Which is better for taking notes in class?

The Lenovo, because the Tab Pen Plus is included and the 12.7 in screen gives more room per page. The iPad needs an Apple Pencil bought separately, but its note apps are more polished.

The iPad. Apple supports iPads with iPadOS updates for many years, while Lenovo's Android update window is shorter. Build quality is good on both.

Is the iPad worth stepping up to?

If you want a lighter tablet, a better front camera and long software support, yes. If screen size, refresh rate and an included stylus matter more, the Lenovo is the better fit.

Which is better for watching video?

The Lenovo. Its 12.7 in 144 Hz screen and four Dolby Atmos speakers beat the iPad's 11 in 60 Hz panel and stereo speakers.

Can I add storage to either?

Only the Lenovo takes a microSD card, up to 1 TB. The iPad's 128 GB is fixed, so pick your capacity at purchase.

Which is better for drawing?

Both work. The Lenovo includes a pressure-sensitive pen and a larger canvas. The iPad with Apple Pencil has lower latency and stronger art apps.

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

Buy the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro if you want a big screen for notes, drawing and video, and a stylus in the box. Buy the iPad if you want a lighter tablet with a long software support record and a deep app library. The Lenovo wins on display size, resolution, refresh rate, speakers and storage expansion. The iPad wins on weight, front camera, resale value and years of updates. Reviewers rate both well; the Lenovo's 4.7 comes from far fewer ratings than the iPad's 4.7.

Choose the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro if you take handwritten notes or draw, watch a lot of video, and want a large 144 Hz screen with a pen included.
Choose the iPad if you want a light, small tablet that will keep getting iPadOS updates for years and runs the widest range of tablet apps.

Prices

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro: $299.98 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 $272.99 cheaper than the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)

	Lenovo Idea Tab Pro	Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB
Display	12.7 in LCD, 2944 x 1840, 273 PPI, 144 Hz, 400 nits, 96% DCI-P3	11 in Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640, 264 PPI, 60 Hz
Stylus	Lenovo Tab Pen Plus included	Apple Pencil sold separately
Weight	21.9 oz	16.8 oz
Chip	MediaTek Dimensity 8300, 8 GB RAM	Apple A16, hexa-core
Storage	128 or 256 GB, microSD up to 1 TB	128 GB, no card slot
Cameras	13 MP rear, 5 MP front	12 MP front, 4K video
Software support	Android, shorter update window	iPadOS 18, years of updates
Speakers	Quad JBL with Dolby Atmos	Stereo

Spec	Lenovo Idea Tab Pro	Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB
Operating System	Android	iPadOS
Storage	128 GB Storage, 256 GB Storage	128 GB Storage
Screen Size	12.7 in screen	11.0
Weight	21.9 oz	16.8 oz
Battery Life	11 hours battery	10 hours battery
Rear Camera Resolution	13 MP rear camera	12 MP rear camera
RAM	RAM: 8 GB	RAM: 6 GB, RAM: 8 GB
Front Camera Resolution	5 MP front camera	12 MP front camera
Language / Region	English / United States	English / United States
With Wi-Fi Only	Yes	Yes
Screen Resolution	2944 x 1840	2360x1640
Brand	Lenovo	Apple

Spec	Lenovo Idea Tab Pro	Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB
Color	Luna Grey	Blue
Network Connectivity	None	5G
Bluetooth Version	5.3	5.3
Processor Model	MediaTek Dimensity	—
Total Storage Capacity	256 gigabytes	—
Wireless Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	—
Battery Chemistry	Lithium-ion polymer	—
2-in-1 Design	false	—
Security Features	Facial recognition, Password Protection, Finger…	—

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

Prices

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

Prices

Apple iPad (2025) A16 128GB

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store