Lenovo Tab M11 review

Love them or hate them, there’s no denying that tablets hit the sweet spot between a smartphone and a laptop. Not only are they the ideal display size for catching up on Netflix, but they are also great for editing an urgent spreadsheet on the go.

And, if that’s not all, many-a-brands today have ensured tablets do a lot more than that. With powerful processors and true-to-life displays, there’s a world of possibilities at your fingertips; of course, as long as you have the right tablet.

Only recently, I found myself wondering if I really needed to add another screen to my routine; and then, I had the opportunity to try out Lenovo’s latest budget Tab M11. Here is my review.

Lenovo Tab M11 design

The Lenovo Tab M11 is presently only available in a muted, seafoam green shade, but that’s not to say we don’t dig the design. The tablet gets a sleek, glass band stretching alongside the camera, and you won’t have a problem with the aluminium finish back panel being a fingerprint magnet.

The Lenovo tablet weighs approximately 465 grams and isn’t exactly the lightest after prolonged use, but it certainly appears to be slimmer than its predecessor.

The volume buttons are placed to the right, while the power button is on the top of the screen. Lenovo has also provided the tablet with Dolby Atmos support and stereo sound. Owing to this, you get four speaker grilles, with two on top and the remaining ones on the bottom of the tablet. Additionally, you have a SIM card tray at the bottom right and a 3.5mm headphone jack in the corner as well.

Lenovo Tab M11 display

The tablet has a comfortable 11-inch display, which is neither too imposing nor too small for catching up on all your favourite content. While I personally enjoyed streaming videos, I also think the Tab M11 is well suited for post-work Instagram Reels.

I had no complaints with the touch response and thought it did a great at capturing the spectrum of colours, no matter the nature of your content. It was a treat to watch films from Studio Ghibli and I certainly geeked out on all the possible anime I could find.

ALSO READ: Lenovo Tab M11 is the latest tablet to offer value-for-money under Rs 20,000

The tablet gets a refresh rate of 90Hz, which is just enough to keep things running smooth and animations clear. In addition to the visuals, the Lenovo Tab M11 also gives you an immersive sound experience, and you won’t miss your earphones.

The four-speaker setup can throw in a cinematic experience and make those solo movie nights a lot more memorable. As mentioned before, it may feel a tad on the heavier side if you’re planning to hold it throughout and it’s always a good idea to prop it up for a longer movie. Alternatively, you can invest an additional Rs 1,000 on a Lenovo Folio Case.

Lenovo Tab M11 performance

Like any other budget to mid-range device, the Lenovo Tab M11 took care of my day-to-day tasks with utmost ease. The MediaTek Helio G88 SoC may certainly not be the best for heavy usage, but it does not faze when it comes to streaming, sketching or social media.

While we did come across a couple of lags when opening and closing apps such as Sketchbook, it was rare and not consistent.

Backing up the tablet is a 7,000mAh battery capacity, which can run a good 10 hours. Even with endless hours of sketching and screen time, it didn’t see a major drop in battery. It is worth noting though that continuous will cause the tablet to heat up, and that lead to a visible drop in battery levels.

When it comes to charging, the 15W fast charging doesn’t feel as fast as what smartphones offer these days. It takes close to two and a half hours to hit full charge.

Lenovo Tab Pen

The Lenovo tab gets stylus support and works like magic with the Lenovo Tab Pen. From taking quick notes on Nebo to solving arithmetic on MyScript and indulging in leisurely sketching sessions, the Pen doesn’t lag and gives you nearly a true-to-life experience. It doesn’t take a lot to get used to the feel of the stylus and it glides almost effortlessly on the screen.

ALSO READ: What is a stylus?

The Lenovo Pen uses an old-school AAAA battery and allows you to keep tabs on its percentage via the tablet. However, I was slightly disappointed (read: paranoid) to learn the Pen does not magnetically attach itself to the tab, and let’s just say that the fear of misplacing it will always haunt you.

Lenovo Tab M11 cameras

Tablets are no smartphones when it comes to cameras, and it wasn’t very different with the Tab M11 as well. It comes with a 13MP rear camera which does its job. It also comes with a handy AI mode that lets you play around with your subject. The 8MP front camera is not too shabby either for quick video calls or selfies, but only if there is ample daylight available where you are.

Unboxed Take: Who should buy the Lenovo Tab M11?

The Lenovo Tab M11 is a solid companion if what you’re looking for is a tablet to assist you with your day-to-day tasks. Throw in a stylus and a keyboard and it also makes a formidable addition for students or business professionals looking to tackle some work on the go.

The clean UI coupled with ease of use is exactly what you need if you’re someone that prefers a no-frills tablet. Of course, if what you’re looking for is a tablet for gaming or one that gives your passion for illustration its wings, the Tab M11 may fall short of certain points. But at a price tag of Rs 21,999, it is definitely as good as it can get for you.

Having said that, the tablet faces competition from the OnePlus Pad Go and the Xiaomi Pad 6, which offer a similar set of features.

For this reason, we rate the Lenovo Tab M11 4/5. Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for more in-depth reviews.