Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 Review: The Tablet That Sounds Better Than a Portable Speaker

This is truly one of the most unconventional tablets I’ve encountered. From the front, it presents a classic, flat display. However, the rear panel tells a completely different story. Dominating its center is a powerful speaker module, surrounded by a circular, 360-degree rotating kickstand. In essence, Lenovo has engineered a tablet specifically for multimedia, one that can successfully serve as an external speaker. Here’s our comprehensive review of the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2.

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is meticulously crafted for multimedia enthusiasts. Its nine JBL-tuned speakers, a bright 12-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a massive 10,200 mAh battery, and the ability to function as a Bluetooth speaker combine to create a truly cohesive entertainment package. Naturally, this comes with a trade-off in size; the tablet is noticeably heavy and thick. While it may not meet the expectations of users focused on peak productivity or serious gamers, it’s an ideal choice for anyone prioritizing an exceptional audio and visual experience from their multimedia device.

Unboxing and Accessories

The accessories included with the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 are not extensive. Beyond the main device, which immediately showcases its primary feature upon unboxing, you’ll find a few documents, a SIM tray ejector tool, and a USB cable.

Additionally, a sturdy, light gray hard case is included. Given the prominent speaker module on the tablet’s rear, a standard cover wouldn’t fit, making the bundled case a practical necessity. The case also features openings that allow for attaching a strap, transforming the Tab Plus Gen 2 into a shoulder bag for easy portability.

It’s worth noting that while the device supports the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus stylus, it is sold separately. However, be aware that due to the protruding speaker module, the tablet will wobble when laid flat, making it less ideal for note-taking or graphic design. Among the recommended accessories is also a wireless keyboard, which can connect to up to three devices simultaneously.

Design: A Refreshingly Unique Approach

Many manufacturers constantly strive to deliver the slimmest possible devices. Lenovo, however, has diverged from this trend, sacrificing a thin profile for a massive audio system and an integrated kickstand. This kickstand allows the device to be positioned vertically or horizontally, or even hung on a wall. Its hinge provides sufficient resistance, enabling the tablet to be tilted at various angles.

In my opinion, this isn’t just an incredibly practical solution; it’s an excellent concept for this product category. An integrated rotating kickstand is a feature that should be on every tablet, and the sound quality from its nine JBL-tuned speakers is capable of surprising even those accustomed to expensive premium tablets.

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this design results in a heavy device. This isn’t a tablet you can comfortably hold for extended periods. Weighing over 760 grams is one factor, but the uneven weight distribution is another. Lenovo’s offering certainly won’t win any awards for ergonomics compared to competitors. For reference, many premium tablets hover around 500-600 grams.

The casing is metal, rigid, and well-assembled, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints much better than glass. Lenovo describes its color as Celestial White. The tablet also features two cameras, though Lenovo doesn’t appear to prioritize them greatly; they are, at best, average. An 8 MP camera is mounted on the front for video calls, while a 13 MP lens on the rear can be used for occasional photos and document scanning.

In terms of physical ports, there’s only a USB-C (USB 2.0) port. A significant drawback is its lack of video output support for an external monitor. It also doesn’t support LTE or 5G connectivity; the slot only accommodates a microSD card for storage expansion. A fingerprint scanner is also absent, leaving only facial recognition and PIN for security. This limited connectivity and lack of biometric security might be a consideration for some users.

An interesting design choice is the placement of the power and volume buttons on one of the rear panel’s corners. This is a solution I genuinely appreciated and quickly got used to after a few days of use. They might be less intuitive when using the tablet in portrait orientation, but they work excellently when the device is propped up on its kickstand in landscape mode.

Display: Strong Features, But Lacks OLED

The 12-inch display is remarkably bright, offering a resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz.

With a 16:10 aspect ratio and support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision, this panel is excellent for watching movies, TV series, reading, and web browsing. Images are sharp, colors are vibrant, and animations run smoothly thanks to the high refresh rate. This makes it a great choice for media consumption.

However, the screen’s weaker point is the absence of an OLED panel. Consequently, blacks are not particularly deep, which becomes especially noticeable when watching movies in a dark room in the evening. This might impact the overall immersive experience for some users compared to devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 series, which often feature OLED displays.

Audio System: Outperforming the Competition

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 functions not just as a tablet but as a highly capable speaker system. It features a total of nine speakers: four tweeters, three woofers, and two passive radiators. Lenovo highlights a large 43 cm³ speaker chamber and a powerful 48W output.

The entire setup is tuned by Dolby Atmos and delivers sound that often surpasses many dedicated soundbars. The audio is loud, full, and significantly more spatial than what you’d typically find in a tablet. Dialogue in films remains clear, music boasts a more pronounced bass, and podcasts and audiobooks sound natural. The immersive audio experience truly sets it apart.

While all of this naturally contributes to the device’s thickness and weight, it is, in my opinion, well worth it—especially if you’re choosing a tablet primarily for multimedia applications. I personally use such devices for music and movies, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed. This focus on audio echoes the philosophy seen in devices like the Lenovo IdeaTab Plus Matte Edition, which also prioritized unique features over conventional slimness.

There’s another clever feature: the tablet can be connected via Bluetooth as a regular speaker to a phone or computer, effectively transforming the Tab Plus Gen 2 into a versatile home music player. This significantly enhances its utility beyond just a tablet.

Interface and Applications

The tablet runs on Android 16, overlaid with Lenovo’s custom interface. While it’s aesthetically pleasing and intuitive, the initial experience is slightly marred by an abundance of pre-installed apps and games (often referred to as bloatware). These can, of course, be uninstalled (or at least hidden), but setting up a new device shouldn’t start with clearing unwanted software.

How long will Lenovo support this device? Lenovo promises security patches until 2030, but only two major system updates—up to Android 18. Google and Samsung typically offer much longer support for their tablets, which might be a crucial consideration for users planning to keep their device for many years.

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 includes a suite of factory applications designed for both work and entertainment. Besides the full set of Google services (including Chrome, Maps, Gmail, and the Play Store), Lenovo pre-installs its own tools, such as the Nebo digital notebook, which works with a stylus. The device also features a dedicated Entertainment Space mode, which gathers content from streaming services in one convenient location.

The interface offers a desktop mode, useful when connecting a mouse and keyboard to the tablet. There’s also a reading mode that adjusts screen colors to reduce eye strain and conserve energy. The interface supports comfortable multitasking with multiple applications, either as floating windows or in split-screen mode.

Among the more interesting features and applications offered by the tablet are Lenovo AI Live Transcript, which provides real-time captions and translations. Users might also appreciate Smart Connect, a solution that allows for seamless transfer of videos and photos between Windows, Android, and iOS devices.

Performance: Sufficient for Everyday Use

Compared to the first-generation Tab Plus model, Lenovo has introduced significant improvements, not just visual ones. This includes enhanced processor power and faster memory, though the reviewed device still falls into the mid-range category, with specifications appropriate for that budget.

The tablet is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor, which ensures smooth web browsing, email handling, streaming, video calls, and social media app usage. Available configurations include various memory options. My review unit came with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 2 TB via a microSD card slot.

While the tablet achieves respectable scores in benchmarks, these will be lower than what flagship chips like the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 or newer high-end processors can achieve. Therefore, the Tab Plus Gen 2 won’t be the best choice for intensive work or demanding games; graphic settings will need to be reduced for the most resource-intensive titles.

On the positive side, the casing practically does not heat up, even under prolonged load. Tests in the 3DMark application also showed no noticeable performance drop, indicating good thermal management.

Battery Life and Usage Times

The tablet is powered by a 10,200 mAh battery. According to the manufacturer, this should provide up to 15 hours of continuous video streaming on YouTube. But what about real-world usage?

Two hours of watching movies on Prime Video consumed nearly 20% of the battery, while half an hour of playing Roblox used 10%. In the PCMark battery test, the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 achieved over 9.5 hours with both automatic and 60 Hz refresh rate settings. Increasing the refresh rate to 120 Hz shortened the time to approximately 8 hours. While the tablet isn’t a record-breaker in terms of battery life, it won’t let you down during long journeys or a day spent away from a charger.

Specifications and Pricing

Here’s a detailed look at the specifications of the reviewed device:

• System: Android 16, security updates until 2030, system updates to Android 18
• Display: 12.1-inch IPS, 2560 x 1600 px (249 PPI), 120 Hz, HDR10/Dolby Vision, brightness up to 600 nits (typical) or 800 nits in high-brightness mode, 16:10 aspect ratio, 1300:1 contrast
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7400, 4 nm, 8 cores, ARM Mali-G615 MP2 GPU
• RAM: 8 GB RAM
• Internal Storage: 256 GB UFS 3.1
• Cameras: 13 MP rear (autofocus), 8 MP front (fixed focus)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (2.4/5 GHz), Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi Display, Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C (USB 2.0 480 Mbps)
• Audio: 9-speaker JBL Pro system, tuned by Dolby Atmos (4 x tweeters, 3 x woofers, 2 x passive radiators), 48 W output, High-Res Audio and Wireless High-Res Audio support
• Other: microSD card support, Bluetooth speaker mode, 2 microphones, accelerometer, gyroscope, IP52 rating
• Battery: 10,200 mAh, 45 W charging
• Dimensions: 278.8 x 181.1 mm, 6.8–22.7 mm thickness
• Weight: Approximately 760 grams

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is currently priced at around 500-550 USD (for reference, the original Polish price was around 2000-2200 PLN). The configuration with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage is typically priced at around 499 USD, while the larger version with 256 GB of storage can go up to 549 USD. This pricing is not excessive, but it is notably higher than the first generation model. It might be wise to wait for a price drop, especially with upcoming sales events like Black Friday and the holiday season, which often present opportunities to purchase this model at a lower price.

Many more expensive tablets focus on maximum slimness and top-tier specifications, often including a keyboard case to emulate a work tool. The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is different; it doesn’t pretend to be a laptop or a device for serious productivity tasks. Therefore, if performance and productivity are your priorities, you might consider alternatives like recent tablets from HUAWEI (e.g., MatePad Air or MatePad Pro Max) or devices from the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 series.

Conclusion and Our Opinion

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is a brilliant device engineered entirely around multimedia consumption. It’s ideal for individuals who plan to use it primarily for movies, music, podcasts, and reading. Its excellent screen, good battery life, smooth-running system, and, most importantly, its powerful speaker system combine to deliver a truly coherent entertainment package. My children were absolutely thrilled with this tablet.

However, there’s a flip side. You must reconcile with the fact that the device is heavy and thick. Furthermore, the manufacturer hasn’t released a 5G version, the cameras are, at best, average, and gaming performance won’t satisfy the most demanding users. For me, however, such compromises are entirely acceptable, as I primarily view tablets as devices for entertainment and streaming. If your perception of this product category differs, there are many other options available in the market.

Source: Original content by Jolanta Szczepaniak, Lenovo. Opening photo: Jolanta Szczepaniak

About Post Author