Lenovo's Yoga series of Android tablets has always been unique, with its curvy design and integrated kickstand. Despite a tepid reviewer response to the last generation (mostly to do with a downright awful software skin), the company is powering ahead with a third revision, this time omitting the bombastic 13-inch model and moving some of its features down to the 10-inch version. The more pedestrian Yoga Tab 3 will go on sale in October, with the more spec-heavy Tab 3 Pro starting in November.
The standard Tab 3 comes in 8-inch and 10-inch versions. It's aimed squarely at the budget market with prices of $169 and $199, respectively. At that price you might not expect much from an Android tablet... and you'd be right. Both versions feature 1280x800 resolution, a 1.3GHz quad-core processor from Qualcomm, just 1GB(!) of RAM, 16GB of storage plus a MicroSD card slot, and an 8MP camera. They keep the Yoga Tab's unique "handle" design with room for a beefy battery, 6400mAh on the 8-inch version and 8400mAh on the 10-inch version, and an integrated fold-out kickstand. Unlike previous versions, the 8MP camera can be rotated as well, allowing it to double as the rear view and front view shooter. Both versions will have LTE optional, but don't expect to see those models in the US.
The Yoga Tab 3 Pro is a horse of a different color. Literally - while the regular models are black, the Pro version is gunmetal grey with some faux leather on the back. While it uses the same screen size as the 10-inch Yoga Tab 3, it quadruples the resolution at 2560x1600. The battery is also larger at 10200mAh. Inside you get a zippier Atom Z8500 processor with a top speed of 2.24GHz, and it's paired with 2GB of RAM - good, not great. Storage is 16GB or 32GB paired to a MicroSD card slot. Strangely, the rotating camera is out for the larger model, with individual 13MP and 5MP cameras on the rear and front. The tablet's body and kickstand also use at least some metal in the design.
Like last year's 13-inch version of the Yoga Tab Pro, the new 10-inch model has an integrated video projector. This time it's embedded into the kickstand hinge instead of being stuck to the side of it, which allows the projector to rotate 180 degrees - very handy for presentations or video in tight corners. Lenovo says the image can be projected as large as 70 inches, though it doesn't say what the projector's resolution or lumen rating is. And to make good on those impromptu theater settings, it uses a series of four (count 'em, four) Dolby-certified front-facing speakers from JBL. The Yoga Tab 3 Pro will start at $499, with prices going up for the 32GB version and the LTE model.
All three tablets use Android 5.1.1 and Lenovo's custom skin, which has hopefully improved since the last generation. Highlights include dual-window multitasking, gesture controls, and special drivers for compatibility with narrow capacitive styli.
PRESS RELEASE
BERLIN – September 2, 2015: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today unveiled the latest line-up of its award-winning YOGA tablets, the YOGA Tab 3 Pro and YOGA Tab 3. Designed as the ultimate video tablets, the new series offers a best-in-class multimedia experience while retaining its signature multimode design, and featuring AnyPen technology, which allows users to write on the screen with any conductive object.
The series premier offering – YOGA Tab 3 Pro – boasts a built-in 70” projector and is optimized for Netflix. The YOGA Tab 3 Pro features four front-facing powerful JBL® speakers to reproduce high-octane sound, and for the first time ever, a virtualized Dolby Atmos® experience over built-in speakers that creates a sensation of sound moving in all three dimensions around the listener. The tablet comes loaded with a Netflix app to deliver personalized recommendations and content, right from the home screen of the tablet, in high-quality optimized HD. The YOGA Tab 3 Pro also features Dolby Audio - Dolby Digital Plus, which Netflix streams with its HD content, allowing for crisper dialogue and immersive sound on Netflix.
Additionally, the YOGA Tab 3 8” and 10” models are also great for entertainment and tout a new rotating camera with nifty gesture control, perfect for taking photos and videos at nearly any angle. With one of the largest battery capacities around, users can binge watch their favorite show’s.
YOGA Tab 3 Pro: The Ultimate Video Tablet
The experience of watching Hollywood blockbusters, playing video games and browsing the Web is vastly improved on the YOGA Tab 3 Pro with its new 70” projector screen. The tablet flaunts a better optimized projector placement and is now 180-degree rotatable to beam life-sized images onto a wall or ceiling and project significantly brighter and cinematic pictures up to 70” wide. At 299 pixels per inch, the onboard 10.1” QHD (2560x1600) screen is considerably sharper, and renders richer colors with its Smart Display technology.
Tablet users can immerse themselves in a cinematic sound without headphones through its powerful inbuilt JBL sound bar and a virtualized Dolby Atmos experience over built-in speakers – an industry first for tablets. To achieve even greater clarity and a louder output, the sound bar is also fitted with 4 front-facing speakers, which are fine-tuned with Wolfson Master Hi-Fi technology.
Sleek and exquisite, the YOGA Tab 3 Pro is carefully assembled with premium materials such as aluminium and a leather-like fabric back, while maintaining its ultra-slim design. Splash proof and perfectly balanced for an uncompromised holding experience, the tablet truly shines in a sea of lesser tablets, given its versatility and long battery life to deliver all the power a user needs for all day use.
Loaded with Smart Window 2.0 for enhanced multitasking,users can now do more things, faster in multiple windows. The YOGA Tab 3 Pro allows you to run a background app as well as two windows on top, with the added benefit of phone apps layout to easily fit everything on one screen. Email, news, YouTube – enjoy it all at once!
Lenovo YOGA Tab 3 Pro is available in Puma Black, and the 8” and 10” YOGA Tab 3 comes in Slate Black.
YOGA Tab 3: Photo Excellence; Big Sound and Battery
Available in 8” and 10” screen sizes, the YOGA Tab 3 is the best go-anywhere video tablet with a long battery life. Both models are primed for video and multimedia applications and unparalleled portability, equipped with an HD (1,280 x 800) display, front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos sound, and yet weighing as light as just about 466g.
Through the 180-degree rotating camera, users can unleash creative selfies and invigorating photos at previously unachievable angles and unique perspectives. Built-in gesture control also makes capturing the perfect shot easier than ever before. Simply open and close a hand to take a photo. With the highest-capacity battery in its class, these tablets also have a staggering all-day battery life.
“Today’s tablet market is largely dominated by general-purpose devices. At Lenovo, we strive to deliver tablets that closely match consumers’ needs to enhance their tablet experience; we know from research that a tablet today is a consumption device and most frequently used for watching videos of all sorts. The latest YOGA Tab 3 series represents the epitome of entertainment for users on the go and home alike, realizing a whole new level of visual and auditory experience never before possible on a tablet platform. We are giving them flexibility to access their on-demand content anytime and anywhere, without being tethered to their couch,” said Jeff Meredith, General Manager and Vice President, Tablet Business Unit, Lenovo.
"We are excited for the fantastic viewing experience Netflix members will have on the YOGA Tab 3 Pro," said Neil Hunt, Chief Product Officer at Netflix. "Lenovo has raised the bar for watching videos on a tablet, providing 1080p image quality and audio comparable to a home entertainment system through Dolby Audio. We're also thrilled to have the Netflix widget pre-installed on these tablets so members can quickly and seamlessly start watching their favorite TV shows and movies."
“Great sound is essential for any entertainment experience – no matter how audiences are consuming content. With the Lenovo Tab 3 Pro, Dolby and Netflix are able to deliver premium Dolby Audio surround sound with HD video, wherever and whenever fans want,” said John Couling, Senior Vice President E-Media Business Group, Dolby Laboratories. “We are thrilled to continue working with Lenovo and Netflix to bring Dolby Audio enabled superior movie and TV shows to the Android tablet for the first time. Netflix has long been a Dolby supporter and we are proud to continue to bring groundbreaking entertainment experiences to fans everywhere.”
The Lenovo YOGA Tab 3 series will be unveiled during IFA 2015 in Berlin. The YOGA Tab 3 8” retails at US$169 from 1 October 2015, YOGA Tab 3 10” at US$199 from 1 November 2015 and YOGA Tab 3 Pro at US$499 from November 2015, available at all Lenovo Retail Partners.
