Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) Review: A Budget Tablet with Surprising Value

In a market saturated with tablets across every price range, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) emerges as a compelling option in the budget category. Released as part of Lenovo's broader push to offer affordable yet capable Android tablets, this device strikes a delicate balance between price, performance, and usability. Whether you're a casual user, a student, or someone looking for a secondary media consumption device, the Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) might be just what you need.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) doesn't scream budget. With its aluminum chassis and slim profile (just 7.45 mm thick), it feels more premium than one might expect at this price point. Weighing about 465 grams, the tablet is lightweight enough to hold comfortably for extended periods, whether you're reading an eBook or watching a movie.

The device features thin bezels, especially on the sides, offering a modern look and maximizing screen real estate. Despite being a mid-range offering, it manages to retain a solid build quality with no noticeable flex or creaks, which gives it a durability advantage over many plastic-bodied competitors.

M10 Plus Display

One of the most impressive aspects of the Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) is its 10.6-inch 2K IPS display with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels. The screen offers vibrant colors, decent contrast, and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for watching videos, browsing, and reading. The 2K resolution is particularly notable, as many tablets in this price segment stick with standard Full HD or even HD displays.

Brightness levels are adequate for indoor use, although it may struggle a bit under direct sunlight. Lenovo includes TÜV Rheinland low blue light certification, which reduces eye strain during prolonged use—a thoughtful addition for students and readers.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) comes with two chipset variants: a MediaTek Helio G80 and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, depending on the region and specific model. Both chipsets are mid-range SoCs capable of handling everyday tasks such as web browsing, streaming, and using productivity apps. However, neither is designed for heavy multitasking or graphics-intensive gaming.

Coupled with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, performance is smooth for basic use cases, although demanding apps or switching between multiple apps quickly might introduce some lag. Storage options range from 32GB to 128GB, expandable via microSD card, providing flexibility based on your needs.

The tablet runs on Android 12 out of the box, with Lenovo promising at least one major Android update. The user interface is close to stock Android, with minimal bloatware, ensuring a clean and responsive user experience. Lenovo also includes Kids Space and Google Entertainment Space, which enhance usability for family and content-focused audiences.

Audio and Multimedia Experience

Lenovo has equipped the Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) with quad speakers tuned by Dolby Atmos. The result is surprisingly good audio for a budget tablet—loud, clear, and immersive enough for casual movie watching or background music. The placement of the speakers ensures stereo sound in landscape mode, which is ideal for media consumption.

Paired with the vibrant 2K display, the audiovisual experience punches above its weight, making this tablet a strong contender for anyone looking to stream Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+ on a budget.

M10 Plus Battery Life

Battery performance is another area where the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) stands out. It houses a 7,700 mAh battery, which offers up to 12 hours of video playback or web browsing on a single charge. For moderate users, this translates to a day or more of use without needing to reach for the charger.

The tablet supports 20W fast charging via USB-C. While not blazing fast, it’s respectable for the segment. Charging from 0 to 100% typically takes around 2.5 hours.

Camera Capabilities

As with most budget tablets, cameras aren’t a primary focus, but Lenovo does provide functional hardware for basic photography and video calls. The rear camera is an 8MP shooter with autofocus, while the front-facing camera is also 8MP, making it sufficient for Zoom calls or classroom sessions.

Image quality is decent in good lighting but quickly deteriorates in low-light conditions. These cameras won’t replace your smartphone shooter, but they are perfectly fine for occasional use.

Productivity and Accessories

The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) supports Lenovo’s Precision Pen 2, which makes it a useful tool for note-taking, digital sketching, and light productivity tasks. While the stylus is sold separately, its presence adds significant value for students and creative users.

The tablet can also pair with Bluetooth keyboards or cases, enhancing its potential as a productivity companion. Lenovo markets this model as compatible with Google Kids Space and Google Entertainment Space, emphasizing both educational and entertainment functionalities.

Connectivity and Features

In terms of connectivity, the tablet includes dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and an optional LTE variant for those who need on-the-go internet. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome touch, given its disappearance in many modern devices.

Other notable features include:

- Face unlock via the front camera (no fingerprint sensor)
- USB-C 2.0 port for charging and data
- FM Radio support (region-dependent)

Pricing and Value

One of the Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)'s most attractive features is its price. Depending on the configuration, it retails between $150 and $230, positioning it squarely in the entry to mid-level Android tablet segment.

For that price, users get a well-rounded device with a premium design, a sharp display, decent speakers, and acceptable performance for day-to-day tasks. It’s particularly appealing for students, casual users, and those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a secondary screen.

M10 Plus Pros and Cons

Pros:
- Crisp 2K display with low blue light certification  
- Premium aluminum build  
- Excellent battery life  
- Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos  
- Android 12 with minimal bloat  
- Stylus support for productivity

Cons:
- Average performance for multitasking or gaming  
- No fingerprint sensor  
- Cameras are basic  
- Stylus and keyboard sold separately  
- Slower charging compared to competitors

Conclusion

The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) is a smartly balanced tablet that delivers excellent value for its price. It’s not a powerhouse, but it doesn’t need to be. With a fantastic display, robust build quality, good battery life, and decent audio, it’s well-suited for media consumption, online learning, and light productivity. For budget-conscious buyers, families, and students, this tablet is a strong contender in the mid-range Android space.

If you're looking for a feature-packed yet affordable tablet for general use, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) is hard to beat.