Lenovo's Yoga Tab line offers a compelling blend of portability and functionality. The Yoga Smart Tab and Yoga Tab 11 represent distinct approaches within this range. The Smart Tab prioritizes affordability and smart home integration, while the Tab 11 aims for a more robust performance profile. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 is the superior choice. Its MediaTek Helio G90T chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Yoga Smart Tab’s Snapdragon 439, making it more capable for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. While the Smart Tab offers a lower price point, the performance gap justifies the Tab 11’s higher cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2021, June 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 242mm x 166mm x 8.5-24mm | 256.8 mm x 169 mm x 7.9-8.3 mm |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 580 g (1.28 lb) | 655 g (1.44 lb) |
| | Built-in 3-stage kickstand | Built-in stainless steel kickstand
Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~79.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, Dolby Vision, 400 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP
TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by JBL |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Face recognition, accelerometer, gyro |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Iron Grey | Storm Gray |
| Models | YT-X705X | - |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 350 EUR |
Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing and video streaming.
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset (depending on battery capacity).
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Tab 11.
- Slower charging speed (10W).
- Struggles with demanding applications and multitasking.
Lenovo Yoga Tab 11
- Much faster performance thanks to the Helio G90T chipset.
- Faster 20W charging for reduced downtime.
- Better suited for gaming and demanding applications.
- Higher price point.
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load (depending on battery capacity).
- May experience more heat during prolonged gaming sessions.
Display Comparison
Both tablets utilize 12nm process technology, but the comparison stops there. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are not provided, the focus here is on the underlying performance. The chipset powering the display processing differs significantly. The Tab 11’s Helio G90T is better equipped to handle graphically intensive content, potentially resulting in smoother animations and a more responsive user experience. The Smart Tab’s SDM439 will likely exhibit more lag when rendering complex visuals.
Camera Comparison
Given the target market of these tablets, camera performance isn't a primary focus. Without specific camera specs, it's difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G90T chipset of the Tab 11 likely provides better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in slightly improved photo and video quality, even with similar sensors. The Smart Tab’s SDM439 ISP is geared towards efficiency rather than high-end image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Yoga Tab 11’s MediaTek Helio G90T features a dual-cluster CPU configuration with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture is significantly more powerful than the Yoga Smart Tab’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, which uses 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A76 cores in the G90T offer a substantial performance uplift in single-core tasks, while the combination of A76 and A55 cores provides excellent multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Tab 11. The Snapdragon 439 is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, the charging speeds offer a clear advantage to the Yoga Tab 11. Its 20W wired charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Yoga Smart Tab’s 10W charging. This means less downtime and more time using the tablet. The faster charging is particularly beneficial for users who rely on their tablet throughout the day. Even if the Smart Tab has a slightly larger battery, the Tab 11’s faster charging will likely result in a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab if you need a secondary tablet primarily for media consumption, light web browsing, and smart home control, and prioritize a lower price above all else. Its Snapdragon 439 is sufficient for these tasks. Buy the Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 if you prefer a tablet that can handle more demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously. The Helio G90T provides a noticeable performance boost, and the 20W charging is a significant convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Yoga Tab 11 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G90T in the Yoga Tab 11 is capable of running these games, but you'll likely need to adjust graphics settings to medium or low for a smooth experience. The Snapdragon 439 in the Smart Tab will struggle significantly with these titles.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Yoga Smart Tab noticeably slow in everyday use?
Yes, 10W charging is considerably slower than 20W. Expect a much longer wait to fully charge the Smart Tab, especially if you frequently use it throughout the day. It will take several hours to go from 0% to 100%.
❓ Does the Yoga Tab 11 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T can generate some heat under sustained load. While Lenovo likely implemented thermal management solutions, you may experience some warmth on the back of the tablet during prolonged gaming. It shouldn't be excessively hot, but it's something to be aware of.
❓ Which tablet is better for watching videos and reading ebooks?
Both tablets are suitable for these tasks. However, the Yoga Tab 11’s more powerful chipset may offer smoother playback of high-resolution videos and faster page turns in ebooks. The difference will be subtle, but noticeable.