Not even six month after the launch of the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10, Lenovo has renewed the device, responding to two significant objections users had: low screen resolution and poor performance.
The new version, the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD+, comes with a 10.1-inch, IPS screen at a resolution of 1920 x 1200, compared to the 1280 x 800 resolution of the previous model. It also has Qualcomm’s 1.6 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor (MSM8228 for 3G, i.e. APQ8028 for the Wi-Fi model), instead of a 1.2GHz quad-core Mediatek MT8125 chip.
However, the differences between the current Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ and its predecessor do not stop here. The new model comes with 2GB of RAM instead of 1GB, has an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera instead of a 5-megapixel one, and it runs Android OS 4.3 instead of 4.2 — which is still Jelly Bean, but this version can be upgraded to version 4.4 (KitKat).
The kickstand that was a signature feature of the original has also been slightly altered to improve it.
Build and Design
At first glance, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between the improved Yoga Tablet and its predecessor, given that the new model follows the same main design queues as older version. On both, the exceptionally slim aluminum body (10.28 x 7.09 x 0.32 in. or 261 x 180 x 8.1 mm) has its center of gravity shifted toward its edge where a large cylindrical bulge lies. This part holds the kickstand as well as a battery, which we praised heavily on the previous model as it offers an impressive 9000 mAh of power.
The body has been fully crafted out of magnesium alloy, which combined with a smooth front glass surface leaves the impression of a premium device — right off the bat, anyone can see that the Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ is not your average tablet. The elegant side line with slightly rounded edges also contributes to the pleasurable feeling while using it.
This device comes in at 1.4 pounds (615 grams). Due to the shifted center of gravity it does not tire out the hand at all, no matter how the user holds it.
Display
The most immediately evident change to the upgraded Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 is the increase of the screen resolution. Instead of a mere 1280 x 800 pixels, this tablet now has Full HD resolution, i.e. 1920 x 1200 pixels, increasing pixel density from a humble 149 ppi to a more pleasant 224 ppi. From a usual distance, individual pixels can no longer be spotted with the naked eye, and displayed items do not seem even slightly blurred, as the case was with the first Yoga Tablet 10.
The contrast has also been improved, so it is now above average for a mid-range tablet. Black tones are now exceptionally dark, but the white tones could be a bit less ‘dirty’, i.e. lighter. The colors are realistically interpreted and quite vivid, yet not overly saturated, which can often be the case (and which many users actually like) with more advanced tablets. However, contrast sustainability still has certain shortcomings, especially when the display is exposed to direct sunlight, while the viewing angle is satisfactory and relatively wide.
Thanks to a new active ambient lighting sensor, automatic display brightness adjustment has more balance than the previous Yoga Tablet 10 featured.
All in all, the display offers an experience similar to that of premium Android tablets, and it is one of the best of the mid-range 10-inch devices, while the display of the previous model was one of the poorer available.
Six months ago, along with the release of its first 10-inch Yoga Tablet, Lenovo also introduced an 8-inch version with the same 1280 x 800 resolution. This mid-range model received much less criticism than the larger one because this resolution on a smaller screen resulted in greater pixel density, which is why Lenovo only felt the need to replace the 10-inch model.
Kickstand
Lenovo designed the kickstand on the Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ for easy use in several positions. The device can be set flat on its back with the kickstand folded for typing and browsing the Web. Or, with the kickstand still out of the way and the device in portrait mode, this device sits naturally with the bulge in the palm of a hand, just like a book or a folded magazine. With the kickstand deployed, the tablet is held upright for watching films, for instance.
Buttons and Ports
In accordance with modern design, there is a minimal amount of jacks and keys. The right edge includes just the volume control, while the left one holds the microUSB port. There is an audio jack on the right side of the cylinder for the headphones, while the Power key is on the left.
The back only holds the camera lens, situated on the bulge, next to the very edge of the kickstand. The microSD and microSIM card slots are situated under the kickstand (the Wi-Fi model does not have the latter one, of course).
All control buttons are capacitive, while there is a front-facing camera above the screen. The ambient light sensor is included on the side, while the lower edge, or the bulge, includes the stereo speakers — one on each side.
We’re just getting started. Page 2 covers the performance of the Yoga Tablet 10 HD+.
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