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Lenovo Flex Vs Yoga: Which is better? (Comparison Review)

Lenovo Flex Vs Yoga: Which is better? (Comparison Review)

The Lenovo Flex vs Yoga can be explained easily by comparing their differences. For example, The Lenovo Yoga is different than the Flex because it has a faster processor, improved audio and display as well as a 33% longer battery life.

Compared to the Lenovo Flex, the Lenovo Yoga is significantly more powerful in terms of raw processing speed. If you’re looking to run multiple tabs, use a lot more memory, and stream movies simultaneously on your 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop, then the Yoga is for you.

The Flex on the other hand works best for those who are casual/moderate laptop users because it is slightly less powerful than the yoga, but has all the main features you’d need to effectively run a drawing app or surf the web with ease. 

Related: 7 Best stylus pens for Lenovo Yoga & Lenovo Ideapad

Related: Lenovo Thinkpad vs Ideapad: Which is better? | Comparison

The Yoga has a few advantages over the Flex for those who perform CPU-intensive tasks with their laptop. In this post I’ll be explaining the main differences in great detail in order to help you make the best possible choice between the Yoga and Flex Lenovo laptop models.

What is the difference between the Lenovo Flex Vs Yoga?

What is the difference between the Lenovo Flex Vs Yoga_ Chart info graph differences table

The difference between the Lenovo Flex and the Lenovo Yoga is that the Yoga uses higher quality laptop parts such as an improved display, Lenovo Active Pen is included, a faster processor, significantly better sound system, and 5 hours longer battery life. It’s an overall slightly faster 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop when compared to the Lenovo flex.

Meanwhile the Lenovo Flex is better for those looking for an affordable option and don’t plan to run multiple applications, such as low CPU-intensive tasks. The Flex is similar to the Yoga in terms of RAM capability and general usage of functions. It simply uses less expensive parts compared to the Yoga and has a SSD (hard drive) with less storage. (512GB of the Flex vs 1-2TB of the Yoga)

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

While the Flex model does not include the Lenovo Active pen- it is compatible with it upon additional purchase. The flex is an overall strong, affordable laptop for those who perform moderate usage; such as for work or sketching without running multiple apps in the background.

Related: ThinkBook vs ThinkPad: What are the differences? (comparison)

SpecsLenovo Yoga 9iLenovo Yoga C940Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
Processor13th gen Intel i7 (up to 3.7 GHz)10th gen Intel i7 or AMD (2.6 GHz)i5 or i7 or AMD (1.2 GHz)
RAMUp to 16GbUp to 16GbUp to 16Gb
Display14″ (OLED, 4K)14″ or 15.6″ Glossy (500 nits)14″ or 15.6″ Glossy (250 nits)
Storageup to 1TBup to 2TBup to 512GB
AudioDolby Atmos with 3d soundDolby Atmos with 3d soundDolby (Standard)
Lenovo pen compatibilityStylus Pen CompatibleStylus Pen CompatibleStylus Pen Compatible
GraphicsIntegrated Intel® Iris Xe GraphicsNvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4GBIntegrated Intel® UHD Graphics
Lenovo appears to be integrating AMD processors in addition to intel as different versions for both the Yoga and Flex Lenovo models.

Which is better: Lenovo Flex or Yoga?

What is the difference between the Lenovo Flex Vs Yoga_ Chart info graph differences table

Lenovo Yoga boasts higher screen display quality of 500 nits compared to the Flex (250 Nits), as well as a faster processor and multiple upgrades compared to the Flex models. The Flex is a more affordable 2-in-1 laptop. Whereas the Lenovo Yoga is faster, has a longer battery life, and is 1LB lighter.

The Yoga, when compared to the Lenovo flex, has more RAM & memory, 5 hours more battery life, improved sound system, and extra features when compared to the Lenovo Flex models.

For example, the LenovoYoga C940 has the following improved features over the Flex:

  • FHD, IPS, glossy touchscreen (high quality)
  • 10th gen intel core (very speedy) 
  • 16GB RAM (earlier models: 8 & 12gb RAM)
  • Up to 2TB of storage
  • 15 hours battery life per session (1 hour plugged in gives 80% battery) 
  • Dolby Atmos speaker system for 3d sound
  • Lenovo Active Pen included
  • privacy shutter for webcam, and fingerprint passlock protection

Now, compare this to the Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5, which has the following tech specs & features: a slightly downgraded processor (Intel i-7), similar RAM, up to 512GB max storage, 10 hours of battery life (Compared to the yoga’s 15 hours), and a standard dolby sound system (sounded good, but not as robust or clear as the Yoga)

Keep in mind: the Lenovo Active Pen (Digital pen) was not included in the Flex model I bought, which can be a big decision changer for those since it would be an additional purchase if you choose the flex model over the Yoga. Related: Lenovo Active Pen 2 vs 1 Review & Compatibility

Processor: Is the Lenovo Flex or Yoga faster?

Processor - Is the Lenovo Flex or Yoga faster_

The Processor of the Lenovo Yoga models are much quicker compared to the Lenovo Flex. 

The differences between the Flex and Yoga processors will affect your daily laptop performance when you are using multiple chrome tabs, drawing software, music and any other apps you might run simultaneously. (example, Flex Intel i-7 vs Yoga 10th gen) 

  • If you plan to run software (ex. Adobe photoshop) in addition to multiple chrome tabs, with music and other apps such as discord, youtube, and netflix, then you’ll be better off with Lenovo Yoga’s faster processor rather than the flex’s.
  • If you’re a casual user of your laptop and don’t plan to run multiple apps at once, then the processors of the Lenovo Flex 2-in-1 models will be just fine. 

Related: Best Stylus for Photoshop illustrator photo editing (non-Lenovo)

The Yoga is a bit of an upgrade regarding overall speed and getting by with the Flex works if you are a casual or moderate 2-in-1 Laptop user and don’t plan to run CPU-intensive tasks quite often. It’s capable of the same tasks the Yoga is, but is just one step behind regarding technical benchmarks. This is what allows the Flex to be so cost-effective.

Lenovo Flex vs Yoga: Which is better for drawing and writing?

Lenovo Flex vs Yoga_ Which is better for drawing and writing_

Compared to the Flex models, The Lenovo Yoga is the better laptop for drawing due to not only its display, but it’s speed. It’s faster processor allows you to run more applications simultaneously and it’s improved FHD IPS screen will display sketching, animation and drawing better than the Flex.

The Lenovo Flex did not come with the Lenovo Active Pen, whereas the Yoga model does include the pen with its purchase.

The Lenovo Yoga is also much lighter, making it a better portable drawing tablet when compared to the Flex, which does not include the pen because its a budget/discount model and is meant to be more affordable while not sacrificing as much quality.

With this in mind, the Lenovo Yoga is a premium model and the Flex is standard because they both include very good, compatible hardware.

Related: 7 Best Cheap Tablets for Watching Movies

Writing on the Yoga and the Flex: How is it for note taking?

Lenovo Flex vs Yoga - How is it for note taking, Can you take notes well with it_

When it comes to writing and note-taking, the Lenovo Yoga offers a slightly higher performance than the Flex models do (from my personal experience).

Besides that, when folded into its flip display mode, Lenovo Yoga becomes a note taking and portable drawing tablet machine. The way the tablet is tilted is perfect for the classroom, online learning, remote work and business. I’ve stored all my notes on OneNote when using the Lenovo Laptops.

The design of the Yoga series is similar in creativity and originality, especially compared to other models in this line-up. When note-taking I was not disappointed.

Related: Best Tablets with SD Card slot (expandable storage)

Lenovo Yoga vs Flex: Which is more Portable? (size)

Lenovo Yoga vs Flex_ Which is more Portable_ size - the yoga weighs less

The Lenovo Yoga weighs 2.98lbs and is roughly 1lb less than the Flex. The Flex weighs 3.96lbs and felt slightly more bulky when compared to the Yoga. This makes the Yoga more ideal for school, college students, teachers and anybody who plans on prioritizing mobility/portability when choosing a laptop.

The Lenovo Yoga is more slim and also has a longer battery and a higher price tag when compared to the Lenovo Flex touchscreen laptops (benefits).

The Lenovo flex is more bulky and has a shorter battery life of one-third alongside it’s budget price point. The two have similar dimension overall and you have your choice between a 14″ and 15.6″ screen as well as a few other options depending on which model you choose amongst the Lenovo Yoga and Flex.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex vs Yoga: Which has more Ram?

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex vs Yoga - Which has more Ram_

The Lenovo Flex and Yoga surprisingly compete with similar RAM capabilities. This is one of the few features the Yoga and Flex have in common. Otherwise the display and processor of the Yoga will outperform the Flex. Keep in mind that RAM is only working memory and the processor also determines your laptop performance. 

The Yoga has models  hat boast 8gb, 12, and 16gb. The 16GB RAM models on both the Flex and Yoga are enough for most who open multiple chrome tabs while running a program or two. The Yoga can utilize the memory a bit better due it it’s processor as stated previously, especially the Yoga 9i model.

Which laptop has a better audio system: Lenovo Yoga or Flex?

Which laptop has a better audio - sound system_ Lenovo Yoga or Flex_

When it comes to audio, the Yoga packs a significantly bigger punch. The Yoga has an improved sound system when compared to the Flex. Yoga boasts a rotating sound bar with a Dolby Atmos speaker system. It also has 2x microphones and is ideal for those who value sound.

…meanwhile the Flex has a standard Dolby Audio System with 2x 2W speakers.

Battery Life (IdeaPad Flex vs Yoga 9i & C940)

Battery Life of the IdeaPad Flex vs Yoga 9i & C940

The Yoga outshines the Lenovo flex when it comes to battery life with an outstanding 15 hours straight out of the box… compared to the Lenovo flex 10 hour battery life, which is still fairly long for a laptop.

Not only is the Yoga more thin, but it has a better battery; which is just one reason why it’s a bit more expensive when compared to the Flex. It also has a Rapid Charge feature that allows you to charge your battery up to more than three quarters full in under an hour when it’s plugged in using the laptop’s standby mode or powered off.

The Flex on the other hand boasts roughly 10 hours of battery life and is a bit more thick in size. However, it’s significantly more affordable when compared to the yoga models. If you’re like most you have the laptop plugged in much of the time. 

If you’re the type that is on the go often and portability is the feature you value most, then the Lenovo Yoga may be worth its price tag.

Storage size compared (SSD hard drive)

Flex vs Yoga_ Storage size compared-SSD hard drive

When comparing storage capabilities of the Lenovo Yoga and the Lenovo Flex it’s important to note that the Flex can store up to 512GB in the Flex 5 models and earlier. The Yoga on the other hand has 512 GB or 1TB standard with the capability of up to 2TB of storage, out performing the Flex in addition to it’s battery, display, processor and included active official lenovo pen.

If you want the storage capability of 512GB on the Flex you’ll need to make an upgrade, which makes the laptop more expensive. At this point you may want to consider the upgrade to the entire Lenovo Yoga if that is the case. In most cases, cloud storage can always help if you run low since anything under 512GB is getting a bit small with 4k video becoming the norm.

Flex vs Yoga: Included ports and slot

Flex vs Yoga_ Included ports and slot

The Yoga C940 has two USB 3.1, Type-C Ports. One USB Type A, DisplayPort and a headphone & mic combination making it a highly versatile and flexible 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop. Having a Type-C port on the two laptops means for better connectivity to third party devices, especially the most updated models.

Lenovo Yoga and flex are both considered some of the Best wireless drawing tablets by those in various digital art communities online.

Both the Yoga and Flex models have a ‘privacy’ shutter that protects the webcam from viewing you, however Yoga has something called ‘TrueBlock’ privacy. The Lenovo Yoga and Flex both use Windows as their primary operating system allowing for a highly compatible laptop/tablet.

Similarities between the Lenovo Flex and Yoga models

Similarities between the Lenovo Flex and Yoga models

Both laptop models, Lenovo Yoga and Flex, have a Webcam ‘shutter’ for privacy, a fingerprint as it’s password lock, touchscreen, and 2-in-1 functions that make for a great drawing laptop. They both are compatible with the Lenovo active pen which allows for palm rejection technology and pressure sensitivity strong enough for a digital artist to use.

The Yoga has a pen holders built into the 2-in-1 laptop and both laptops essentially have the same features when it comes to functionality. The Yoga is slightly better in most individual technical Laptop parts, but have the same practical use overall for those in search of a 2-in-1 laptop for moderate use.

The Ram between the two are similar at a max capacity of 16GB for most models, though this continues to increase in lenovo models to most likely 32Gb and 64Gb.

As mentioned- the ram is very similar between the Lenovo Yoga and the flex comparison chart

Our Rating Summary

Rating AreasLenovo IdeaPad Flex 5Lenovo Yoga
C940
Lenovo Yoga
9i
Notes/Comments
Design7910The Yoga 9i offers a premium build with high-quality materials, outclassing both the Flex and Yoga.
Processor (CPU)689The Yoga 9i’s 13th gen Intel i7 processor offers superior performance.
Memory (RAM)799All three models offer up to 16GB RAM, but Yoga and Yoga 9i utilize it more efficiently.
Storage799Yoga 9i offers up to 1TB, matching the Yoga but outclassing the Flex’s 512GB.
Graphics Card788Yoga 9i and Yoga have similar graphics capabilities, both superior to the Flex.
Battery Life7910Yoga 9i offers superior battery life, making it the best choice for those on the go.
Audio689Yoga 9i’s Dolby Atmos with 3D sound offers an immersive audio experience.
Pen Compatibility799All are pen-compatible, but Yoga and Yoga 9i often include the pen, unlike the Flex.
Portability899Yoga 9i is lightweight and powerful, making it highly portable like the Yoga.
Overall Average Rating6.98.69.2Yoga 9i emerges as the superior laptop, offering premium features and performance.

Notes:

  • Design: The Yoga 9i offers a premium build quality, surpassing both the Flex and the standard Yoga.
  • Processor: With its 13th gen Intel i7 processor, the Yoga 9i offers the best performance among the three.
  • Memory: All three models offer up to 16GB of RAM, but the Yoga and Yoga 9i are likely to utilize it more efficiently due to their superior processors.
  • Storage: The Yoga 9i matches the Yoga with up to 1TB of storage, both of which are superior to the Flex’s 512GB.
  • Graphics Card: The Yoga 9i and Yoga offer similar graphics capabilities, both of which are superior to the Flex.
  • Battery Life: The Yoga 9i offers the best battery life, making it the most suitable for people who are frequently on the move.
  • Audio: The Yoga 9i’s Dolby Atmos with 3D sound offers a more immersive audio experience than the other two models.
  • Pen Compatibility: All three models are pen-compatible, but the Yoga and Yoga 9i often include the pen as part of the package, unlike the Flex.
  • Portability: The Yoga 9i is as portable as the Yoga but offers superior features, making it the best choice for those who need a powerful yet portable machine.
  • Overall Average Rating: The Yoga 9i emerges as the superior laptop in this comparison, offering a range of premium features and top-notch performance.

My personal thoughts after using the Lenovo Flex & Yoga

After spending time with both the Lenovo Flex and Yoga, I can confidently say that each has its own niche. The Yoga is a powerhouse, perfect for those who need to multitask or run CPU-intensive applications.

It’s the kind of laptop that makes you feel like there’s nothing it can’t handle, and the added perks like a better display and longer battery life make it a joy to use.

The Flex, on the other hand, is the everyday warrior. It’s reliable for browsing, light work tasks, and even some creative endeavors like drawing. While it may not have the bells and whistles of the Yoga, it offers a solid performance that would satisfy the needs of a casual to moderate user. Plus, its more budget-friendly price tag makes it accessible for a wider range of people.

If you’re not a big fan of 2-in-1 laptops, you could also see if a tablet for work, business, or productivity is right for you.

FAQ: Lenovo Flex vs Yoga

Is the Lenovo Flex 5 a good laptop or should I get the Lenovo Yoga?

You should get the Lenovo Flex 5, an ideal 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop, if you are someone that values both affordability and portability. It is a good, inexpensive touchscreen laptop for drawing, work, college, school and does not include a lenovo pen, but has the capability to use it. The Lenovo Yoga should be chosen over the Flex is you value speed and enhanced laptop features.

How much better is the Lenovo Yoga than the Flex?

How much better is the yoga than the flex_ (Lenovo)

The Lenovo Yoga is a good laptop for those who value faster processor speed, better audio system, more clear screen and overall improved technical features. This could be work professionals or those who are artists. The Lenovo Yoga is better than the Lenovo Flex in many technical aspects; display, audio, battery life, and processing speed. 

Alternatively, the cheap Lenovo Tablets work well if you are looking to only use the Tablet for a streaming service, like Amazon Prime or Netflix. See: The 17 Best budget tablets for Netflix

Which is better for Digital Art: The Lenovo Flex or Yoga?

The Lenovo Yoga is better than the Lenovo Yoga for Digital artists who run more than one drawing program at a time while running music apps alongside multiple google tabs. The Yoga is better for anyone creating professional level artwork because of it’s higher processor speed, longer battery life and improved display when compared to the Flex.

Related: 7 Best drawing tablets that don’t require a computer

Digital art is a form of art that uses digital technology as part of the creative and/or presentation process-the Lenovo Yoga and Flex can both assist you with this. I personally would prefer an iPad and Apple Pencil, but the Lenovo touch screen models work well with the active pen from lenovo for sketching, some argue just as well as the Apple Pencil (this is questionable)

Digital art can be accomplished using computers and other digital technologies, as well as by other means such as the Wacom Tablets and Huion drawing pads and the pros and cons of these should be weighed out before you decide. To help your decision be sure to consider what apps you plan to run. If it’s procreate, then the Lenovo Flex and Lenovo Yoga will not be able to run it since its iOS only.

The Flex models are quite good for drawin, sketching and note-taking, even if you’re just a beginner. If you’re looking for an entry-level model, it’s hard to find an affordable laptop that is as fast, as balanced and as versatile since it has good security on top of its capability for digital art. The Flex 14 is also very light, which is a big plus for those looking to draw or take notes portably.

See the best The 11 Best Laptops for Drawing & Digital Art [Artist Guide]

Bottom Line

Overall, when comparing the Lenovo Yoga vs flex, the two have many differences that range from processor, battery, RAM, display, screen size, extra drawing capabilities, speed and graphics capabilities.

While the Lenovo Yoga has a higher price and premium features, the Flex can get away with the most essential functions you’d need in a 2-in-1 laptop and at a lower price point. Making it a very good, cheap affordable 2-in-1 laptop. The Lenovo Yoga is strong enough to rival many premium laptops. 

Lenovo Yoga C940 and the Yoga i9 models are incredibly strong and outperform the Lenovo Flex in most benchmarks outside of RAM. The Yoga models can store up to 2TB (SSD) when fully upgraded, where the Flex can reach up to 512GB max.

The Lenovo Flex has the advantage of being a highly affordable touchscreen laptop for those that mainly use a few apps here and there, but mostly surf the web, use powerpoint, attend video conferencing as well as other moderately low CPU-intensive functions.

The main difference between the two is that the Lenovo Yoga is a stronger, faster, more premium 2-in-1 laptop compared to the Flex. The Flex is more inexpensive and is great for basic work tasks with a strong working memory and active pen compatibility.

About the author:

Photo of Paul Michael, Founder of MediaPeanut

Paul Michael

Paul Michael is a media and technology expert whose research reveals how technology and media are being used in the world today. He has expertise on computers, the internet, streaming, Roku, electronics, and education. He also enjoys graphic design & digital art. Paul has his Bachelors of Arts and Science(s) from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ