The Android tablet market is heating up, with the Lenovo Tab P12 and Honor Pad 9 Pro offering compelling features at competitive price points. Both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, but they take different approaches. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets: Lenovo opts for the Mediatek Dimensity 7050, while Honor goes with the more powerful Dimensity 8100. This comparison will dissect these differences and determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Pad 9 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 8100 chipset, built on a 5nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Lenovo Tab P12’s Dimensity 7050, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. The faster 35W charging is also a significant benefit.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 28 | 2024, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 28 | Available. Released 2024, July 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 293.3 x 190.7 x 6.9 mm (11.55 x 7.51 x 0.27 in) | 277 x 179.9 x 6.6 mm (10.91 x 7.08 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 615 g (1.36 lb) | 589 g (1.30 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1840 x 2944 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~273 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.7 inches, 467.7 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14, Magic OS 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, (ultrawide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, QC4 | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 10200 mAh | Li-Po 10050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Storm Grey, Oat | Sky Blue, Star Gray |
| Models | ZACH0165US | - |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Lenovo Tab P12
- Potentially more affordable price point.
- Solid Mediatek Dimensity 7050 performance for everyday tasks.
- Reliable brand reputation.
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Honor Pad 9 Pro.
- Slower 30W charging.
- May exhibit throttling under heavy load.
Honor Pad 9 Pro
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 8100 chipset.
- Faster 35W wired charging.
- Improved thermal efficiency for sustained performance.
- Potentially higher price.
- Honor's brand recognition may be lower in some markets.
- Software update support may be less consistent than Lenovo.
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature similar LCD or IPS panels (data not provided), the internal differences matter more. We can assume both offer adequate color accuracy for general use. However, the chipset's ability to drive higher refresh rates (if supported by the panel, which is unknown) will be superior on the Honor Pad 9 Pro due to its more powerful GPU. The lack of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling for battery saving is unlikely.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market segment, we can expect both tablets to feature modest camera setups primarily intended for video calls and casual snapshots. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 8100 of the Honor Pad 9 Pro is likely more advanced, potentially resulting in slightly better image quality and faster processing. The absence of information regarding sensor size and OIS makes a definitive judgment impossible.
Performance
The Honor Pad 9 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 8100, fabricated on a 5nm process, is the clear winner in terms of raw performance. Its octa-core CPU, featuring four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.85 GHz, significantly outperforms the Lenovo Tab P12’s Dimensity 7050 (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The 5nm node also translates to improved thermal efficiency, meaning the Honor Pad 9 Pro is less likely to throttle under sustained load. This benefits users engaged in gaming or video editing. The Lenovo Tab P12 is still capable, but will exhibit more noticeable slowdowns during intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Honor Pad 9 Pro’s 35W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Lenovo Tab P12’s 30W charging. This faster charging speed will reduce downtime and allow users to quickly top up their battery when needed. While a larger battery capacity on the Lenovo Tab P12 could offset this, the more efficient Dimensity 8100 in the Honor Pad 9 Pro likely results in comparable or even better real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller cell.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Tab P12 if you prioritize a balance of features and affordability, and your tablet usage primarily revolves around media consumption and light productivity tasks. You'll appreciate its solid build quality and adequate performance for everyday use. Buy the Honor Pad 9 Pro if you demand more processing power for demanding applications, gaming, or frequent multitasking. The faster charging and more efficient chipset make it ideal for power users who need a tablet that can keep up with their pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 8100 in the Honor Pad 9 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 8100's 5nm fabrication process is significantly more thermally efficient than the 6nm process used in the Lenovo Tab P12's Dimensity 7050. This means the Honor Pad 9 Pro is less prone to overheating and will likely maintain higher sustained performance during gaming, minimizing throttling.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Dimensity 7050 and Dimensity 8100 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming?
For basic tasks like web browsing, email, and video streaming, the performance difference may not be immediately apparent. However, the Honor Pad 9 Pro’s Dimensity 8100 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience when multitasking or switching between apps, especially with numerous apps open in the background.
❓ Does the Honor Pad 9 Pro support any stylus functionality or accessories?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Honor often offers stylus support with their Pro tablets. Checking the official Honor website or retailer listings is recommended to confirm stylus compatibility and available accessories for the Pad 9 Pro.
