Which is better for taking notes and drawing?

The Lenovo, because the stylus comes in the box and the 90Hz screen makes pen strokes feel smoother. The iPad's Apple Pencil is more precise and has more app support, but you pay extra for it.

The iPad. Apple supports iPads with iPadOS updates for roughly five to seven years, while Lenovo's Android update window for Idea Tab models is shorter. The A16 also stays fast longer under heavy apps.

Is the Lenovo worth stepping up to over the iPad?

Only if screen size and the included pen are your priority. For performance, resale value and app quality, the iPad is the stronger long-term buy.

Which is better for watching video?

The Lenovo has the bigger, sharper, 90Hz screen, which suits streaming. The iPad's display is smaller but better calibrated, and its speakers and app support for streaming services are solid.

Can both use a keyboard?

Neither includes a keyboard. The iPad has many keyboard case options, including Apple's own. Lenovo keyboard cases for the Idea Tab Plus are fewer and less common.

Which is better for kids or schoolwork?

The iPad has more education apps and parental controls through Screen Time. The Lenovo's lower weight on the wallet and included stylus suit basic homework and reading.

Lenovo Idea Tab Plus vs Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB

The iPad (2025) A16 is the safer pick for most people: faster chip, longer software support, better app library and a 4.7 rating from over 2,500 owners. The Idea Tab Plus wins on screen size and sharpness, a 90Hz panel, more RAM, a stylus in the box and a bigger battery. Build quality favors Apple, and reviewers consistently rate iPadOS apps and updates above Android on tablets. Buy the Lenovo only if a large, smooth screen and included pen matter more than performance and longevity.

Choose the Lenovo Idea Tab Plus if you want a big 12.1-inch 2.5K 90Hz screen for reading, streaming and note-taking with a stylus included.
Choose the Apple iPad (2025) A16 if you want the fastest chip in this class, years of iPadOS updates and the widest tablet app selection.

Prices

Lenovo Idea Tab Plus: $249.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB: $26.99 at Rent-A-Center (last seen Nov 8)
Difference: the Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB is $223.00 cheaper than the Lenovo Idea Tab Plus at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)

	Lenovo Idea Tab Plus	Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB
Screen	12.1-inch 2560x1600 LCD at 90Hz	11-inch 2360x1640 Liquid Retina at 60Hz
Chip	MediaTek Dimensity 6400 octa-core, up to 2.5 GHz	Apple A16 hexa-core
Memory	8GB RAM (6GB on some listings)	Not published; iPadOS is tuned tightly to the A16
Stylus	Stylus included	Supports Apple Pencil, sold separately
Weight	18.7 oz	16.8 oz
Battery	Rated 12 hours	Rated about 10 hours of web or video use
Software support	Android 15, update window shorter on Lenovo tablets	iPadOS 18 with roughly 5-7 years of updates
Storage expansion	microSD card slot	No card slot

Spec	Lenovo Idea Tab Plus	Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB
Operating System	Android	iPadOS
Display Resolution	2560 x 1600	2360 x 1640
With Wi-Fi Only	Yes	Yes
Storage	256 GB Storage	128 GB Storage
Screen Size	12.1 in screen	11.0
Rear Camera Resolution	13 MP rear camera	12 MP rear camera
Front Camera Resolution	8 MP front camera	12 MP front camera
Weight	18.7 oz	16.8 oz
Language / Region	English / United States	English / United States
Battery Life	12 hours battery	10 hours battery
With Stylus	Yes	Yes
color	Luna Grey	Blue

Spec	Lenovo Idea Tab Plus	Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB
RAM	RAM: 6 GB	RAM: 6 GB, RAM: 8 GB
Energy Star	Yes	—
Connections	—	USB-C
Bluetooth	—	Yes
Camera Resolution (front) (MP)	—	12.0
Active Digitizer (Stylus pen)	—	Yes
System on Chip (SoC)	—	Apple A16
Refresh Rate	—	60Hz
Pixel Density (PPI)	—	264
Miracast (Screen Mirroring)

Lenovo Idea Tab Plus vs Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB

Prices

Lenovo Idea Tab Plus vs Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB

Prices

Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store