I love my iPad but this Lenovo gaming tablet could convert me to Android

For the past decade, I've been a dedicated Apple user. I've been committed to the iPhone, MacBook, and iPad lifestyle, but I'll admit that it's left me uninformed about what's happening with Windows and Android. Since I started testing tech, it's opened up all sides of the iOS and Android spectrum, and I've come around. In fact, while doing a recent round of testing for our tablets guide, I found an Android tablet that convinced me iPads aren't necessarily the superior tablet.

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is technically a gaming tablet, but if you're not a gamer, don't worry. That just means it's equipped to handle a decent amount of data in its small, portable form. Here's everything I love about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 and why I've kept using it long after testing.

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Credit: Lenovo

Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3

$389.99 at Lenovo
$549.99 Save $160

 

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Small but mighty

The best part of the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is its size. Before I started using e-readers, I was dragging around an old iPad that was heavy and strained my wrist while reading it for extended periods. Measuring 0.31 inches by 8.21 inches by 5.1 inches, it had an 8.8-inch screen, making it just slightly bigger than an iPad Mini.

The compact size makes it incredibly easy to take on the go. It's lightweight and won't take up much space in a bag, but it also allows you to hold it up for hours at a time.

It's powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform and runs on the Android 15 operating system. But its best spec is its memory, bringing 12GB of RAM. That's three times what you usually find in budget tablets and the same as what you'd find in premium models, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.

I will say, the notification tab on the Lenovo is mighty similar to that of an iPad. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

On the Geekbench 6 benchmark test, it scored 6674, which is actually higher than the score of the iPad 11th generation. It operates for hours at a time, boasting a battery life of over 11 hours. (Of course, it pales in comparison to the new M5 iPad Pro.)

To translate all of these tech specs: the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is a small device with even more power than you need to keep yourself entertained on the go.

Two ports are better than one

After years of testing products for Mashable, most of them blend together. It's rare that a product really stands out from the crowd, and often it's the small details that make a particular product stand out. With the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, I love the simple fact that it has not one, but two ports. Maybe it says more about the state of tech that I'm celebrating the fact that a device has more than one port, but alas, here we are. Every tablet I've tested has a single port, except for the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, which features one USB-C port on the long side and another on the short side.

It's the first tablet I've encountered that has this set up, but I wish every tablet did. That way, if you want to use your tablet while it's charging, you can do so from the angle that works best. Alternatively, it allows you to plug in a controller and charge it simultaneously.

Perfect entertainment on the go

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is the perfect sized tablet for travel. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

For my purposes, I like a tablet on the smaller side, and the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 fits the bill with its 8.8-inch screen. Its compact size prevents arm fatigue during a reading marathon. Plus, it doesn't take up a ton of space on the kitchen counter, so I can cook and watch. Not to mention, it would be the perfect size for an airplane tray table. Gamers will also appreciate this Android gaming tablet, for obvious reasons.

I'd actually stopped carrying my iPad around because I found it to be too clunky, but the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is a much smaller tablet to take on the go. With its compact size, I'm much more likely to reach for it when traveling.

My one complaint? The case

The included case for the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is not my favorite. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

OK, so I've been going on and on about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, but there is one downside: its case. On the upside, it comes with a case, a feature that very few tablets offer. The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 comes with a case that provides suitable ventilation so the tablet doesn't overheat. The front of the case also features two magnetic hinges, allowing it to be removed on either side, which provides nice flexibility.

That being said, I find the case to be extremely flimsy. It definitely feels a little cheap, and folding the cover to create a stand is a bit awkward. It can only fold one particular way, and getting it right always takes me a few tries, even though I've been using it for weeks.

Since this is a lesser-known tablet, you don't have as many alternative case options from the brand. However, you can find some decent options on Amazon.

Why should you buy the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3?

If, for some reason, you're stuck on the idea that Androids aren't as powerful as iOS devices, the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 will prove that wrong. It features a stunning HDR10 display and 12GB of RAM, allowing you to game on the go. But even if you're not a gamer, I've found this tablet is just the right size for reading and streaming. If you're converting from an iOS device, you might experience a slight learning curve adjusting to the Android system, but it won't take long. It's a great budget-friendly alternative to an iPad Mini, which certainly convinced me to stray from the iOS agenda.

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Credit: Lenovo

Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3

$389.99 at Lenovo
$549.99 Save $160

 

Shop Now