Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD : Battery Life

Lenovo has crammed a 9,000mAh power pack inside the Yoga Tablet. The huge battery outsizes the Sony and Samsung tablets, and it delivered exceptional longevity. We ran a high-quality BBC iPlayer video on loop with the screen at 50% brightness and the Wi-Fi activated, and the Yoga lasted for a cool fifteen hours – almost an hour longer than the Samsung, whose battery life drops considerably for tasks other than video.

That brightness level was ample for our sunny office, so we’d have no qualms about turning down the backlight and deactivating the Wi-Fi, which would extend the Lenovo’s battery life further.

The only fly in this ointment is the lack of charging prowess – it only gained 8% of its charge when plugged in for thirty minutes. That’s enough for more than an hour of use, but you’ll need to leave the Lenovo plugged in overnight to get a full battery.

Other things to consider

The Lenovo’s 8-megapixel camera proved frustrating. Auto-focus was inconsistent, with it often blurring as soon as we tried to take pictures. The Lenovo’s macro mode was no better, and often made it difficult to take close-ups shots.

The position of the lens doesn’t help, either – it’s awkwardly installed at one end of the circular section. As usual, a tablet of this size doesn’t work well as a regular snapper.

When we were able to take shots, the Lenovo displayed reasonable sharpness, but the camera couldn’t handle lighter colours, many of which just blended together.

Should I Buy the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD ?

Many tablets try to beat every rival in every category, but Lenovo has conceded several key areas in order to build a machine that excels in other important departments.

It’s got class-leading battery life that’s even able to beat Samsung, and the sturdy metal stand improves on the previous Yoga tablet, and still provides a firm base to use when working or watching movies. The screen is excellent, although it can’t quite match the clarity or quality of the Samsung.

The large battery and hinge mean that the Yoga is thicker and heavier than its rivals, though, and it’s got a mid-range processor that’s fine right now – but won’t be able to keep up with the competition, especially further down the line. It’s not future-proofed in other areas, either, with smaller expandable storage and an older Wi-Fi protocol.

The bottom line, though, is that the Yoga delivers stunning battery life, good design, a great screen and reasonable performance for around £100 less than other tablets. If you can do without the Sony’s sheer power or the Samsung’s great screen and broad specification, it’s an excellent alternative.

Verdict

Lenovo’s innovative stand works well when it comes to propping up its latest tablet, and the Yoga keeps going for longer than any rival thanks to a huge battery. The screen is fantastic, with a big resolution bump over its predecessor. The trade-off is a chunkier, heavier design and mid-range performance. It’s a great option if longevity is important and you’re looking for a bargain when compared to pricier, top-tier tablets.

Now you’ve read this review, take a look at the rest of our tablet reviews, or check out the best TV shows on Netflix to watch on your new tablet

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