Lenovo launches new Moto, Yoga Miix and Tab at MWC

Lenovo, in addition to operating in its own name as a supplier of computing products, is also the owner of mobile phone maker Motorola. It took the opportunity of the Mobile World Congress 2017 to announce forthcoming products under both names.

Let’s start with two new Moto phones, the Moto G5 and the Moto G5 Plus (picture, top). These are the new versions of Motorola’s entry level phones (the Moto G4 retails for around $349). The new models feature a “crafted metal design” for the first time for this line, octa-core processors, “long lasting, all-day batteries” and fingerprint readers. The Moto G5 has a full HD 5 inch display with soda lime glass, while the Plus gets a slightly larger 5.2 inch full HD display, but with Corning Gorilla Glass. Both run Android 7.0 Nougat. The camera in the Plus is slightly lower in resolution (12 megapixels) than the basic model (13MP). Both have 5 megapixel front cameras. Australian pricing and release dates unknown at this point.

Moto G5 Plus

A new line of tablets from Lenovo, the Tab 4 Series, are focused on “Kids and the Family”. Available in eight and ten inch models, they feature dual speakers and Dolby Atmos. Premium models are the Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus and Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus with “dual glass design”, full HD displays, more powerful processors and battery life increased to twelve hours. Various kid and business focused accessories are also available, including a Bluetooth keyboard and a kid’s mode that only allows access to white-listed web sites. Available in June, pricing is $269 and $349 for the Tab 4 8 and the Tab 4 10, and $369 and $499 for the Tab 4 8 Plus and the Tab 4 10 Plus, all respectively.

Lenovo Tab 4 8inch tablet

The Lenovo Miix 320 Detachable is a Windows 10 tablet and keyboard combo, with (as the name suggests), the one removable from the other. Available from May this year, the Miix 320 starts at a very tasty $449 including keyboard. It runs an Intel Atom X5 processor, a ten hour battery and storage of “up to” 128GB, which suggests that the entry model will be of lower capacity. Connectivity is a bit confusing, because the spec sheet refers to a “dock” which isn’t otherwise described. But the dimensions and a process of elimination suggests that this is just another name for the keyboard. So the “dock” offers a USB 2.0 port in addition to the connectivity of the tablet: USB Type-C, Micro HDMI, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2 and, as an option, the LTE cellular network. Without keyboard/dock, the tablet weighs 550 grams and is 9mm thick. Overall with keyboard/dock, it’s 19.5mm thick. The screen is 10.1 inches and offers full HD resolution.

Lenovo Yoga 720 13 inch

Finally, Lenovo’s Yoga 520 and 720 convertibles upgrade the classy Yoga range. The options on computers being what they are, all I’ll say about these is an overview. They’re Windows 10 devices, of course, and amongst the lighter and thinner computers on the market. Lenovo reckons they’re good for between seven and ten hours of battery life, depending on the model and options. As convertibles, the screen and keyboard can fold back to back, effectively turning them into tablets. Processors up to Intel Core i7 models are available. Fingerprint scanners are included or available, again depending on the model, and there’s even a 4K display option. They’ll be rolled out in Australia in May and June, with screen sizes of 13 inches, 14 inches and 15 inches, and from prices from starting at $1499 to $2699 depending on the model.