Are Android tablets finally getting better?

Main points

• Stunning design and gorgeous 12.1-inch LCD display
• Smooth navigation and fast app launch
• Available in the US, but color options are limited outside of China

It’s quite interesting to get back into using an Android tablet after a few years, since the last Android tablet I owned was released in 2019. The options weren’t necessarily great back then, so I ended up switching to Apple’s budget-friendly alternatives in 2020, when the 8th generation iPad was the most affordable version you could buy, for those looking to get a great one at a reasonable price For those looking for features, a nice display, and good audio quality, this is the best option out there.

Fast forward to 2024, and I can enjoy a new Android experience in a gorgeous new software package. The Honor Pad 9 offers great features, a stunning design, and all the essentials that make it a perfect choice for those who want a good media experience without spending too much money. However, the question remains: Is the Honor Pad 9 good enough to replace my iPad? Let’s take a look.

Price and availability

Honor has made some interesting choices with the Honor Tab 9. It was first released in China on December 22, 2023, just in time for the holidays. Pricing starts at 1,499 yuan, or about $212. However, you won’t be able to buy it outside of China until February 2024, when it will carry a price tag of €399, making it more expensive than some of Apple’s current products.

Luckily for most European consumers, the Honor Pad 9 is now available for as low as €349, with the latest deal saving up to €50 over the base model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. You also get a flip cover with the purchase, which makes it a slightly more attractive option, since the Honor Pad 9 flip case normally sells for 50 euros, so you’re essentially getting a new tablet for 299 euros , if you’re looking for a new Android tablet.

The Honor Pad 9 may not be the most powerful tablet out there, but it holds its own when loaded with anything you want. It offers fast application launch and is even suitable for occasional gaming. This tablet features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, Qualcomm Adreno 710 graphics, 8GB of RAM, a large 12.1-inch LCD display, 256GB of storage, and long-lasting battery life, even when you’re flying across the Atlantic.

Honor Tablet 9 design: killer appearance

This is one of the best aspects of this tablet, as it’s a feast for the eyes. It looks and feels premium, and if you didn’t take the time to look at the details, you might even think it was one of Apple’s more expensive alternatives. I also like the star gray finish, it looks nice and does a great job of preventing fingerprints. It also comes in “Light White” and “Azure” colors, but those options are hard to get outside of China. I loved the design so much that I almost felt bad that I had to buy a box to keep it safe. Still, it’s very convenient and useful if you plan to watch videos on your tablet, and it also keeps it safe from any potential harm.

I’m still confused by the camera placement, as it makes you think this tablet is meant to be used horizontally. The rear camera can also be annoying if you’re brave enough to use your Honor Pad 9 without a case, as it makes your tablet wobble on any flat surface. However, I believe most users will immediately throw a protective case on this device to help it lay flat wherever you want to put it down. Investing in a protective case is also handy as it will give you a better grip on your device, which can be a bit slippery if your hands are wet or sweaty. If you’re using the tablet in landscape mode, we found that the volume and power buttons are located on the top left of the tablet, making them a bit hard to reach if you have your hands on the sides of the tablet while watching your favorite content.

The display on the Honor Pad 9 is also great for content consumption as it comes with an anti-glare coating that makes viewing easier and better even in bright places. However, this display is not very effective at preventing smudges. Either way, you get a 12.1-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is unusual for tablets in this price range. You’ll also enjoy clear and rich colors. I wouldn’t recommend it to aspiring artists, though, since it doesn’t come with a stylus, and buying the company’s Magic Pencil 3 costs an extra $100. But if money is no object, you’ll enjoy your time sketching and taking notes because the experience is so outstanding, it’s almost like using a real pencil and paper.

Performance: Fast Navigation

The Honor Pad 9 runs on MagicOS 7.2 and Android 13, so the experience is fast and smooth, but there are a few issues I don’t necessarily like. Biometric authentication isn’t as fast or reliable as I’d like, meaning I frequently have to enter a security code to unlock my tablet. When I’m at home, this isn’t an issue because I disable biometric authentication and can use the tablet with just a swipe.

I’ve also had some issues with the tablet not going to sleep while using certain apps, which means I usually pick up the Honor Pad 9 when the battery is drained, mainly video streaming apps and what I use Come play guitar app. Other than that, I can say that I’m very pleased with the loading speed, animations, and overall experience, as the Honor Pad 9 delivers the performance you’d expect from a new tablet.

I never said the battery life was poor, as I managed to use my tablet on the flight back from Barcelona during the epic Kimetsu No Yaiba marathon. I even managed to squeeze in some plot from Dragon Quest. I got home with just over 30% battery left, which is pretty good considering the power and capabilities of this tablet. In fact, I complained that my Honor Pad 9 wouldn’t go to sleep while running certain apps, resulting in low battery, but if I turned everything off before putting the tablet away, the problem was resolved.

I also have a hard time understanding why the Honor Pad 9 gets negative reviews for the volume of its 8-speaker system. I really like the speakers on this tablet; they’re great for music, movies, and more. I typically use tablets and over-ear headphones when traveling or when I don’t want the rest of the world distracting from what I’m watching, so the speakers aren’t a drawback I mentioned. Additionally, you’ll only pay $400 for this tablet, or $299 if you take advantage of current deals, so if it’s not the Pro version or designed to deliver a top-notch audio experience. You get what you pay for, the tablet’s speakers are more than enough to provide an immersive experience if you’re watching content during a flight or sitting alone on the couch, but then again, why stream directly to your tablet now? What’s the content of your TV?

Should you buy it?

Honor has built a very attractive Android tablet that’s really enjoyable and perfect for most people. I love it and so do my kids, especially when we go out; I also purchased Lamicall’s car tablet holder to keep my kids and wife entertained on the road. I believe it’s great for content consumption, great for long distance travel, and great for anyone looking to get into a new Android tablet.

That being said, the only real negative for me is the price tag, as other options on the market seem more attractive, especially for the US market where it might not be that easy to get a product from Honor. For example, you can buy a 9th generation iPad starting at $249. Effectively, you sacrifice storage space, but you get a tablet that will last for years, allowing you to do everything you need in a more economical option.

There’s a lot to like about this tablet, but I’m still not sure I want to spend 349 euros on one. I’m currently considering replacing my 8th generation iPad with a more powerful device, and I’m not convinced that the Honor Pad 9 is a tablet I’d keep for work-related purposes. Still, it’s a perfect companion when I get to something more powerful.