This insanely powerful Android tablet runs circles around my iPad

When I think of a tablet, there’s nothing as ubiquitous in my mind as the iPad. And when I’m talking about a gaming handheld, chances are good it’s either a Nintendo Switch 2, a Steam Deck or another handheld PC. In my mind, these device categories are distinct enough that I just don’t see that much overlap between a tablet and a gaming device, and I’d imagine a lot of folks feel similarly.

However, I recently had the opportunity to challenge my preconceived notions about what fits into either of these categories with the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5, the newest gaming tablet in Lenovo’s Legion series. And I was shocked not only by how powerful this little tablet is, but at how many things it could do that simply are not possible on an iPad, or even a gaming handheld for that matter.

Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, this powerful little tablet has a lot going for it, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed using this device, not just for gaming, but for watching movies and even getting some work done.

4.5/5

Storage

256 GB

CPU

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (Qualcomm 8850P)

Memory

12 GB

Pros & Cons

• Good for a variety of gaming tasks including emulation, streaming and native Android gaming
• Bright, beautiful screen
• High capacity battery

• Expensive
• Steam compatibility isn’t uniform

Price availability and specs

A powerful tablet with a small form factor

The most striking element of the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 that I noticed the first time I turned it on was the device’s brilliant 8.8-inch Lenovo PureSight display which features a 3K resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Vision support. Games, movies, and even menu screens all look amazing on this screen, and I was shocked at how much better my streaming PlayStation games looked on this tablet than on Sony’s own PlayStation Portal.

Once I played a few levels of Astro Bot on this device, I decided to download a few mobile games including Honkai Star Rail, Persona 5: The Phantom X, Ball x Pit and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. And despite these games being pretty resource intensive, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor kept things moving along, with minimal loading, easy switching between games, and quick content updates.

Another aspect under the hood that really impressed me right off the bat was the device’s huge 9000mAh battery, which lasted me around 6 hours of gaming fresh off its first charge. At full brightness and in ultra performance mode, you’ll probably get a little less, but if you need a tablet that can last all day, this tablet will keep you powered on no matter what you throw at it.

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 is also extremely portable, only weighing a slight 360 grams, just a hair lighter than the Nintendo Switch 2’s 380g but a little heavier than the Apple iPad Mini, which weighs 300 grams (but also has a smaller 7-inch screen). The device’s lightness makes it perfect for long gaming sessions, as my wrists didn’t get tired at all after holding it up for almost two hours during a particularly long testing session.

Though there is plenty of impressive hardware under the hood, all of these features do come at a cost, as the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 is one of the most expensive Android tablets I’ve seen with a suggested retail price of $850. It is currently only available for purchase at the Lenovo website.

What I liked about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5

Great for gaming…and everything else too

It almost goes without saying that if you’re into mobile gaming, the Legion Tab Gen 5 is a top-notch option that will keep you plugged in and powered on with your favorite Android games thanks to its snappy processor, high-quality screen and huge battery. However, if you’re a PC gamer, this tablet is also worth a look as it has a dedicated hub that lets you emulate selected titles through your Steam account as well, making it a practical choice if you’re looking to play your favorite titles on a handheld device, and don’t want to pay almost a thousand dollars for an OLED Steam Deck.

And while you might be skeptical about control with a tablet, the Legion Tab Gen 5 has an incredibly responsive 480Hz touch sample rate and dual X-axis haptics which provide exactly the right amount of precision for almost any game that supports touch input.

If you prefer a controller to a touch screen, the tablet also has plug-and-play compatibility with plenty of controllers, including the GameSir G8 Plus MFi Type-C mobile controller, pictured above, as well as the PlayStation DualSense controller or almost any Bluetooth wireless controller.

Outside of gaming, I really enjoyed using the Legion Tab Gen 5 for entertainment as well. I watched 2011’s Pacific Rim on this device and the film looked and sounded incredible thanks to the tablet’s brilliant screen and the booming onboard Dolby Atmos speakers, which easily filled an entire room with sound.

When I’m not watching movies or playing games, I do have to work, and I was pleased to discover that I could easily use the Legion Tab Gen 5 to perform much of my day-to-day tasks, including editing articles, responding to messages, looking at spreadsheets and accessing my work-connected tools. This device also supports desktop mode and has dual USB-C ports, so if I needed to connect a mouse, keyboard, or external monitor for a more PC-like experience, I could.

What I didn’t like about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5

It’s pricey and integration with your current setup isn’t guaranteed

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 may be more powerful than an iPad, but at nearly twice the price of Apple’s standard-issue tablet, it can be a hard purchase to rationalize. Even if your primary focus is gaming, a Nintendo Switch 2 is $400 cheaper and has hundreds of titles ready to play. While there is definitely a use case here for PC gamers looking for a secondary, portable device or those who want to take their games on the go without having to invest a thousand dollars or more on a handheld PC, it is undeniable that in 2026, $850 is a big chunk of change to plop down on a tablet, even if it has a nice screen and a big battery.

There’s also the issue of compatibility, as the device can have a hard time emulating some Steam games, and it’s hard to immediately know which titles will work and which won’t, which can be a bummer if you buy the tablet and then purchase a game on Steam you’d like to emulate, just to find out the game is incompatible.

PS5 integration can also be spotty, as I had a hard time using the Lenovo’s onboard PS-Link tool to connect to my console, and instead had to use Sony’s own Remote Play app to get my PlayStation games working on the tablet. This is far from a dealbreaker, but its worth noting that if your main focus is using this tablet for emulation, it may require a little work to get everything working just right.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5?

An easy yes for the hardcore mobile gamer who has money to burn

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5’s 8.8-inch form factor makes it a perfect device for handheld gaming, no matter whether you’re playing native Android games, emulating your Steam library, or streaming your PS5. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, massive 9,000 mAh battery, and 3K screen also make this a premium tablet that is worth your attention if you’re looking for something that can function as an all-in-one device not only for gaming, but for general entertainment and productivity as well.

However, with all these premium specs and features, the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 does come with a premium price, and it’s important to really take a good look at your use case before plopping down such a hefty chunk of change on this tablet. The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 isn’t cheap, but it bridges the gap between tablet and gaming handheld seamlessly, and for those who are serious about mobile gaming or emulation, I couldn’t imagine a better device.

4.5/5

Storage

256 GB

CPU

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (Qualcomm 8850P)

Memory

12 GB