Is the Honor Pad 9 a Worthy iPad Alternative?

Introduction

It has been a year and a half since Honor released its last Android tablet, the Pad 8. But now, Honor has unveiled its latest offering, the Honor Pad 9. Priced at just 99 Pounds in the UK, the Honor Pad 9 is currently on sale as part of an Easter promotion, with a 50-pound discount. But does this tablet have what it takes to compete with the iPad? In this blog, we will take a deep dive into the features and specifications of the Honor Pad 9 to see if it is a worthy alternative to Apple’s popular tablet.

Design and Build Quality

The Honor Pad 9 boasts a sleek and attractive design. With a full metal chassis, the tablet looks and feels premium. Weighing just 555 grams, it is lightweight for a 12-inch tablet. The slim profile of the Honor Pad 9, at under 7mm thick, allows for easy portability and comfortable handling in both landscape and portrait modes. The bezels surrounding the screen provide ample grip without interfering with the display. While the tablet lacks water resistance, which is a feature found in some of Samsung’s latest Galaxy Tabs, it is still impressive for its price point. Available in a singular color, space gray, the Honor Pad 9 may not be visually striking, but it has a simple and smart appearance.

Unboxing and Setup

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When unboxing the Honor Pad 9, you will find that it comes with just a charging USB cable. An adapter is not included and must be purchased separately. The box itself is well-designed and visually appealing. Additionally, for an additional 100 Pounds, you can purchase a keyboard case cover stand for the Honor Pad 9, although this accessory is not included in the box. Setting up the tablet is straightforward, with no fingerprint sensor available. Instead, there is a power button for turning the device on and off. However, the Honor Pad 9 does offer a Face Unlock feature, which quickly recognizes your face and unlocks the tablet. Even in different lighting conditions, the Face Unlock works effectively. The tablet runs on Magic OS version 7.2, which is based on Android version 13. It is worth noting that there is no information about when the Honor Pad 9 will receive an update to Android version 14.

Storage and Software

The Honor Pad 9 comes with ample storage, offering 256GB of internal storage. However, it is important to note that there is no option to expand the storage with a micro SD memory card. While this should be sufficient for most users, it is worth considering if you require additional storage in the future. The tablet runs on Magic OS, which features a combination of Google’s familiar setup and Honor’s own customization. The Google Discover feed and apps tree are present, along with Honor-specific features such as dragging down the notifications bar from the left side of the screen and the control center from the right. The tablet does not come preloaded with excessive bloatware and includes useful features like a dedicated gaming mode.

Display and Audio

One of the standout features of the Honor Pad 9 is its 12.1-inch LCD screen. With a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, the display is sharp and vibrant, making movies and photos look impressive. While it doesn’t support HDR formats like HDR10 or Dolby Vision, the viewing angles are respectable, and the brightness is sufficient for outdoor use. The bezels surrounding the display house an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, and the tablet also features dual microphones, which are suitable for video calls. There is an unexpected 13-megapixel rear camera, although its usefulness on a tablet may be limited. Audio is delivered through eight speakers located on the left, right, and bottom edges of the tablet. The sound quality is satisfactory, providing a pleasant experience when watching videos or listening to audio. However, it is disappointing to note that the Honor Pad 9 does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack. Users will need to rely on the built-in speakers or connect wireless headphones via Bluetooth 5.1.

Performance and Battery Life

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor and backed by 8GB of RAM, the Honor Pad 9 offers smooth everyday performance. It is capable of handling games like Genshin Impact, although the experience may be more suitable for medium graphics settings. The tablet remains cool even during extended gaming sessions. Honor has included a dedicated gaming mode, providing useful tools such as performance mode and screen recorder. The tablet does not support cellular connectivity, limiting users to Wi-Fi for internet access. However, the Wi-Fi performance is reliable, with no buffering or connectivity issues experienced during testing. The Honor Pad 9 features an 8,300mAh battery, which delivers excellent battery life. Users can expect around 12 to 13 hours of continuous video streaming, making it an ideal companion for long trips or keeping children entertained. With mixed use throughout the day, including gaming, the tablet still provides several hours of playtime before needing to be recharged. However, it is worth noting that the tablet’s 35W charging speed is relatively slow, requiring overnight charging to reach full capacity.

Honor Pad 9 Conclusion

In conclusion, the Honor Pad 9 offers an impressive set of features and specifications at an affordable price. With its sleek design, sharp display, and reliable performance, it is a compelling alternative to the iPad. While it may lack certain features found in higher-end tablets, such as water resistance and expandable storage, it delivers excellent value for money. If you are in the market for an Android tablet and do not require specific advanced features, the Honor Pad 9 is certainly worth considering.