The rumors have gathered pace thanks to a benchmark test on a device with the model number PB2-690N. While we rarely trust unsubstantiated benchmark leaks — because the information can be easily faked — we know Lenovo will reveal new hardware in June, and that huge tablets have suddenly become more popular. At least, for manufacturers.
If the Lenovo tablet is a real product, the 18.4-inch screen is likely to have a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, and show Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Qualcomm may supply a 1.8GHz octa-core processor to power the slate, along with the Adreno 510 graphics chip. This suggests the tablet will use the Snapdragon 618 or 620 processor. The benchmark test also lists 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage space, plus an 8-megapixel rear camera, and a very basic VGA front camera.
A tablet with such a large screen may sound slightly ridiculous, but it wouldn’t be the first we’ve seen. Samsung announced the Galaxy View, a tablet with the same size screen as the rumored Lenovo model, and several months prior to this, Alcatel came up with the 17-inch Xess. Samsung’s tablet runs Android and is promoted as a portable TV, while the Xess uses the Phoenix operating system, an Android spin-off tailored for to give the Xess a more desktop-like user experience.
Should Lenovo announce the 18-inch tablet, it will have a higher resolution screen than both these competing mega-slates, and potentially stronger performance. However, while manufacturers are obviously keen on such big tablets, is anyone actually buying them? Tablet sales are falling overall, and we’re not sure making them even bigger will change that situation.
