BARCELONA—Lenovo made a big splash at MWC this year with three new Android tablets. The Lenovo Legion 8 Gen 5 is a portable slate for gamers, the Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 is a do-it-all model, and the ThinkTab X11 is for work environments that require toughened performance. I had a chance to take all three for a spin in Barcelona.
A Gauntlet for Gaming
Lenovo’s Legion Tab series typically scores well in PCMag reviews, and I have high hopes for the latest entry. This fifth-generation Legion Tab carries over its small-sized 8.8-inch screen, which is sharper and brighter than ever. With a resolution of 3,040 by 1,904 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio, it has a pixel-per-inch rating of 408. Brightness is higher at 600 nits under typical use and reaches 750 nits at its peak. It meets 98% of the DCI-P3 color standard.
Lenovo Legion Tab (Credit: Eric Zeman)
It looks simply gorgeous in person. The amazing pixel density gives it a lush, clean, and sharp look that really makes games pop. The incredible brightness means you can game practically anywhere, even outside.
Lenovo Legion Tab (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Speaking of gaming, it’s got a top chip inside with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. Other specs include front and rear (50MP) cameras, a 9,000mAh battery, and a glowing Legion logo that doubles as a flash. The tablet comes in Eclipse Black, Glacier White, and Surge Green. It goes on sale in May for $849.
A Smart All-Rounder
If you want a full-sized tablet that’s good at just about anything, start your search here. The aluminum-clad Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 has a beautiful 13-inch screen with 3,504 by 2,190 pixels, a 144Hz refresh rate, 800 nits of peak brightness, and 99% DCI-P3 coverage.
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 with keybard case (Credit: Eric Zeman)
For your productivity, it has a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor with a boosted NPU. It’s configurable with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. I like that it supports microSD cards up to 2TB. It’s powered by a 10,200mAh battery and comes with Bluetooth 6.0 and Wi-Fi 7. You’ve also got an 8MP front camera, a 13MP rear camera, four speakers tuned by JBL with Dolby Atmos, and USB-C 3.2.
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Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
If you’re thinking about deploying this tablet at work, you’ll be happy to learn that it ships with Android 16, will be updated through Android 18, and will receive four years of security updates.
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
This is another gorgeous tablet. Lenovo crafted a classy, quality piece of hardware here. The frame feels great, the screen looks brilliant, and extras like microSD card support make it more flexible for some tasks.
It comes in Luna Grey, Cloud Grey, and Jelly Mint and goes on sale in July for $419.
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A Tougher Tab for the Trades
The ThinkTab X11 is made for work. It’s a ruggedized Android tablet with a removable battery that allows it to run on passthrough power without damaging the battery. Lenovo envisions it in frontline and industrial environments, including manufacturing, construction, and energy.
Lenovo ThinkTab X11 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
It’s a thicker, heavier tablet, but not overtly rugged-looking. It looks like a normal tablet but still survives short drops and submersion in water, thanks to its MIL-STD-810H and IP68 ratings. It supports gloved and wet use, and the rear panel is also removable. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, which isn’t the most powerful, but is hardy enough to keep this tablet kicking.
Lenovo ThinkTab X11 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
It goes on sale during the second quarter of the year and starts at $499.
About Our Expert
Eric Zeman
Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics
Experience
I’m PCMag’s managing editor for consumer electronics content, overseeing an experienced team of reviewers and product testers. I’ve been covering technology for about 25 years. Prior to PCMag, I worked at outlets such as Android Authority, Fortune, InformationWeek, and Phonescoop.
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