The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but finding the right balance between performance and price can be challenging. We pit the vivo Pad5e, powered by the modern Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, against the Honor Pad 5 10.1, featuring the older Kirin 659, to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Pad5e is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset provides a significantly faster and more responsive experience, making it ideal for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. While the Honor Pad 5 10.1 offers a lower entry price, the performance gap is substantial.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 13 | 2019, June. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 17 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 266.4 x 192 x 6.6 mm (10.49 x 7.56 x 0.26 in) | 243 x 164 x 7.8 mm (9.57 x 6.46 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 584 g or 591 g (1.29 lb) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1968 x 2800 pixels (~283 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 444.4 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~74.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 900 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (4x2.36 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Kirin 659 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 735 | Mali-T830 MP2 |
| OS | Android 15, OriginOS 5 HD | Android 8.0 (Oreo), EMUI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.4, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, magnetic connector | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), gyro | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, PD
5W reverse wired | - |
| Type | 10000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Purple, Green, Gray, Silver | Glacial Blue |
| Models | - | AGS2-AL00HN |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 250 EUR |
vivo Pad5e
- Significantly faster performance with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
- More efficient 4nm manufacturing process
- 44W fast charging with PD and reverse charging
- Likely higher price point
- Detailed display specs unavailable
Honor Pad 5 10.1
- Lower price point
- Acceptable for basic tasks
- Lightweight and portable
- Outdated Kirin 659 chipset
- Poor performance for demanding apps and games
- Slower charging speeds
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature a 10.1-inch display, but detailed display specs like resolution, panel type (IPS, LCD), and refresh rate are missing for both. However, the core difference lies in the processing power driving the UI. A smoother experience on the vivo Pad5e will be noticeable even with similar display characteristics due to the faster chipset. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment, and color accuracy is expected to be standard for budget tablets.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a key differentiator for either tablet. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but both are expected to feature basic camera setups suitable for casual snapshots. The Honor Pad 5 10.1's camera is likely to be significantly less capable due to the older ISP within the Kirin 659. Image processing will be slower and image quality will be lower, especially in low-light conditions. We expect both tablets to have similar front-facing cameras for video calls.
Performance
The performance disparity is the defining factor in this comparison. The vivo Pad5e’s Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a generational leap ahead of the Honor Pad 5 10.1’s Kirin 659 (16nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 utilizes a modern CPU architecture – Cortex-X4, A720, and A520 cores – compared to the older Cortex-A53 cores in the Kirin 659. This translates to significantly faster processing speeds, improved multitasking capabilities, and a much smoother overall user experience. The 4nm manufacturing process of the Snapdragon also offers superior power efficiency, potentially leading to better battery life under load. The Honor Pad 5 10.1 will struggle with demanding tasks and may exhibit noticeable lag.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s superior power efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery in the vivo Pad5e. The vivo Pad5e also boasts 44W wired charging with PD and 5W reverse wired charging, a significant advantage over the Honor Pad 5 10.1, which likely has slower charging speeds. This means the vivo Pad5e can be charged much faster and can even act as a power bank for other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Pad5e if you prioritize performance, future-proofing, and a smoother user experience, especially if you plan on gaming or running resource-intensive apps. Buy the Honor Pad 5 10.1 if your primary needs are basic media consumption, light web browsing, and reading, and you're on a very tight budget where every dollar counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the vivo Pad5e handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a capable chipset that can handle most mobile games at medium to high settings. While it's not a flagship-level chip, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Kirin 659 in the Honor Pad 5 10.1, which would likely struggle with these titles.
❓ Is the Honor Pad 5 10.1 suitable for students who need a tablet for note-taking and reading e-books?
The Honor Pad 5 10.1 is adequate for basic tasks like note-taking and reading. However, the slower processor may result in lag when switching between apps or using more complex note-taking applications. If you anticipate needing to run multiple apps simultaneously or use demanding educational software, the vivo Pad5e is a better choice.
❓ Does the vivo Pad5e support stylus input or keyboard attachments?
While not explicitly stated in the provided specs, vivo often supports stylus and keyboard accessories with their Pad series. Checking the official vivo website or retailer listings for compatible accessories is recommended. The faster processor will ensure a smoother experience with these peripherals.
