The mid-range tablet market is heating up, with the Honor Pad 10 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE vying for dominance. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but they take different approaches. The Honor Pad 10 leverages Qualcomm's latest 4nm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, while Samsung opts for its in-house 5nm Exynos 1380. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which tablet delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and longevity, the Honor Pad 10 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, built on a more efficient 4nm process, offers a performance edge and superior battery endurance (112:53h) compared to the Tab S9 FE. However, Samsung's 45W charging and established ecosystem are strong considerations.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE - cellular model only | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA - cellular model only | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, May 22 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May 29 | Available. Released 2023, October 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 277.1 x 179.3 x 6.3 mm (10.91 x 7.06 x 0.25 in) | 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm (10.01 x 6.53 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Yes (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 525 g (1.16 lb) | 523 g or 524 g (1.15 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1440 x 2304 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 344.5 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 12 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 45W wired, QC2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 10100 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyan, Gray | Mint, Silver, Gray, Lavender |
| Models | HEY3-W00 | SM-X510, SM-X516B |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 112:53h endurance, 1400 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class F | - |
| Free fall | Class E (4 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Honor Pad 10
- Superior battery life (112:53h endurance)
- More efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm)
- Longer battery lifespan (1400 charge cycles)
- Display specifications unknown
- Less established ecosystem compared to Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- Faster 45W charging with QC2.0
- Integration with Samsung ecosystem
- Likely vibrant display quality
- Less efficient Exynos 1380 (5nm)
- Potentially more thermal throttling
Display Comparison
While display specifications are missing for the Honor Pad 10, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE boasts a large display. The Exynos 1380's image signal processor will likely deliver vibrant colors. The Tab S9 FE's display benefits from Samsung's display expertise, but without knowing the Honor Pad 10's panel type or resolution, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Tab S9 FE's larger screen size is a clear advantage for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. Given the market segment, neither tablet is expected to excel in photography. The focus will likely be on adequate performance for video calls and casual snapshots. Without specific sensor details, it's difficult to assess image quality. We can assume Samsung's image processing algorithms will provide a more polished look, but the Honor Pad 10 could potentially offer a more natural image profile.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad 10’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A715 cores – compared to the Tab S9 FE’s Exynos 1380 (5nm) which relies on Cortex-A78 cores. While both are octa-core, the Snapdragon’s newer architecture generally translates to better single-core performance and improved efficiency. The 4nm process node further enhances the Snapdragon’s thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during prolonged gaming or demanding applications. The Tab S9 FE’s Exynos 1380, while capable, is likely to exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load. The Honor Pad 10's CPU configuration (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) suggests a focus on both peak performance and sustained efficiency.
Battery Life
The Honor Pad 10’s battery endurance of 112:53h is a significant advantage. This suggests a highly optimized power consumption profile, likely due to the efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. While the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE supports faster 45W charging with QC2.0, the Honor Pad 10’s longer battery life may negate the need for frequent charging. The Honor Pad 10 also boasts a reported 1400 charge cycles, indicating a longer lifespan for the battery itself. The Tab S9 FE’s 45W charging will offer quicker top-ups, but the Honor Pad 10’s overall battery performance is superior.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad 10 if you need a tablet that can handle demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking for extended periods without significant throttling, and if battery life is paramount. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE if you prefer a tablet deeply integrated with the Samsung ecosystem, value faster charging speeds (45W with QC2.0), and appreciate the S Pen functionality, even if it comes at a slight performance trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the Tab S9 FE tend to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380, being built on a 5nm process, is prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles played for extended periods may experience performance drops as the chip heats up. The Honor Pad 10's Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, with its 4nm process, is better equipped to manage heat and maintain consistent performance.
❓ How does the 1400 charge cycle claim for the Honor Pad 10 translate to real-world battery health?
A 1400 charge cycle rating suggests the Honor Pad 10's battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its original capacity even after numerous charge-discharge cycles. This means the battery will likely maintain good health and performance for a longer period compared to tablets with lower cycle ratings, potentially extending the usable lifespan of the device.
❓ Is the difference between the Cortex-A78 cores in the Exynos 1380 and the Cortex-A715 cores in the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 substantial in everyday use?
Yes, the Cortex-A715 cores in the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 represent a generational improvement over the Cortex-A78 cores in the Exynos 1380. The A715 offers better performance per watt and improved instruction set efficiency, resulting in snappier responsiveness and smoother multitasking in everyday tasks. While the difference may not be immediately noticeable in basic operations, it becomes more apparent when running demanding applications or games.
