Apple iPad mini (2021) tablet VS Lenovo Tab M9: features, differences and prices

It’s quite difficult to find a compact tablet other than Apple’s iPad mini. Manufacturers tend to develop models with screens larger than 10 inchespartly because smartphones have also grown in size and many believe that it makes no sense.

Apart from the aforementioned iPad mini, there are hardly any tablets that are around eight inches. Much less seven. Several of the options that can be found are from little-known brands and whose features are too modest to offer acceptable performance even when playing Full HD high resolution video.

One of the few proposals that is worth being backed by a major company is the Lenovo Tab M9, which although it has a nine-inch screen and is not as “small” as Apple’s, they are close in size. We are going to put them face to face to know their characteristics, differences and prices.

Features Apple iPad mini and Lenovo Tab M9

• Screen: The iPad mini has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1,488 x 2,266 pixels in 3:2 format, wide color gamut and True Tone technology. The Lenovo Tab M9 has a 9-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 800 x 1,340 pixels in 5:3 format and a brightness of 400 nits.
• Processor: Lenovo’s tablet has the MediaTek Helio G80 chip and Apple’s has the A15 Bionic.
• RAM and storage: The Tab M9 can be configured with 3 or 4 GB of RAM and 32, 64 or 128 GB of internal storage, while the iPad mini comes with 4 GB of RAM and 64 or 256 GB of internal storage.
• Cameras: Apple’s proposal has both a 12 MP rear and front camera, while Lenovo’s has an 8 MP rear (main) camera and a 2 MP front camera.
• Battery: The iPad mini has a range of up to 10 hours per charge, and the Lenovo Tab M9’s battery is 5,100 mAh with 10W charging.
• OS: iPadOS 17 on the iPad mini and Android 13 on the Lenovo Tab M9.
• Connectivity: Lenovo’s tablet has WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, 3.5 mm jack and USB-C, while Apple’s has WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C 3.1.
• Price: The Lenovo Tab M9 has a RRP that starts at 139 euros and the Apple one is available from 649 euros.

iPad mini (2021) VS Lenovo Tab M9, which tablet to buy?

The Lenovo Tab M9 and iPad mini (2021) may be similar in size, but the similarities end there. They are very different in almost every aspect.since Apple’s tablet has powerful, high-end hardware, while Lenovo’s is much more modest, entry-level.

Next We are going to comment in more depth on some of the most important details. and highlights of each device, so that users can make a better decision when purchasing one model or another.

Strengths and weaknesses of the iPad mini (2021)

• + High resolution Retina display
• + The A15 Bionic chip gives it great power and performance
• + The cameras are of very good quality for a tablet
• + It is compatible with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil
• + Can be configured with 5G to access the Internet without having a WiFi network nearby
• – Its price is quite high
• – Storage is not expandable
• – Although iPadOS is an operating system full of applications, some of the most used on tablets are not officially available (Kodi, emulators, etc.).

Strengths and weaknesses of the Lenovo Tab M9

• + Its recommended retail price is quite affordable
• + Internal storage can be expanded by MicroSD up to 2 TB
• + It is upgradeable to Android 13
• + Three years of security updates
• + Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
• + Good autonomy for the whole day
• – The screen is HD, not Full HD, and although due to the size of the tablet it is not a big problem, it is something to take into account
• – The MediaTek Helio G80 chip is not as powerful as the A15 Bionic. It can be used for gaming, but it will suffer with more demanding titles
• – The quality of the camera is very fair, especially the front one (2 MP)
• – Facial recognition can be greatly improved
• – You may not receive another major Android OS update

The screen

The screen of the 6th generation iPad mini is very good. The resolution is very high and the color reproduction is quite faithful.. It is a joy to watch any video or read comics on it, and its compact size makes it very easy to transport anywhere.

The screen of the Lenovo Tab M9 is much more modest, since its resolution is 800 x 1,340 pixels and translates as HD, not Full HD. Taking into account the size of the screen it is not a big problem, but it is noticeable especially to the most trained eye.

The power

The iPad mini, although it was launched on the market two years ago, continues to be a very powerful tablet, and practically the most powerful of its format which can be purchased in many markets. This is thanks to the A15 Bionic chip, which performs like a champion in all types of tasks, whether productivity or video games.

The Lenovo Tab M9 is a much more modest tablet than Apple’s in every way, including its processor. The MediaTek Helio G80 provides a good experience in simple and everyday tasksbut it suffers a lot when running demanding applications or video games.

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