The Android tablet market is heating up, with options ranging from budget-friendly media consumption devices to powerful productivity tools. The vivo Pad Air and Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 represent compelling choices in the mid-range, but they take distinctly different approaches to achieving a balance of price and performance. This comparison focuses on the core differences stemming from their chipsets – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 5G versus MediaTek’s Helio G99 – and how those differences translate to real-world usage.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the vivo Pad Air emerges as the stronger choice. The Snapdragon 870’s superior architecture and 5G connectivity offer a noticeable advantage in demanding tasks and gaming, despite the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2’s more efficient 6nm process. However, the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 remains a viable option for casual users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 25 | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 25 | Available. Released 2023, January |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 259.7 x 176 x 6.7 mm (10.22 x 6.93 x 0.26 in) | 269.1 x 169.4 x 7.4 mm (10.59 x 6.67 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 520 g (1.15 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1840 x 2800 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~291 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 391.6 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 500 nits | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 12L |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, PD
5W reverse wired | - |
| Type | 8500 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver, Rose Gold | Storm Grey, Sage |
| Models | - | TB350FU |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 350 EUR |
vivo Pad Air
- Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks.
- More powerful GPU for gaming and graphics.
- Faster 44W charging with PD.
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing.
- Potentially lower battery life during intensive use.
- May generate more heat under sustained load.
Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2
- More power-efficient chipset for longer battery life.
- Likely more affordable price point.
- 6nm process for improved thermal management during light tasks.
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.
- Noticeably slower processor for demanding applications.
- Less capable GPU for gaming.
- Slower charging speeds (spec not provided).
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in the processing power driving the display. The chipset impacts the smoothness of animations and responsiveness of touch input. Without specific display specs like resolution, brightness, or refresh rate, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Snapdragon 870’s more powerful GPU can contribute to a smoother visual experience, especially in graphically intensive applications.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups geared towards video conferencing and casual snapshots. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The focus should be on the processing capabilities of the respective chipsets; the Snapdragon 870’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is likely more advanced, potentially resulting in better image processing and low-light performance. However, the real-world difference will likely be minimal for typical tablet use cases.
Performance
The vivo Pad Air’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a significant step up in performance compared to the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2’s MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm). The Snapdragon 870 utilizes Kryo 585 cores with a tri-cluster configuration (1x3.2 GHz, 3x2.42 GHz, 4x1.80 GHz), offering a more robust CPU performance profile than the Helio G99’s dual-cluster setup (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76, 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 870, while older, is offset by its architectural advantages. The Helio G99’s 6nm process is more efficient, potentially leading to better battery life during less demanding tasks, but it won’t match the sustained performance of the Snapdragon 870 under load. The Snapdragon 870 also benefits from a more powerful Adreno GPU, crucial for gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
Battery Life
The Helio G99’s 6nm process offers inherent power efficiency advantages. While the exact battery capacities aren’t provided, the G99 is likely to deliver longer battery life during typical usage scenarios like web browsing and video playback. The vivo Pad Air compensates with 44W wired charging with PD and 5W reverse wired charging, allowing for significantly faster charging times compared to the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 (charging specs not provided). This faster charging mitigates the potential battery life disadvantage, making the Pad Air more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Pad Air if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding applications, multitasking, and occasional gaming without significant throttling. It’s ideal for students, creative professionals, or anyone who wants a tablet that will remain responsive for years to come. Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 if you prioritize battery efficiency and a lower price point for basic tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity. It’s a solid choice for families or users who don’t require top-tier performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Helio G99 is not designed for high-end gaming. While it can run less demanding titles, Genshin Impact and similar games will likely require significant graphical settings reductions and may still experience frame rate drops. The Snapdragon 870 in the vivo Pad Air offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the vivo Pad Air generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 870 is known to generate some heat under sustained load, but it’s generally well-managed. The vivo Pad Air’s thermal design will play a crucial role. While some throttling is possible, the 870’s performance headroom is significantly higher than the Helio G99, meaning it can maintain higher frame rates for longer before throttling becomes noticeable.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the vivo Pad Air useful for a tablet, or is it just a marketing feature?
5G connectivity on the vivo Pad Air offers genuine benefits for users who frequently travel or lack access to reliable Wi-Fi. It allows for faster download speeds, smoother video streaming, and more responsive cloud gaming. While not essential for everyone, it adds a layer of versatility that the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 lacks.
