The budget tablet market is heating up, with the Xiaomi Poco Pad M1 and Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 vying for dominance. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but they take distinctly different approaches to achieving that value. The Poco Pad M1 leverages a newer, more efficient chipset, while the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 opts for a slightly older but still capable processor. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco Pad M1 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, built on a 4nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and superior power efficiency compared to the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2’s Helio G99. This translates to smoother multitasking, better gaming, and potentially longer battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, November 26 | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, November 26 | Available. Released 2023, January |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 279.8 x 181.7 x 7.5 mm (11.02 x 7.15 x 0.30 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 | 610 g (1.34 lb) | 520 g (1.15 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7635-AC Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 (4 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 810 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, HyperOS 2 | Android 12L |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3+
27W reverse wired | - |
| Type | 12000 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Storm Grey, Sage |
| Models | 2509ARPBDG | TB350FU |
| Price | - | About 350 EUR |
Xiaomi Poco Pad M1
- Superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset.
- More efficient 4nm fabrication process for better battery life and thermal management.
- Faster 33W charging with PD3.0 and QC3+ support.
- 27W reverse wired charging for powering other devices.
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially lacking features like high refresh rate.
- Camera performance likely to be average.
Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2
- Potentially lower price point.
- Reliable performance for basic tasks like streaming and browsing.
- Lenovo’s reputation for build quality.
- Solid software support.
- Less powerful Helio G99 chipset.
- 6nm process less efficient than the Poco Pad M1’s 4nm.
- Slower charging speeds.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, considering the target market, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key differentiator will be resolution and brightness. Given Lenovo’s history with tablets, the P11 Gen 2 may offer slightly better color calibration. The absence of information on refresh rates suggests both are likely capped at 60Hz, impacting smoothness during scrolling and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet, given their price point. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both feature modest camera setups suitable for casual snapshots and video calls. The absence of information suggests neither device will excel in low-light conditions or offer advanced photography features. Focusing on the chipset's ISP capabilities, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 likely offers slightly better image processing than the Helio G99.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco Pad M1’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 (4nm) is a significant step up from the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2’s MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm). While the G99 features a Cortex-A76 core, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 utilizes newer Cortex-A720 cores, offering superior single-core and multi-core performance. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Poco Pad M1 is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The CPU configuration of the Poco Pad M1 (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A720, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) provides a more balanced and powerful core arrangement than the Helio G99’s (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55).
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Poco Pad M1’s 33W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC3+ support is a clear advantage over the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2, allowing for faster top-ups. The 27W reverse wired charging on the Poco Pad M1 is also a unique feature, enabling it to charge other devices. While the actual battery capacity isn't specified, the more efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 should translate to comparable or better real-world battery life on the Poco Pad M1, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco Pad M1 if you prioritize performance for gaming, demanding apps, or future-proofing. Its newer chipset and more efficient architecture will provide a better experience over the long term. Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 if you are looking for a reliable tablet for basic tasks like streaming, browsing, and light productivity, and are particularly sensitive to price. It offers a solid experience for everyday use, but won't handle intensive workloads as gracefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco Pad M1 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 is capable of running these games, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The 4nm process helps mitigate throttling, but sustained gaming will still generate heat. The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 will struggle more with these titles.
❓ Does the Poco Pad M1 support stylus input or a keyboard cover?
While not explicitly stated, Xiaomi often supports accessories for their tablets. Checking Xiaomi’s official website or authorized retailers is recommended to confirm stylus and keyboard cover compatibility for the Poco Pad M1. The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 has official keyboard and pen accessories available.
❓ How does the thermal performance of the Poco Pad M1 compare to the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 during extended use?
The Poco Pad M1’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, built on a 4nm process, will run cooler and experience less throttling than the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2’s Helio G99 (6nm) during prolonged tasks like gaming or video editing. This means sustained performance will be higher on the Poco Pad M1.
