The Android tablet market is heating up, with both Honor and Xiaomi offering compelling options. The Honor MagicPad 13, leveraging the Snapdragon 888, aims for a balance of performance and affordability. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro steps up with the more advanced Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, promising a significant leap in processing power. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers noticeably faster performance and improved efficiency compared to the MagicPad 13’s Snapdragon 888. While the Honor offers a competitive price, the Xiaomi’s performance advantage justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | N/A |
| GPRS | No | N/A |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 12 | 2023, April 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 20 | Available. Released 2023, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 291.7 x 191.1 x 6.5 mm or 6.8 mm | 254 x 165.2 x 6.5 mm (10.0 x 6.50 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 660 g or 673 g (1.09 lb) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1840 x 2880 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1800 x 2880 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~309 ppi density) |
| Size | 13.0 inches, 494.7 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 700 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 9 MP, f/2.2 | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort, OTG, magnetic connector pins | USB Type-C 3.2, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
5W reverse wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 1 hour |
| Type | Li-Po 10050 mAh | Li-Po 8600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Gold | Black, Blue, Gold |
| Models | GDI-W09 | 23046RP50C |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 330 EUR |
Honor MagicPad 13
- More affordable price point
- Competent performance for everyday tasks
- 66W fast charging
- Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
- Less efficient than the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro
- Potentially lower resale value
Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Improved power efficiency
- PD3.0 and QC4 charging compatibility
- Higher price tag
- May not be a substantial upgrade for basic users
- Potential for slightly more heat under sustained load (though mitigated by the 4nm process)
Display Comparison
Both tablets likely feature LCD panels, a common choice in this price bracket. However, detailed display specs (resolution, refresh rate, peak brightness) are missing. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro, given its higher positioning, may benefit from a slightly wider color gamut or improved brightness. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests a standard refresh rate, impacting power consumption during dynamic content. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the tablet form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a primary focus for either tablet. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but both will likely feature a main camera and an ultrawide. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro, being the higher-end device, *may* have a slightly larger sensor or improved image processing algorithms. However, given the tablet form factor, camera quality is generally secondary to other features. Expect adequate performance for casual snapshots and video calls, but not flagship-level photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a clear upgrade over the Honor MagicPad 13’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm). The 8+ Gen 1 features the newer Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz versus the 888’s Cortex-X1 at 2.84 GHz, resulting in faster single-core performance. The 8+ Gen 1 also utilizes more efficient Cortex-A710 cores instead of the 888’s A78, improving multi-core performance and thermal management. The 4nm process node further enhances efficiency, reducing heat and allowing for sustained performance. While both utilize LPDDR5 RAM, the superior chipset in the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro will leverage it more effectively.
Battery Life
The Honor MagicPad 13 offers 66W wired charging, while the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro boasts 67W with support for PD3.0 and QC4. The Xiaomi’s charging standard compatibility provides greater flexibility. Both claim a full charge in around an hour, making the difference negligible in practical terms. Battery capacity is not specified, but the more efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro will likely translate to longer real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Honor MagicPad 13.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor MagicPad 13 if you prioritize value and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like media consumption and light productivity. It’s a solid option for users on a tighter budget. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro if you demand the best possible performance for gaming, demanding applications, or future-proofing. The 8+ Gen 1 chipset and faster charging make it a worthwhile investment for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the Honor MagicPad 13 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 888 can run Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will provide a smoother experience at higher settings, with less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro support external displays via USB-C?
While not explicitly stated, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro, given its support for PD3.0, likely supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode) over USB-C, allowing for connection to external monitors. The Honor MagicPad 13’s compatibility is less certain.
❓ How does the reverse wired charging on the Honor MagicPad 13 compare to using a power bank?
The 5W reverse wired charging on the Honor MagicPad 13 is primarily for emergencies, like topping up a pair of earbuds or a smartwatch. It's significantly slower than charging via a dedicated power bank and shouldn't be relied upon for substantial device charging.
