The tablet market is heating up, with both Xiaomi and Honor offering compelling options in the mid-range. The Poco Pad 5G brings 5G connectivity and a focus on affordability, while the Honor Pad 9 Pro aims for a more premium experience with a powerful chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Honor Pad 9 Pro is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8100 chipset, built on a 5nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Poco Pad 5G’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. However, the Poco Pad 5G remains a strong contender for budget-conscious users who value 5G connectivity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | LTE | - |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 23 | 2024, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 27 | Available. Released 2024, July 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 280 x 181.9 x 7.5 mm (11.02 x 7.16 x 0.30 in) | 277 x 179.9 x 6.6 mm (10.91 x 7.08 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 568 g (1.25 lb) | 589 g (1.30 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| OS | Android 14, HyperOS | Android 14, Magic OS 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3+ | 35W wired |
| Type | 10000 mAh | Li-Po 10050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Blue | Sky Blue, Star Gray |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Xiaomi Poco Pad 5G
- Affordable price point
- Integrated 5G connectivity
- Supports fast charging standards (PD3.0, QC3+)
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Honor Pad 9 Pro
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
Honor Pad 9 Pro
- Superior performance with the Dimensity 8100 chipset
- More efficient 5nm manufacturing process
- Faster charging speed (35W)
- Higher price compared to the Poco Pad 5G
- Lacks integrated 5G connectivity
Display Comparison
While display specifications are missing, both tablets likely target a 120Hz refresh rate given their market segment. However, the core difference lies in the processing power driving those displays. The Honor Pad 9 Pro’s Dimensity 8100 will ensure smoother animations and faster response times, especially in graphically intensive applications. The Poco Pad 5G, while capable, will likely exhibit more frame drops under similar loads. Bezels are expected to be similar, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within their respective price brackets.
Camera Comparison
Given the tablet form factor, camera performance isn't a primary focus. However, the absence of detailed camera specs suggests both tablets will offer adequate, but not exceptional, image quality. Expect similar sensor sizes and lens apertures. Image processing will likely lean towards vibrant colors and boosted contrast to appeal to a wider audience. The lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) is expected on both devices, relying on software stabilization for video recording.
Performance
The heart of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad 9 Pro’s MediaTek Dimensity 8100 (5nm) boasts a higher clock speed (2.85 GHz vs 2.40 GHz) and a more efficient manufacturing process compared to the Poco Pad 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm). This translates to a noticeable performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks and a more substantial advantage in GPU performance. The Dimensity 8100’s superior architecture allows for sustained performance under load, minimizing throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both utilize Cortex-A78 and A55 cores, the Dimensity 8100’s implementation is demonstrably faster.
Battery Life
The Poco Pad 5G features 33W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC3+ support, while the Honor Pad 9 Pro offers 35W wired charging. The slightly faster charging speed of the Honor Pad 9 Pro will shave off a few minutes during a full charge. However, the Dimensity 8100’s 5nm process is more power-efficient, potentially offsetting the Poco Pad 5G’s slightly larger battery capacity (assuming similar battery sizes, which is likely given the tablet form factor). Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Honor Pad 9 Pro is expected to deliver comparable or slightly better endurance due to its chipset efficiency.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco Pad 5G if you need a capable tablet with 5G connectivity on a tight budget and primarily use it for media consumption and light productivity tasks. Buy the Honor Pad 9 Pro if you prioritize demanding applications like gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and are willing to spend a bit more for a smoother, more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Poco Pad 5G struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 will likely require significant graphical settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. While it can run the game, expect noticeable frame drops and potential thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Honor Pad 9 Pro’s Dimensity 8100 is far better equipped to handle such games at higher settings.
❓ Does the Honor Pad 9 Pro support external displays or accessories for enhanced productivity?
While official accessory support isn't detailed, the Honor Pad 9 Pro’s powerful chipset and USB-C port suggest it should be capable of driving an external display for a desktop-like experience. Support for accessories like keyboards and styluses is likely, but will depend on Honor’s official offerings. The Dimensity 8100’s processing power will ensure smooth multitasking even with an external display connected.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Poco Pad 5G fast enough for daily use?
33W charging is adequate for overnight charging and topping up the battery during breaks. A full charge will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. While not the fastest charging available, it’s sufficient for most users. The Honor Pad 9 Pro’s 35W charging offers a slight improvement, but the difference in charge times will be minimal.
