Lenovo's Yoga Tab line offers a diverse range of Android tablets, but the Yoga Tab 13 and Yoga Smart Tab represent distinctly different approaches. The Tab 13 aims for near-flagship performance with a Snapdragon 870, while the Smart Tab prioritizes affordability with a Snapdragon 439. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right tablet for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users demanding performance for gaming, multitasking, or creative work, the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 provides a substantial performance leap over the Smart Tab's Snapdragon 439. However, if your needs are basic – media consumption, light browsing, and reading – the Yoga Smart Tab offers excellent value.
| 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 | 2019, October. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 31 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 293.4 mm x 204 mm x 6.2-24.9 mm | 242mm x 166mm x 8.5-24mm |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 830 g (1.83 lb) | 580 g (1.28 lb) |
| | Built-in stainless steel kickstand
Stylus support | Built-in 3-stage kickstand |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1350 x 2160 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 13.0 inches, 490.0 cm2 (~56.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 400 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| No | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP
TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by JBL | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, micro HDMI | 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 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Face recognition, accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 10200 mAh | Li-Po 7000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Iron Grey |
| Models | ZA8E0018CN | YT-X705X |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 320 EUR |
Lenovo Yoga Tab 13
- Significantly faster performance with Snapdragon 870
- Better suited for gaming and multitasking
- Likely supports faster charging
- Higher price point
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab
- More affordable price
- Potentially longer battery life during basic use
- Lightweight and portable
- Slow performance with Snapdragon 439
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Slow 10W charging
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature IPS LCD panels (data not provided), the performance gap begins with the underlying processing power impacting display responsiveness. The Yoga Tab 13, with its superior chipset, will deliver smoother animations and faster app loading times, enhancing the overall visual experience. We anticipate the Tab 13 will have a higher peak brightness, making it more usable outdoors, though specific nit ratings are unavailable. The Smart Tab, being a budget device, likely prioritizes cost savings over display quality, potentially resulting in narrower viewing angles and less accurate color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets likely feature basic camera setups geared towards video calls rather than photography. The absence of specific sensor details suggests neither device prioritizes camera quality. The Yoga Tab 13, due to its higher processing power, may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but the difference will likely be minimal. We can assume the Smart Tab will have a simpler camera module to reduce costs.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a significant upgrade over the Yoga Smart Tab’s Snapdragon 439 (12nm). The 870 features an octa-core CPU with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, compared to the 439’s 1.95 GHz cores. This translates to a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The 7nm fabrication process of the 870 also offers better power efficiency, meaning less heat generation and potentially longer sustained performance. The Smart Tab’s Cortex-A53 cores, while efficient, are architecturally older and less capable than the Kryo 585 cores in the Tab 13. This difference is particularly noticeable in gaming and multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is missing for both devices. However, the Snapdragon 439 in the Yoga Smart Tab, being a less power-hungry chip, will likely result in longer battery life during basic usage scenarios like reading or video playback. The Yoga Tab 13’s Snapdragon 870, while more efficient than older high-end chips, demands more power under load. The Smart Tab’s 10W wired charging is significantly slower than what we expect the Tab 13 to support (likely 18W or higher), meaning longer recharge times. The Tab 13’s faster charging will be beneficial for users who frequently use power-intensive applications.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding applications, enjoy mobile gaming, or require a device for productivity tasks like video editing. Buy the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab if you prioritize affordability, primarily use your tablet for passive entertainment like streaming videos and reading ebooks, and don't require high-end performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 439 in the Yoga Smart Tab struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 439 is not designed for graphically intensive games. While you might be able to run simpler games, Genshin Impact and similar titles will likely experience significant lag and low frame rates, making them unplayable. The Yoga Tab 13’s Snapdragon 870 is far better equipped to handle such games.
❓ Is the performance difference between the two tablets noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and email?
Yes, even for everyday tasks, the Yoga Tab 13 will feel noticeably snappier. App loading times will be faster, web pages will render more quickly, and multitasking will be smoother. The Smart Tab will handle these tasks, but with a slight delay that can become frustrating over time.
❓ Does the Yoga Tab 13 support external keyboards and mice for productivity?
Yes, the Yoga Tab 13, with its more powerful processor and likely more robust connectivity options, is well-suited for use with external keyboards and mice. This transforms it into a capable productivity device for tasks like document editing and spreadsheet work. The Smart Tab can also connect to peripherals, but its limited processing power may hinder performance.
