The budget tablet market is heating up, with the Honor Pad X9 and Realme Pad 2 Lite vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver a solid tablet experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dives deep into their specifications and performance to determine which tablet offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Pad X9 emerges as the better choice. Its significantly longer 13:17-hour active use battery life provides a tangible advantage for all-day use, outweighing the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s slightly more modern CPU architecture. While the Realme Pad 2 Lite offers a newer chipset, the real-world performance difference isn't substantial enough to justify the battery life trade-off.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 06 | 2024, September 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 06 | 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 | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 495 g or 499 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 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 | GPS - cellular model only | 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 | 22.5W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | 8300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray | Nebula Purple, Space Grey |
| Models | - | RMP2402 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Honor Pad X9
- Exceptional battery life (13:17h active use)
- Higher display contrast ratio (1603:1)
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A73)
- Potentially less efficient CPU compared to G99
Realme Pad 2 Lite
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A76)
- Potentially better multi-core performance
- Sleek design (based on brand aesthetic)
- Lower charging wattage (15W)
- Likely shorter battery life
- Missing battery life data
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad X9 boasts a display capable of reaching 452 nits of peak brightness and a 1603:1 contrast ratio, providing a reasonably vibrant viewing experience. While the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to be in a similar range given its price point. The higher contrast ratio on the Honor Pad X9 suggests deeper blacks and a more immersive visual experience, particularly when consuming media. Both tablets likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and lack features like high refresh rates or OLED technology.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specifications are absent. It’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups primarily intended for video calls and occasional snapshots. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a meaningful comparison. Focusing on camera quality in this segment is unlikely to yield significant benefits for most users.
Performance
The Realme Pad 2 Lite utilizes the Mediatek Helio G99, featuring a dual-core Cortex-A76 setup paired with six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and 2.0 GHz respectively. This architecture is generally more efficient than the older Cortex-A73 cores found in the Honor Pad X9’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53). However, the Snapdragon 685’s higher clock speeds on its performance cores can provide a boost in single-core tasks. In practice, the difference will be noticeable in demanding applications, but for everyday tasks like browsing and video playback, the performance gap will be minimal. Both chipsets are built on a 6nm process, offering reasonable power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Honor Pad X9’s standout feature is its impressive 13:17-hour active use battery life. This is a significant advantage over the Realme Pad 2 Lite, which lacks published battery life data but is expected to offer less endurance due to its lower charging wattage (15W vs 22.5W on the Honor). The 22.5W charging on the Honor Pad X9, while not exceptionally fast, will still replenish the battery quicker than the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s 15W charging. For users who prioritize all-day usability, the Honor Pad X9 is the clear winner.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad X9 if you prioritize extended battery life for long commutes, streaming, or work sessions. It’s ideal for users who need a reliable tablet that can last through a full day on a single charge. Buy the Realme Pad 2 Lite if you prefer a slightly more modern processor architecture and are willing to compromise on battery life. It’s a good option for users who engage in moderate gaming or multitasking and don’t mind more frequent charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the Honor Pad X9 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 685 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it can handle less graphically intensive games without issue. Genshin Impact will likely require lower graphics settings and may experience occasional frame drops. The Realme Pad 2 Lite’s Helio G99 might offer slightly better performance in gaming, but the difference won’t be dramatic.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor Pad X9 with the 22.5W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charge time isn't available, expect it to take around 2.5 to 3 hours. The 22.5W charging isn't the fastest, but it's significantly quicker than the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s 15W charging, and the longer battery life means you won't need to charge it as frequently.
❓ Is the Realme Pad 2 Lite a good choice for taking notes with a stylus?
Neither tablet officially supports a stylus, and there's no mention of active stylus compatibility. While you might be able to use a capacitive stylus, the experience won't be optimized for note-taking. If stylus support is crucial, you'll need to consider a different tablet.
