Choosing the right tablet can be tough, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting the budget-friendly Honor Pad 5 8 against the premium, albeit older, Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia XZ2 Premium boasts a significantly more powerful processor and a superior camera, alongside excellent sunlight readability. However, the Honor Pad 5 8 offers better value for money and a more modern software experience. The XZ2 Premium wins on performance, but the Pad 5 8 is a smarter buy for most.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, July | 2018, April. Released 2018, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 204.2 x 122.2 x 8.2 mm (8.04 x 4.81 x 0.32 in) | 158 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.22 x 3.15 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 236 g (8.32 oz) |
| | - | IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) | 3840 x 2160 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~765 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.8 inches, 91.5 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| | - | Runs at 1080 x 1920 pixels except for select use cases
Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.0 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 19 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF
12 MP B/W, f/1.6, 1/2.3", 1.55µm, predictive PDAF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Dynamic vibration system |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC3
Wireless (Qi) |
| Stand-by | Up to 816 h (2G) / Up to 696 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 46 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3540 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Champagne Gold, Dark Gray, Glacial Blue | Chrome Black, Chrome Silver |
| Models | JDN2-AL00HN | H8166, H8116, SOV38 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 460 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -87.6dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 77h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1411:1 (nominal), 2.867 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 73dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 264734 (v7), 288101 (v8)
GeekBench: 8509 (v4.4), 2099 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor Pad 5 8
- Excellent Value
- Modern Software
- Good for Casual Use
- Decent Display
- Less Powerful Processor
- Inferior Camera
- Lower Build Quality
Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium
- Powerful Snapdragon 845
- Superior Camera
- Outstanding Display
- Excellent Sunlight Readability
- Older Software
- Higher Price
- Potentially Limited Software Updates
- Older Device
Display Comparison
The Xperia XZ2 Premium's display shines with an exceptional 1411:1 contrast ratio and incredible sunlight readability (2.867), making it a clear winner for outdoor use and vibrant visuals. The Honor Pad 5 8 has a decent display, but lacks the premium quality and brightness of the XZ2 Premium. Resolution is likely similar, but color accuracy and overall visual experience favor the Sony.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia XZ2 Premium's camera system is a major advantage. While specific camera specs are not detailed, Sony's reputation for camera quality suggests a superior experience compared to the Honor Pad 5 8. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the XZ2 Premium.
Performance
Here, the Xperia XZ2 Premium takes a commanding lead. Its Snapdragon 845 chipset is significantly faster than the Kirin 710, offering smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. While the Pad 5 8 is capable for everyday tasks, the XZ2 Premium handles demanding applications with ease.
Battery Life
Both devices are reported to have an endurance rating of 77h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, real-world usage will vary. The XZ2 Premium's larger size might allow for a slightly larger battery capacity, but both should provide all-day battery life.
Buying Guide
The Honor Pad 5 8 is ideal for students, casual users, and those on a budget who need a reliable tablet for browsing, streaming, and light productivity. The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium is best suited for power users, photography enthusiasts, and those who demand top-tier performance, even if it comes with a higher price and older software.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia XZ2 Premium still worth buying?
It depends. If you prioritize performance and camera quality and don't mind an older device, it can be a good option. However, consider the lack of software updates and potential hardware limitations.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 845 processor.
