The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Pad X8 Pro and Realme Pad 2 Lite are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver a solid Android experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Honor Pad X8 Pro leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 685, while the Realme Pad 2 Lite opts for MediaTek's Helio G99. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which tablet offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and sustained multitasking, the Honor Pad X8 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 685, with its Cortex-A73 cores, provides a noticeable edge in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s 15W charging is a significant convenience factor for those who value quick top-ups.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 05 | 2024, September 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 05 | Available. Released 2024, September 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 267.3 x 167.4 x 6.9 mm (10.52 x 6.59 x 0.27 in) | 258 x 169.5 x 8.3 mm (10.16 x 6.67 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 495 g (1.09 lb) | 525 g (1.16 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~207 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~79.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 for Pad |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Unspecified |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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 | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | 8300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Purple, Mint | Nebula Purple, Space Grey |
| Models | - | RMP2402 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Honor Pad X8 Pro
- More powerful CPU for multitasking and demanding apps
- Efficient Snapdragon 685 chipset for sustained performance
- Potentially better long-term software support from Honor
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Unspecified battery capacity could be a limitation
Realme Pad 2 Lite
- Faster 15W wired charging for quick top-ups
- MediaTek Helio G99 offers good peak performance
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Less powerful CPU cores for sustained workloads
- May exhibit more throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor Realme provide display specifications beyond the basic panel size. However, given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies under the hood. Without PWM frequency data, it's difficult to assess flicker-related eye strain, but both brands typically target a reasonable experience. The absence of high refresh rates (90Hz or 120Hz) is expected in this segment, focusing instead on power efficiency. Bezels are likely comparable, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for buyers in this segment. Both tablets likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual snapshots. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both utilize modest sensors. The Realme Pad 2 Lite may benefit from MediaTek’s ISP enhancements, but the overall image quality will be heavily dependent on software processing. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; sensor size and lens quality are far more critical.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. The Honor Pad X8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) features an octa-core configuration with four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.8 GHz, paired with four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.9 GHz. This architecture prioritizes sustained performance. The Realme Pad 2 Lite, conversely, utilizes the MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm) with a configuration of two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. While the Helio G99’s A76 cores offer higher peak performance, the Snapdragon 685’s A73 cores are more efficient and maintain performance for longer durations. The Realme Pad 2 Lite’s reliance on six A55 cores suggests a focus on power efficiency, potentially at the expense of multitasking prowess. RAM configurations are not specified, but LPDDR4X is a likely standard for both, limiting memory bandwidth.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s inclusion of 15W wired charging is a clear advantage. The Honor Pad X8 Pro likely relies on a slower charging standard, potentially 10W, resulting in significantly longer charge times. While a larger battery capacity on the Honor Pad X8 Pro could partially offset this, the convenience of faster charging on the Realme Pad 2 Lite is a tangible benefit for users who frequently need to top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad X8 Pro if you need a tablet capable of handling more demanding applications, such as video editing or running multiple apps simultaneously. Its Snapdragon 685 chipset provides a performance advantage for power users. Buy the Realme Pad 2 Lite if you prioritize convenience and faster charging, and your primary use case revolves around media consumption, web browsing, and light productivity. The 15W charging will minimize downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Realme Pad 2 Lite overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset, but its thermal performance can be a concern under sustained load. While the 6nm process helps, the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s cooling solution is likely basic. Expect some throttling during prolonged gaming, potentially leading to frame rate drops. The Snapdragon 685 in the Honor Pad X8 Pro is generally more thermally efficient.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 685 and Helio G99 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming?
For typical tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and social media, the performance difference between the two chipsets will be minimal. Both are capable of handling these workloads smoothly. The Snapdragon 685’s advantage becomes more apparent when multitasking or running more demanding applications.
❓ Does the Realme Pad 2 Lite support reverse charging?
No, the Realme Pad 2 Lite does not support reverse charging. This feature allows a device to act as a power bank for other devices, and it is not included in the specifications for this model.
