Honor Pad 8 vs Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4: Which Tablet Should You Buy?

The tablet market is heating up, and these two contenders – the Honor Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 – are vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features, but cater to different needs and budgets. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the perfect device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is the clear winner for performance and charging speed thanks to its Snapdragon 870. However, the Honor Pad 8 offers excellent value for those prioritizing a large display and a more budget-friendly price point. It's a trade-off between power and affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Pad 8 Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
Network
2G bandsN/AN/A
3G bandsN/AN/A
4G bandsN/AN/A
EDGENoNo
GPRSNoNo
TechnologyNo cellular connectivityNo cellular connectivity
Launch
Announced2022, July 222022, August 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 29Available. Released 2022, August 24
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, aluminum backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions278.5 x 174.1 x 6.9 mm (10.96 x 6.85 x 0.27 in)285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in)
SIMNoNo
Weight520 g (1.15 lb)620 g (1.37 lb)
 Stylus supportStylus support (magnetic)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~194 ppi density)1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density)
Size12.0 inches, 409.9 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 1B colors, 350 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 650
OSAndroid 12, Magic UI 6.1Android 12, MIUI Pad 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flashColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, AF-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm20 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningNoNo
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2 video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometerAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 60% in 36 min, 100% in 68 min
TypeLi-Po 7250 mAhLi-Po 10000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDark Blue, Gold, MintBlack, Silver, Green
ModelsHEY-W09-
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 400 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

  • Large 12-inch display
  • Excellent value for money
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Good audio quality (likely quad speakers)

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Slower charging speed
  • Lower brightness display compared to Xiaomi
  • Camera quality is average

Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4

  • Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
  • Blazing-fast 67W charging
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Likely better display quality (resolution, brightness)

  • Higher price point
  • May be overkill for casual users
  • Software updates can be inconsistent (Xiaomi)

Display Comparison

The Honor Pad 8 boasts a large 12-inch display with a respectable 1468:1 contrast ratio. While the 392 nits brightness is decent, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s 12.4-inch display likely offers better color accuracy and potentially higher brightness (though specific measurements are needed). The Xiaomi also likely has a higher resolution, contributing to a sharper image. Overall, Xiaomi likely wins here.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality is often secondary on tablets. The Honor Pad 8 likely features a standard camera setup, while the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 probably has a slightly better camera system, but neither are expected to be exceptional. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions from both.

Performance

This is where the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 truly shines. The Snapdragon 870 is a significantly more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 680 found in the Honor Pad 8. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience on the Xiaomi. The Honor Pad 8 is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s 67W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Honor Pad 8’s 22.5W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity is likely similar, the Xiaomi’s charging speed gives it a significant advantage. Both should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage.

Buying Guide

The Honor Pad 8 is ideal for students, casual users, and those on a budget who want a large screen for media consumption and light productivity. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is perfect for power users, gamers, and creatives who demand top-tier performance, fast charging, and a premium experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Honor Pad 8 good for gaming?
The Honor Pad 8 can handle casual games, but it will struggle with demanding titles. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is a much better choice for serious mobile gaming.
❓ Which tablet has better battery life?
While both offer decent battery life, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s faster charging means less time tethered to a wall outlet.
❓ Is the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, fast charging, and a premium experience, then yes. If you're on a budget and primarily need a tablet for basic tasks, the Honor Pad 8 is a great value.