Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (2nd gen.) in the test: value for money with one big flaw

LENOVO TAB P11 PRO (2. GEN)

February 11, 2023 at 6:00 p.m

Lenovo has given the Tab P11 Pro a significant hardware update in the 2nd generation. In the test, we reveal why the tablet still falls short of its potential.

“That looks like an iPad,” my colleague replied, and I have to agree. From the outside, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, now in its second generation, looks suspiciously like a somewhat elongated iPad.

Completely different from the models from Cupertino, the models from Lenovo convince as well-equipped Android tablets and a great alternative to the top dogs from Samsung. In our test, you can find out why the South Koreans are not at risk from the test device at hand.

design and processing

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro measures 263.66 x 166.67 x 6.8 millimeters, making it around 2 centimeters longer than Apple’s size equivalent. With a weight of around 480 grams without additional accessories, it is also around 10 grams heavier. But the equation with the top dog ends quickly when you are no longer fixated on the front.

Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (2nd gen) in pictures

The first thing that catches the eye is the aluminum frame that separates the display glass and the back cover. In addition to a total of four speakers, the USB-C charging port and the keys, there are also docking points for the optional keyboard – but more on that later.

The back is two-tone and consists of an iridescent material. It’s probably not glass, it looks like a colored plastic. Fine gaps between the frame and the lid are also ugly. This spoils the otherwise quite good impression of the tablet.

scope of delivery

In our test variant, the scope of delivery of the tablet alone includes the Precision Pen 3, a USB-C charging cable, a USB charging adapter as well as a SIM needle and the usual documents for instructions and warranty. If the stylus is a purchase argument for you, you should be careful which version you buy, because the tablet is also offered without the pen.

Display

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro comes with an 11.2-inch WQHD OLED display that can display content with an aspect ratio of 15:9. The luminosity is given as 600 nit, 600 times the luminosity of a candle. This means that the tablet can still be read well outdoors during the day, but this is not enough against direct sunlight.

The refresh rate of 120 Hertz (Hz) is suitable for gaming and with a touch sampling rate – the frequency with which the tablet perceives your inputs – it is also very fast in recognition. Good conditions for quick games in between.

Processor, memory and device memory

The second-generation Tab P11 Pro uses a MediaTek Kompanio 1300T, a chipset that is comparable to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 in terms of performance. Good equipment for an upper mid-range tablet.

In contrast to the first generation, which was only equipped with the Snapdragon 730G, we see a significant increase in performance. We can see how big the difference is compared to the predecessor in the Antutu test – a benchmark that evaluates the overall performance.

The first generation was able to collect around 340,283 points there in 2020. Generation 2 achieved a score of 609,233 points in our test procedure this year.

However, it should also be said that our test device with the best possible equipment can draw on the full 8 gigabytes (GB) of working memory and 256 GB of device memory.

There are two other variants, one with 4 GB and 128 GB, and one with 6 GB and 128 GB. If the device memory is not sufficient, you can expand the models by up to 1 terabyte of memory using a microSD card.

Unfortunately, none of the versions have mobile internet, either via LTE or 5G. The Tab P11 Pro can only be used in WLAN. That’s a shame, because the keyboard, stylus and the otherwise very good equipment make it ideal as a notebook replacement. However, you always have to set up a hotspot using your smartphone.

In everyday use, the performance is very smooth. Apps launch without delay, switching between applications or between tablet and convertible mode is seamless. And the tablet is also convincing in games.

Gaming

In the graphically rather complex game Genshin Impact, we were able to play smoothly on the highest settings without any problems. However, this is where the limitations of the hardware became apparent as we noticed a significant pop-in from trees and enemies in the distance.

Also, the busier the display became, the more pixelated it became, which suddenly made garish effects from spells appear much more grainy than when we cast them without an opponent.

In faster games such as PUBG Mobile, the tablet’s large surface naturally also offers a good overview, even if the handling is a bit more awkward precisely because of the size. However, fast inputs and movements are well received thanks to the high TSR and thus offer a lot of gaming fun.

Of course, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is not a gaming phone, but we were completely satisfied with the in-game performance. If you want to while away the time on the go with the tablet, you’ll get your money’s worth here.

Operating System and Support

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro ships with Android 12. An update to Android 13 has not yet been released, but according to the manufacturer, the tablet should receive OS updates by 2024. The model will probably also be equipped with Android 14.

In relation to Lenovo’s previous update schedules, this is good news, because the support periods were often short. However, compared to other manufacturers, two years is very short. There is a better way – even in this mid-range price segment.

Audio

A total of four speakers are built into the Tab 11 Pro. They come from a cooperation with JBL and are Dolby Atmos-certified. They offer an all-round balanced sound when playing videos or playing games. Voices are reproduced clearly and distinctly. Lenovo offers her absolutely no reason for complaint.

battery and runtime

The battery of the second generation Tab P11 Pro is a bit smaller than that of the first generation. With 8,000 milliampere hours (mAh) instead of 8,600 mAh, the new model is well equipped, at least on paper.

A major weakness becomes apparent here in everyday use, because in our tests it ended after around 7 hours of mixed use. According to field reports on the internet, 9 hours could still be expected for the previous model.

A full charge also takes time. The battery is then recharged within around 2 hours. A little more speed would have been welcome here.

Camera

The camera equipment of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is rather functional. A camera with a resolution of 13 megapixels is installed on the back. It is well suited for smaller snapshots or for photographing documents. But it is not made for more.

Test images Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (2nd Gen)

An 8-megapixel sensor is used as the front camera. It is more than sufficient for its main purpose – video telephony. However, you should not have too high expectations of the level of detail.

Optional accessories: keyboard and lid

Our test device is equipped with the complete accessory kit consisting of a keyboard, stylus and stand, which you can get included or as an option depending on the offer. They are attached with magnets.

Lenovo didn’t do things by halves here: the keyboard and the cover cling to the back and bottom of the tablet with a clear attraction. There is hardly any risk of loss and even the stylus has its own flap behind which it can be stowed.

Precision Pen 3

You can use the Precision Pen 3 for the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro. It is even included with some versions of the tablet. As with the Galaxy Tab S8 and the S Pen from Samsung, the pen can be magnetically attached to the tablet.

There are two points on the device for this. One is on the back where the pen syncs and charges. It can also be attached to the upper long side.

A full battery of the Precision Pen 3 offers around 15 hours of use, surpassing the average of 10 hours for the S Pen. The Lenovo stylus offers a pleasant writing and painting experience with 4,096 pressure levels.

With the memo app you also have a writing program for handwritten notes, which can be translated into block letters if you wish. An all-round balanced package that pleases.

your alternatives

If you don’t like the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, there are two noteworthy alternatives in a similar price segment. A little cheaper but with a little more power, we can still recommend the Xiaomi Pad 5.

The insider tip from 2021 is still a great value for money thanks to the Snapdragon 860 at a price of less than 400 dollars. Unfortunately, there is no stylus included and the memory cannot be expanded either.

For more power with a pen, you can’t get around the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 at the moment. The tablet is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and thus offers immense performance.

The price is significantly higher according to the non-binding retail price, but you can often get the tablet for around 700 dollars.