Regardless of personal feelings towards Apple’s product design, the iPad consistently ranks among the top tablet brands. The mini version, in particular, is widely recognized as the leader in compact tablet devices.
In a more specific market segment, small tablets hold their own unique place, yet they can still serve as excellent sidekick devices, particularly for mobile and cloud gaming. It is this area where Lenovo steps in with the Legion Tab (Gen 3), an Android-powered tablet boasting an 8.8-inch screen that meets all my requirements perfectly.
This device is compact yet powerful, boasting gaming-oriented characteristics, and is ideally sized for top-notch mobile controllers. It’s arguably the finest Android option comparable to the iPad Mini, and it ranks among the most enjoyable devices I’ve assessed in a while.
If you’re prepared to spend over $500 on a secondary device, and you don’t require a lightweight version due to less demanding needs, then the Lenovo Legion Tab (Gen 3) is simply fantastic for those who can utilize its full potential.
The creation of this review was facilitated by a review unit generously supplied by Lenovo. Prior to its release, Lenovo did not contribute to its content or preview it beforehand.
Legion Tab G3 review: Cheat sheet
- What is it? A small, premium 8.8-inch Android tablet designed with mobile and cloud gaming in mind.
- Who is it for? Those who want a capable, powerful, and miniature tablet companion, especially if they plan to game.
- How much does it cost? The Lenovo Legion Tab (Gen 3) retails for $549.99 at Lenovo. You can also get it for $549.99 at Walmart.
- What did I like? The premium design, the vibrant and fast display, the consistent performance and battery life, and the Android ecosystem.
- What did I not like? The lack of storage expansion opportunities, the lack of a fingerprint sensor, and the minor display ghosting.
Legion Tab G3 review: Pricing and specifications
As a tech-savvy individual, I’d be thrilled to share my thoughts on the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3. This premium Android tablet comes in a single, well-thought-out configuration and sports a unique, eye-catching color.
The third generation Lenovo Legion Tab is available for purchase at Lenovo for a price of $549.99, which represents an increase of $50 compared to its initial retail cost. This price hike might be due to tariffs. Alternatively, you can find this tablet at Walmart for the same price.
Regardless of your destination, you can expect consistent exterior frames (grey chassis) and identical internal components throughout.
| Spec | Lenovo Legion Tab (Gen 3) |
|---|---|
| Display | 8.8-inch IPS LCD, 16:10 aspect ratio, QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, 500 nits max brightness / 900 nits peak brightness w/ High Brightness Mode (HBM), HDR10 & Dolby Vision HDR support, 98% DCI-P3 color gamut, glossy, multi-touch support, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light, Flicker-Free, & Precise Touch Certifications |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| GPU | Qualcomm Adreno |
| Memory | 12GB LPDDR5X @ 8,533MHz |
| Storage | 256GB UFS 4.0 |
| Ports | 1x USB Type-C 2.0 (480MBps, USB On-the-Go, 68W Power Delivery, audio), 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10GBps, USB On-the-Go, DisplayPort-out, 68W Power Delivery, audio) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 2×2, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Battery | 6,550mAh, 68W USB Type-C charger |
| Dimensions | 208.5 x 129.5 x 7.8mm (8.21 x 5.1 x 0.31in) |
| Weight | ~350g (~0.77lbs) |
| Warranty | 1-year standard, Lenovo Legion Ultimate Support option |
Inside the box, you’ll discover:
1. The latest Lenovo Legion Tab (Gen 3) tablet
2. A fast charger (68W) with a USB Type-C connection
3. A USB Type-C to USB Type-C charging cable (version 2.0)
4. A protective folio case for the tablet
5. A film screen protector for added device safety
This way, I’ve tried to make the information more conversational and easier to understand while still providing all the necessary details about the contents of the box.
Legion Tab G3 review: What I like
The Legion Tab can be described as a compact tablet model. Although it’s slightly larger in width, thickness, and weight compared to the iPad Mini, when examined separately, the differences might not be immediately noticeable. However, if you compare them together, you would likely spot the disparities.
The Legion Tab boasts a premium feel, similar to its high-quality construction, featuring a sleek aluminum body and minimalist bezels framing the vibrant screen. Weighing 350g and less than 8mm thick, it’s conveniently handheld, fitting comfortably in one grip and suitable for use with many mobile controllers, such as the Razer Kishi Ultra that I personally tested (and we reviewed).
In addition to the Lenovo Legion Tab itself, this product comes with a user-friendly folio case and screen protector, ensuring your device remains protected without requiring extra purchases. Unlike many contemporary tech items, a charger is included in the package as well. For added convenience, Lenovo provides a compact, 68W Type-C charger to facilitate faster charging speeds.
Indeed, this is jam-packed with top-notch features! The device boasts dual speakers positioned on both sides, delivering immersive Dolby Atmos spatial audio that’s crisp, audible, and detailed. It additionally offers dual-axis haptics for seamless system navigation and compatible games.
Lenovo added not one, but two USB-C ports to this device – one is typically used for charging, found in its usual place, while another one can be found at the base of the tablet (when positioned horizontally). This second port facilitates charging, data transfer, video output, and audio connectivity, as well as docking the device.
Right at the front, you’ll discover an 8.8-inch IPS LCD screen. Given it’s a Lenovo Legion item, this screen offers sharp QHD+ resolution and a swift 165Hz refresh rate.
Despite not having the quickness and reactivity of an OLED display, this screen offers vivid colors, accurate hues, and uniform clarity across its entire surface, with only a small amount of backlight leakage and a decent level of brightness.
As an analyst, I can confidently assert that the visual experience across movies, videos, games, and various other content on this panel is nothing short of stunning. The performance, particularly for gaming, is exceptional. This panel boasts Dolby Vision HDR support, a High Brightness Mode (HBM), and surprisingly, it also responds to stylus input.
You’ll experience Lenovo’s adaptation of Android 15, which is based on Android 14 originally. I was quite impressed by this user interface. It’s neat, swift, and reliable, and you’ll notice a few additional features and gaming-oriented elements that manage to steer clear of being excessive.
The Legion Space launcher serves as both a game manager, handling notifications and performance during game launches, and a multi-function tool for controlling your device’s features. In addition, it offers additional features like a customizable PC Mode, which can be optionally activated when you connect a mouse and keyboard for a desktop-like experience.
Inside, you’ll encounter the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile processor, which was the heart of many top-tier Android smartphones in 2024. Although it may no longer be the most potent option available, this chipset is incredibly efficient and backed by 12GB of swift memory and a rapid 256GB storage capacity.
Regardless of its sleek dimensions, this tablet remains cool and functions flawlessly following extended gaming periods, all thanks to a vapor cooling system. Not even Xbox Cloud Gaming, Call of Duty Mobile, or Zenless Zone Zero could make this tablet falter.
The Asus ROG Ally isn’t what we’re discussing here, but the Lenovo Legion Tab packs ample power to serve as a reliable and capable partner for cloud gaming, emulation, and running the increasing library of top-tier Android games.
The battery performance is outstanding, providing ample power for extended gaming sessions. Although the 6,550mAh battery isn’t the largest available, the energy-efficient chipset and Lenovo’s optimizations ensure you can play games for hours without frequently seeking nearby charging points.
Should you ever find yourself needing to recharge your Legion Tab, rest assured that the provided 68W charger will get you back up and running swiftly, ensuring a quick return to your gaming adventures.
Legion Tab G3 review: What I don’t like
I really enjoy using the Lenovo Legion Tab, but it does have its flaws. Although it supports a stylus, it seems like an additional feature rather than a primary focus (explaining why no stylus comes included in the package). Compared to the iPad Mini, which offers a more advanced Apple Pencil and magnetic connector/charger specifically designed for note-taking and drawing tasks, it appears that the iPad Mini is the more suitable small tablet for such purposes.
The device features an 8MP front camera, though it seems a bit off when used for selfies, and a 13MP back camera accompanied by a 2MP macro lens. However, these cameras are moderately average in terms of their image quality.
Or:
The device comes with an 8MP front-facing camera that might not be ideal for portraits, and a 13MP rear camera plus a 2MP macro lens. Unfortunately, the overall quality of the images they capture is just average.
A reduced version of the Legion Tab Lite, maintaining its current design and size, would be fantastic if it discarded stylus input and all cameras, lowered the screen resolution to 1200p and refresh rate to 120Hz, and opted for a Snapdragon 7-series chipset. At an estimated price of $300, this device would make an excellent choice for cloud gaming.
Unfortunately, there is no method to increase the 256GB storage on the Legion Tab we currently possess. Regrettably, Lenovo does not provide storage upgrades for this device, and a microSD card slot is also absent from its design.
Another way to put it might be: Regrettably, this device lacks a fingerprint scanner for biometric verification, a feature that many users find desirable. While the front-camera does facilitate facial recognition, labeling its security as questionable would be a significant underestimation.
Legion Tab G3 review: My final thoughts
✅You should buy this if …
- You want a premium, compact Android tablet with a great screen.
- You want a portable device for mobile and cloud gaming.
- You want the largest display possible with mobile controllers.
❌You should not buy this if …
- You’re mostly looking to draw or take notes.
- You won’t take advantage of this performance for gaming.
As a tech analyst, I can confidently say that the Lenovo Legion Tab stands out as an exceptional ally for gamers, yet it shines equally in various roles. It’s a star performer when it comes to being the ultimate entertainment device, a versatile tool for casual note-taking, or even a portable gaming console if paired with the ideal mobile controller.
If you’re seeking an exceptional, portable tablet that offers a higher-end experience beyond the numerous budget Android tablets available, the Legion Tab could be one of your best choices besides the ever-popular iPad Mini. Personally, I find it more appealing.
This device is both compact and transportable, offering a swift and lively screen, exceptional gaming capabilities, and a reliable battery life. Android provides you with a selection of reputable games from the Google Play Store, various emulation platforms, as well as cloud-based and remote gaming services.
As a researcher delving into the realm of portable gaming, let me express my enthusiasm for the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3. This handheld PC gaming device stands out from the rest, and I find myself captivated by it. If you’re considering this as your ideal companion device, you can purchase the Lenovo Legion Tab (Gen 3) for just $549.99 directly from Lenovo.
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2025-06-11 16:11