The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 10 and Tab 2 A10-70 represent Lenovo’s attempts to capture the budget tablet market. While both devices aim for affordability, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware, particularly in their chipsets. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for everyday tasks and light multimedia consumption.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly more modern architecture, the Lenovo Tab 2 A10-70 emerges as the better choice. Its Cortex-A53 based Mediatek MT8732 chipset offers a performance edge over the Yoga Tab 3 10’s Snapdragon 210, despite both being built on a 28nm process.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA | HSDPA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 38, 40 - EMEA | LTE |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016. Released 2016 | 2015, March. Released 2015, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 253 x 185 x 9.5 mm (9.96 x 7.28 x 0.37 in) | 247 x 171 x 8.9 mm (9.72 x 6.73 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM - cellular model only |
| Weight | 655 g (Wi-Fi)/ 665 g (3G/LTE) (1.40 lb) | 509 g (1.12 lb) |
| | Built-in 3-stage kickstand
Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~218 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~63.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 312.3 cm2 (~73.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) - 3G/LTE modelQualcomm APQ8009 (28 nm) - Wi-Fi model | Mediatek MT8732 (28 nm) - 4G modelMediatek MT8165 - Wi-Fi model |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Mali-T760 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.0 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Rotating main camera module | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with multiple speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | Unspecified |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | - | Up to 15 h 30 min (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Ion 8400 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 7000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Pearl White, Midnight Blue |
| Models | YT3-X50M, YT3-X50F | - |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 10
- Potentially lower price point.
- Qualcomm chipset may have better software support (historically).
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Older Cortex-A7 CPU architecture.
- Slower clock speed (1.3 GHz).
- Likely less responsive user experience.
Lenovo Tab 2 A10-70
- More modern Cortex-A53 CPU architecture.
- Faster clock speed (1.7 GHz).
- Smoother multitasking and app performance.
- Potentially better ISP for slightly improved camera results.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Mediatek chipsets sometimes have less consistent software updates.
Display Comparison
Both tablets likely feature similar 10.1-inch IPS LCD panels, typical for the price range. However, detailed specifications like resolution and brightness are missing. The focus here is on the internal hardware impacting the display’s responsiveness. Neither device is expected to offer high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO. Bezels are likely substantial on both, reflecting their age and budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is expected to be minimal. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but given the target market, both likely feature low-resolution sensors. Focusing on the chipset, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Mediatek MT8732 likely offers slightly better image processing capabilities than the ISP in the Snapdragon 210, but the difference will be marginal in real-world usage. Expect adequate performance for basic snapshots in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Tab 2 A10-70 utilizes a Mediatek MT8732 (or MT8165 in the Wi-Fi model) with a quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The Yoga Tab 3 10, conversely, employs a Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (or APQ8009 for Wi-Fi) with a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. The Cortex-A53 architecture is a significant improvement over the Cortex-A7, offering better performance per clock cycle and improved energy efficiency. While both are 28nm chips, the A53’s design translates to a noticeably smoother experience in everyday tasks. The 0.4 GHz clock speed difference further favors the Tab 2 A10-70.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the more efficient Cortex-A53 architecture in the Tab 2 A10-70 suggests it may achieve slightly longer battery life under similar usage conditions, despite potentially having a similar capacity battery. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are likely to support standard 5V/2A charging, resulting in relatively slow charging times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 10 if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are primarily focused on very basic tasks like reading ebooks or light web browsing. Buy the Lenovo Tab 2 A10-70 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, smoother multitasking, and a chipset capable of handling slightly more demanding applications, even within the budget tablet space.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 210 in the Yoga Tab 3 10 struggle with modern Android apps?
Yes, the Snapdragon 210 is a very entry-level chipset. While it can handle basic apps like web browsers and email clients, you may experience noticeable lag and slowdowns with more demanding applications or multitasking. The Cortex-A7 architecture is significantly older and less efficient than the Cortex-A53 found in the Tab 2 A10-70.
❓ Is the 4G connectivity on the Tab 2 A10-70 worth the extra cost compared to the Wi-Fi only model?
That depends on your usage. If you frequently travel or lack reliable Wi-Fi access, the 4G connectivity is a valuable addition. However, if you primarily use the tablet at home or in locations with Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi only model will save you money without sacrificing core functionality.
❓ Can either of these tablets handle light gaming?
Both tablets can handle very basic 2D games. However, don't expect to play graphically intensive 3D games smoothly. The integrated GPUs in both chipsets are limited, and the CPUs will struggle to maintain a consistent frame rate. The Tab 2 A10-70 will offer a slightly better gaming experience due to its more powerful chipset.
