Lenovo ThinkTab X11: tested robust tablet with a removable battery
21.9.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Michelle Brändle
Lenovo's industrial tablet runs on battery or mains power and is extremely robust. I can remove the Thinktab X11's battery without tools and even operate the display in the rain.
If you want to operate a tablet with gloves on or replace the battery yourself, most tablets won't get you very far. Lenovo, on the other hand, specifically prepares the Thinktab X11 for harsh working conditions. Thanks to a special display, you can operate it even in bad weather.
Water is no obstacle – but sunlight is
The 11-inch Thinktab X11 weighs 650 grams and is one centimeter thick. Together with the included protective case, which also has room for the stylus, it is quite bulky. However, it is designed to withstand a lot, and Lenovo has engineered it accordingly.
The IPS display has a resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels. This display technology is practical for the intended continuous use, as unlike OLED, there is no risk of permanent burn-in of static image content with IPS.
The tablet reaches up to 600 nits. This brightness is perfectly adequate for me indoors, but in bright sunshine outdoors, I find it hard to see enough. With the 90-hertz refresh rate, scrolling is smooth.
I find the glove and wet-touch support of the display exciting. As the name suggests, this allows the device to be operated with gloves and when wet. If I spill a glass of water on the tablet or use it in the rain, I notice no limitations at all.
Even with my fluffy winter gloves, the touchscreen reacts reliably – although I have to press a little harder than usual. This is impressive and proves practical for working outdoors in bad weather.
What I also find extremely positive about the operation is the haptic feedback. When typing, the Thinktab X11 provides relatively strong vibrations. I find this pleasant, and it seems particularly valuable when typing with gloves.
Mid-range chip and military standard
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Mobile serves as the chip. It belongs to the mid-range and powers both smartphones and tablets in this category. In my benchmarks, it doesn't deliver outstanding performance, but it is sufficient for everyday tasks. I wouldn't play graphics-heavy games on it. However, that is not what the tablet is intended for.
In a performance comparison with other tablets, the Thinktab X11 unsurprisingly lands in the lower range. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 scores not only with the strongest chip performance (MediaTek Dimensity 9400+) but also with an IP68 protection rating. This means it is water and dustproof. The Matepad Pro 12.2 from Huawei has a matte display that reduces reflections in addition to a good chip (Kirin T92A).
The Thinktab X11 has other advantages: Lenovo has had it certified according to military standards (MIL-STD-810H) and with an IP68 protection rating. This makes it water and dustproof and able to withstand various extreme scenarios – at least under laboratory conditions. According to the military classification, the Thinktab X11 masters extreme temperatures, humidity, and vibrations.
I have two options for the necessary power: battery or USB-C connection. If I use the 10,200 mAh battery, I can easily replace or remove it without screws. This way, I can install the device in a fixed location and power it via USB-C. This is practical if it is always used in the same place in a business and the battery is not needed there at all.
If I plug the device in permanently, I use the second USB-C port to connect a keyboard or mouse. With the battery, the tablet lasts an impressive 19 hours. That is also well enough for long working days.
Lenovo includes a 13-megapixel camera on the back and an 8-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. The quality is okay. It is sufficient for capturing documents and the like. In addition, there are eight gigabytes (GB) of RAM and, depending on the version, 128 or 256 GB of internal storage. This can be expanded via microSD; otherwise, it would be a bit tight.
Another special feature is the front-accessible NFC reader. I can use it to collect data, manage inventory, or perform access controls. This allows employees to clock in via mobile phone, borrow tools with NFC tags, or record inventory.
The practical difference to regular barcodes and QR codes is that NFC does not need an optical field of view and also works if the tags are dirty. However, note that NFC tags only work individually and at a short distance (one to four centimeters).
Also included is the Lenovo Tab Pen XE stylus. Thanks to the ribbed end, it can be easily pulled out of the side compartment of the tablet case even with gloves or wet hands. It also feels high-quality and robust. It runs on an AAAA battery, so I never have to charge it, but I should always have spare batteries on hand. It also has a hole on the back to attach it to the tablet so it doesn't get lost. A well-thought-out concept.
Android 16, desktop mode, and smartphone mirroring
Lenovo puts Android 16 – one version behind the current Android 17 – on the tablet and provides it with its own user interface. The update periods are manageable: Lenovo promises two Android upgrades as well as four years of security patches.
In addition, the manufacturer offers a few practical functions, including a desktop mode. This starts automatically when I connect a keyboard. Alternatively, I can activate it via the settings or the quick bar. The operation is reminiscent of a notebook: apps are displayed as individual windows, and I can move them around. A taskbar appears at the bottom for quick access to individual programs.
Via Smart Connect, I can pair and control various devices via a dashboard. For example, I can stream apps from my smartphone to the tablet, mirror a laptop, and control my smartwatch. To do this, I install Smart Connect on the other device and connect both to the same Wi-Fi. A Lenovo or Motorola account is required for automatic connections.
I tried Smart Connect with my smartphone. The connection is smooth, and I can, for example, access my smartphone photos and videos directly on the tablet, download them, or share them directly.
In a nutshell
Good niche tablet with well-thought-out features
With the Lenovo Thinktab X11, you are not getting a tablet for ordinary everyday or entertainment use, but a specialized industrial and B2B tool. It excels primarily where regular consumer devices fail: in extreme weather conditions, during continuous operation at workstations, and in rugged work environments. I am particularly impressed by its excellent usability in the rain and while wearing gloves, the tool-less swappable battery (as well as battery-free operation when plugged in), the integrated front-facing NFC reader, and the well-thought-out stylus. Performance and outdoor display brightness are only average, but sufficient for daily work. A downside for enterprise use is the somewhat short software support period of four years.
Pro
- robust and weatherproof construction
- operable with gloves and when wet
- flexible battery concept (battery can be replaced and removed without tools)
- NFC reader
- practical and well-thought-out stylus
Contra
- only four years of security patches and two Android updates
- Display struggles in sunlight
- Mid-range performance
- Storage is limited to 256 gigabytes (though expandable)
Header image: Michelle Brändle
Ever since I learned how to hold a pen, I've been doodling away in bright colours. Thanks to my iPad, digital art has also become part of my life. That's why I love testing tablets – from the graphic design range to the regular kind. When I feel the urge to express my creativity without lugging lots of equipment, I go for the latest smartphones and start snapping away.
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