The original Nexus 7 remains a benchmark for compact Android tablets, offering a compelling blend of performance, portability, and affordability. For years, the Android tablet market has struggled to replicate that success, often compromising on features and performance. The iPad mini has filled this void for many, but Android enthusiasts have been left wanting. However, Lenovo’s announcement of the Legion Tab Gen 3 at CES 2025 has reignited hopes for a true Nexus 7 successor. This hands-on preview explores whether the Legion Tab lives up to the legacy.
Premium Design and Impressive Display
The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 sitting on a table.
The Legion Tab Gen 3 immediately impresses with its premium aluminum chassis, offering a cool, solid feel. Its surprisingly lightweight design, weighing only 350 grams, makes it remarkably portable, especially considering its robust build. The thin 7.79mm profile further enhances its portability, making it thinner than even flagship smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro. Despite being part of Lenovo’s gaming-centric Legion brand, the tablet avoids the typical “gamer” aesthetic. Its sleek black finish and minimalist design give it a sophisticated look, appealing to a broader audience beyond just gaming enthusiasts.
Display refresh rate settings on the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3.
The 8.8-inch display is undoubtedly a highlight. Boasting a sharp 2560 x 1600 resolution and a buttery smooth 165Hz refresh rate, the screen delivers vibrant colors, excellent brightness, and impressive responsiveness. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, coupled with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the Legion Tab promises exceptional performance. Initial impressions suggest snappy app loading and seamless navigation, though a more thorough evaluation is needed to assess its full potential. However, based on these early experiences, the Legion Tab appears more than capable of handling demanding tasks, from gaming to media consumption.
Beyond Gaming: A Versatile Tablet
The back of the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3.
While marketed as a gaming tablet, the Legion Tab Gen 3 offers features that benefit all users. The integrated vapor chamber ensures optimal cooling during extended use, crucial for gaming but equally beneficial for demanding productivity tasks. The inclusion of dual USB-C passthrough ports provides added convenience, enabling simultaneous charging and connection to external displays.
Multitasking options on the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3.
Lenovo has also announced upcoming gaming-centric software features, such as an AI-powered gaming coach and AI editing tools for capturing gaming highlights. While these features are targeted at gamers, their presence doesn’t detract from the tablet’s overall versatility for everyday use.
A Promising Contender
Someone holding the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, showing the back of the tablet.
The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 evokes the spirit of the Nexus 7 with its compelling combination of premium hardware, a stunning display, a compact form factor, and powerful specifications. Priced at $500, it offers excellent value. While its long-term success remains to be seen, the Legion Tab Gen 3 presents a strong case for itself as a worthy contender in the compact Android tablet market, finally offering a viable alternative to the iPad mini. It might just be the Android tablet we’ve been waiting for.
