The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE, released in 2014, represented a high-water mark for large-screen Android tablets. Now, nearly a decade later, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 arrives with modern silicon and features. This comparison dissects the differences between these two tablets, assessing whether the newer model justifies its place in today’s market against a still-capable, albeit aging, predecessor.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Kompanio 1300T chipset, built on a 6nm process, delivers significantly improved CPU and GPU performance compared to the Samsung’s Snapdragon 800. While the Note Pro 12.2 remains functional, the P11 Pro Gen 2 offers a smoother, more responsive experience for modern applications and multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, March | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 295.6 x 204 x 8 mm (11.64 x 8.03 x 0.31 in) | 263.7 x 166.7 x 6.8 mm (10.38 x 6.56 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 753 g (1.66 lb) | 480 g (1.06 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~247 ppi density) | 1536 x 2560 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.2 inches, 431.6 cm2 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.2 inches, 357.0 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super clear LCD | OLED, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 120Hz, 420 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT8797 Kompanio 1300T (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.0.2 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by JBL |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 3.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, magnetic connector, video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired, QC3 |
| Music play | Up to 188 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h 30 min (multimedia) (2G) / Up to 51 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 9500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 8200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Storm Grey, Oat |
| Models | SM-P905 | ZAB50194GB, ZAB50043SE |
| Price | About 670 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| SAR | 1.57 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.76 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 616573 (v9)
GeekBench: 2827 (v5.1) |
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE
- Large 12.2-inch display for immersive viewing.
- Integrated S Pen support for note-taking and creativity.
- Still functional for basic tasks.
- Outdated Snapdragon 800 chipset.
- Likely limited software support.
- Poor performance with modern applications.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2
- Modern Mediatek Kompanio 1300T chipset for excellent performance.
- OLED display for vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- 20W fast charging with QC3.
- May lack the S Pen integration of the Note Pro 12.2.
- Software experience may not be as refined as Samsung's.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE’s display specifications are unavailable, but its market positioning suggests a high-quality LCD panel for its time. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 boasts a more modern OLED display, offering superior contrast and color accuracy. The Kompanio 1300T’s image signal processor (ISP) likely supports better display calibration. While the Note Pro 12.2’s size is a key feature, the P11 Pro Gen 2’s OLED technology provides a more visually immersive experience, especially for video content. Bezels on the Note Pro 12.2 are expected to be larger, reflecting its age.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the Note Pro 12.2 are limited, but it likely featured a single rear camera and a front-facing camera for video calls. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2’s camera specifications are unavailable, but Mediatek chipsets generally include capable ISPs. Given the age difference, the P11 Pro Gen 2 will almost certainly offer superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, due to advancements in sensor technology and image processing algorithms. The P11 Pro Gen 2 likely benefits from more sophisticated computational photography features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, a 28nm processor with a quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU. This was a flagship chip in 2013, but it’s significantly outpaced by the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2’s Mediatek MT8797 Kompanio 1300T. The Kompanio 1300T, built on a 6nm process, features an octa-core CPU (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The 6nm node provides superior power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing the P11 Pro Gen 2 to sustain higher clock speeds for longer periods. The architectural shift from Krait 400 to Cortex-A78/A55 also represents a substantial improvement in instruction set efficiency and overall performance. The P11 Pro Gen 2 will handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease, while the Note Pro 12.2 will likely struggle with modern software.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for the Note Pro 12.2 is unavailable. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 supports 20W wired charging with QC3, offering a relatively quick charging experience. The Kompanio 1300T’s 6nm process contributes to improved power efficiency, meaning the P11 Pro Gen 2 will likely offer longer battery life than the Note Pro 12.2, even if the latter had a larger battery capacity. The faster charging speed of the P11 Pro Gen 2 is a significant convenience factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE if you already own it and your needs are limited to basic tasks like reading and light web browsing, and you prioritize the S Pen integration. Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 if you demand modern performance for multitasking, gaming, and media consumption, and value faster charging and a more current software experience. The P11 Pro Gen 2 is the better choice for anyone upgrading from an older tablet or entering the large-screen Android tablet space.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 run demanding games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
The Mediatek Kompanio 1300T chipset in the P11 Pro Gen 2 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to adjust graphics settings to medium or low for a consistently smooth experience. The Snapdragon 800 in the Note Pro 12.2 would struggle significantly with this title.
❓ Is the lack of S Pen support on the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 a dealbreaker for artists or note-takers?
If S Pen integration is critical to your workflow, the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE remains the only option. However, you can purchase third-party styluses compatible with the P11 Pro Gen 2, though the experience may not be as seamless as with Samsung's native S Pen.
❓ How does the thermal management of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 compare to the older Samsung tablet?
The 6nm manufacturing process of the Kompanio 1300T results in significantly better thermal efficiency compared to the 28nm Snapdragon 800. This means the P11 Pro Gen 2 will run cooler and experience less performance throttling during sustained workloads.
