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| The Tab Plus Gen 2 has an unusual design. |
Lenovo is quietly building up an impressive arsenal of Android tablets aimed at the Chinese market, and if you are a fan of high-quality portable entertainment, the company might just have a device with your name on it. While much of the recent buzz has surrounded the upcoming Legion Y700 (Gen 5) gaming tablet—positioned as a fresh alternative to the iPad mini—and the new Xiaoxin lineup, a third device has just stepped out of the shadows thanks to a listing from a prestigious design awarding body.
Meet the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2, a tablet that is clearly prioritizing media consumption and audio quality above all else.
A Design That Stands Out (Literally)
The device was recently spotted on the iF Design website, a platform known for showcasing award-worthy product design ahead of official announcements. According to the iF Design winner ranking, the Tab Plus Gen 2 is shaping up to be one of the most distinctive-looking slates Lenovo has released in recent memory.
The most striking feature is the hardware itself. The tablet boasts a 12.1-inch display capable of outputting at a crisp 2.5K resolution, making it ideal for streaming high-definition content. However, it’s the rear panel where things get interesting.
On the back, you will find a thick, circular protrusion. This isn't just a quirky design choice to hold the Lenovo logo; it serves a very specific purpose. The circular housing contains a sophisticated 'JBL 9-unit PRO' speaker system. To ensure the audio is as punchy as the visuals are sharp, Lenovo has included passive radiators designed to maximize bass response, promising a rich and immersive soundstage without the immediate need for Bluetooth headphones.
Portrait, Landscape, and Everything In Between
Beyond the audio hardware, the iF Design listing confirms a highly practical addition that multimedia consumers will appreciate: a built-in stand.
Unlike flimsy third-party case covers, this integrated kickstand allows the tablet to prop up securely in both portrait and landscape orientations. Whether you are scrolling through social media or watching a widescreen movie, the stand offers flexibility without adding bulk.
For those who like to do more than just consume, the Tab Plus Gen 2 also appears to offer support for an active stylus, bridging the gap between entertainment device and productivity tool.
What’s in a Name?
Before you start searching for pre-order buttons, it is worth noting that "Tab Plus Gen 2" might not be the final retail name. As industry observers at Liliputing point out, Lenovo has a history of using codenames or preliminary titles on certification and design sites. For example, the device previously known as the ThinkPad Rollable XD eventually surfaced under a different consumer name (MaxArt).
You can read more about the speculation surrounding the naming and the leaked specs over at Liliputing's coverage.
A MWC 2026 Debut?
The timing of this leak is telling. With MWC 2026 set to kick off in Barcelona next week, the industry is bracing for a wave of new hardware announcements. The appearance of the Tab Plus Gen 2 on iF Design right now strongly implies that Lenovo is ready to take the wraps off this device on the show floor very soon.
If you are in the market for a compact tablet, the Legion Y700 Gen 5 remains a tempting prospect for gamers looking for something smaller than the standard Android flagship, offering a direct challenge to Apple's dominance in the small-tablet segment. You can currently compare it to the current market leader, the iPad mini, available on Amazon here.
However, for users who value screen real estate and speaker quality above all else, the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 looks like it will be the dark horse of the company's 2026 lineup. We will be watching MWC closely to see if this JBL-powered behemoth lives up to the hype.
Source: iF Design via Liliputing
