kirin 980’s higher power draw. The Lenovo Pad’s 20W charging with QC3 support is a practical feature, offering relatively quick charging speeds. The MediaPad M6 10.8’s charging capabilities are unknown, but a comparable wattage would be expected. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Kirin 980’s efficiency gains at peak performance could result in similar endurance despite potentially higher power consumption.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Pad if you need a highly affordable tablet for basic media consumption, light web browsing, and casual gaming. Its Snapdragon 662 is sufficient for these tasks and offers good power efficiency. Buy the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, plan to run more demanding applications, or anticipate heavier multitasking. The Kirin 980 provides a noticeable performance boost, making it a better long-term investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 980 in the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
While the Kirin 980 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it's significantly more capable than the Snapdragon 662. It should handle PUBG at medium to high settings comfortably. Genshin Impact may require lower settings for a smooth experience, but it's playable. The 7nm process also helps mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 662 in the Lenovo Pad sufficient for streaming video services like Netflix and YouTube?
Yes, the Snapdragon 662 is perfectly adequate for streaming video content. It supports hardware decoding of common video codecs, ensuring smooth playback of Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services. However, it may struggle with higher resolutions or demanding streaming apps.
❓ Does the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 support Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
This is a critical consideration. Due to US sanctions, the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 does *not* natively support Google Mobile Services (GMS). It uses Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) instead. This means no pre-installed Google apps like the Play Store, Gmail, or YouTube. Users can sideload some apps, but compatibility isn't guaranteed.
