Unboxing the Lenovo Y700 3rd Gen: The Ultimate Affordable Gaming Tablet?

When it comes to affordable and high-performance tablets, the Lenovo Y700 series has always been a crowd favorite. With its combination of budget-friendly pricing and solid gaming capabilities, it has earned a reputation in the tablet market. But with the release of the Lenovo Y700 3rd Gen, is it still the best bang for your buck, or has it lost its competitive edge? In this unboxing and review, we’ll dive deep into the changes, improvements, and whether the price increase is worth it.

What’s New with the Lenovo Y700 3rd Gen?

For many users, the Lenovo Y700 2nd Gen was a game-changer due to its impressive performance at an unbeatable price. But with the 3rd Gen model, Lenovo has raised the price by around $80, leaving many to wonder if it’s still a great deal.

Unboxing the Lenovo Y700 3rd Gen

Right from the start, unboxing the Lenovo Y700 3rd Gen reveals a clean, polished design. Inside the box, you’ll find a fast 68W charger and all the usual accessories, including cables. For the first time, we see a black color option in the official release, which gives it a more premium feel compared to the white variant available in previous models.

The device itself feels sturdy, and Lenovo has clearly paid attention to details. The new design is a bit more refined, with rounded edges, and the logo placement has been updated to match the sleek, minimalist design we often see from Apple products. However, there are still some minor compromises, especially on the front, where the screen’s frame and two-tone design give it a slightly “budget” vibe.

Display and Build Quality

The Lenovo Y700 3rd Gen comes with an 8.8-inch display, similar to its predecessor, but with a noticeable increase in brightness. At 500 nits, the display is bright enough for outdoor use, though some users might find the reflective nature of the screen a bit bothersome. This issue can be remedied with an anti-glare coating, available as an extra option for around 8,000 KRW.

In terms of display refresh rates, Lenovo has bumped up the Y700’s capabilities from 144Hz to 165Hz, providing a smoother experience during gameplay. The difference is subtle, but noticeable for those who care about fluid visuals.

Performance Boosts: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

One of the most significant upgrades with the 3rd Gen is the processor. The Y700 3rd Gen now comes equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a major leap from the previous Snapdragon 870. This upgrade brings about a noticeable difference in both single-core and multi-core performance.

In benchmark tests, the Y700 3rd Gen saw a 29% increase in single-core performance and a 79% increase in multi-core performance. Graphics performance has also seen a significant jump, especially in demanding games like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact, where the Y700 3rd Gen maintains a stable 60 FPS at high settings.

The tablet is available in two configurations: 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage, or 16GB of RAM with 512GB of storage. For gamers or power users, the 16GB RAM version provides ample space for multitasking and storing large game files.

Battery Life and Charging Speed

Another area of improvement is the battery and charging speed. Lenovo claims the Y700 3rd Gen charges faster, and after testing, we can confirm that the charging time has indeed improved. While the 2nd Gen took about an hour to fully charge, the 3rd Gen takes just 51 minutes for a full charge, making it more efficient for users on the go.

In terms of battery life, the Y700 3rd Gen lasted about 1 hour and 27 minutes longer than its predecessor during a 4K YouTube video playback test. This improvement will surely be appreciated by those who use the tablet for extended periods, like watching videos or playing games.

Other Improvements: What’s Missing?

Despite all the performance improvements, the Y700 3rd Gen does miss out on some features that users might expect from a premium device. For instance, the microSD card slot has been removed, which may disappoint users who used it for additional storage or installing games.

Another downside is that GPS support is still absent in this model, which would have been a useful feature for navigation apps. If you’re looking for a tablet with GPS functionality, this might not be the right choice for you.

Pricing and Value for Money: Is It Still a Great Deal?

While the Y700 3rd Gen brings some solid upgrades, it no longer offers the same “insane” value for money that the 2nd Gen provided. The price increase, though justifiable due to the enhanced specs, might make potential buyers hesitate. However, for users who prioritize gaming performance and fast charging, the Y700 3rd Gen is definitely worth considering.

If you’re coming from the 2nd Gen, the 3rd Gen offers significant performance boosts, particularly in terms of GPU capabilities, making it more suitable for modern, high-demand games. However, if you are a casual user or mainly want a tablet for media consumption, the Y700 2nd Gen might still be sufficient for your needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Lenovo Y700 3rd Gen is a fantastic option for gamers looking for an affordable yet powerful tablet. While it doesn’t offer the same insane value as its predecessor, it still delivers solid performance, improved charging speeds, and a better overall experience. If you’re in the market for an 8-inch tablet for gaming and multimedia, the Y700 3rd Gen is certainly worth considering—but if you’re on a budget, the Y700 2nd Gen still holds its ground as a great value choice.

Would you be upgrading to the Lenovo Y700 3rd Gen, or is the 2nd Gen still good enough for your needs?