iPad Air 11 (2025) vs Honor V6: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Honor V6, representing a mature 5G smartphone platform, faces off against the newly released Apple iPad Air 11 (2025). This isn't a direct apples-to-apples comparison – a phone versus a tablet – but a look at how different approaches to silicon and form factor impact user experience, particularly for those considering a tablet for productivity or a powerful, connected mobile experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and long-term battery health, the Apple iPad Air 11 (2025) is the clear winner. The M3 chip’s architectural advantages and the reported 62-hour endurance outweigh the Honor V6’s 5G connectivity and potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor V6 Apple iPad Air 11 (2025)
Network
2G bandsN/AGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsN/AHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A3267
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3267, A3270
EDGENo-
GPRSNo-
SpeedLTE, 5G - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only
TechnologyLTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, May 19. Released 2020, June 152025, March 04
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, March 12
Body
Build-Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions245.2 x 154.9 x 7.8 mm (9.65 x 6.10 x 0.31 in)247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in)
SIMYes - cellular model onlyeSIM (cellular model only)
Weight480 g (1.06 lb)460 g (1.01 lb)
 Stylus support-
Display
Protection-Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating, Mohs level 4
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density)1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)
Size10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio)11.0 inches, 357.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDLiquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)
ChipsetKirin 985 5G (7 nm)Apple M3
GPUMali-G77 (8-core)Apple GPU (9-core graphics)
OSAndroid 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play ServicesiPadOS 18.3.2, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model onlyGPS, GLONASS (5G model only)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
TypeLi-Po 7250 mAhLi-Po 7606 mAh (28.93 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGreen, Silver, BlackSpace Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue
ModelsKRJ-W09, KRJ-AN00A3267, A3270, A3266
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 700 EUR
SAR-1.10 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.41 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-62:00h endurance, 1000 cycles
Energy-Class G
Free fall-Class E (0 falls)
Repairability-Class C

Honor V6

  • Integrated 5G connectivity for on-the-go access.
  • Potentially lower price point compared to the iPad.
  • More compact and portable form factor.

  • Older chipset architecture (Kirin 985) limits performance.
  • Likely shorter battery life compared to the iPad.
  • Smaller screen size may not be ideal for productivity.

Apple iPad Air 11 (2025)

  • Significantly faster and more efficient Apple M3 chip.
  • Exceptional battery life (62 hours) and longevity (1000 cycles).
  • Larger screen size enhances productivity and media consumption.

  • Higher price point.
  • Requires separate data plan or Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Larger form factor may be less convenient for some users.

Display Comparison

The context data lacks display specifics for both devices. However, given Apple’s history, the iPad Air 11 (2025) likely features a high-quality IPS LCD or potentially even a mini-LED panel with ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate), offering superior color accuracy and brightness compared to the Honor V6. The larger 11-inch form factor of the iPad also provides a more immersive viewing experience. The Honor V6, being a phone, will have a smaller display, likely OLED, but potentially with lower peak brightness and color gamut coverage.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera details for the Honor V6, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison. However, Apple typically prioritizes image quality and computational photography. The iPad Air 11 (2025) will likely feature a capable camera system optimized for video conferencing and casual photography. The Honor V6, as a phone, may offer more versatile camera features, but image processing quality is likely to be lower than Apple’s. The absence of sensor details for the Honor V6 makes a definitive statement impossible, but Apple’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally considered best-in-class.

Performance

The core of this comparison lies in the chipsets. Apple’s M3, built on a likely 3nm or 4nm process, utilizes a unified memory architecture and a combination of performance and efficiency cores. This design prioritizes both peak performance and power efficiency. The Honor V6’s Kirin 985 (7nm) is a capable 5G chipset, but its older architecture (Cortex-A76 cores) and process node will result in lower single-core and multi-core performance compared to the M3. The M3’s GPU will also significantly outperform the Kirin 985’s integrated graphics, making the iPad Air 11 (2025) the superior choice for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The M3’s LPDDR5X RAM support further enhances memory bandwidth.

Battery Life

The iPad Air 11 (2025) boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance with a reported 62 hours of use and 1000 charge cycles. This suggests a larger battery capacity and optimized power management. While the Honor V6’s battery capacity is unknown, its smaller form factor likely limits its capacity. The M3’s efficiency further contributes to the iPad’s longevity. The 1000 cycle claim for the iPad also indicates a longer lifespan before significant battery degradation, a crucial factor for long-term value.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor V6 if you need a dedicated 5G mobile device with a focus on affordability and are comfortable with a smartphone-centric ecosystem. It’s ideal for users heavily reliant on mobile data and seeking a capable all-rounder. Buy the Apple iPad Air 11 (2025) if you prioritize a larger screen for productivity, a smoother and more responsive user experience thanks to the M3 chip, and exceptional battery longevity, even if it means a higher initial investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Kirin 985 struggle with demanding mobile games like Genshin Impact?
The Kirin 985 is a capable chipset, but it will likely require lower graphics settings and may experience some frame rate drops in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. The Apple M3 in the iPad Air 11 (2025) will handle these games with ease at maximum settings.
❓ How does the M3 chip's efficiency translate to real-world usage on the iPad Air 11 (2025)?
The M3’s efficiency means you can expect significantly longer battery life during typical usage scenarios like web browsing, video streaming, and document editing. It also means less heat generation, resulting in more consistent performance over extended periods.
❓ Is the lack of cellular connectivity on the base iPad Air 11 (2025) a major drawback?
If you frequently rely on mobile data without Wi-Fi access, the lack of cellular connectivity on the base model is a significant consideration. However, Apple offers cellular-equipped versions of the iPad Air 11 (2025) at an additional cost.
❓ Does the Honor V6 support expandable storage via microSD card?
This information is not provided in the context data. However, many Honor devices do offer microSD card support, which could be a benefit for users needing more storage space. The iPad Air 11 (2025) does not offer expandable storage.