The HONOR Pad X9: A Fantastic Budget Tablet
Overview
We haven’t reviewed HONOR devices in quite some time, but the HONOR Pad X9 managed to surprise me in many ways. This tablet is laser focused on a specific group of users and manages to fulfill their needs seamlessly. Priced at only 1099 Ringgit for the tablet itself and an additional 299 Ringgit for the keyboard case, it is a great deal. In this article, I will share my thoughts on this tablet and why I believe it is worth your money.
Design and Display
The HONOR Pad X9 is a simple tablet with an 11.5-inch screen that boasts a 120hz refresh rate. It covers about 97% of the sRGB color gamut, offering decent color accuracy. However, as it is an IPS LCD screen, it falls short in terms of maximum brightness, reaching only around 450 nits. Unfortunately, this means it may not be suitable for outdoor use. Nevertheless, the screen resolution is surprisingly high at 2000 by 1000 and 200 pixels. Although it doesn’t have a 16:10 aspect ratio, the bezels are nicely sized and easy to grip.
Performance and Battery Life
Under the hood, the HONOR Pad X9 is equipped with a Kirin 820 processor and comes with 4GB of RAM. This combination ensures smooth multitasking and efficient performance. Whether you’re browsing the web, streaming videos, or running multiple apps simultaneously, this tablet can handle it all without any lag or slowdowns. Furthermore, the battery life on the HONOR Pad X9 is impressive, lasting for an entire day on moderate usage. You can comfortably use it for work or entertainment without worrying about running out of battery.
Camera and Audio
The HONOR Pad X9 features an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. While the camera quality is decent for casual photography, it doesn’t compare to the cameras found on high-end tablets or smartphones. It is sufficient for video calls and capturing quick moments but falls short in terms of image quality and detail. As for the audio, the HONOR Pad X9 provides dual stereo speakers which deliver a satisfactory audio experience. It is loud and clear, making it enjoyable to watch videos or listen to music without the need for external speakers.
User Interface and Software
The tablet runs on Magic UI 4.0, based on Android 10. The interface is clean and user-friendly, offering a pleasant user experience. It comes with pre-installed apps such as Huawei AppGallery, which provides access to a wide range of applications. While it may not have access to certain Google services, there are alternative options available for downloading popular apps. The software is regularly updated, ensuring that you have the latest security patches and features.
Keyboard Case and Accessories
For an additional 299 Ringgit, you can purchase the keyboard case for the HONOR Pad X9. This accessory adds versatility to the tablet, allowing you to use it as a laptop replacement for productivity tasks. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, making it convenient for writing emails, documents, or even editing photos and videos on the go. The
The Speakers
When it comes to holding the tablet and using the speakers, I must say that they sound pretty decent overall. Whether you’re listening to music or enjoying applause, the speakers deliver a satisfying audio experience. This makes the tablet suitable for multimedia consumption.
Performance and Chipset
The Honor Pad X9 utilizes the Snapdragon 685 chipset, which is sufficient for day-to-day tasks and can serve as a laptop alternative for students. However, it may not be suitable for high-performance tasks or demanding gaming. While some parents may consider this tablet for their children’s gaming needs, it falls short in delivering smooth performance even at the lowest graphical settings.
RAM and Honor Ram Turbo
The tablet comes with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which may seem insufficient by today’s standards. However, Honor claims that the tablet actually has 7GB of RAM due to a feature called Honor Ram Turbo. This feature essentially uses an additional 3GB of RAM from the internal storage. Unfortunately, the reality is that this virtual RAM setup does not work as well as expected. In fact, the internal storage’s speed is around seven times slower than real RAM, leading to potentially worse overall performance when using internal storage as RAM.
It is important to note that while the Honor Ram Turbo feature may seem appealing, the actual performance gains are minimal, and it is unlikely to significantly enhance the tablet’s performance.
The Hardware
The HONOR Pad X9 is a budget tablet packed with impressive hardware features. It has a bright display that enhances the overall user experience. However, it is important to note that the brightness level can be damaging to your device as it can degrade the internal storage over time.
The Turbo Feature
One notable feature of the HONOR Pad X9 is the Turbo feature. While it may sound appealing, it can actually be detrimental to your device. Not only can it decrease the lifespan of your internal storage, but there is also no way to disable this feature. This is something that users should be aware of before using the tablet extensively.
The Software
In terms of software, the HONOR Pad X9 runs on Magic UI 7.1, which is a decent operating system for day-to-day usage. Unlike other smartphone software, it does not create any major issues or interruptions. The tablet comes with a few pre-loaded apps, but they do not push any unwanted ads.
Face Unlock vs. Fingerprint Scanner
One thing to note about the HONOR Pad X9 is that it offers face unlock but does not have a fingerprint scanner. This might disappoint some users who prefer the convenience and security of a fingerprint unlock feature. It is important to consider this aspect before making a purchasing decision.
Battery Life
Considering its 7250 milliamp-hour battery, the HONOR Pad X9 performs quite well when it comes to battery life. In my week-long test using it as my daily driver, the tablet lasted a full day of intensive usage, including web browsing, YouTube streaming, Spotify, and even using language learning apps like Duolingo.
Overall, the HONOR Pad X9 is an exceptional budget tablet with its impressive hardware and decent software. Although it lacks certain features like a fingerprint scanner, it compensates with its long-lasting battery life. However, it is crucial to be cautious of the potential degrading effects of the Turbo feature on the device’s internal storage.
Connectivity Features
The HONOR Pad X9 is a budget tablet that offers various connectivity features for its users. While the tablet can be used exclusively on Wi-Fi, it also comes with a SIM card slot for additional connectivity options. However, it is important to note that using the SIM card may impact the tablet’s battery life.
Micro SD Card Slot
The HONOR Pad X9 also includes a Micro SD card slot, allowing users to expand the tablet’s storage capacity. Unfortunately, due to the lack of a charger in the review unit, it was not possible to test how fast the tablet can charge with the included charger. Instead, a Ukraine 140-watt scan charger was used, which showed that the tablet can take in about 21 Watts Peak using USB PD standards. It took approximately two hours for the tablet to charge completely, which can be considered decent.
The Camera
The camera on the HONOR Pad X9 is worth highlighting. Although it may appear that there are two cameras due to the cutout design, there is actually only one camera on the tablet. It is a 5-megapixel camera, which might not be the highest resolution available in the market, but it serves its purpose well. Some students rely on tablets to capture images of their whiteboard after the professor has finished writing, and having a camera on the tablet proves to be important in such scenarios. If you are curious about the camera’s quality, you can check it out for yourself.
The Keyboard Case
One peculiar accessory for the HONOR Pad X9 is the keyboard case. From a personal standpoint, this accessory seems rather odd.
Fantastic Budget Tablet: HONOR Pad X9 Review
The Keyboard Accessory
The keyboard accessory that comes with the HONOR Pad X9 feels like an afterthought. Unlike other tablets with official folio-style keyboard cases, the HONOR Pad X9 does not feature automatic sleep and wake functions when you close and open the flap. It is unclear why this important feature was not implemented in this tablet.
Wireless Connection and Charging
The keyboard is connected to the tablet wirelessly, without the use of any physical connections or Pogo pins. When you attach the tablet to the keyboard case, you need to manually turn on and off the keyboard and charge it separately, as it has its own battery independent from the tablet. This means that both the keyboard and the tablet need to be charged separately.
Annoying Charging Process
Since the official charger is not included in the box, it is unknown how many ports it comes with. If there is only one port, then you will need to charge the tablet first and then separately charge the keyboard case. This process can be quite annoying and inconvenient. It is frustrating that the HONOR Pad X9 does not streamline the charging process for both the tablet and keyboard.
Typing Experience
Despite its flaws, the keyboard still provides an amazing typing experience. The keys are springy and offer great travel distance. I have typed most of this review using this keyboard and found it to be comfortable and efficient. However, it is important to note that the keyboard lacks a backlight and only provides a single angle for usage.
FANTASTIC budget tablet! HONOR Pad X9 review
Lack of Budget Tablets in the Tech Market
In today’s tech market, there seems to be a lack of options when it comes to budget tablets. Reputable brands have few offerings in this category, leaving consumers with limited choices. The Samsung Galaxy type A8, for instance, has not seen an update in a long time. Similarly, the Xiaomi Pad 6, though commendable, lacks a SIM card slot that many users desire. The Oppo Pad Air, another similar tablet, also falls short in this aspect. However, the HONOR Pad X9 stands out as a truly surprising tablet, targeting a specific group of users with precision.
Precise Targeting and Impressive Features
The HONOR Pad X9 is designed to cater to the needs of users who prioritize certain features in a tablet. It boasts a good screen, ensuring a visually pleasing experience, and comes with impressive speakers for better audio quality. In addition, it supports 4G connectivity, allowing users to stay connected wherever they go.
Competitive Price Point
One of the standout aspects of the HONOR Pad X9 is its enticing price tag. It offers users a fantastic tablet experience without breaking the bank. The affordability combined with the notable features makes it an excellent choice for budget-conscious individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Honor Pad X9 is a budget tablet with decent speakers but falls short in terms of performance, particularly for gaming. The Snapdragon 685 chipset is suitable for everyday use and as a laptop alternative for students, but it may not meet the needs of more demanding tasks. The 4GB of RAM, boosted to 7GB through Honor Ram Turbo, may not deliver the expected performance boost due to the slower speed of internal storage. Overall, the Honor Pad X9 is a decent budget option for basic tasks and multimedia consumption, but users should not expect high-performance capabilities.
In conclusion, the HONOR Pad X9 is a fantastic budget tablet that offers a great typing experience with its keyboard accessory. However, the keyboard feels like an afterthought due to the lack of automatic sleep and wake functions, as well as the inconvenient and separate charging process. Despite these drawbacks, the HONOR Pad X9 remains a viable option for those in search of an affordable tablet with a decent keyboard.
The HONOR Pad X9 proves to be a fantastic budget tablet option, filling the gap in the market for those seeking a budget-friendly yet feature-rich device. With its focus on specific user needs, including a good screen, impressive speakers, and 4G connectivity, it surpasses other options in its price range. If you’re in search of an affordable tablet that doesn’t compromise on performance, the HONOR Pad X9 is definitely worth considering.
