The Android tablet market is heating up, with the vivo iQOO Pad2 and Honor Pad 9 Pro vying for attention. The iQOO Pad2 arrives with Qualcomm’s newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, promising a leap in performance, while the Honor Pad 9 Pro leverages the established Mediatek Dimensity 8100. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the vivo iQOO Pad2 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process, delivers a noticeable advantage in demanding tasks. However, the Honor Pad 9 Pro remains a compelling option for those seeking a balanced experience at a potentially lower price point.
| 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 | 2024, May 31 | 2024, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June 04 | Available. Released 2024, July 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 266.4 x 192 x 6.6 mm (10.49 x 7.56 x 0.26 in) | 277 x 179.9 x 6.6 mm (10.91 x 7.08 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 589 g (1.30 lb) | 589 g (1.30 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1968 x 2800 pixels (~283 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 444.4 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 735 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| OS | Android 14, OriginOS 4 | Android 14, Magic OS 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, PD
5W reverse wired | 35W wired |
| Type | 10000 mAh | Li-Po 10050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Silver | Sky Blue, Star Gray |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 290 EUR |
vivo iQOO Pad2
- Faster Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor
- 44W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- 5W reverse wired charging for added versatility
- Potential for higher price
- Camera performance may be secondary focus
Honor Pad 9 Pro
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Established Dimensity 8100 performance
- Likely refined software experience
- Slower 35W charging
- Less powerful processor compared to Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature high-resolution displays (data not provided), the core difference lies under the hood. We anticipate both will offer excellent viewing angles and color reproduction. However, the iQOO Pad2’s newer chipset *could* support higher refresh rates or more advanced display features if vivo chooses to implement them. The absence of specific display specs necessitates a focus on the processing power that drives the visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the iQOO Pad2 may prioritize performance over camera capabilities, while Honor often focuses on imaging. We can assume both tablets will feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will depend heavily on sensor size, lens aperture, and image processing algorithms. The absence of information prevents a meaningful analysis beyond speculation.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the iQOO Pad2, fabricated on a 4nm process, represents a significant architectural upgrade over the Dimensity 8100 (5nm) in the Honor Pad 9 Pro. The Snapdragon’s Cortex-X4 prime core, clocked at 3.0 GHz, offers superior single-core performance compared to the Dimensity’s Cortex-A78 cores (2.85 GHz). The iQOO Pad2’s CPU configuration, with its blend of Cortex-A720 and A520 cores, also provides a more balanced approach to multi-threaded workloads. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience, particularly for demanding applications. The 4nm node also implies better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The iQOO Pad2’s 44W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Honor Pad 9 Pro’s 35W charging. This faster charging speed will significantly reduce the time required to replenish the battery, offering greater convenience for users on the go. While battery capacity (mAh) is unknown for both devices, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s 4nm efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery size in the iQOO Pad2, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. The iQOO Pad2 also includes 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the Honor Pad 9 Pro, allowing it to charge other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Pad2 if you need a tablet for intensive gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value the benefits of a more modern, efficient chipset and faster 44W charging. Buy the Honor Pad 9 Pro if you prioritize a refined user experience, potentially better software optimization, and are comfortable with a slightly older, but still capable, processor and slower 35W charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the iQOO Pad2 experience thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s 4nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the 5nm Dimensity 8100. While throttling is always a possibility under extreme load, the iQOO Pad2 is likely to maintain higher sustained performance levels during extended gaming sessions, assuming adequate cooling solutions are implemented.
❓ Does the Dimensity 8100 in the Honor Pad 9 Pro still offer sufficient performance for demanding applications like video editing?
The Dimensity 8100 remains a capable processor and can handle video editing and other demanding tasks. However, it will likely exhibit slower processing times and potentially more lag compared to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the iQOO Pad2, especially when working with large or complex projects.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed (44W vs 35W) noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 9W difference in charging speed is quite noticeable. The iQOO Pad2’s 44W charging will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the device, making it more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. Expect a 20-30% faster charge time with the iQOO Pad2.
