REAL ALL-ROUNDER: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus Tablet Review (Yoga Pad Pro AI)
Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus Review
Introduction to the Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus
- The video introduces the Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, positioned between the Surface Pro 11 and the affordable Lenovo Shiain tablet.
- The current price is $980 CAD, but it was purchased on sale for around $700, suggesting potential savings during sales.
Specifications Overview
- Features a Snapdragon Gen 3 octa-core processor (released October 2023), noted as one of the best tablet processors available.
- Equipped with 16 GB RAM and 256 GB UFS 4.0 storage, providing fast data access speeds.
- Display specifications include a 12.7-inch screen with a resolution of 2944 x 840 pixels and peak brightness of 900 nits, outperforming competitors like iPad Air and Surface Pro 11.
Connectivity and Software
- Lacks micro SD card slot and headphone jack; however, this is deemed acceptable due to modern wireless trends.
- Comes pre-installed with Android 14 (Zoe 16), later updated to Zoe 17 (Android 15); software experience similar to other Lenovo tablets.
Unboxing Experience
- Includes a solid Lenovo keyboard that surpasses Surface's keyboard quality; features a smaller trackpad.
- A new Lenovo pen charges wirelessly and includes additional features compared to previous models.
Build Quality and Design
- Tablet has an all-glass front with metal back; minimal screen flex observed during use.
- Power button and volume buttons are well-made; keyboard assembly shows minor flex but overall durability is satisfactory.
Daily Use Performance
- High-resolution display provides excellent clarity; temporary peak brightness feature enhances outdoor usability at the cost of battery life.
Harman Kardon Sound Quality Review
Impressions of Audio Performance
- The speaker system by Harman Kardon delivers impressive sound quality, with a balanced presence of bass, highs, and lows.
- The reviewer expresses satisfaction with the audio experience, indicating it meets their expectations for sound performance.
Fingerprint Reader and Security Features
Fingerprint Reader Functionality
- The tablet includes a fingerprint reader on the lock button that performs reliably well compared to other devices.
- A face recognition feature is available but lacks additional sensors, raising concerns about its security effectiveness.
Extended Unlock Feature
- An "extended unlock" option allows the tablet to remain unlocked in trusted locations; however, there are bugs that need addressing in future updates.
- Users can see an indication of whether the tablet is "unlocked" through this feature despite it still being locked.
Performance and User Interface
Daily Use Experience
- The tablet performs efficiently for daily tasks without noticeable slowdowns or stutters during use as both a tablet and laptop.
- The interface resembles iPad OS and Mac OS, making navigation intuitive but suffers from excessive widget space on the home screen.
Multitasking Capabilities
- In PC mode, multitasking is effective with up to four apps displayed in a grid format; floating screens are also supported.
- Limitations exist regarding opening multiple instances of certain apps like Microsoft Word; some apps may not function well in side-by-side mode.
Keyboard and Trackpad Evaluation
Keyboard Quality
- The keyboard offers good material quality with decent travel for typing; however, one key (L key) shows less responsiveness than others.
Trackpad Issues
- The trackpad's small size leads to difficulties in dragging items or selecting text effectively; palm rejection is subpar.
- Due to trackpad issues, users may prefer using an external Bluetooth mouse instead.
Pen Support Features
Pen Design and Functionality
- Unlike other tablets tested, this pen charges wirelessly and attaches magnetically to the device for convenience.
Writing Experience
- It connects via Bluetooth and features haptic feedback while writing, enhancing the user experience by mimicking paper feel.
Battery Life and Performance Overview
Battery Specifications and Testing
- The tablet features a 10,200 mAh battery with 45-watt fast charging capabilities.
- In a realistic usage scenario (4K YouTube at 50% brightness, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth on), the battery lasted approximately 5 hours.
- Compared to another Lenovo tablet with the same battery capacity, this model's performance is lower due to its more powerful processor and brighter screen.
Battery Optimization Options
- Users can limit charging to 80% or maintain battery levels between 40% and 60%, which is optimal for battery health.
- Charging from 0% to 100% takes about an hour and 44 minutes using the included charger, maintaining around 28 watts during the process.
Connectivity Features
- The tablet supports USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), allowing for HDMI output and theoretical speeds of up to 5 Gbps.
- While connected via a USB-C to Ethernet adapter, download speeds can reach up to 2.5 Gbps; however, performance may vary based on the adapter used.
Benchmarking Results
Storage Performance
- The device includes a non-expandable storage option of 256 GB UFS 4.0 with read/write speeds around 1 GB per second.
Benchmark Scores
- Achieved approximately 1.8 million points in AnTuTu benchmark, performing well against competitors like Snapdragon 8 Elite.
- Geekbench scores were 227 in single-core and 6,179 in multi-core tests; GPU score was 1,495, indicating strong overall performance.
Gaming Experience
Game Performance Overview
- Games tested include Call of Duty Mobile, EFC Mobile, Fortnite, Alien Isolation, Modern Warships, and Rainbow Six Siege.
- Call of Duty Mobile runs smoothly at max settings without frame drops; EFC Mobile also performs well under similar conditions.
Fortnite Testing
- Starting on low settings for Fortnite showed maximum frame limits being hit; even high settings maintained playable frame rates at 90 fps.
Overall Impressions
Daily Use vs Gaming Capability
- Daily tasks are handled efficiently without slowdowns or bugs; screen quality is noted as excellent with high resolution and brightness.
Comparison with Other Tablets
- Battery life is shorter than some competitors (e.g., Shiain tablet lasting over 7 hours) but justified by higher power specs.
Conclusion on Versatility
AliExpress Tablet Options
Overview of Tablet Variants
- The AliExpress variant discussed does not include a pen or keyboard, allowing users to purchase these accessories separately for cost savings.
- This option is suggested as a more affordable choice while maintaining the same performance level as other models.
- If gaming capabilities are not a priority for the user, the cheaper Shiaan tablet is recommended as an alternative.
- All relevant links to products will be provided in the video description for easy access.