Knowledgeable’s Score
Professionals
- Nice display screen and audio system
- Helpful built-in kickstand
- Battery simply retains going
- Sturdy, modern metallic physique
Cons
- Underwhelming productiveness and gaming efficiency
- Solely two main OS updates
Our Verdict
The Lenovo Tab Plus is a flexible pill with spectacular sound, a vibrant show and a sensible kickstand. It’s the right companion for leisure whenever you’re at residence or on the go, although it’s not ultimate for productiveness or gaming.
The Lenovo Tab Plus is an inexpensive Android pill designed for leisure somewhat than productiveness.
At below £280/$290, it’s considerably cheaper than the Google Pixel Pill (whether or not you mix it with the dock or not) but affords comparable options. With JBL-tuned audio system and a built-in kickstand, it goals to be a flexible gadget for each residence and on-the-go use.
However how does it fare in real-world utilization? I spent a number of weeks with the Tab Plus to search out out.
Design & Construct
- Sturdy metallic construct
- Helpful built-in kickstand
- As much as 13.5mm thick, weighs 650g
The Lenovo Tab Plus has a novel design that integrates a built-in kickstand and eight audio system into its body. My pill got here at midnight Luna Gray color possibility, which seems slick.
Constructed from metallic, the physique feels sturdy and extra premium than the value tag would recommend.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
The underside half of the pill is thicker to accommodate these options, which makes the gadget fairly unstable for those who lay it down flat. You’ll virtually all the time wish to use this pill with the kickstand or held in your hand.
The physique feels sturdy and extra premium than the value tag would recommend
The kickstand itself sturdy and may be adjusted to varied angles, making it excellent for media consumption and note-taking. Above the speaker, the remainder of the physique is a modern 7.7mm thick, whereas the gadget isn’t precisely heavy at 650g.
Nevertheless, it’s value noting that there’s no official IP score for water and dirt resistance, which is a disgrace.
Display screen & Audio system
- 11.5-inch FHD+ show
- LCD panel with 90Hz refresh fee
- Eight JBL audio system with Dolby Atmos help
The Tab Plus options an 11.5-inch LCD display screen with a 2000×1200 decision and a 90Hz refresh fee. The 2K show is brilliant and vibrant, making it ultimate for watching movies and shopping the net.
It manages a 90Hz refresh fee regardless of the value, that means all of the content material seems buttery easy. This display screen can also be TUV-certified for eye consolation, which is simply what you need from one thing you’re going to me observing for lengthy intervals of time.
The show is nice to have a look at, and handles blacks fairly properly. Personally, I’d somewhat choose an OLED for any type of content material watching, however this display screen is nearly nearly as good.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
The eight JBL audio system ship spectacular 26W sound high quality, particularly with Dolby Atmos tuning enhancing the audio expertise. There are 4 tweeters and 4 woofers, providing a balanced total sound.
When watching Dolby Atmos appropriate content material, the encompass sound impact is noticeable, although you’d get a greater expertise with a pair of headphones. And, in fact, it doesn’t come near a set of devoted audio system.
The 2K show is brilliant and vibrant, making it ultimate for watching movies and shopping the net
The audio does sound fairly crisp, although, and it’s noticeably higher than an everyday pill. It might probably obtain a a lot decrease bass, however voices in dialogue don’t get misplaced. Simply don’t flip the amount as much as full whack, because it begins to lose some readability.
One good function is the auto app quantity management, which can flip the amount down whenever you use different apps such because the browser.
One other cool add-on that’s good to have is the power to make use of the pill as a Bluetooth speaker, that means you’ll be able to hook up different units and make the most of the JBL audio system. And for whenever you need much more management over the sound, the headphone jack helps high-res audio at 24-bit and 96kHz.
Specs & Efficiency
- MediaTek Helio G99 chip and 8GB of RAM
- Sufficient for many duties, struggles with heavy multitasking
- 128GB storage solely possibility, however Micro-SD expandable
Powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Tab Plus affords first rate efficiency for its worth vary.
That is tailor-made for content material watching, since that’s the principle objective of this gadget. You may hearth up streaming apps and get began watching very quickly in any respect. With a stable connection, buffering and cargo instances are minimal, and the slate doesn’t wrestle for those who flick between totally different reveals.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
It handles most apps properly, although heavier duties and multitasking may cause stutters – can inform that the Lenovo Tab Plus wasn’t designed with productiveness in thoughts.
That stated, you’ll have the ability to browse the net and social media with ease. Simply don’t attempt to begin multitasking or gaming, which is the place the gadget begins to wrestle.
The Tab Plus affords first rate efficiency for its worth vary
When it comes to inner storage, the one configuration obtainable affords 128GB. If that doesn’t sound like sufficient, don’t fear – the Tab Plus helps enlargement through Micro-SD card for those who want it.
Cameras
- 8Mp entrance and rear cameras
- Fundamental however purposeful photographs
- Respectable video name high quality
On a pill made for watching content material, the cameras aren’t actually a precedence. Nonetheless, the Lenovo Tab Plus consists of an 8Mp rear digital camera with autofocus, plus an 8Mp entrance digital camera. Whereas not distinctive, these cameras are enough for the likes doc scanning and video calls.
Nevertheless, they don’t evaluate to the standard discovered on even finances smartphones. I wouldn’t take photographs or movies on this gadget, particularly if you wish to look again at them or share with family and friends. You’re a lot better utilizing your telephone for that.
I wouldn’t take photographs or movies on this gadget, particularly if you wish to look again at them or share with family and friends
If you happen to completely want to make use of the digital camera, count on some pretty common photographs. Photos can get grainy rapidly and aren’t notably brilliant.
Battery Life & Charging
- 8600mAh battery
- Affords 4 to 5 days of reasonable use
- 45W wired charging, no charger in field
The Tab Plus is supplied with an 8600mAh battery which Lenovo says is able to as much as 12 hours of video playback.
In real-world use, it comfortably lasts 4 to 5 days with reasonable utilization – assume a Netflix present or two per day.
Whereas I haven’t used the slate on a long-haul flight but, it’s in all probability the gadget I’d take with me to observe films, since I’m assured the battery would get me by means of a 12-hour flight.
I’m assured the battery would get me by means of a 12-hour flight
The 45W charging functionality is quicker than many opponents, although a appropriate charger isn’t included within the field.
Lenovo reckons you’ll have the ability to juice again as much as full in an hour and a half. In my testing, it took 91 minutes, in order that appears about proper. For 50% cost, it takes round 38 minutes.
Software program & Apps
- Android 14 with ZUI pores and skin
- Near inventory Android, however some helpful additions
- Two main OS updates, 4 years of safety patches
The pill runs Android 14 with Lenovo’s ZUI interface excessive.
It’s near ‘inventory’ Android, however you do get a number of extra options, similar to a desktop-style PC mode and a customisable standby mode. I think about that most individuals aren’t too nervous about these options, although.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
The software program itself is straightforward to get round, so it will be ultimate for somebody that’s unfamiliar with Android tablets. There’s a small quantity of pre-installed bloatware that I’m not a fan of – the Opera browser and a calculator app, amongst others – however nothing that’s too encroaching.
When it comes to software program help, Lenovo guarantees two main Android OS updates and 4 years of safety patches. The dearth of longer software program help is irksome, but it surely isn’t a deal breaker for me.
The dearth of longer software program help is irksome, but it surely isn’t a deal breaker for me
You’ll have the ability to run streaming apps on barely older variations of Android with none issues. And in a number of years time, you’ll in all probability wish to transfer on to a tool with a more recent display screen and audio system if content material watching is a precedence. At this worth level, I don’t assume that’s too unreasonable.
Worth & Availability
The Lenovo Tab Plus prices £279.99/$289.99.
Within the UK, you should buy one direct from Lenovo or through Amazon. Nevertheless, regardless of an official US worth, there doesn’t look like any availability in North America on the time of writing.
That pricing means it’s very a lot a finances pill, although competitors from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (from £239), Xiaomi Poco Pad (round £239) (Google Pixel Pill (£399 with out dock) is powerful.
Must you purchase the Lenovo Tab Plus?
The Lenovo Tab Plus stands out as a flexible and inexpensive pill, excellent for leisure and light-weight every day duties.
Its video-watching-first options, such because the built-in kickstand and JBL-tuned audio system, make it an important selection for media consumption. At this worth level, it’s in all probability the gadget I’d choose to observe films or reveals on.
Whereas efficiency isn’t top-tier, it affords wonderful worth for cash, particularly in comparison with dearer rivals just like the Pixel Pill. Consequently, it’s comparatively simple to advocate.