Lenovo’s Tab P11 and M10 Plus (3rd Gen) represent compelling options in the crowded budget-to-midrange Android tablet space. While both aim to deliver an accessible tablet experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in their system-on-chip (SoC) choices. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how they impact real-world performance, efficiency, and overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined experience, the Lenovo Tab P11 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, offers a more balanced performance profile than the Snapdragon 680 or Helio G80 found in the M10 Plus, despite the latter’s newer 6nm node. However, the M10 Plus offers a compelling value proposition if budget is the primary concern.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/75 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 07 | 2022, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February 10 | Available. Released 2022, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 258.4 x 163 x 7.5 mm (10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 in) | 251.2 x 158.8 x 7.5 mm (9.89 x 6.25 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 465 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) - LTE model Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi only model |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) - LTE model Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) - Wi-Fi only model |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 - LTE model Mali-G52 MC2 - Wi-Fi only model |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMCP/uMCP |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | FM Radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7700 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Slate Grey, Platinum Grey | Storm Grey, Frost Blue |
| Models | TB-J606F | - |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 260 EUR |
Lenovo Tab P11
- More consistent performance with Snapdragon 662
- Potentially better power efficiency
- Smoother multitasking experience
- Older 11nm process compared to Snapdragon 680
- May be slightly more expensive than M10 Plus
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
- Potentially better efficiency with Snapdragon 680 (LTE model)
- More affordable price point
- LTE connectivity option available
- Helio G80 variant (Wi-Fi) offers significantly lower performance
- Potential for throttling under sustained load
- May exhibit stuttering during demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both tablets share a similar 10.1-inch display size, but detailed display specs (resolution, brightness, color gamut) are not provided. However, the chipset differences indirectly impact the display experience. The more capable GPU in the Tab P11’s Snapdragon 662 can drive smoother animations and potentially handle higher refresh rates if the panel supported it. The M10 Plus’s Snapdragon 680 or Helio G80 may exhibit slight stuttering during fast scrolling or transitions, particularly on the Wi-Fi only variant with the less powerful Helio G80.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not provided beyond the existence of cameras. Given the target market, neither tablet is expected to excel in photography. The focus should be on basic video calling and occasional snapshots. Any differences in image quality will likely be minimal and overshadowed by the limitations of the sensors and image processing capabilities inherent in these price points.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Tab P11’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) features an octa-core CPU with Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores clocked up to 2.0 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively. The M10 Plus offers two variants: an LTE model with the Snapdragon 680 (6nm) and a Wi-Fi only model with the MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). While the Snapdragon 680 boasts a newer 6nm process, potentially improving efficiency, its CPU clock speeds are higher (2.4 GHz Gold cores), but the architecture is different. The Tab P11’s Kryo 260 cores are generally more efficient per clock cycle. The Wi-Fi only M10 Plus with the Helio G80 will likely exhibit the lowest performance, especially in sustained workloads, due to the older 12nm process and less efficient Cortex-A75/A55 cores. This translates to faster app loading and smoother multitasking on the P11.
Battery Life
Both tablets feature 20W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. However, the efficiency of the underlying chipsets plays a crucial role in battery life. The Snapdragon 662 in the Tab P11, despite being on an older 11nm process, is known for its relatively good power efficiency. The Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process *should* offer better efficiency, but the higher clock speeds could offset some of those gains. The Helio G80 in the Wi-Fi only M10 Plus is likely to consume the most power, resulting in shorter battery life during intensive use. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 if you need a tablet capable of handling multitasking, moderate gaming, and streaming without significant slowdowns. Its Snapdragon 662 provides a smoother experience for demanding applications. Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) if you prioritize affordability and primarily intend to use the tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, video playback, and light productivity. The Wi-Fi only model with the Helio G80 is best suited for these scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the M10 Plus significantly outperform the Snapdragon 662 in the P11 despite the 6nm process?
While the 6nm process is more efficient, the Snapdragon 680's higher clock speeds don't necessarily translate to a substantial performance advantage over the Snapdragon 662. The 662's Kryo cores are optimized for efficiency and sustained performance, often resulting in a smoother overall experience, especially in multitasking scenarios. The difference will be noticeable in benchmarks, but less so in everyday use.
❓ Is the Wi-Fi only Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) with the Helio G80 a good choice for streaming video?
The Wi-Fi only M10 Plus with the Helio G80 is suitable for basic video streaming, but it may struggle with higher resolutions (1080p or above) or demanding streaming apps. You might experience occasional buffering or stuttering, especially if other apps are running in the background. For a smoother streaming experience, the Tab P11 or the M10 Plus with the Snapdragon 680 are better options.
❓ Which tablet is better for playing casual games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds?
Both tablets can handle casual games without issue. However, the Tab P11’s Snapdragon 662 will provide a more consistent frame rate and smoother experience, even when multitasking. The Helio G80 variant of the M10 Plus may exhibit occasional slowdowns during more graphically intensive casual games.
