The Lenovo Tab M series offers excellent value in the budget tablet market. But with two strong contenders – the M10 Gen 3 and the M9 – choosing the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which tablet best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab M9 edges out the M10 Gen 3 thanks to its slightly more powerful Helio G80 chipset, resulting in smoother performance for everyday tasks and gaming. Both offer similar battery life and display quality, making the M9 the overall winner for those prioritizing speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September | 2022, December 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 239.8 x 158.6 x 8.5 mm (9.44 x 6.24 x 0.33 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 | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 344 g (12.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~173 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 9.0 inches, 230.0 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 320 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMCP or eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 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, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Storm Grey | Arctic Grey, Frost Blue |
| Models | - | TB310FU |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3
- Good value for money
- Decent display quality
- Sleek design
- Android tablet experience
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Mediocre camera
Lenovo Tab M9
- Better performance than M10 Gen 3
- Slightly improved display
- Compact and portable
- Good audio quality
- Still a budget device
- Camera quality is limited
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature a 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. While the panels are similar in quality, the M9 often exhibits slightly better color accuracy and brightness. Viewing angles are good on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both tablets is unremarkable, typical for budget devices. The M9 generally produces slightly better images in well-lit conditions, but neither tablet is suitable for serious photography. Expect grainy images in low light. Both have an 8MP front-facing camera suitable for video calls.
Performance
The M9's MediaTek Helio G80 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the M10 Gen 3's Unisoc T610. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and better gaming performance on the M9. The M10 Gen 3 is adequate for basic tasks but can struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer a similar battery life, typically lasting around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The 5000mAh battery in both devices provides adequate power for a full day of light use.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 is a good choice for users primarily focused on media consumption and basic tasks like browsing and email. The Lenovo Tab M9 is better suited for users who want a slightly more responsive experience for gaming and multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Lenovo Tab M9 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G80 chipset. It will handle games more smoothly than the M10 Gen 3.
❓ Are the tablets expandable with a microSD card?
Yes, both the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 and the Lenovo Tab M9 support microSD card expansion up to 1TB.
❓ What Android version do these tablets run?
Both tablets launched with Android 12, but Lenovo has promised updates. Check Lenovo's website for the latest software version.
