Honor's Pad lineup offers compelling options at various price points. The Pad V9 aims for performance with its Dimensity 8350 chipset, while the Pad X9a prioritizes longevity and affordability with the Snapdragon 685. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which tablet best aligns with your usage.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing demanding tasks like gaming and content creation, the Honor Pad V9 is the clear winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 8350. However, the Honor Pad X9a excels in battery endurance and represents a better value for everyday users who prioritize longevity and a lower price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | N/A | No |
| GPRS | N/A | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, December 17 | 2025, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 23 | Available. Released 2025, March 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 259.1 x 176.1 x 6.1 mm (10.20 x 6.93 x 0.24 in) | 267.3 x 167.4 x 6.8 mm (10.52 x 6.59 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 475 g (1.05 lb) | 475 g (1.05 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Mohs level 4 |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1840 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~291 ppi density) | 1504 x 2508 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~254 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 391.6 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.5 inches, 376.3 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 500 nits (typ) | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x3.20 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.20 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 8350 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G615-MC6 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/5.0" |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), gyro | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired - Global
66W wired - China | 35W wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 10100 mAh | Li-Ion 8300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Violet, Gray, White | Gray |
| Models | ROL-W00 | ELN2-W29 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 92:29h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class F |
| Free fall | - | Class E (10 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class C |
Honor Pad V9
- Significantly more powerful processor for gaming and multitasking.
- Potential for faster charging (66W in China).
- Likely superior display quality (resolution, refresh rate).
- Likely shorter battery life due to the more powerful processor.
- Potentially higher price point.
Honor Pad X9a
- Exceptional battery life (92:29h endurance).
- Long battery lifespan (1200 charge cycles).
- More affordable price point.
- Less powerful processor, limiting performance in demanding tasks.
- Likely a more basic display.
Display Comparison
Both tablets' display specifications are currently unavailable. However, given the V9's positioning, we anticipate a higher resolution and potentially a higher refresh rate panel compared to the X9a. The X9a's focus on value suggests a more standard LCD panel, while the V9 may incorporate an IPS LCD or even OLED technology. Bezels are likely to be slimmer on the V9, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy will be a key differentiator, with the V9 likely offering wider color gamut coverage.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Given the market segment, the X9a likely prioritizes a functional camera setup for basic photography, while the V9 may offer slightly improved image quality. Without specific sensor details, it's difficult to make a definitive comparison. We anticipate the V9 having a larger main sensor and potentially more advanced image processing algorithms. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is more likely on the V9, resulting in sharper images and smoother video recording. The 2MP macro cameras often found in this price range are unlikely to provide significant benefit on either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad V9’s Mediatek Dimensity 8350 (4nm) is a substantial leap ahead of the Honor Pad X9a’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm). The Dimensity 8350’s octa-core configuration, featuring a 3.35 GHz Cortex-A715 prime core, delivers significantly faster processing speeds and improved multi-tasking capabilities. The Snapdragon 685, with its Cortex-A73 cores peaking at 2.8 GHz, is geared towards efficiency rather than raw power. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 8350 also translates to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This means the V9 will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease and consistency.
Battery Life
The Honor Pad X9a boasts a remarkable 92:29h endurance rating, indicating exceptional battery life. While the Pad V9’s battery capacity is unknown, its more powerful processor will likely consume more energy. Both tablets support 35W wired charging, but the V9 is available with a 66W charger in China, offering significantly faster charging speeds. The X9a’s advertised 1200 charge cycles suggest a longer lifespan for the battery, retaining capacity over extended use. The X9a’s endurance rating suggests it can easily last a full day of typical use, while the V9 may require more frequent charging, especially with demanding applications.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad V9 if you need a tablet capable of handling graphically intensive games, video editing, or multitasking with numerous apps. Its superior processing power and potential for faster charging (in China) make it ideal for power users. Buy the Honor Pad X9a if you prefer a tablet that can last through a full day of moderate use, and you value long-term battery health. Its 92-hour endurance rating and 1200 charge cycles make it a reliable companion for students, commuters, and casual users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the Honor Pad X9a struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 685 is a mid-range chipset and will likely struggle to run Genshin Impact at high settings. You'll likely need to lower the graphics settings significantly to achieve playable frame rates, and even then, expect some stuttering. The Honor Pad V9 with its Dimensity 8350 is far better suited for demanding games.
❓ Is the 66W charging on the Honor Pad V9 available globally, or only in China?
Currently, the 66W charging is only confirmed for the Chinese market version of the Honor Pad V9. Global models are listed with 35W charging. This means the Chinese version will charge significantly faster, reaching full capacity in less time.
❓ How does the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 685 compare to the 4nm process of the Dimensity 8350 in terms of heat generation?
The 4nm process of the Dimensity 8350 is more efficient than the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 685. This means the Dimensity 8350 generates less heat for the same level of performance, reducing the likelihood of thermal throttling during prolonged use. While the Snapdragon 685 is efficient, it will run hotter under sustained load.