The budget tablet market is heating up, and the Realme Pad and Honor Pad 8 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, from display quality to performance and battery life.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Pad 8 edges out the Realme Pad thanks to its more efficient chipset, faster charging, and slightly better overall performance. While the Realme Pad boasts a brighter display, the Honor Pad 8 provides a more well-rounded experience for most users.
| 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 | 2021, September 09 | 2022, July 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 16 | Available. Released 2022, July 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 246.1 x 155.9 x 6.9 mm (9.69 x 6.14 x 0.27 in) | 278.5 x 174.1 x 6.9 mm (10.96 x 6.85 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 440 g (15.52 oz) | 520 g (1.15 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~194 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.0 inches, 409.9 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 350 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, 105˚ (ultrawide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | 7100 mAh | Li-Po 7250 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Gold | Dark Blue, Gold, Mint |
| Models | RMP2102, RMP2103 | HEY-W09 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1554:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1468:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-22.4 LUFS (Excellent)
|
-22.7 LUFS (Excellent)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 187913 (v8), 226474 (v9)
GeekBench: 1236 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 279242 (v9)
GeekBench: 1545 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Pad
- Brighter Display (455 nits)
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Good Value
- Less Efficient Chipset
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Potentially Lower Performance
Honor Pad 8
- More Efficient Chipset (Snapdragon 680)
- Faster Charging (22.5W)
- Smoother Performance
- Lower Brightness (392 nits)
- No Reverse Wired Charging
- Similar Camera Performance to Realme Pad
Display Comparison
The Realme Pad takes a slight lead in display brightness, measuring 455 nits compared to the Honor Pad 8's 392 nits. Both tablets offer a respectable contrast ratio (1554:1 and 1468:1 respectively), providing decent image quality. However, the Realme Pad's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on budget tablets is rarely a highlight. Both devices likely feature similar camera performance, with decent image quality in good lighting conditions but struggles in low light. Expect 8MP front and rear cameras on both devices. Detailed camera comparisons would require hands-on testing.
Performance
The Honor Pad 8's Snapdragon 680 (6nm) chipset is more efficient than the Realme Pad's Helio G80 (12nm). This translates to smoother multitasking and potentially better battery life. The Snapdragon 680 also generally offers slightly better performance in benchmarks. While both are adequate for everyday tasks, the Honor Pad 8 feels more responsive.
Battery Life
The Honor Pad 8's more efficient chipset gives it an advantage in battery life. Coupled with 22.5W charging, it offers faster charging speeds than the Realme Pad's 18W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging. Both tablets likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Realme Pad is a good choice for those prioritizing a brighter screen for media consumption and casual gaming. The Honor Pad 8 is ideal for users seeking a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday tasks and light productivity, along with faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Honor Pad 8's Snapdragon 680 generally provides a smoother gaming experience, especially for more demanding titles. However, both tablets are best suited for casual gaming.
❓ Can I use the Realme Pad to charge my phone?
Yes, the Realme Pad supports 5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices using the tablet's battery.
❓ Which tablet has better build quality?
Both tablets feature a primarily plastic build. Build quality is generally comparable, with both feeling reasonably sturdy for their price range.