The budget tablet market is heating up, with the Realme Pad 2 and Honor Pad X9a vying for attention. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but they take different approaches to performance and longevity. This comparison dives deep into the core specifications to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and responsiveness, the Realme Pad 2, with its Helio G99 chipset, is the better choice. However, the Honor Pad X9a’s exceptional battery endurance and 35W charging make it ideal for those who value extended usage and quick top-ups.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 19 | 2025, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 01 | Available. Released 2025, March 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 268.2 x 168.5 x 7.2 mm (10.56 x 6.63 x 0.28 in) | 267.3 x 167.4 x 6.8 mm (10.52 x 6.59 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 518 g (1.14 lb) | 475 g (1.05 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Mohs level 4 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density) | 1504 x 2508 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~254 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.5 inches, 376.3 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, 450 nits (peak) | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13 or Android 14, Realme UI 4 | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/5.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired
Reverse wired | 35W wired |
| Type | 8360 mAh | Li-Ion 8300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Gray |
| Models | - | ELN2-W29 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 92:29h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class F |
| Free fall | - | Class E (10 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class C |
Realme Pad 2
- More powerful CPU for smoother multitasking
- Modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A76)
- Potentially better thermal management due to 6nm process
- Battery life is unknown and likely shorter than the X9a
- Charging speed is slightly slower than the X9a
Honor Pad X9a
- Exceptional battery endurance (92:29h)
- Long battery lifespan (1200 cycles)
- Faster 35W wired charging
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A73)
- Potentially less responsive in demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both tablets lack detailed display specifications in the provided data, making a direct comparison difficult. However, considering the market segment, we can infer both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of information regarding refresh rates or resolution suggests both are targeting the mainstream user, prioritizing cost-effectiveness over premium display features. Bezels are likely comparable, given the similar price points.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and the provided data doesn't offer specifics beyond the chipsets. We can assume both will feature basic camera setups suitable for casual snapshots and video calls. Without sensor size or aperture information, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It's safe to assume image quality will be similar, leaning towards adequate rather than exceptional.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Pad 2’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) features a more modern CPU architecture with 2x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Honor Pad X9a’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) which utilizes 4x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 cores and 4x 1.9 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the Snapdragon 685 boasts higher clock speeds on its prime cores, the Cortex-A76 architecture in the Helio G99 generally delivers superior single-core performance, translating to a snappier user experience in everyday tasks. The G99’s newer process node also suggests potentially better thermal management under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Honor Pad X9a clearly excels in battery endurance, boasting a claimed 92:29h endurance and a 1200 cycle lifespan. This suggests a significantly longer-lasting battery compared to the Realme Pad 2, which lacks specific endurance figures. While the Realme Pad 2 offers 33W wired charging, the Honor Pad X9a counters with 35W wired charging. The difference is marginal, but combined with the larger battery capacity, the X9a provides a more robust charging and longevity package.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Pad 2 if you need a tablet for multitasking, light gaming, and content creation where CPU performance is key. Its Helio G99 offers a noticeable edge in responsiveness. Buy the Honor Pad X9a if you prioritize all-day battery life, frequent video streaming, and a tablet that can withstand extended use without needing constant charging. The Snapdragon 685 prioritizes efficiency over peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the Honor Pad X9a struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 685 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but demanding titles like Genshin Impact will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates. The Realme Pad 2’s Helio G99 offers a slight advantage in gaming performance, but neither tablet is a dedicated gaming device.
❓ How does the 1200 charge cycle claim of the Honor Pad X9a translate to real-world usage?
Honor’s claim of 1200 charge cycles suggests the battery will retain a significant portion of its original capacity even after extensive use. A full charge cycle is defined as discharging and then fully recharging the battery. This means the X9a is designed to withstand years of regular use without significant battery degradation.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Realme Pad 2 fast enough for quick top-ups?
33W charging is reasonably fast, but not class-leading. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. While slightly slower than the Honor Pad X9a’s 35W charging, it’s still sufficient for overnight charging or topping up during breaks.
