The tablet market offers a surprising number of options, especially in the budget segment. Today, we're pitting two contenders from Honor against each other: the Honor Pad 8 and the Honor Pad X8 Lite. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Pad 8 edges out the X8 Lite thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset and brighter display. While the X8 Lite offers a lighter design, the Pad 8's performance and screen quality make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 22 | 2022, September 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 29 | Available. Released 2022, November |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 278.5 x 174.1 x 6.9 mm (10.96 x 6.85 x 0.27 in) | 240.2 x 159 x 7.6 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 520 g (1.15 lb) | 460 g (1.01 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~194 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~156 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.0 inches, 409.9 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 9.7 inches, 272.8 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 350 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT8786 |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | - |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Unspecified |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 32GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| 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 | 22.5W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Gold, Mint | Mint Blue |
| Models | HEY-W09 | - |
| Price | About 330 EUR | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1468:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-22.7 LUFS (Excellent)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 279242 (v9)
GeekBench: 1545 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Honor Pad 8
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 680)
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- Generally smoother performance
- Potentially slightly thicker/heavier than X8 Lite
- Camera not exceptional
Honor Pad X8 Lite
- Lighter and more portable
- More affordable
- Decent battery life
- Weaker chipset (MT8786)
- Less vibrant display
- Slower charging
- Laggy performance with demanding apps
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad 8 boasts a superior display with a measured 392 nits of brightness and a high 1468:1 contrast ratio, offering better visibility and richer colors. The X8 Lite's display, while adequate, lacks the same level of vibrancy and brightness. Expect a more immersive viewing experience on the Pad 8.
Camera Comparison
Both tablets feature modest camera setups suitable for casual snapshots. The Pad 8 likely has a slightly better camera due to the more advanced chipset, but neither is a standout performer. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but limited low-light performance.
Performance
Here's where the Honor Pad 8 truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset is considerably more powerful than the Mediatek MT8786 in the X8 Lite. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The X8 Lite will handle basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both tablets likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. While specific battery capacities are not provided, both are expected to perform similarly in this area. The 22.5W wired charging on the Pad 8 offers a faster charging speed compared to the X8 Lite.
Buying Guide
The Honor Pad 8 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a vibrant display, and a smoother multitasking experience. The Honor Pad X8 Lite is a good option for those seeking a very lightweight tablet primarily for media consumption and basic tasks, and are on a tighter budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Honor Pad 8 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset. The X8 Lite will struggle with even moderately demanding games.
❓ Is the Honor Pad X8 Lite worth buying if I only need a tablet for reading?
The X8 Lite could suffice for reading, especially if budget is a primary concern. However, the Pad 8's better display will provide a more comfortable and enjoyable reading experience.