The budget tablet market is heating up, with the Blackview Tab 16 and Honor Pad X9a vying for attention. Both aim to deliver a capable Android experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Blackview focuses on a larger screen and a more recent processor generation, while the Honor prioritizes battery endurance and a more efficient chipset. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and consistent performance, the Honor Pad X9a emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 685 chipset, coupled with exceptional battery endurance (92:29h), provides a smoother, more reliable experience than the Blackview Tab 16's Unisoc T616, despite the latter's slightly newer CPU architecture.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 28 | 2025, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 20 | Available. Released 2025, March 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 260.1 x 164.7 x 8 mm (10.24 x 6.48 x 0.31 in) | 267.3 x 167.4 x 6.8 mm (10.52 x 6.59 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 533 g (1.18 lb) | 475 g (1.05 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Mohs level 4 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) | 1504 x 2508 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~254 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.5 inches, 376.3 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke OS_P 3.0 | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/5.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | No |
| Radio | FM Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 35W wired |
| Type | 7680 mAh | Li-Ion 8300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteorite Gray, Twilight Blue, Mint Green | Gray |
| Models | - | ELN2-W29 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 92:29h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class F |
| Free fall | - | Class E (10 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class C |
Blackview Tab 16
- Potentially larger display for immersive media viewing.
- More recent CPU core architecture (Cortex-A75).
- May offer a more affordable price point.
- Less efficient Unisoc chipset leads to shorter battery life.
- Likely to experience more thermal throttling under sustained load.
- Unknown battery capacity and charging speed.
Honor Pad X9a
- Exceptional battery life (92:29h endurance).
- Efficient Snapdragon 685 chipset for smooth performance.
- Fast 35W wired charging.
- 1200 charge cycles for long-term battery health.
- Older CPU core architecture (Cortex-A73).
- May have a smaller display compared to the Blackview Tab 16.
- Potentially higher price point.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a premium display, but key differences exist. While specific display specs for the Blackview Tab 16 are unavailable, the Honor Pad X9a’s focus is on endurance, suggesting a standard LCD panel. The Blackview Tab 16’s larger size (assumed, based on typical Blackview tablet offerings) will be beneficial for media viewing, but the Honor’s panel efficiency contributes to its superior battery life. Color accuracy and peak brightness are likely comparable, leaning towards the budget-friendly side for both.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are positioned as budget devices, and detailed camera specs are limited. It’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups geared towards casual snapshots. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison, but the Snapdragon 685’s image signal processor (ISP) generally offers better image processing capabilities than those found in Unisoc chipsets, potentially giving the Honor Pad X9a a slight advantage in image quality.
Performance
The core performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad X9a’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) is built on a more efficient process node than the Blackview Tab 16’s Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm). This translates to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. While the Blackview utilizes newer Cortex-A75 cores (2x2.0 GHz) compared to the Honor’s Cortex-A73 cores (4x2.8 GHz), the Snapdragon 685’s superior architecture and efficiency give it an edge in real-world responsiveness and multitasking. The Honor’s chipset is also more likely to support a wider range of codecs and features.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Honor Pad X9a truly shines. Its reported 92:29h endurance is exceptional for a tablet, and the 1200 charge cycles suggest long-term battery health. The 35W wired charging is a welcome addition, allowing for relatively quick top-ups. The Blackview Tab 16’s battery capacity is unknown, but given the less efficient Unisoc chipset, it’s unlikely to match the Honor’s longevity. The difference in process node (6nm vs 12nm) significantly impacts power consumption, giving the Honor a substantial advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Tab 16 if you need a larger display for media consumption and occasional multitasking, and are willing to compromise on battery life and sustained performance. Buy the Honor Pad X9a if you prioritize long-lasting battery, consistent performance for everyday tasks, and a more efficient chipset that minimizes throttling during extended use. The X9a is ideal for students, travelers, or anyone who needs a reliable tablet on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the Honor Pad X9a handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 685 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it provides a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How does the Unisoc T616 in the Blackview Tab 16 perform with multitasking?
The Unisoc T616 can handle basic multitasking, such as switching between apps and browsing the web. However, with numerous apps open simultaneously, you may experience some slowdowns due to its limited RAM and processing power compared to the Snapdragon 685.
❓ What is the expected lifespan of the Honor Pad X9a's battery with the 1200 charge cycles?
The 1200 charge cycles indicate that the Honor Pad X9a's battery is designed to retain at least 80% of its original capacity after 1200 full charge-discharge cycles. This suggests a significantly longer lifespan compared to tablets with standard battery designs.
❓ Is the Blackview Tab 16 a good choice for watching movies and videos?
The Blackview Tab 16 could be a decent option for media consumption, assuming it has a sufficiently large display. However, the less efficient chipset may require more frequent charging during extended viewing sessions.
