Ulefone Tab A11 vs. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen): Which Budget Tablet Wins?

The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering a range of options for users seeking entertainment and productivity without breaking the bank. We pit the Ulefone Tab A11, powered by a Unisoc T620, against the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen), which comes in both Snapdragon 680 (LTE) and Helio G80 (Wi-Fi) variants, to determine which delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) with the Snapdragon 680 offers a more refined experience. Its 6nm process node provides better efficiency and performance than the Ulefone Tab A11’s 12nm Unisoc T620, translating to smoother multitasking and potentially longer battery life. However, the Ulefone Tab A11 presents a compelling value proposition for those prioritizing absolute affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Tab A11 Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/75 Mbps - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, June2022, May
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JuneAvailable. Released 2022, May
Body
Dimensions256.9 x 168.4 x 7.6 mm (10.11 x 6.63 x 0.30 in)251.2 x 158.8 x 7.5 mm (9.89 x 6.25 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight500.5 g (1.10 lb)465 g (1.03 lb)
 -Stylus support
Display
Resolution1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~206 ppi density)1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density)
Size11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio)10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) - LTE model Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi only model
ChipsetUnisoc T620 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) - LTE model Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) - Wi-Fi only model
GPUMali-G57Adreno 610 - LTE model Mali-G52 MC2 - Wi-Fi only model
OSAndroid 14Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -eMCP/uMCP
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm8 MP, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm8 MP
VideoYes-
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingFM Radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity (accessories only)Accelerometer, proximity, gyro
Battery
Charging18W wired20W wired
TypeLi-Po 8800 mAhLi-Po 7700 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace GrayStorm Grey, Frost Blue
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 260 EUR

Ulefone Tab A11

  • Most affordable option
  • Decent performance for basic tasks
  • Acceptable for light media consumption

  • Less powerful processor
  • Less efficient chipset
  • Potentially shorter battery life

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)

  • More powerful Snapdragon 680 option
  • Faster 20W charging
  • Potentially longer battery life due to 6nm process

  • Higher price point
  • Helio G80 variant offers less performance gain
  • Display specifications are limited

Display Comparison

Neither Ulefone nor Lenovo provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, the choice of processor impacts the potential for display features. The Snapdragon 680’s ISP supports higher refresh rates, though whether Lenovo implements this is unknown. The Unisoc T620 is less capable in this regard. Both tablets likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and the absence of details suggests neither boasts exceptional color accuracy or brightness. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for budget tablets.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are expected to feature basic camera setups geared towards video calls and casual snapshots. Detailed specifications are lacking, but given the price point, image quality will likely be average. Focusing on sensor size or aperture is futile without concrete data; the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 680 *could* offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but this is speculative.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) offers two options: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) and the MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The Snapdragon 680, with its Kryo 265 Gold cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, provides a significant performance advantage over the Unisoc T620 in the Ulefone Tab A11. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 680 also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. The Helio G80 variant, while still an octa-core processor, is less efficient than the Snapdragon 680. Both tablets share a similar CPU core configuration (2x Cortex-A75 & 6x Cortex-A55) but the clock speeds and architecture of the Kryo cores give the Snapdragon a clear edge.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) benefits from 20W wired charging, a step up from the Ulefone Tab A11’s 18W charging. While the difference isn’t massive, it translates to faster top-ups. The Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life compared to the Unisoc T620’s 12nm process, even with similar battery capacities.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Tab A11 if you need a highly affordable tablet for basic tasks like reading ebooks, light web browsing, and occasional video playback, and are willing to compromise on performance. Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) if you prioritize smoother performance for multitasking, streaming, and light gaming, and appreciate the benefits of a more efficient processor and potentially faster charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Unisoc T620 in the Ulefone Tab A11 struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Unisoc T620 is a budget-oriented processor. While it can handle basic tasks like web browsing and video playback, it may exhibit noticeable lag when running multiple apps simultaneously or switching between them frequently. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus with the Snapdragon 680 will provide a much smoother multitasking experience.
❓ Which version of the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) should I choose – the Snapdragon or Helio variant?
If your budget allows, prioritize the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus with the Snapdragon 680. The 6nm process and faster CPU cores offer a substantial performance improvement over the Helio G80 variant, resulting in a more responsive and enjoyable user experience. The Snapdragon version is also more future-proof.
❓ Are either of these tablets suitable for gaming?
Neither tablet is ideal for demanding gaming. The Unisoc T620 and even the Helio G80 will struggle with graphically intensive titles. The Snapdragon 680 can handle some lighter games at lower settings, but don't expect a flagship gaming experience. These tablets are better suited for casual gaming and streaming.