Lenovo's tablet lineup offers compelling options across price points. The Yoga Tab 13, with its Snapdragon 870, represents a refined experience focused on balance. The Tab Extreme, however, throws down the gauntlet with the Mediatek Dimensity 9000, aiming for flagship-level performance. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth, reliable experience and excellent portability, the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 remains a strong contender. However, the Lenovo Tab Extreme takes the lead for power users and gamers, thanks to the significantly more potent Dimensity 9000 chipset and its faster 68W charging, despite potentially higher thermal output.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 24 | 2023, January 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 31 | Available. Released 2023, June 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 293.4 mm x 204 mm x 6.2-24.9 mm | 327.8 x 210.8 x 5.9 mm (12.91 x 8.30 x 0.23 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 830 g (1.83 lb) | 740 g (1.63 lb) |
| | Built-in stainless steel kickstand
Stylus support | Stylus support (Lenovo Precision Pen 3) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1350 x 2160 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 1876 x 3000 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~244 ppi density) |
| Size | 13.0 inches, 490.0 cm2 (~56.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.5 inches, 609.8 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 400 nits | OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G710 MC10 |
| OS | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 | Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| No | - |
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP
TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor) | 13 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| | Tuned by JBL | JBL speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, micro HDMI | USB Type-C 3.2 and USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, DisplayPort, accessory connector |
| 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Face recognition, accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 68W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 10200 mAh | Li-Po 12300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Storm Grey |
| Models | ZA8E0018CN | - |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 880 EUR |
Lenovo Yoga Tab 13
- Balanced performance for everyday tasks
- Potentially better portability due to lower power draw
- Likely more affordable price point
- Less powerful processor for demanding games
- Slower charging speeds
Lenovo Tab Extreme
- Significantly faster processor for gaming and multitasking
- 68W fast charging for minimal downtime
- Potentially more advanced camera system
- May experience more thermal throttling under heavy load
- Likely higher price point
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature high-quality LCD panels (specifics are missing), the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. Display quality will be similar, but the Tab Extreme's chipset will handle graphically intensive content more smoothly. Bezels are likely comparable given Lenovo's design language. Color accuracy will depend on calibration, a detail not provided.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Tab Extreme's positioning as a flagship, it's reasonable to expect a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and improved image processing. The Yoga Tab 13 likely focuses on adequate image quality for video calls and casual snapshots. The presence or absence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Tab Extreme would be a key differentiator, improving low-light performance and video stability.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 9000 in the Tab Extreme, built on a 4nm process, represents a substantial leap over the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) in the Yoga Tab 13. The Dimensity 9000’s Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.05 GHz offers significantly higher peak performance than the Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The 4nm node also implies better thermal efficiency, though the Dimensity 9000's higher power draw could still lead to more noticeable throttling under sustained load. The Tab Extreme's CPU architecture (Cortex-A710/A510) is also a generation newer than the Snapdragon 870's Kryo cores, offering architectural improvements.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Tab Extreme’s 68W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much faster top-ups compared to the Yoga Tab 13’s likely slower charging speed. Even if the Yoga Tab 13 has a slightly larger battery, the Tab Extreme’s charging speed will minimize downtime. The Dimensity 9000’s efficiency gains at lower workloads could partially offset its higher peak power draw, but sustained gaming will likely drain the Tab Extreme’s battery faster.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 if you need a versatile tablet for everyday tasks, media consumption, and light productivity, valuing a balance of performance, portability, and price. Its Snapdragon 870 is more than capable for most users. Buy the Lenovo Tab Extreme if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding games, video editing, or multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of incredibly fast 68W charging. It's geared towards those who push their tablets to the limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 9000 in the Tab Extreme overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 9000 is a powerful chip, its higher power draw compared to the Snapdragon 870 could lead to more noticeable thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding gaming. Lenovo's thermal management implementation will be crucial in mitigating this, but expect some performance reduction after extended play.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 870 in the Yoga Tab 13 still capable of running modern Android games?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 remains a very capable processor for gaming. It can handle most modern Android games at medium to high settings without issue. However, it won't deliver the same level of performance or graphical fidelity as the Dimensity 9000 in the Tab Extreme.
❓ Does the Tab Extreme support reverse wired charging, and can it charge other devices?
Yes, the Lenovo Tab Extreme supports reverse wired charging. This allows you to use the tablet as a power bank to charge other devices, such as smartphones or wireless earbuds, via a USB-C cable. This is a convenient feature for travelers or anyone needing a quick power boost on the go.
❓ What type of RAM does each tablet use, and does that impact performance?
While not explicitly stated, both tablets likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM. The Tab Extreme may utilize LPDDR5X, offering slightly faster speeds. Faster RAM contributes to smoother multitasking and quicker app loading times, but the difference is often subtle in real-world usage.
