Scored using Tablets Methodology v3.0
Tablets Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Tablets Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Tablets Methodology v3.0

Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB) review: 168 specs compared

Avg. price:~£160RAM capacity:2 GBInternal storage:16 GBScreen size:10.1 inchesChipset:Qualcomm Snapdragon 429

Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB) Review: Compare 168 technical specifications and 3 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Tablets category and whether it is worth buying.

Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB)
6.2/10

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

35%

5.6

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

5.6

Reviews score

10%

5.6

Sentiment score

â–¼Worse than 81% of tablets
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the tablet's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a tablet with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

â–¼Worse than 72%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

22%

4.5

Performance

20%

4.9

Display

16%

6.8

Camera

14%

3.6

Battery

12%

7.6

Connectivity

8%

7.7

Software

5%

6.0

Design

3%

6.8

Audio

â–¼Worse than 68%
5.6

Reviews score

Reviews score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.4 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10

5.6

Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 7.8 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.0

Average grade

20%

6.3

Popularity

Grades by review (3)
1 review, with a printed score. 2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 77%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet

What owners say about the Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB)

Based on 61 owners sharing their experience in online comments

28%positive16%mixed56%negative

Owners appreciate its speakers, dock and value, while sluggish performance and recurring dock failures are their biggest frustrations.

What owners dislike

  • Owners report stutters and choppy movement between apps, lag in the Play Store, and slow app opening or crashes.10
  • Owners say the tablet sometimes fails to connect to the dock, showing a white 'turn on dock' screen, freezing, or needing a restart.7
  • Some owners find the screen weak, with fingerprints visible on all-white screens and not quite matching an iPad or a good phone.5
  • Some units arrived faulty or stopped working: they won't turn on, shut off after a second, or won't charge.5
  • Owners say Lenovo service was slow: one waited about two months for a repair that found nothing, another waited a month without a reply.4
  • Owners miss home and menu buttons and a built-in gallery or calling app, and one found a USB pen drive was not recognized.4
  • Owners say 2 GB of RAM is too little and the tablet needs another 2 GB to run smoothly.3
  • Charging through the dock can fail even when it shows charging, while the USB-C port charges fine; some units will not charge at all.3
  • Owners report Wi-Fi dropouts after an update, a Pie version that drops Wi-Fi, and that software updates have stopped.3
  • Owners say Alexa only spoke English on their tablet, and it worked only in Spain's Spanish.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Technical Specifications of tablet Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB)

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

22%

4.5

Performance

20%

4.9

Display

16%

6.8

Camera

14%

3.6

Battery

12%

7.6

Connectivity

8%

7.7

Software

5%

6.0

Design

3%

6.8

Audio

5.6
Reviews score
5.6
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the tablet's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a tablet with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

7.2
RAM capacity
2 GB
This tablet has 2 GB of RAM, which is less than 61.3% of tablets and equal to 15.5% of tablets.
Process node
14 nm
This tablet is built on a 14 nm process, which is smaller than 44.6% of tablets and equal to 8.5% of tablets.
Internal storage
16 GB
This tablet has 16 GB of internal storage, which is less than 78.8% of tablets and equal to 14.8% of tablets.
Geekbench 6 single-core score
168 points
This tablet scores 168 points in single-core tests, which is lower than 95.8% of tablets and equal to 1.2% of tablets.
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 429
This tablet runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 429, which is more advanced than 54.2% of tablets and equal to 0.3% of tablets.
Show more
Screen resolution
1920×1200
This tablet has a 1920×1200 screen, which is sharper than 39.1% of tablets and equal to 18.8% of tablets.
Refresh rate
60 Hz
This tablet has a 60 Hz screen, which is smoother than 0.1% of tablets and equal to 73.4% of tablets.
Display type
IPS LCD
This tablet uses a IPS LCD display type. 17% of tablets use this display technology.
Pixel density
224 ppi
This tablet has a pixel density of 224 ppi, which is higher than 50.1% of tablets and equal to 11.5% of tablets.
Display glass type
Tempered Glass
This tablet protects its screen with Tempered Glass, which is less durable than 78% of tablets and the same as 19.6% of tablets.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
This tablet does not support optical stabilisation. 0.4% of tablets offer this.
Main camera megapixels
5 MP
This tablet has a rear camera with 5 MP resolution, which is lower than 63.7% of tablets and equal to 26% of tablets.
Front camera megapixels
5 MP
This tablet has a front camera with 5 MP resolution, which is higher than 48.6% of tablets and equal to 19.7% of tablets.
Main camera aperture
f/2.2
This tablet has a main camera aperture of f/2.2, which is wider than 30.1% of tablets and equal to 27.3% of tablets.
Optical zoom
1xxx
This tablet has 1xx optical zoom, which is stronger than 18.2% of tablets and equal to 80.9% of tablets.
Show more
Battery capacity
4,850 mAh
This tablet has 4,850 mAh battery capacity, which is smaller than 73% of tablets and equal to 1.7% of tablets.
Charging speed
10 W
This tablet charges at 10 W, which is slower than 60.9% of tablets and equal to 33.3% of tablets.
Battery life
8 hours
This tablet has a battery life of 8 hours, which is shorter than that of 72.2% of tablets and equal to that of 11.9% of tablets.
mixed use
Wireless charging
no
This tablet does not support wireless charging. 1.5% of tablets offer this.
Fast charging
no
This tablet does not support fast charging. 56.9% of tablets offer this.
Show more
LTE support
yes
This tablet has built-in LTE. 57.1% of tablets offer this.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This tablet connects to Wi-Fi. 0.2% of tablets offer this.
GPS
yes
This tablet has built-in GPS. 17.1% of tablets offer this.
5G connectivity
?
NFC
no
This tablet does not include NFC. 10.8% of tablets offer this.
Show more
Operating system
Android
This tablet uses the Android operating system, which is more advanced than the one used by 23.2%.
Update support duration
short
This tablet offers short update support, which is shorter than the support period of 52.4% of tablets and equal to that of 47.6% of tablets.
Direct OS updates
yes
This tablet supports direct OS updates. 20.3% of tablets offer this.
On-device AI
?
App tracking protection
no
This tablet does not support app tracking protection. 28.4% of tablets offer this.
Show more
IP rating
not rated
This tablet's IP rating is not rated, which is less protected than 16.5% of tablets and the same as 83.6% of tablets.
Weight
480 g
This tablet weighs 480 g, which is lighter than 53.2% of tablets and equal to 1.8% of tablets.
Backlit keyboard
no
This tablet does not support a backlit keyboard. 9.7% of tablets support backlit keyboards.
Keyboard accessory
yes
This tablet supports a keyboard accessory. 15.8% of tablets support this option.
Pen latency
N/A
Show more
Number of microphones
2
This tablet has a microphone array of 2, which is more than 55.1% of tablets and equal to 32.7% of tablets.
aptX Adaptive
no
This tablet does not support aptX Adaptive. 6.9% of tablets offer this.
Dolby Atmos support
yes
This tablet supports Dolby Atmos. 68.7% of tablets support Dolby Atmos.
N. of speakers
2
This tablet includes 2 speakers, which is more than in 9.8% of tablets and equal to the number in 60.8% of tablets.
FM radio
yes
This tablet includes an FM radio. 81.1% of tablets offer this.
Show more

Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB) vs the average tablet

246810TotalPerformanceDisplayCameraBatteryConnectivitySoftwareDesignAudio
  • More advanced chipset
    This tablet has a more advanced chipset than the average tablet (Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 vs MediaTek MT8169A).
    Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 vs MediaTek MT8169A
  • More advanced graphics
    This tablet has more advanced graphics than the average tablet (Adreno 506 vs Mali-G51).
    Adreno 506 vs Mali-G51
  • Supports LTE
    This tablet supports LTE, while the average tablet does not. 42.9% of tablets support LTE.
  • Manual focus control
    This tablet supports manual focus, while the average tablet does not. 36.9% of tablets support manual focus.
  • Monitors battery health
    This tablet monitors battery health, while the average tablet does not. 36.7% of tablets monitor battery health.
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This tablet supports Dolby Atmos, the average tablet does not. 31.3% of tablets support Dolby Atmos.
  • Supports cellular data
    This tablet supports cellular data, while the average tablet does not. 47.4% of tablets offer this.
  • 1 more microphones
    This tablet has more microphones than the average tablet (2 vs 1). The average tablet's microphone count is 1.
    2 vs 1
  • More advanced chipset
    This tablet has a more advanced chipset than the average tablet (Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 vs MediaTek MT8169A).
    Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 vs MediaTek MT8169A
  • More advanced graphics
    This tablet has more advanced graphics than the average tablet (Adreno 506 vs Mali-G51).
    Adreno 506 vs Mali-G51
  • 5 more GPU execution units
    This tablet has more GPU execution units than the average tablet (9 vs 4). The average tablet has 4 GPU execution units.
    9 vs 4
  • Manual focus control
    This tablet supports manual focus, while the average tablet does not. 36.9% of tablets support manual focus.
  • Monitors battery health
    This tablet monitors battery health, while the average tablet does not. 36.7% of tablets monitor battery health.
  • Supports LTE
    This tablet supports LTE, while the average tablet does not. 42.9% of tablets support LTE.
  • Supports cellular data
    This tablet supports cellular data, while the average tablet does not. 47.4% of tablets offer this.
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This tablet supports Dolby Atmos, the average tablet does not. 31.3% of tablets support Dolby Atmos.
  • 1 more microphones
    This tablet has more microphones than the average tablet (2 vs 1). The average tablet's microphone count is 1.
    2 vs 1
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    This tablet has fewer CPU threads than the average tablet (4 vs 8). The average tablet has 8 CPU threads.
    4 vs 8
  • Shorter update support
    This tablet offers shorter update support than the average tablet (short vs medium). The average tablet gets medium of update support.
    short vs medium
  • No fast charging
    This tablet does not support fast charging, while the average tablet does. 56.8% of tablets support fast charging.
  • 2 hours shorter battery life
    This tablet offers shorter battery life than the average tablet (8 hours vs 10 hours). The average tablet offers 10 hours of battery life.
    mixed use
    8 hours vs 10 hours
  • 20.0% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.4 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10

    5.6

    Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 7.8 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    6.3

    Popularity

    Grades by review (3)
    1 review, with a printed score. 2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.6 vs 7.0
  • 3 MP lower rear resolution
    This tablet has a lower-resolution rear camera than the average tablet (5 MP vs 8 MP). The average tablet has a rear camera of 8 MP.
    5 MP vs 8 MP
  • 2 GB less RAM
    This tablet has less RAM than the average tablet (2 GB vs 4 GB). The average tablet has 4 GB of RAM.
    2 GB vs 4 GB
  • Narrower front camera aperture
    This tablet has a narrower front camera aperture than the average tablet (f/2.4 vs f/2.2). The average tablet's front camera aperture is f/2.2.
    f/2.4 vs f/2.2
  • 20.0% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.4 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10

    5.6

    Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 7.8 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    6.3

    Popularity

    Grades by review (3)
    1 review, with a printed score. 2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.6 vs 7.0
  • 25.3% lower sentiment score
    5.6 vs 7.5
  • 4.6% worse value for money
    Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB) has worse value for money than the average tablet (7.22 vs 7.6).
    7.22 vs 7.55
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    This tablet has fewer CPU threads than the average tablet (4 vs 8). The average tablet has 8 CPU threads.
    4 vs 8
  • 2 GB less RAM
    This tablet has less RAM than the average tablet (2 GB vs 4 GB). The average tablet has 4 GB of RAM.
    2 GB vs 4 GB
  • 77% lower single-core score
    This tablet has a lower single-core score than the average tablet (168 points vs 729 points). The average tablet scores 729 points in single-core tests.
    168 points vs 729 points
  • 59.7% lower multi-core score
    This tablet has a lower multi-core score than the average tablet (762 points vs 1,891 points). The average tablet scores 1,891 points in multi-core tests.
    762 points vs 1,891 points
  • 75% less internal storage
    This tablet has less internal storage than the average tablet (16 GB vs 64 GB). The average tablet has 64 GB of internal storage.
    16 GB vs 64 GB
  • 933 MHz slower RAM speed
    This tablet has a lower RAM speed than the average tablet (933 MHz vs 1,866 MHz). The average tablet has RAM speed of 1,866 MHz.
    933 MHz vs 1,866 MHz
  • No big.LITTLE architecture
    This tablet does not support big.LITTLE architecture, while the average tablet does. 51.7% of tablets support big.LITTLE architecture.
  • 50.3% less memory bandwidth
    This tablet has less memory bandwidth than the average tablet (7.4 GB/s vs 14.9 GB/s). The average tablet has 14.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth.
    7.4 GB/s vs 14.9 GB/s
  • 10% lower CPU speed
    This tablet has a lower CPU speed than the average tablet (1.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The average tablet has CPU speed of 2 GHz.
    1.8 GHz vs 2 GHz
  • Less durable glass
    This tablet has less durable glass than the average tablet (Tempered Glass vs Corning Gorilla Glass). The average tablet uses Corning Gorilla Glass.
    Tempered Glass vs Corning Gorilla Glass
  • 80 nits lower typical brightness
    This tablet has a lower typical brightness than the average tablet (320 nits vs 400 nits). The average tablet reaches 400 nits typical brightness.
    320 nits vs 400 nits
  • 1 nits dimmer screen
    This tablet is dimmer than the average tablet (400 nits vs 401 nits). The average tablet reaches 401 nits.
    400 nits vs 401 nits
  • Less vivid contrast
    This tablet has less contrast than the average tablet (1000:1 vs 1015:1). The average tablet has a contrast ratio of 1015:1.
    1,000:1 vs 1,015:1
  • 3 MP lower rear resolution
    This tablet has a lower-resolution rear camera than the average tablet (5 MP vs 8 MP). The average tablet has a rear camera of 8 MP.
    5 MP vs 8 MP
  • Narrower front camera aperture
    This tablet has a narrower front camera aperture than the average tablet (f/2.4 vs f/2.2). The average tablet's front camera aperture is f/2.2.
    f/2.4 vs f/2.2
  • No fast charging
    This tablet does not support fast charging, while the average tablet does. 56.8% of tablets support fast charging.
  • 2 hours shorter battery life
    This tablet offers shorter battery life than the average tablet (8 hours vs 10 hours). The average tablet offers 10 hours of battery life.
    mixed use
    8 hours vs 10 hours
  • 26.5% smaller battery capacity
    This tablet has a smaller battery capacity than the average tablet (4,850 mAh vs 6,600 mAh). The average tablet offers 6,600 mAh of battery capacity.
    4,850 mAh vs 6,600 mAh
  • 44.4% slower charging
    This tablet charges slower than the average tablet (10 W vs 18 W). The average tablet charges at 18 W.
    10 W vs 18 W
  • Shorter update support
    This tablet offers shorter update support than the average tablet (short vs medium). The average tablet gets medium of update support.
    short vs medium
  • No dark mode
    This tablet does not support dark mode, while the average tablet does. 57.7% of tablets offer this.
  • No offline voice recognition
    This tablet does not support offline voice recognition, the average tablet does. 76.4% of tablets support offline voice recognition.
  • 43.2 mm taller
    This tablet is taller than the average tablet (243.2 mm vs 200 mm). The average tablet is 200 mm tall.
    243.2 mm vs 200 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Sort It Out Man
≈ estimated
19/11/2019
Unboxing and first look · setup and dock
Verdict
The Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular is a nice little tablet, well worth the money, especially with its dock.
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

7.7
notebookcheck.net
✓ explicit
28/01/2019
Lab test · Budget tablet
Verdict
The Lenovo Tab M10 is a budget tablet with usable GPS and fair Wi-Fi, but its cameras, especially in low light, are poor.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB)

  • Affordable price point offering high value for money
  • Premium metal build quality that feels sturdy and classy
  • Immersive audio quality via dual front-facing speakers with Dolby Atmos
  • Vivid Full HD display suitable for streaming Netflix and YouTube
  • Dedicated Kids Mode/Google Kids Space with robust parental controls
  • Convenient Alexa integration when used with the Smart Dock

What customers don't like about Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB)

  • Noticeable lag and slow performance during multitasking or gaming
  • Limited internal storage (16GB/32GB) that fills up quickly with apps
  • Inconsistent Bluetooth connectivity, particularly with the speaker dock
  • Mediocre battery life that may not last a full day with moderate use
  • Cameras produce unremarkable images, especially in low-light conditions
  • Lower-end models with 2GB RAM struggle with app crashes and responsiveness

Verdict

The Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Cellular (2GB + 16GB) is a versatile 10.1-inch family tablet featuring a 1280 x 800 HD IPS display and 4G LTE connectivity for on-the-go access. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 quad-core processor (2.0GHz) and includes dual front-facing speakers with Dolby Atmos support for an enhanced multimedia experience. Main pros include its premium slim metal design, built-in Alexa integration when used with a compatible dock, and dedicated kids' mode with parental controls. However, the limited 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage can lead to sluggish performance during multitasking, and the device often lacks Widevine L1 certification, preventing HD streaming on platforms like Netflix.

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