Lenovo Smart Tab M10 FHD Plus 2nd Gen: Everything You Need To Know

Lenovo’s CES 2020 presence was action-packed as the Chinese company launched a host of products across categories, including tablets, which we’re most interested in here at MyNextTablet. The Smart Tab M10 FHD Plus 2^ndGen, besides having a mouthful name, comes packed with stand-out features like integrated Google Assistant Ambient Mode and a bundled charging station. While it appears to be a decent overall tablet, these additional quirks do catch the eye.

Here is everything that you need to know about the second-gen Lenovo Smart Tab M10, including its detailed features, specifications, price, availability details, and some alternatives.

Read: Comparison: Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 T290 vs. Lenovo Tab M8

Highlights

• 10.3-inch IPS FHD display
• Front and rear cameras
• Octa-core MediaTek Helio processor
• Up to 4GB RAM and 128GB storage
• Android 9 Pie
• USB-C, headphone jack, SD card slot
• 4G LTE
• Hands-free Google Assistant Ambient Mode
• Smart charging station
• Dolby Atmos-enabled stereo speakers

Lenovo Smart Tab M10: The Basics

To give you an overview of the newest Lenovo tablet, we’ll begin with its display, which measures 10.3 inches diagonally. The tablet now fits a larger display in a smaller chassis than its predecessor, mainly because of the shrunken surrounding bezels. You’ll get a full HD resolution in a taller 16:10 aspect ratio with a peak display brightness of 330 nits. The M10 has a full metal build giving you a premium look and feel.

An octa-core MediaTek Helio P22T processor sits under the hood to run everything along with up to 4GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. The tablet gives you the option to expand the storage further by up to 256GB. It comes running the older Android 9 Pie version with little to no customizations from the brand. For an improved movie-watching experience, a pair of stereo speakers were dropped into the mix by Lenovo, while you also get a headphone jack.

It packs a battery of 5000mAh capacity, which charges using a USB Type-C port. If you remain on the move, the tablet gives you the option to latch onto a 4G LTE network, thanks to its SIM card slot. You’re, of course, getting dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, in addition to FM Radio and GPS. The tablet has a front-facing 5MP camera and an 8MP sensor on the opposite side.

Read: The Best Cheap Tablets Under $100

The Extra Stuff

While the Smart Tab M10 (2nd gen) has everything to offer that any other tablet does, Lenovo has thrown in a couple of extra features and accessories to sweeten the deal. For one, the tablet supports a unique Google Assistant Ambient Mode, which allows you to use the tablet as a Google Home screen that is always listening for your “OK, Google” command using a pair of onboard microphones.

On purchasing the tablet, you will get a Smart Charging Station that connects to the tablet via pogo pins to keep it juiced up while you use the smart screen without having to worry about the battery life.

On the software front, Lenovo has included a Kid’s Mode on the tablet with kids-specific content to keep them engaged and entertained. Plus, you also get Posture Alert, which reminds you to sit straight, and a Bumpy Environment Alert to caution you to put the device down while on a bumpy ride.

Full Specifications

Availability & Pricing

The second-gen Lenovo Smart Tab M10 is a pretty new release, so its availability details are a bit sparse. Lenovo vaguely stated that the tablet will go on sale in 2020, without giving any specific date, or month for that matter. It, however, did say that the tablet will cost $189 before any local taxes in North America. We’re not quite sure when markets outside the region will get the device, but it’s anybody’s guess that it wouldn’t take long.

Read: Best Budget Tablets Under $200

Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Alternatives

For that kind of price, Fire HD 10 (review) is the first name that comes in mind. Amazon recently refreshed its popular 10-inch tablet with a slew of functional additions that we appreciated in our review. If you can spend a little more, you must look at the fantastic Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) (review), which has been our top recommendation in the sub-$200 price segment for a few months now. Lenovo’s own Yoga Smart Tab (review) could be an interesting alternative with its modular design.

You can alternatively pick up an Apple iPad 10.2 (review) during an online sale when its price drops to an enticing $250. Those looking for a smaller tablet can opt for the iPad Mini 2019 (review), which also gets similarly discounted quite often, or the Lenovo Smart Tab M8, which shares its DNA with the M10. Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy Tab S5e (review) turned out to be a decent machine for basic tasks and even work if you use the optional keyboard accessory.

Lenovo Smart Tab M10 FHD Plus 2nd Gen

From the Google Assistant Ambient Mode to the charging station, there are a lot of over the top features that help the 2020 Lenovo Smart Tab M10 stand out from the crowd. Its specifications also appear competitive enough to take on similar-priced tablets, even if you leave out the additional features.

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