Honor Pad X9 vs Motorola Moto Tab G70: Which Budget Tablet Reigns Supreme?

The budget tablet market is heating up, with the Honor Pad X9 and Motorola Moto Tab G70 vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver a capable tablet experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Honor Pad X9 prioritizes efficiency with a newer Snapdragon chipset, while the Moto Tab G70 leans on a more powerful, albeit older, Mediatek processor. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which tablet offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a consistently smooth experience, the Honor Pad X9 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 685 chipset, coupled with a measured 13:17 hour active use battery life, provides a more reliable and efficient experience than the Moto Tab G70's Helio G90T.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Pad X9 Motorola Moto Tab G70
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTE - cellular model onlyHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, July 062022, January 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 06Available. Released 2022, January 13
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, aluminum backGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions267.3 x 167.4 x 6.9 mm (10.52 x 6.59 x 0.27 in)258.4 x 163 x 7.5 mm (10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight495 g or 499 g (1.09 lb)500 g (1.10 lb)
 -Water repellent design
Display
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density)1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density)
Size11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 13, MagicOS 7.1Android 11
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesHDRLED flash
Single5 MP, f/2.2, AF13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.28 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS - cellular model onlyGPS, GLONASS - cellular model only
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometerAccelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging22.5W wired20W wired
TypeLi-Po 7250 mAhLi-Po 7700 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace GrayModernist Teal, Blue
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 380 EUR

Honor Pad X9

  • Excellent battery life (13:17h active use)
  • More efficient Snapdragon 685 chipset
  • Brighter display (452 nits)

  • Less powerful CPU for demanding tasks
  • May not be ideal for heavy gaming

Motorola Moto Tab G70

  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance
  • May handle graphically intensive games better
  • Competitive price point

  • Less efficient Helio G90T chipset
  • Likely shorter battery life
  • Potential for thermal throttling

Display Comparison

The Honor Pad X9 boasts a display capable of reaching 452 nits of peak brightness, paired with a 1603:1 contrast ratio. This translates to a visibly brighter and more vibrant image compared to what we'd expect from the Moto Tab G70, though specific display specs for the Motorola are unavailable. While neither tablet is likely to challenge high-end displays, the Honor's higher brightness is beneficial for outdoor use. The lack of information regarding the Moto Tab G70’s panel type makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Honor’s measured specs provide a concrete advantage.

Camera Comparison

Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specs are limited. Given the target price point, image quality is unlikely to be a deciding factor. We can assume both tablets feature basic camera setups suitable for casual snapshots and video calls. Without specific sensor details for the Moto Tab G70, it’s difficult to make a meaningful comparison beyond acknowledging that both will likely suffice for basic needs.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad X9 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm), an octa-core processor with a mix of Cortex-A73 and A53 cores peaking at 2.8 GHz. This 6nm process node is significantly more efficient than the 12nm process used in the Motorola Moto Tab G70’s MediaTek Helio G90T. While the G90T features a more aggressive CPU configuration (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), the Snapdragon 685’s architectural improvements and smaller node size result in better sustained performance and thermal management. The G90T may offer a slight edge in burst performance, but the X9 will likely maintain smoother operation during prolonged use.

Battery Life

The Honor Pad X9 shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 13:17 hours of active use. This is a direct result of the Snapdragon 685’s efficiency. The Moto Tab G70, while likely possessing a comparable battery capacity (specifics unavailable), is hampered by the power-hungry Helio G90T. The G90T’s 12nm process and higher clock speeds demand more power, resulting in shorter runtimes. The Honor Pad X9 also supports 22.5W wired charging, slightly faster than the Moto Tab G70’s 20W, contributing to quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Pad X9 if you need a tablet for extended reading, streaming, or light productivity tasks where battery life is paramount. Its efficient Snapdragon 685 chipset ensures long-lasting performance. Buy the Motorola Moto Tab G70 if you prioritize raw processing power for occasional gaming or demanding applications, and are willing to accept potentially shorter battery life and more heat generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G90T in the Moto Tab G70 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio G90T is known to generate more heat under sustained load compared to the Snapdragon 685. While the Moto Tab G70 likely has thermal management solutions, expect potential throttling and reduced performance during prolonged gaming, impacting frame rates and overall smoothness.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Honor Pad X9 compared to the Moto Tab G70?
The Honor Pad X9 supports 22.5W wired charging, while the Moto Tab G70 is limited to 20W. While the difference isn't massive, the Honor Pad X9 will likely charge approximately 10-15% faster, reducing downtime between uses.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 685 in the Honor Pad X9 powerful enough for multitasking?
The Snapdragon 685 is well-suited for everyday multitasking, including browsing, streaming, and running multiple apps simultaneously. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a smooth and responsive experience for typical tablet usage scenarios.
❓ What type of storage and RAM does each tablet use, and how does that impact performance?
Unfortunately, the specific storage and RAM types (e.g., UFS 2.2, LPDDR4X) are not provided in the context data. However, faster storage (UFS) and RAM (LPDDR) contribute to quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the full performance impact.