Lenovo Tab M9 vs Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3: A Detailed Tablet Showdown

Looking for an affordable Android tablet? The Lenovo Tab M9 and M10 Gen 3 are popular contenders in the budget space. But which one offers the best value for your money? We'll dive deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Lenovo Tab M9 edges out the M10 Gen 3 thanks to its slightly more powerful Helio G80 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks and light gaming. Both offer similar battery life and features, making the M9 the better overall choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo Tab M9 Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTE - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2022, December 202022, September
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 14Available. Released 2022, September
Body
Dimensions215.4 x 136.8 x 8 mm (8.48 x 5.39 x 0.31 in)239.8 x 158.6 x 8.5 mm (9.44 x 6.24 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight344 g (12.13 oz)460 g (1.01 lb)
Display
Resolution800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~173 ppi density)1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density)
Size9.0 inches, 230.0 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio)10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 320 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Unisoc T610 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G52 MP2
OSAndroid 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMCP or eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Single8 MP, AF8 MP, AF
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single2 MP5 MP
Video720pYes
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO - cellular model onlyGPS - cellular model only
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityAccelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5100 mAhLi-Po 5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsArctic Grey, Frost BlueStorm Grey
ModelsTB310FU-
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 200 EUR

Lenovo Tab M9

  • More powerful processor (Helio G80)
  • Slightly better display (potentially)
  • Modern design
  • Good value for money

  • 10W charging is slow
  • Camera quality is average
  • Build quality is mostly plastic

Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3

  • Durable build (often marketed as kid-friendly)
  • Affordable price
  • Decent battery life

  • Less powerful processor (Unisoc T610)
  • Slightly older design
  • Performance can feel sluggish

Display Comparison

Both tablets feature a 10.1-inch display, likely with a resolution around 1920x1200. While both offer decent viewing angles, the Tab M9 might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to potentially more modern panel technology. Expect similar overall viewing experiences, though.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality on budget tablets is rarely a highlight. Both devices likely feature an 8MP main camera and a front-facing camera around 5-8MP. Expect similar image quality – decent for video calls but not ideal for serious photography. Low-light performance will be weak on both.

Performance

The Mediatek Helio G80 in the Tab M9 holds a clear advantage over the Unisoc T610 in the M10 Gen 3. The G80's higher clock speeds and slightly more advanced architecture translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The M10 Gen 3 is adequate for basic tasks but may struggle with demanding apps.

Battery Life

Both tablets are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing roughly 8-10 hours of typical usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, meaning a full charge will take around 3-4 hours.

Buying Guide

The Lenovo Tab M9 is ideal for students, casual users, and those seeking a responsive tablet for browsing, streaming, and light productivity. The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 is a good option for families needing a durable and affordable tablet for kids' entertainment, though performance may feel slightly sluggish compared to the M9.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Lenovo Tab M9 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor. While neither is a gaming powerhouse, the M9 will handle more demanding titles with smoother performance.
❓ Are the tablets expandable with a microSD card?
Yes, both the Lenovo Tab M9 and M10 Gen 3 support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
❓ What Android version do these tablets run?
Both tablets typically ship with Android 12, but Lenovo provides software updates. Check Lenovo's website for the latest Android version available for each model.