I’ve reviewed three tablets in 2022: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+, Nokia T20, and Lenovo Tab P11 Plus. While the Tab S8+ ended up topping our checklist of the best Android tablets, the P11 Plus is the pill I’d suggest to extra individuals, merely due to how affordably wonderful it was. It had its minor points and worth compromises, to make certain. But that is what made me excited to evaluation the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, to see how Lenovo would do with fewer finances restrictions.
On the opposite hand, Ara Wagoner’s blistering Lenovo Tab P11 Pro review from 2021 made it clear Lenovo had one thing to show with its Pro lineup this 12 months. Her major criticism of the Gen 1 pill was that its Productivity mode — Lenovo’s reply to Samsung’s DeX mode — was damaged and that its Snapdragon 730G-backed efficiency was inconsistent at greatest. The pill was “just fine,” an unacceptably tepid ranking for a reasonably dear machine.
The Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 switches to the MediaTek Kompanio 1300T whereas providing a extra reasonably priced worth level and a stupendous 120Hz show. On paper, it has all of the elements for achievement as a mid-range pill for anybody who would not need to spend further on the Galaxy Tab S8 sequence. But in apply, it had some criticisms to handle earlier than I might suggest it, each from Ara’s evaluation and my very own. This Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 evaluation will clarify which issues Lenovo fastened, and which it did not.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2: Price and availability
Lenovo launched the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 in September 2022. It sells in two variants: 4GB/128GB and 6GB/128GB, retailing for $400 and $430, respectively. Both are available only one shade (Storm Grey) and ship with a 10V charging adaptor, USB-C 2.0 cable, and microSD tray pin within the field. Currently, it solely seems to be accessible on Lenovo’s web site.
You can even purchase particular Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 equipment. A folio case with a kickstand, Precision Pen 3, or Keyboard Pack with magnetic keyboard and kickstand value $30, $70, or $100, respectively.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2: What I liked
Lenovo has launched two Pro 120Hz tablets this 12 months, with the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro impressing us within the premium pill sphere. The drawback with that pill is that it prices $700, squaring it off towards the Galaxy Tab S8 and iPad Pro lineups. With the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro beginning at $400, it competes towards 60Hz tablets just like the Galaxy Tab S7 FE, Chromebook Duet 3, and Tenth-gen iPad — rather more assailable rivals.
One main enchantment to the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is its pleasant 11.2-inch show. Its OLED show hits 600 nits of brightness for HDR content material, runs the entire gamut of DCI-P3 colours, and at 267 pixels per inch matches tablets with a lot greater worth tags just like the iPad Air M1, and falls simply 7ppi wanting the Tab S8.
Unless you want an even bigger show for productiveness functions, I’d be hard-pressed to think about a greater visible possibility with any Android pill. And it is decently mild, too, beating the Tab S8 regardless of a bigger show and solely outweighing the iPad Air by 0.03lb.
To be truthful, it is not a pill you may need to maintain one-handed for lengthy, besides propped like a tray in your fingers. It’s a bit too heavy to be gripped on the aspect. If you purchase a kickstand cowl, the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 will work simply sufficient; in any other case, you may need to prop it on one thing in case you plan to make use of the Lenovo Precision Pen 3 for note-taking.
| Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Kompanio 1300T octa-core processor 4 x A78, 2.6 GHz, 4 x A55, 2.0 GHz, ARM G77, MC9 836 MHz |
| Software | Android 12; updates to Android 14, three years of safety updates |
| Display | 11.2″ (2560 x 1536) 2.5K OLED, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 100% DCI-P3, 420 nits (typical), 600 nits (HDR) |
| Memory | 4-6GB LPDDR4X |
| Battery | 8,000mAh; as much as 14 hours video playback |
| Storage | 128 GB UFS 3.1; microSD slot |
| Audio | Quad JBL audio system with Dolby Atmos |
| Cameras | 13MP auto focus (rear); 8MP fastened focus (entrance) |
| Connectivity | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax; Bluetooth 5.1; USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Security | Face Unlock; Fingerprint |
| Dimensions | 263.66 x 166.67 x 6.8mm / 10.38 x 6.56 x 0.26″ |
| Weight | 480g / 1.05lb |
For what it is price, the P11 Pro Gen 1 additionally had a stupendous show, one in all its few saving graces. It simply had loads of different downsides, which the Gen 2 mannequin fortunately managed to resolve. Exhibit A: its revamped efficiency.
The MediaTek Kompanio 1300 would not fairly match as much as the Snapdragon 870 discovered within the P12 Pro, nevertheless it runs circles across the Snapdragon 730G that powered the Gen 1. That similar chip went into loads of low-cost Android telephones just like the Pixel 4a, and even Google, the king of optimization, could not assist how “underwhelming” that cellphone was, in accordance with our reviewer.
With the Kompanio 1300 and 6GB of RAM, the Gen 2 hit 788 / 2831 in my Geekbench 5 single-core/ multi-core assessments; the single-core rating is fairly good, whereas the multi-core rating is superb. These benchmarks are similar to what you get with the Galaxy Tab S7 FE 6GB mannequin — solely that prices $600. Aside from the iPad 10th Gen (opens in new tab), comparably priced tablets like Lenovo’s personal Duet Chromebooks fall quick, particularly for multi-core efficiency.
Xbox Game Pass cloud video games like Vampire Survivors ran with none points whereas taking full benefit of the excessive refresh price, and I can already inform this might be a dangerously straightforward method to feed my dependancy to that sport.
It additionally managed to run Genshin Impact on Medium settings — whereas the P11 Plus might solely deal with Low and my Tab S7 FE struggled with Medium.
Similarly, I might use Lenovo’s multitasking mode, aka Productivity Mode, with none slowdown or stuttering throughout a number of apps used concurrently. I did have some frustrations with the mode that I’ll focus on under, however Lenovo did remedy a lot of Ara’s complaints with the P11 Pro Gen 1: apps did not crash, you’ll be able to resize apps or make them full-screen with out closing Productivity Mode, and I have not discovered any incompatible apps but.
Ara additionally famous on the time that almost all apps could not reap the benefits of the P11 Pro Gen 1’s quad audio system with Dolby Atmos, however the characteristic has come to much more video and music streaming apps since then. Overall, the ability and richness of the quad JBL audio system will completely fulfill you to your Netflix binges.
Plus, the first-gen mannequin had no magnetic strip for the suitable Precision Pen, so that you needed to connect a silicone sleeve to the pill. This time round, the Precision Pen 3 attaches extraordinarily securely, to the purpose that you may shake the pill with out the stylus getting kicked off. I even used my Precision Pen as a mini-kickstand to present the P11 Pro slightly little bit of an angle when it sat on my desk. It’s simply too unhealthy the Precision Pen 3 wasn’t included within the field, because it was with the P12 Pro.
Battery life has additionally impressed, roughly residing as much as Lenovo’s 14-hour battery estimate. From 100%, I streamed a full season of The Witcher on Netflix on excessive graphics, multitasked in productiveness mode, performed two hours of Vampire Survivors, browsed Chrome, and used different eclectic apps earlier than the battery wanted recharging, finally hitting about 13 hours.
Following this preliminary stress check, I used it much less ceaselessly, and the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 simply dealt with two days with much less frequent and extra informal use. Evidently, the Kompanio 1300T mixed with the 8,000mAh battery gives a fairly energy-efficient expertise.
Of my a number of complaints with the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus, two have been that it had a very aggressive haptic motor and solely up to date from Android 11 to 12L. With the Pro Gen 2, Lenovo packed in haptics with a bit extra finesse and promised two OS updates to Android 14, plus three years of safety updates via the tip of 2025. A Samsung pill will provide you with extra longevity, however I need to give Lenovo credit score for making some strides in the fitting route.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2: What I did not like
Lenovo despatched me the 6GB model of the P11 Pro Gen 2, so that is solely a hunch, however I would not suggest the 4GB model of the Gen 2. With the 6GB, I discover the pill largely provides clean efficiency, sufficient to take full benefit of its clean 120Hz show. But some apps will stutter at instances, and that can show much more true in case you minimize out further reminiscence.
A few my complaints with the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus return right here. For starters, as a lot as I really like the Pro Gen 2 audio system, I want utilizing headphones more often than not, so the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack disillusioned me. Like most tablets, this Pro pill takes over 2 hours to cost, so that you’re out of luck when you have USB-C headphones as an alternative.
Lenovo ditched its aspect fingerprint sensor between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 variations, and the Face Unlock different may be simply as finicky on the Pro because it was on the Plus. How effectively it acknowledges you’ll be able to generally depend upon which method the selfie digital camera is oriented, as an illustration, and Raise to Wake can generally be a bit oversensitive.
Speaking of the selfie digital camera…it is not nice. Photos lack element and video calling will go away your face wanting a bit low-resolution for family and friends. As for the rear digital camera, 13MP is sufficient to seize some element, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not a tool I’d use for images I cared to avoid wasting.
Lenovo employs inventory Android software program, which does not have fairly the identical aptitude as One UI in my thoughts. And this pill launched with Android 12, that means it would not reap the benefits of all of the neat multitasking instruments that arrived with Android 12L and Android 13.
At the second, the Productivity mode is your solely recourse for multitasking, and I discovered it much less pure to make use of than DeX mode. Resizing home windows may be unnecessarily difficult, as an illustration. It’s most likely one thing I’ll get used to with extra apply, however ready for 12L or 13 to reach with extra native multitasking instruments could also be a greater match for this pill. It is determined by whether or not “pros” really purchase this for severe work, or if it is primarily for Android customers who need a dependable mid-range machine for streaming, gaming, and light-weight work.
The competitors
I’ve already talked about most of the closest rivals to the P11 Pro Gen 2 in high quality. Most of the best cheap Android tablets supply much more scaled-down efficiency and visible high quality in change for decrease costs, with the P11 Plus and several other Fire tablets amongst our favorites. If you simply need one thing for streaming, you’ll be able to definitely select one in all these and save a whole lot; you may simply have to simply accept a decrease decision, fewer audio system, and a much less strong processor.
You may additionally need to take into account a 2-in-1 Chromebook just like the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3. With an analogous worth to the P11 Pro Gen 2, the Duet 3 falls quick in most specs and benchmarks, and it is heavier in pill type as effectively. So why take into account it? Because it comes with a keyboard and kickstand within the field and makes use of the extra dependable Chrome OS interface for productiveness. Plus, it’s going to obtain software program assist for years longer. So your selection is determined by your priorities.
The most evident competitor at this worth level can be the 2022 iPad. It has a shorter battery life, solely two audio system, a 60Hz show, and simply 64GB storage by default with no expandable storage possibility. On the opposite hand, its A14 Bionic chip supplies significantly better efficiency, its ultrawide selfie digital camera is much better suited to video calls, and iPadOS receives extra frequent and long-lasting updates.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2: Should you purchase it?
You can purchase this if…
- Budget Android tablets lack the ability and show high quality you need.
- Premium Android tablets value an excessive amount of for what they provide
- You need a well-rounded machine for informal work and hardcore play.
You should not purchase this if…
- You want a major work machine.
- You want sooner efficiency to a prettier show.
As I discussed above, if you are going to purchase the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, the 6GB model would be the safer guess. You’ll solely save $30 with the 4GB model, and fewer reminiscence means fewer apps will take full benefit of the 120Hz show. If you’ll be able to’t afford this worth, you would be higher served selecting the P11 Plus or ready for the $250 Tab P11 (2nd Gen) coming in January 2023. Otherwise, the $30 further can pay its dividends in case you use this pill for 3 years.
With that out of the way in which, must you purchase the P11 Pro Gen 2? It is determined by whether or not you are somebody that desires to expertise a 120Hz show with out paying a flagship-level worth. More and extra mid-range telephones are doing it, and I believe extra mid-range tablets will observe go well with. But for the time being, the Pro would not have many correct rivals. Even if the inventory software program is not something to jot down dwelling about, all the things in regards to the {hardware} makes this pill very straightforward to suggest.
With a 2.5K 120Hz show, quick efficiency for demanding gaming apps, wealthy audio, an all-day battery life, and different perks, the P11 Pro is a significant step up over Lenovo’s final try at an 11-inch “Pro” pill.