The tablet market is heating up, with both TCL and Honor offering compelling options. The TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro focuses on a unique paper-like display and portability, while the Honor Pad 9 Pro aims for a more premium experience with a significantly more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your workflow and entertainment needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Pad 9 Pro emerges as the superior choice. Its Dimensity 8100 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro’s MT8771, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience. While the TCL offers a unique display, the performance gap is too significant to ignore for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 05 | 2024, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 05 | Available. Released 2024, July 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 279 x 192.5 x 6.9 mm (10.98 x 7.58 x 0.27 in) | 277 x 179.9 x 6.6 mm (10.91 x 7.08 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 599 g (1.32 lb) | 589 g (1.30 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1440 x 2160 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~213 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.2 inches, 443.2 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | NCVM IPS, 370 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8771 | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14, Magic OS 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP
8 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP
8 MP | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 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 | GPS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Po 10050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue | Sky Blue, Star Gray |
| Models | 9494G | - |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 290 EUR |
TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro
- Unique paper-like display for comfortable reading
- Potentially lighter and more portable design
- Lower price point (likely)
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Honor Pad 9 Pro
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Limited gaming capabilities
Honor Pad 9 Pro
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 8100 chipset for smooth performance
- Faster 35W wired charging
- Better suited for gaming and demanding applications
- May be more expensive than the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro
- Lacks the paper-like display of the TCL
- Potentially heavier and less portable
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature IPS LCD panels (data not provided), the focus here is on the NxtPaper’s unique selling point: its paper-like texture. This will appeal to readers and note-takers, reducing eye strain. However, the Honor Pad 9 Pro’s chipset allows for potentially higher refresh rates and more advanced display features, though not specified. The TCL’s display is geared towards a specific use case, while the Honor’s is likely more versatile. We expect the Honor Pad 9 Pro to have higher peak brightness due to its more powerful processing capabilities.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups geared towards video calls and casual snapshots. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. However, the Honor Pad 9 Pro’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Dimensity 8100 chipset will likely result in better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. We can assume the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro will have a more basic camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad 9 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5nm) is a significant leap ahead of the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro’s Mediatek MT8771. The Dimensity 8100 features a more powerful CPU configuration (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 vs 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78) and a more efficient 5nm manufacturing process. This translates to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance and a substantial improvement in GPU capabilities. The 5nm process also means better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The TCL’s MT8771 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the charging speeds reveal a key difference. The Honor Pad 9 Pro’s 35W wired charging is significantly faster than the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro’s 18W charging. This means the Honor Pad 9 Pro can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the TCL could offset the slower charging, the Honor’s faster charging is a clear convenience advantage, especially for users who rely on their tablet throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro if you prioritize a paper-like reading experience, extended portability, and are primarily focused on note-taking and light productivity tasks. Buy the Honor Pad 9 Pro if you demand strong performance for gaming, video editing, or demanding multitasking, and value faster charging speeds for all-day use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek Dimensity 8100 in the Honor Pad 9 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 8100 is a thermally efficient chipset built on a 5nm process. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the Honor Pad 9 Pro’s likely cooling solution (details not provided) should prevent significant throttling, allowing for sustained performance. The 5nm process inherently generates less heat than the TCL’s MT8771.
❓ Is the paper-like display on the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro suitable for watching videos or viewing photos?
The paper-like display prioritizes readability and reduces eye strain, but it may not be ideal for viewing vibrant content like videos or photos. The texture can slightly soften images and reduce color saturation. While usable, the Honor Pad 9 Pro would offer a more visually immersive experience for multimedia consumption.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor Pad 9 Pro from 0% with the 35W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, a 35W charger should fully charge the Honor Pad 9 Pro in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, assuming a battery capacity in the 8000-9000 mAh range (estimated based on similar tablets). This is significantly faster than the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro’s 18W charging, which would likely take over 3 hours.
