The tablet market offers a diverse range of options, but finding the right balance between performance, battery life, and price can be challenging. We pit the Honor Pad 9, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, against the Motorola Moto Tab G70, featuring the MediaTek Helio G90T, to determine which tablet reigns supreme for everyday use and entertainment.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Pad 9 emerges as the better choice. Its more efficient 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and brighter display offer a smoother, more visually appealing experience, despite the Moto Tab G70’s slightly lower price point. The Pad 9’s superior battery life in active use further solidifies its advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 21 | 2022, January 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December 21 | Available. Released 2022, January 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 278.2 x 180.1 x 6.9 mm (10.95 x 7.09 x 0.27 in) | 258.4 x 163 x 7.5 mm (10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Yes (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 555 g or 568 g (1.22 lb) | 500 g (1.10 lb) |
| | - | Water repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Anti-glare glass | - |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, up to 1 major Android upgrades, Magic OS 7.2 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (cellular model only) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8300 mAh | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, White | Modernist Teal, Blue |
| Models | HEY2-W09 | - |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 380 EUR |
Honor Pad 9
- More efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Faster 35W charging
- Potentially higher price
- May lack expandable storage (spec not provided)
Motorola Moto Tab G70
- Lower price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Likely includes expandable storage (typical for Motorola)
- Less efficient Helio G90T chipset
- Potentially dimmer display
- Slower 20W charging
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad 9 boasts a display capable of reaching 530 nits of peak brightness, providing excellent visibility even in well-lit environments. This contrasts with the Moto Tab G70, for which brightness data isn't provided, suggesting it may struggle in similar conditions. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Honor Pad 9’s measured 1128:1 contrast ratio indicates deeper blacks and a more dynamic image. The lack of detailed display specs for the Moto Tab G70 makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Honor Pad 9 clearly has the edge in measured display performance.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specs are unavailable. However, given the market segment, it’s safe to assume both feature modest camera setups primarily intended for video calls and casual snapshots. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to draw meaningful conclusions, but the focus should be on video call quality rather than photographic prowess for both devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad 9’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) is architecturally superior to the Motorola Moto Tab G70’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm). The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management. While the Helio G90T features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 utilizes four Cortex-A78 cores at 2.2 GHz, offering a performance advantage in multi-threaded tasks and demanding applications. This means the Honor Pad 9 will likely handle multitasking and graphically intensive games with greater ease and less throttling.
Battery Life
The Honor Pad 9 demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving 9:18 hours of active use. The Moto Tab G70’s battery life is not provided, making a direct comparison challenging. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s 4nm process contributes to significantly lower power consumption compared to the Helio G90T’s 12nm process. Furthermore, the Honor Pad 9 supports 35W wired charging, enabling faster replenishment compared to the Moto Tab G70’s 20W charging, minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad 9 if you prioritize a responsive user experience, a brighter and more vibrant display for media consumption, and longer battery life for extended use. Buy the Motorola Moto Tab G70 if you are on a very tight budget and primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like web browsing and video playback, and are willing to compromise on performance and display quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor Pad 9 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it should be capable of running Genshin Impact at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The 4nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, allowing for sustained performance during gaming sessions. However, don't expect the same level of performance as tablets with higher-end Snapdragon chips.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto Tab G70 support stylus input or a keyboard cover?
Motorola does not prominently advertise stylus or keyboard cover support for the Moto Tab G70. While it's possible third-party accessories exist, compatibility isn't guaranteed. The Honor Pad 9 also lacks official stylus support, focusing on core tablet functionality.
❓ How much does the difference in charging speed matter between the Honor Pad 9 and Moto Tab G70?
The Honor Pad 9’s 35W charging is significantly faster than the Moto Tab G70’s 20W charging. This translates to a quicker top-up, reducing downtime. While exact 0-100% times aren't available, the 35W charging will noticeably shorten the charging duration, especially for users who frequently use their tablet throughout the day.
