The mid-range Android tablet space is heating up, with both Honor and Huawei offering compelling options. The Honor Pad 9, with its established performance profile, faces off against the newer Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025). This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which tablet delivers the best balance of features and value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter display, the Honor Pad 9 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and measured 530 nits brightness provide a smoother experience and better visibility, despite the MatePad 11.5 S's faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | LTE | N/A |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Speed | LTE, 5G | - |
| Technology | LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 21 | 2025, August 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December 21 | Available. Released 2025, August 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 278.2 x 180.1 x 6.9 mm (10.95 x 7.09 x 0.27 in) | 261 x 177.3 x 6.1 mm (10.28 x 6.98 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | Yes (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 555 g or 568 g (1.22 lb) | 515 g (1.14 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Anti-glare glass | - |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1840 x 2800 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~291 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.5 inches, 391.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ) | TFT LCD, 144Hz, HDR Vivid |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | - |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | - |
| OS | Android 13, up to 1 major Android upgrades, Magic OS 7.2 | Harmony OS 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (cellular model only) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), gyro |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 40W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8300 mAh | 8800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, White | Gray, Silver, Mint, Purple |
| Models | HEY2-W09 | SLG-W50, SLG-W10 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Honor Pad 9
- Stronger measured display brightness (530 nits)
- Efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
- Excellent battery life (9:18h active use)
- 35W charging is slower than MatePad 11.5 S
- Limited camera details
Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025)
- Faster 40W wired charging
- 5W reverse wired charging
- Potentially newer software features (depending on HarmonyOS version)
- CPU details are vague, making performance comparison difficult
- Battery life is unknown
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad 9 boasts a measured peak brightness of 530 nits and a 1128:1 contrast ratio, providing a visually engaging experience. While the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S’s display specifications are currently limited, it’s reasonable to expect a similar IPS-level panel given its market positioning. The Honor Pad 9’s higher contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and more vivid colors. Without knowing the MatePad 11.5 S’s brightness, the Honor Pad 9 has a clear advantage for outdoor use or in brightly lit environments.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specifications are absent for both. This suggests a focus on video conferencing and casual snapshots rather than high-quality image capture. Without further information, it’s impossible to draw meaningful comparisons. We anticipate both tablets will feature basic rear and front-facing cameras suitable for video calls.
Performance
The Honor Pad 9 is powered by the Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm), an octa-core processor featuring four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This 4nm process node offers improved power efficiency compared to older generation chipsets. The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) only lists an octa-core CPU, lacking specific details. Given Huawei’s recent focus, it’s likely a Kirin or Snapdragon equivalent, but without knowing the fabrication process or core architecture, it’s difficult to assess its performance relative to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. The Honor Pad 9’s architecture suggests better sustained performance for gaming and demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Honor Pad 9 delivers an impressive 9:18 hours of active use, demonstrating strong battery life. The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) lacks battery capacity information, but compensates with 40W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging. While faster charging is convenient, the Honor Pad 9’s longer runtime suggests it can comfortably last through a full day of moderate use. The 5W reverse charging on the MatePad 11.5 S is a niche feature, useful for topping up accessories but not a primary selling point.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad 9 if you need a tablet for demanding multitasking, extended media consumption, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display. It’s ideal for students, professionals, and entertainment enthusiasts. Buy the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) if you prioritize quick top-ups and frequently find yourself needing to rapidly recharge your device, and are less concerned with peak performance during extended use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor Pad 9 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a capable mid-range chipset. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can run Genshin Impact at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense combat scenarios, but overall, the experience should be playable.
❓ How quickly does the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) charge from 0% to 100% with the 40W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charging time isn't available, a 40W charger should be able to fully charge the MatePad 11.5 S in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, assuming a battery capacity similar to other tablets in this class. This is significantly faster than the Honor Pad 9's 35W charging.
❓ What version of Android does each tablet run, and will they receive software updates?
The Honor Pad 9 runs Android 13 with Magic UI 7.1. Huawei's MatePad 11.5 S (2025) runs HarmonyOS 4.0. Software update support varies; Honor typically provides at least two major Android updates, while Huawei's update schedule for HarmonyOS is less predictable, often dependent on regional availability.
