Over the past two years, HONOR Philippines has impressed with its wide-ranging lineup of gadgets. From budget-friendly X-series phones to feature-packed N-series models and flagship Magic-series devices, HONOR caters to various needs and price points. The Magic series, in particular, stands out for its exceptional cameras, consistently ranking among the best in the market.

But HONOR’s expertise isn’t limited to smartphones. Their HONOR MagicBook laptops have proven to be reliable budget options, and their tablets, such as the mid-range HONOR Pad 9, have also garnered attention. Now, HONOR has introduced its most affordable tablet yet—the HONOR Pad X8a, which could become the perfect companion for students.

Design: 4/5

The HONOR Pad X8a is an 11-inch entry-level tablet with a TFT LCD display offering Full HD resolution (1920 x 1200) and a 90Hz refresh rate. The display includes features like Dynamic Dimming and E-book Mode for eye comfort, and it comes with TUV Rheinland certifications for low blue light and flicker-free performance. These additions make the tablet well-suited for extended use, whether for reading or streaming.

The tablet is only available in Space Gray, but its sleek aluminum body adds a touch of elegance that belies its budget-friendly price. It’s also impressively lightweight, weighing just 495 grams. This combination of design and portability makes it ideal for users on the go.

In terms of layout, the HONOR Pad X8a is practical and user-friendly. The front camera is positioned for landscape use, making it perfect for video calls and classes. On the top edge, you’ll find the volume and power buttons along with the microSD tray, while the sides house the quad-speaker setup. The USB-C port is located on the right side, ensuring easy access for charging and data transfer.

Hardware: 3.5/5

While adequate for an entry-level tablet, the hardware shows its limitations. The Snapdragon 680 is a three-year-old processor, and the relatively small RAM can result in occasional slowdowns. That said, the tablet performs well for lighter tasks.

It handles casual games like Wild Rift and Honor of Kings smoothly, even on higher settings. However, more demanding titles such as Genshin Impact require settings to be reduced for playable performance.

The cameras—a 5MP front camera and a 5MP rear camera—are basic but functional. They perform decently in good lighting but struggle in low-light conditions, making them less ideal for photography.

Battery life is one of the tablet’s strengths, thanks to its 8,300mAh capacity. It lasts about a full day with heavy use, leaving around 25% charge by the end of the day. For lighter use, it can go up to two and a half days. However, the lack of fast charging is a drawback, as the device takes around four hours to charge fully.

Overall, while the hardware isn’t cutting-edge, it meets the expectations of its price point and target audience.

User Experience: 4/5

Entry-level tablets often fall short in delivering a smooth user experience, but the HONOR Pad X8a stands out in several ways. Its balance of affordability, functionality, and portability makes it a practical choice, especially for students.

The PHP7,999 price tag is one of the most attractive features of the HONOR Pad X8a. The 11-inch screen hits the sweet spot—it’s large enough to function as a mini-laptop with the right tools while remaining lightweight and portable for one-handed use. It’s also an excellent option for eBook reading, potentially replacing heavy textbooks.

During testing, I used the HONOR Pad X8a for graduate school classes, and it handled the demands surprisingly well. While opening large PDFs or switching between apps occasionally revealed its limitations, the tablet performed admirably once files were loaded. The quad-speaker setup enhances the multimedia experience, offering decent sound quality at medium volume levels, though high volumes may introduce slight distortions.

The TFT LCD display, while functional, feels outdated compared to OLED screens. The difference is particularly noticeable when switching between the tablet and a modern smartphone. However, the screen is still adequate for binge-watching Netflix or other streaming platforms.

The compromises inherent in an entry-level device are evident, particularly in processing power and RAM. Multitasking can be sluggish, and the lack of fast charging is inconvenient. Despite these limitations, the HONOR Pad X8a remains a reliable and practical option for its price.

Value: 4/5

The HONOR Pad X8a offers remarkable value for its PHP7,999 price point. It may not deliver cutting-edge performance, but it excels in areas that matter most to students and casual users. The 11-inch display, expandable storage, and decent video conferencing capabilities make it a solid study companion.

The tablet is also versatile enough for entertainment and light productivity tasks, making it an appealing option for those on a tight budget. While it has its limitations, its strengths—such as affordability and practicality—far outweigh the drawbacks.

Specifications:

• Display: 11-inch TFT IPS Full HD (1920 x 1200)LCD with 90Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 680
• Memory: 4GB (+ 4GB HONOR Turbo RAM)
• Storage: 128GB expandable via microSD
• OS: MagicUI 8.0
• Camera: Rear:5MP camera (Fno2.2 AF); Camera, Front: 5MP camera (Fno2.2 FF)
• Battery: 8300mAh
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, OTG
• Dimension: 256.91 mm x 168.46 mm x 7.25 mm
• Weight: 495g
• Colors: Space Gray

What’s Hot:

• Price
• Quad-speakers

What’s Not:

• Older Processor
• 4GB of RAM feels lacking
• No fast charging

Bottomline:

A perfect study buddy for students on a tight budget.

Review by Gabriel Pe
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE November 2024 Issue.