The tablet market offers a surprising number of options, even in the budget segment. Today, we're pitting two contenders from Honor against each other: the Honor Pad X8 and the Honor Pad 8. Both promise affordability and decent features, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Pad 8 edges out the X8 thanks to its more efficient chipset, faster charging, and slightly improved display. While the X8 is a solid budget option, the Pad 8 offers a more polished and future-proof experience for a small price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 17 | 2022, July 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 22 | Available. Released 2022, July 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.6 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.30 in) | 278.5 x 174.1 x 6.9 mm (10.96 x 6.85 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 520 g (1.15 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~194 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.0 inches, 409.9 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 350 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | MediaTek MT8786 | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| 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 | - | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 7250 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Light Blue | Dark Blue, Gold, Mint |
| Models | AGM3-W09HN | HEY-W09 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 330 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 X8
- Very affordable
- Decent for basic tasks
- Large display for media consumption
- Older chipset
- Slower charging
- Less bright display
- Lower performance
Honor Pad 8
- More powerful chipset
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Better multitasking performance
- Slightly more expensive
- Camera quality is still basic
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad 8 boasts a contrast ratio of 1468:1 (nominal) and a measured brightness of 392 nits, offering a more vibrant and visible display, especially in brighter environments. The X8's display, while adequate, lacks the same level of brightness and color accuracy. Both tablets feature similar resolutions, but the Pad 8's superior brightness gives it a noticeable edge.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on budget tablets is rarely a highlight. Both devices feature basic camera setups, likely around 5MP-8MP for both front and rear cameras. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The Pad 8's slightly newer chipset might offer marginally better image processing.
Performance
The Honor Pad 8's Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) chipset is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Honor Pad X8's MediaTek MT8786. The Snapdragon 680's Kryo 265 cores provide a smoother multitasking experience and better performance in demanding apps and games. The X8's MT8786, while capable, shows its age in more intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both tablets likely feature around 5000mAh batteries, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. However, the Honor Pad 8's 22.5W wired charging offers a faster charging experience compared to the X8's likely slower charging speed (estimated around 10W-15W).
Buying Guide
The Honor Pad X8 is ideal for users on a tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like browsing, video streaming, and light gaming. The Honor Pad 8 is a better choice for those who want a smoother performance, faster charging, and a slightly better display for media consumption and occasional productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the chipsets in the Honor Pad X8 and Honor Pad 8?
The Honor Pad 8 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), which is more efficient and powerful than the MediaTek MT8786 in the Honor Pad X8. This results in better performance and battery life.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Honor Pad 8 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and smoother performance. While both tablets can handle casual games, the Pad 8 will provide a more enjoyable experience.
