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Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 Review

A Look at the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen2: Review and Recommendations

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Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen2
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen2

Lenovo’s Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is the successor to its 2020 flagship tablet, the Tab P11 Pro. While the Gen 2 model brings some notable improvements, it also makes a few trade-offs compared to its predecessor.

Improved Features

The Gen 2 version of the Tab P11 Pro boasts a more powerful MediaTek Kompanio 1300T chipset, which replaces the previous Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G, resulting in faster performance. The tablet also features a 120Hz OLED display with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support. The memory configuration options have been upgraded, with a maximum of 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage available.

Trade-Offs

One of the most significant changes made in the Gen 2 model is its construction, which now features plastic instead of aluminium, resulting in a less premium feel. The ultra-wide camera on the back and the fingerprint sensor have been removed. The battery has also been downsized by 400mAh, and the display is slightly smaller with a lower resolution.

Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 Specs

The tablet measures 263.7×166.7×6.8mm and weighs 480g. The body features a glass front, plastic back, and a plastic frame, with stylus support (magnetic) included. The 11.20″ OLED display has a resolution of 1536x2560px, a 15:9 aspect ratio, and a pixel density of 267ppi. The tablet is powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 1300T chipset, which has an octa-core CPU (4×2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and a Mali-G77 MC9 GPU. It comes with either 128GB of storage and 4GB or 6GB of RAM or 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, with the option to expand via microSDXC. The tablet runs on Android 12.

The tablet’s rear camera features a 13 MP wide-angle lens, while the front camera has an 8 MP lens. The tablet can capture 1080p video at 30fps with both cameras. The tablet comes with an 8200mAh battery that supports 20W wired charging and QC3. It also features an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and four stereo speakers.

The top-of-the-line model of the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage comes with a 2-in-1 keyboard and Precision Pen 3 stylus, making it a versatile work machine for those on the go.

The design of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is quite pleasing and similar to its predecessor, with a slim bezel around the display and curved corners. The back features a two-tone finish that looks different due to the way the parts reflect light. However, the Gen 2 model lacks the aluminium body of its predecessor and instead features a plastic back and sides, which may make it feel less rigid. The tablet has three physical buttons in the same location as before, with the power button on the top right and the volume buttons near the top of the right edge. However, there is no fingerprint sensor anywhere on the Gen 2 model.

The tablet comes with a 2-in-1 keyboard accessory that includes a keyboard and back cover. The keyboard attaches to the base of the tablet using magnets and connects with a physical connector, which means it works even when Bluetooth is disabled. The keyboard has a ThinkPad-like design with spacious keys that have nice tactile feedback. The trackpad below the keyboard is a bit on the smaller side but works well with good tracking and extensive gesture support. The included back cover has a flap on the bottom that can be adjusted to angle the display to your preference. There is another flap on top of the back cover, which opens to reveal the stylus.

While the keyboard accessory improves the typing experience on the tablet, there are a few issues with it. Using the device on your lap is not particularly comfortable unless you have exceptionally long legs that can accommodate the edge of the hinged flap on the back. Also, the keyboard attaches magnetically to the display when closed and does so quite aggressively, making it difficult to open. The keyboard and back cover have a soft touch outer surface that has a leather-like finish and feels pleasant to touch. Neither the tablet nor the keyboard accessory is dust or water-resistant, so it’s important to take care of them.

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 features an 11.2-inch, 2560×1536 resolution, 120Hz OLED display with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ and DCI-P3 coverage. The display quality is good, with a wide colour range and good brightness. The 120Hz refresh rate makes a world of difference while web browsing or playing games that support it. However, the display has two issues: one is in software and can be easily fixed, while the other is with viewing angles. The display has a noticeable green shift when viewing off angle, particularly on white or gray screens. The tablet’s display also has support for the Lenovo Precision Pen 3 stylus, which works well with hover support and pressure sensitivity.

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is a sleek and lightweight tablet with a beautiful display and high-quality speakers that make it an excellent choice for media consumption. It also comes with optional keyboard and pen accessories that perform very well, but these add-ons can significantly increase the device’s price. The MediaTek Kompanio chipset delivers decent performance, and Lenovo’s software interface is intuitive and user-friendly.

However, compared to its predecessors, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 has several shortcomings that detract from its overall appeal. One major issue is the absence of a fingerprint scanner, which is particularly disappointing given its price range. Speaking of price, the base model with 128GB storage and just 4GB of RAM starts at $300, but the 8GB variant with 256GB storage and a more powerful processor will set you back nearly $500, with the keyboard accessory costing extra.

At this price point, it may be more worthwhile to consider an iPad, especially if your goal is to achieve a laptop-like experience without buying a laptop. iPadOS is better optimized for this purpose, and the quality of third-party applications is superior. By contrast, the Android operating system on the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 can feel like a makeshift solution for tablets, and the selection of third-party apps is underwhelming.

While the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is a solid tablet, it falls short of being an all-around standout device. Its lack of a fingerprint scanner, plastic build, and smaller battery than its predecessor are notable drawbacks. The display viewing angles could also be better, and 4GB of RAM on the base model is insufficient for most users in 2023.

Pros:

  • Slim and lightweight design
  • High-quality display
  • Impressive stereo speakers
  • Intuitive software interface
  • Superior performance for productivity and media consumption
  • Optional keyboard and pen accessories work well.

Cons:

  • No fingerprint scanner, plastic build, and a smaller battery than the predecessor
  • Display viewing angles could be improved.
  • Android tablet experience is still subpar.
  • 4GB of RAM on the base model is insufficient for most users in 2023.