Artist Review: Lenovo Legion Tab 3 (Lenovo Y700 2025)

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 was launched in January 2025. This 8.8-inch tablet has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage and has Google Play Store.

This tablet is also known as the Lenovo Legion Y700 2025 which was released in October 2024 in China with the China ROM. And at the time of this review, Lenovo has just launched the Lenovo Y700 4th gen with Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. It will probably take a few months before the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 4 with global ROM will appear.

This probably the most powerful mini tablet in the market currently other than the iPad mini 7. And this tablet even comes with pen support, which is the only reason why I'm even reviewing this.

Specifications

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X
• Storage: 256GB UFS 4.0
• Display: 8.8" 2.5K (2560 x 1600), LTPS, Touch, 500 nits, 165Hz
• Rear Camera: 13MP AF + 2MP Macro
• Front Camera: 8MP FF
• Battery: 6550mAh Li-Polymer
• Charging: 68W fast charging
• Operating System: Android 14
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be), Bluetooth 5.4
• Connectivity: USB 2 type C, USB 3.1 gen 2 type C
• Weight: 350g
• Color: Eclipse Black

Things included

• Tablet
• Case
• Glass screen protector
• USB-C to USB-C charging cable
• 68W charger
• User manual, safety info

The included case is designed for heat dissipation.

There's also a flip cover that can be detached from the case. Very convenient.

The optional Lenovo Tab Pen Plus (US$50) is compatible with this tablet.

Design

This is a beautiful well made tablet. The build quality is solid and feels premium. Weight of 350g feels alright for an 8.8-inch display. Corners for the body and LCD are rounded off.

This tablet can be held in one hand easily, so this is great for reading. And when you rotate it to landscape, you have a very portable gaming device.

The 8MP front camera, with face unlock, is in portrait and the bezel there and the bottom are thicker. Landscape bezels are thinner. There should be a light sensor somewhere because the tablet supports auto-brightness.

Design on the back is quite uninspiring and is best covered with a case.

This tablet has two USB-C ports. One is for charging and charging speed is up to 68W.

Audio quality for the speaker is better than expected. Audio is loud, clear and has good surround.

Location of the power button takes time to get used to because it's placed below the volume buttons instead of above like countless other Android tablets.

The other USB-C port on the landscape side can output video. You can even buy a Hyperkin RetroN S64 Console Dock for Nintendo Switch that can also work with this tablet, but you need to put some padding behind the tablet for the perfect fit.

Display

The 8.8-inch LCD is bright, vibrant and sharp.

The laminated display has almost no gap between the line and pen tip. If you install the glass screen protector provided, that will add a bit more gap.

Maximum brightness up to 500 nits is not bright enough for use under direct sunlight, but it's more than sufficient for indoor use even in bright environment.

The 165Hz refresh rate makes the tablet feels very responsive. Games that can take advantage of the higher frame rates are obviously going to look really good.

The only thing I don't like is how glossy and reflective the display is, and so is glass screen protector.

8.8-inch may be a bit too small for reading comics as the text looks small.

Performance

The tablet comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and that's the second best processor in the market currently, behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This tablet is capable of playing graphics intensive games at high settings. Lenovo has also designed a ColdFront Vapor Chamber for better cooling.

The 12GB RAM is great for multi-tasking. Apps can launch fast and switching between apps is quick.

This tablet feels very responsive.

OS and software

The tablet runs on Lenovo ZUI v16.1 on top of Android 14 with official support for Google Play Store. I don't see any bloatware installed except for the Legion Space which provides more settings for games, and Lenovo Vantage which handles customer service.

The tablet should get two years of OS updates and four years of security updates.

Lenovo ZUI v16.1 has many useful features:

• Many finger gesture shortcuts
• Split-screen multi-tasking
• Multiple user accounts
• PC mode
• Google Kids Space
• Battery charging protection

PC mode works best when connected to an external display. While PC mode offers a desktop user interface, it doesn't really have many features and there is no way to adjust the resolution and UI scaling. One feature that SamsungDex has is the ability to use the tablet as a trackpad but there's no such feature on the Lenovo tablet.

Because the tablet is small, there's no space in the dock to display recently opened apps.

Lenovo Tab Pen Plus

This tablet works with the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus, an optional purchase that cost USD 50.

Lenovo Tab Pen Plus is a battery-powered pen that supports tilt, 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and palm rejection. Bluetooth has to be enabled for the pen to work, but the pen does not need to be connected via Bluetooth to the tablet unless you want to use some extra pen software features.

Pen design is almost cylindrical except for the flat side that attaches magnetically to the back of the tablet. The pen is quite comfortable to hold, has good grip and is not as heavy as the Apple Pencil.

Pen charging is via the USB-C port. The pen does not support magnetic charging. This means you have to remember to charge the pen, especially before you bring the tablet outdoors.

Batteries in digital pens are small can be damaged is left in a discharged state for too long. I've tested many battery powered pens over the years and battery damage is quite common. I highly recommend you set a calendar alarm just to charge the pen monthly if you don't see yourself using the pen regularly.

Pen's battery life can be checked in the pen section in Settings.

The pen tip is firm and has no movement when in contact with the display. Pen tip replacements can be found on AliExpress for USD 10 for four pieces.

The pen side button is not customisable by drawing and note taking apps I've tested.

The handwriting and note taking performance is fantastic and there's minimal latency. The tablet, pen and apps are able to capture my handwriting style quite accurately.

Line tests

Line tests below were created with Medibang Paint Pro.

The blue lines were drawn with the glass screen protector on the tablet. The black lines were drawn without the glass screen protector.

1. Diagonal lines drawn on top of the glass screen protector have more noticeable wobble and jitter. Note that this does not affect writing since writing uses quick strokes. The diagonal lines are noticeably straighter when the glass screen protector was removed.

Initial activation force is quite low. Thin lines can be drawn quite easily. Interestingly, thin lines are easier to draw compared to what I could get on the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro with the same pen.

2. Lines are able to taper quite smoothly and sharply.

3. Line transition from thin to thick and back to thin is smooth, but you can see the lines have more wobble when drawn on the glass screen protector.

4. Consistent line width can be maintained when applying consistent pressure.

5. Dots can be drawn easily.

6. There are no issues with diagonal line wobble.

For some reason, this same pen has the tendency to draw thicker lines on the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro.

Tilt sensitivity does not work consistently with Infinite Painter. I've used the Dry Inker brush but the tilt broad strokes to too dry to the extent you can't even see the ink sometimes. I have similar experience on the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro.

Tilt may seem like it's working fine with Sketchbook, but tilt actually activates too easily by tilting the pen slightly. So to draw thin lines, you have to make a conscious effort to hold the pen more vertically, which is unnatural. Holding the pen at 45 degrees would almost always activate tilt. I have similar experience on the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro.

Tilt works better with Concepts and this is different from my experience with Lenovo Idea Tab Pro where tilt is too sensitive.

If you use tilt brushes, tilt sensitivity could be a deal breaker because there's an element of randomness, depending on the app used.

Drawing performance

My overall drawing experience is quite positive except when using tilt brushes.

The most challenging part about drawing on this tablet is actually having to deal with the smooth glass surface. I feel like the glossy display here is slightly smoother than the glossy display of the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. But when I tested them side by side, they feel kinda similar but somehow I feel like I can get more pen control on the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. Strange.

Palm rejection works quite well.

This was drawn with Medibang Paint Pro.

This was drawn with Medibang Paint Pro too. There may be slight issue with diagonal line wobble if you study the lines, but at a glance, the two sketches look alright.

This was drawn with Concepts app before I took off the glass screen protector. The lines look alright, but probably could be straighter without the glass screen protector. This tablet works great as a portable digital sketchpad that you can just pull out and draw. 8.8-inch display is actually still big enough for comfortable sketching as long as you use an app with minimal UI design.

Battery life

Battery life is around 10 hours with brightness at 50%. Battery life is quite good.

Conclusion

Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is a beautiful well made tablet that feels premium. The 8.8-inch 165Hz LCD is bright, vibrant and sharp. Performance as a gaming tablet is excellent with the Snapdragon 8 gen 3 and 12GB RAM. Even the audio quality is great.

Having pen support is a bonus. Handwriting and note taking experience is great. Drawing experience is good except for tilt that does not work consistently. Controlling the pen while drawing on the rather smooth glass display can be quite challenging.

Downsides mostly come in the form of missing features. The lack of fingerprint scanner, no cellular option and no microSD card slot.

If you want the best and most powerful mini Android tablet in the market, this is it.

Pros and cons at a glance
+ Compact portable size
+ Solid build quality
+ Bright, sharp, vibrant display
+ 165Hz refresh rate
+ Rich audio with good surround
+ Volume control from control panel
+ Two USB-C ports
+ Case and glass screen protector included
+ No bloatware
+ Has Google Play Store
+ Android 14
+ Has face unlock (not the secure type)
+ 10hr battery life at maximum brightness
- No cellular option
- No microSD card slot
- No 3.5mm audio jack
- No fingerprint unlock
- No water resistance
- Pen side button not customisable with third party apps
- Weird power button placement
- No recent app shortcuts in dock

Availability

Shopee SG
Seller A - https://s.shopee.sg/60EyjnTT4G
Seller B - https://s.shopee.sg/60Eyji0cZF
Seller C - https://s.shopee.sg/xlaivv9y
Tab Pen Plus - https://s.shopee.sg/Vu2Bl4BON