The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but finding the right balance between price and performance can be challenging. We pit the Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra, a budget-focused contender, against the Honor Pad 9 Pro, a more premium offering, to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Honor Pad 9 Pro is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8100 chipset provides a significant performance leap over the Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra’s Helio G99, justifying the price difference for demanding tasks and sustained workloads.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2024, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024 | Available. Released 2024, July 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 244.8 x 162.2 x 9.3 mm (9.64 x 6.39 x 0.37 in) | 277 x 179.9 x 6.6 mm (10.91 x 7.08 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 482 g (1.06 lb) | 589 g (1.30 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~74.5% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14, Magic OS 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | No |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 35W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 10050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Grey | Sky Blue, Star Gray |
| Price | - | About 290 EUR |
Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra
- Significantly lower price point
- Adequate for basic tasks like browsing and streaming
- Potentially lighter and more portable
- Noticeably slower performance
- Slower charging speed
- Likely lower quality display
Honor Pad 9 Pro
- Superior performance with Dimensity 8100
- Faster 35W charging
- Likely higher quality display and camera
- Higher price tag
- Potentially heavier than the Umidigi
- May be overkill for basic users
Display Comparison
While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for the Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra, the Honor Pad 9 Pro’s chipset suggests a higher-quality panel is likely. The core difference lies in the processing power needed to drive a high-refresh-rate display. The Dimensity 8100’s superior GPU can handle higher resolutions and refresh rates with ease, potentially offering a smoother visual experience. The Umidigi, relying on the Helio G99, will likely target a more conservative display configuration to maintain performance.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra, a direct comparison is limited. However, Honor typically equips its Pad series with capable cameras. The Dimensity 8100’s integrated image signal processor (ISP) offers advanced features like better noise reduction and dynamic range. While tablet cameras aren’t typically a primary focus, the Honor Pad 9 Pro is likely to deliver superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume the Umidigi will focus on basic functionality.
Performance
The performance gap between the Mediatek Helio G99 and the Dimensity 8100 is substantial. The Dimensity 8100, built on a 5nm process, boasts significantly higher clock speeds (2.85 GHz vs 2.2 GHz) and utilizes more powerful Cortex-A78 cores compared to the G99’s Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to a roughly 40-50% performance increase in CPU-intensive tasks and a much larger advantage in GPU performance. The 5nm node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Honor Pad 9 Pro is less likely to throttle under sustained load, crucial for gaming or video editing. The G99, while capable for everyday tasks, will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Honor Pad 9 Pro’s 35W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra’s 18W charging. This faster charging speed will dramatically reduce the time it takes to replenish the battery, offering greater convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the more efficient Dimensity 8100 chipset in the Honor Pad 9 Pro will likely result in comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Umidigi.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra if you need a highly affordable tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity. It’s ideal for users on a tight budget or those needing a secondary device for casual use. Buy the Honor Pad 9 Pro if you prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, and creative applications. It’s the better choice for power users who demand a smoother, more responsive experience and appreciate faster charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Helio G99 is a mid-range chipset and will likely struggle to run Genshin Impact at high settings. Expect significant frame rate drops and potential stuttering. It's better suited for less demanding 2D games or older 3D titles.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Honor Pad 9 Pro compared to the Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra in real-world use?
The 35W charging on the Honor Pad 9 Pro will likely charge the tablet from 0-100% in around 90-120 minutes, while the Umidigi G3 Tab Ultra’s 18W charging could take over 3 hours. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the Dimensity 8100 in the Honor Pad 9 Pro powerful enough for multitasking with several apps open simultaneously?
Absolutely. The Dimensity 8100 is a high-performance chipset designed for demanding tasks. It can easily handle multiple apps running in the background without significant slowdowns, making it ideal for multitasking and productivity.
