The mid-range tablet space is heating up, with the vivo Pad Air and Honor Pad 9 Pro offering compelling features at competitive prices. Both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, but they take different approaches. The vivo Pad Air leverages the proven Snapdragon 870, while the Honor Pad 9 Pro opts for the newer Mediatek Dimensity 8100. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right tablet for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Pad 9 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Dimensity 8100 chipset, built on a more efficient 5nm process, provides a performance edge and potentially better thermal management. While the vivo Pad Air’s 44W charging is faster, the overall package of the Honor Pad 9 Pro delivers a more modern and capable tablet experience.
| 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 | 2023, August 25 | 2024, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 25 | Available. Released 2024, July 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 259.7 x 176 x 6.7 mm (10.22 x 6.93 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 | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 589 g (1.30 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1840 x 2800 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~291 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 391.6 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 500 nits | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | 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 (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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 | 8500 mAh | Li-Po 10050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver, Rose Gold | Sky Blue, Star Gray |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 290 EUR |
vivo Pad Air
- Faster 44W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Integrated 5G modem for on-the-go connectivity.
- Proven Snapdragon 870 chipset offers reliable performance.
- 7nm manufacturing process may lead to higher temperatures under sustained load.
- Older chipset architecture compared to the Dimensity 8100.
Honor Pad 9 Pro
- More efficient 5nm Dimensity 8100 chipset for better performance and thermals.
- Modern chipset architecture with Cortex-A78 cores.
- Potentially better long-term software support.
- Slower 35W charging compared to the vivo Pad Air.
- Lacks an integrated 5G modem (potentially).
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided in the context data. However, given the price points, both tablets likely feature LCD panels. The Honor Pad 9 Pro, being a newer device, may benefit from slightly improved color accuracy and viewing angles. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the mid-range segment. Without specific nit brightness data, it's difficult to definitively state which offers a superior visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent from the provided data. Given the tablet category and price range, we can expect both devices to feature modest camera setups primarily intended for video calls and casual snapshots. Image processing will likely be a key differentiator, with Honor potentially leveraging its smartphone camera expertise. Without specific sensor information, a detailed comparison is impossible, but it’s unlikely either tablet will excel in photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad 9 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5nm) boasts a more advanced manufacturing process compared to the vivo Pad Air’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7nm). This 5nm process generally translates to improved power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing the Dimensity 8100 to sustain peak performance for longer periods. While the Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 cores are capable, the Dimensity 8100’s Cortex-A78 cores offer a significant architectural advantage in multi-threaded workloads. The Snapdragon 870’s integrated 5G modem is a plus for connectivity, but the Dimensity 8100’s overall processing power likely outweighs this benefit for most users.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified. However, the charging speeds reveal a key difference. The vivo Pad Air supports 44W wired charging with 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to top up significantly faster than the Honor Pad 9 Pro’s 35W charging. This is a tangible benefit for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their device. The faster charging speed could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the vivo Pad Air, providing a similar overall usage experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Pad Air if you prioritize faster charging speeds and already have a robust ecosystem of Qualcomm-optimized accessories. Its 44W charging and 5G connectivity are strong selling points for users constantly on the move. Buy the Honor Pad 9 Pro if you value raw performance, a potentially cooler running device, and a more modern chipset architecture. This tablet is ideal for users who engage in demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 870 in the vivo Pad Air throttle during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 870 is a capable chip, but its 7nm process means it's more prone to thermal throttling than the 5nm Dimensity 8100. While it can handle most games, expect some performance dips during prolonged, graphically intensive sessions. The Honor Pad 9 Pro is likely to maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ Does the Honor Pad 9 Pro support stylus input or keyboard covers?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Honor frequently offers accessories like styluses and keyboard covers for its tablets. Checking the official Honor website or retailer listings is recommended to confirm compatibility and availability for the Pad 9 Pro.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity on the vivo Pad Air impact real-world usage?
The 5G connectivity on the vivo Pad Air allows for faster download and upload speeds when connected to a 5G network. This is beneficial for streaming high-resolution video, downloading large files, and participating in video conferences while on the go. However, 5G coverage varies significantly by location.
