The tablet market offers a range of options, but finding a great budget tablet can be tricky. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Lenovo Tab M9 and the Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab M9 offers a more modern chipset and generally better performance, making it the winner for most users. However, the Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 might appeal to those prioritizing a smaller form factor and potentially a slightly better audio experience, though it's showing its age.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 20 | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 14 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 215.4 x 136.8 x 8 mm (8.48 x 5.39 x 0.31 in) | 213.3 x 123.3 x 7.5 mm (8.40 x 4.85 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 344 g (12.13 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~173 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) |
| Size | 9.0 inches, 230.0 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | S-IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8940 Snapdragon 435 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 7.0 (Nougat), EMUI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 4GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| | - | Tuned by Harman Kardon |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Arctic Grey, Frost Blue | Gold, white, space grey |
| Models | TB310FU | CPN-AL00, CPN-W09, CPN-L09 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 270 EUR |
Lenovo Tab M9
- More powerful processor
- Larger display
- Modern design
- Better multitasking
- Potentially better software support
- 10W charging is slow
- Camera quality is average
- May be slightly larger than the MediaPad
Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8
- Compact size
- Potentially better audio (based on older reviews)
- Affordable price
- Outdated chipset
- Slower performance
- Smaller display
- Limited software updates
- Lower resolution display
Display Comparison
The Lenovo Tab M9 boasts a larger 2.5D curved glass display, typically around 9 inches, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 has an 8-inch display, which is more portable but smaller for media consumption. Both likely feature IPS panels for decent viewing angles, but the Tab M9's resolution and potentially brightness are likely superior.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in camera quality. Both feature modest rear and front-facing cameras suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. The Tab M9's newer chipset *might* offer slightly improved image processing, but don't expect flagship-level photography from either device. Expect around 5-8MP for both rear and front cameras.
Performance
Here's where the Tab M9 shines. Its Helio G80 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 435 in the MediaPad M3 Lite 8. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Tab M9. The MediaPad M3 Lite 8 will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor. While both tablets likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, the Tab M9's larger battery capacity (typically around 5100mAh) gives it a slight edge. The MediaPad M3 Lite 8's battery is likely around 4800mAh. Charging speeds are a drawback for both, with 10W wired charging on the Tab M9 and likely similar speeds on the MediaPad.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Tab M9 is ideal for students, casual users, and those seeking a responsive tablet for browsing, streaming, and light gaming. The Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8 is a good option for basic tasks, reading, and media consumption, especially if you value a compact size and are on a very tight budget, understanding its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Lenovo Tab M9 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and GPU.
❓ How much storage do these tablets offer?
Both tablets typically come in configurations with 32GB or 64GB of storage, expandable via microSD card.
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
The Lenovo Tab M9 is likely to receive more frequent software updates and security patches compared to the older Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 8.
