The mid-range tablet market is a brutal scrap-heap, littered with devices that promise the world but deliver a sluggish, joyless experience. So, when HONOR, a brand rapidly making a name for itself in the phone world, drops a tablet like the Pad 9—promising a massive 12.1-inch 120Hz screen, eight speakers, and a premium metal body for under £250—you have to be sceptical.
Is this just another spec-sheet wonder that’ll lag after a week? Or has HONOR just made a mug of premium competitors like Samsung and Apple? We’ve processed the specs, and more importantly, dived deep into real-world user experiences to find out if this is the new budget champion for British media lovers.
HONOR Pad 9, 12.1-inch Wi-Fi Tablet, 8GB+256GB, 120Hz 2.5K Eye Protection Display, 8 Speakers, Android 13, Space Grey
12.1-inch 120Hz 2.5K Display: A large, high-resolution (2560×1600) screen with a 120Hz high-speed refresh rate for smooth scrolling. It also features TUV Rheinland certified flicker-free and low blue light “Eye Protection” technology.
Eight-Speaker Surround Sound: An immersive audio system with eight speakers (two at the bottom) and HONOR’s bidirectional vocal enhancement technology for clear, enveloping sound.
Performance and Storage: Powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, it comes with a generous 16GB of “RAM Turbo” (8GB physical + 8GB virtual) and 256GB of internal storage.
Large 8300mAh Battery: A substantial all-day battery that supports 11 hours of local video playback and 35W fast charging (note: the charger is sold separately).
Premium All-Metal Body: A slim (6.96mm) and lightweight (555g) all-metal one-piece design that provides a comfortable and premium feel.
In Detail: What Does the HONOR Pad 9 Promise?
On paper, the HONOR Pad 9 is all about media. It’s built around that huge 12.1-inch, 2.5K-resolution display. It’s not just big; it’s fast, with a 120Hz refresh rate that should make scrolling silky smooth. Under the bonnet, it’s running a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip with a healthy 8GB of RAM (plus another 8GB of virtual “RAM Turbo”) and a generous 256GB of storage.
It’s all wrapped in a “Space Grey” all-metal body that’s just 6.96mm thick and packs a hefty 8300mAh battery. But the real party trick? That eight-speaker audio system, designed to create an immersive sound experience.
It’s an impressive package for the price. But the story that emerges from real-world use is one of shocking audio-visual quality that has many users questioning their loyalty to more expensive brands.
[Get the Latest Price on the HONOR Pad 9]
The Screen: Is It Really ‘Eye-Protective’?
The display is the star of the show. It’s a 12.1-inch monster with a sharp 2560 x 1600 (2.5K) resolution. For a budget tablet, the 120Hz refresh rate is a standout feature, making web browsing and app-switching feel fluid and responsive.
HONOR makes big claims about its “Eye Protection” tech, with TUV Rheinland certifications for being flicker-free and having low blue light. But what’s it really like to use?
Owners are, in short, blown away. It’s described as “sharp, vibrant,” and “perfect for streaming.” One particularly detailed review from a user named Steve Farrell nails it: it’s “not OLED or AMOLED,” but for an IPS screen, it has “really good black levels” and “very dark blacks without crushing shadow details.”
He does note the colours can be “a very slight bit over saturated,” but that’s a minor niggle. For watching Netflix or browsing YouTube, this screen isn’t just “good for the price”—it’s just plain good.
Audio: Eight Speakers or Just a Gimmick?
This was the feature that raised our eyebrows. Eight speakers? In a budget tablet? Surely that’s just a marketing gimmick.
According to users, it is absolutely not a gimmick. The HONOR Pad 9’s audio is, by all accounts, its second knockout punch. Owners describe the sound as “awesome,” “surprisingly loud and clear,” and “surprisingly good.” One Italian reviewer, in a fit of excitement, called the audio “incredibile” and “involvente” (enveloping).
You simply don’t hear words like “enveloping” in the budget tablet space. This isn’t just about volume; the eight-speaker layout (with two at the bottom) creates a genuine stereo field that, as HONOR claims, provides an “immersive acoustic experience.” For a device built to watch films on, this is a massive win and makes competitors’ dual-speaker setups sound tinny and weak.
Performance & Software: MagicOS and the Snapdragon 6
The Pad 9 runs on a 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor. This is a solid mid-range chip, and user feedback confirms this. For “general purpose” use—which, let’s be honest, is what 99% of us do—it’s “very quick and responsive” and “more than fast enough.”
Apps “launch real fast,” and general browsing is a breeze. However, it’s important to set expectations. As one savvy user (Guy) points out, this mid-range processor “may stutter slightly with some very heavy duty games.” This isn’t a high-end gaming machine, but for The Times crossword, Candy Crush, and browsing, it’s more than adequate.
The software is another pleasant surprise. It comes with Android 13 but, as users report, it’s quick to get updates to Android 14 and HONOR’s MagicOS 8.0. The real story is the user experience. Several former iPad owners were “hesitent to purchase” but found themselves “pretty happy.” One even stated that with “MagicOS installed it feels like I’m using an iPad.” This is a huge compliment, making the switch from Apple’s walled garden feel less daunting.
Build Quality, Battery, and… The Big Omissions
That “all-metal one-piece design” isn’t just marketing fluff. The build quality is, according to owners, “excellent.” One reviewer’s comment says it all: “It puts my wife’s swanky iPad to shame.” Others find it “comfortable to hold” and less of a strain on the hand than their old iPads. At 555g, it’s not feather-light—one user noted it “pesa un po'” (weighs a bit)—but it feels solid and premium.
Battery life lives up to the 8300mAh promise. Users report they “easily get a full day of use” and one super fly clocked “about 11 hours of YouTube using half brightness.”
So, where did HONOR cut the corners? Well, it’s what’s not in the box.
First, as the Amazon page states in bold red letters: “not include charger.” You get a USB-C cable, but the 35W fast-charging plug? You’re on your own. This is a “gotcha” that many users, including one in France, pointed out.
Second, as a reviewer in Italy lamented, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s Bluetooth or nothing, so dig out your wireless earbuds. Finally, a Polish user noted the lack of GPS. This is a Wi-Fi, at-home media tablet, not a sat-nav for your car. For the target user, this is unlikely to be a deal-breaker.
HONOR Pad 9 vs. The Competition
- vs. Samsung Galaxy A-Series: The Pad 9 seems to thrash Samsung’s budget offerings. One user upgrading from a 3-year-old Samsung A9 called the HONOR “alot better all round.” With a 120Hz screen and eight speakers, it’s simply in a different league for media.
- vs. Apple iPad (10th Gen): This is the big one. The base iPad has a more powerful chip and the Apple ecosystem. But the Pad 9 has a larger, faster 12.1-inch 120Hz screen (vs. the iPad’s 10.9-inch 60Hz) and infinitely better audio. Given that users say the build feels just as premium and the software “feels like” an iPad, the HONOR presents a massive value proposition for hundreds of pounds less.
- vs. Lenovo M10: It’s not even a fair fight. One user who previously owned a Lenovo M10 said the HONOR Pad 9 “is in a different world!”
Our Verdict
The HONOR Pad 9 isn’t just a good budget tablet; it’s a fantastic media tablet that just happens to be budget-friendly. It’s not trying to be an “iPad Pro killer” or a productivity workhorse. It knows exactly what it is: a portable, personal cinema.
It’s for the student who wants to binge-watch in bed, the commuter who wants a big screen for the train, or the family who needs a reliable “sofa-tablet” for browsing.
The screen and speakers are in a class of their own for this price, and the premium metal build makes it feel like a device twice the price. Yes, the lack of an included charger is annoying, and the omission of a headphone jack is a classic 2024 move. But for this price, they are compromises, not deal-breakers.
If you’re looking for a tablet primarily for streaming, reading, and casual use, the HONOR Pad 9 isn’t just a good choice. It’s arguably the new no-brainer.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Stunning 12.1-inch 120Hz Screen: “Sharp, vibrant,” and “perfect for streaming.” | ❌ No Charger Included: You only get a cable; the 35W plug is sold separately. |
| ✅ Awesome 8-Speaker Audio: Genuinely “enveloping” and “incredibly” loud and clear. | ❌ No 3.5mm Headphone Jack: It’s Bluetooth audio only. |
| ✅ Premium All-Metal Build: “Feels more expensive than it is” and “puts iPads to shame.” | ❌ No GPS: This is a Wi-Fi-only, at-home device, not a navigator. |
| ✅ Great Battery Life: An “all-day” battery that users confirm lasts ~11 hours for video. | ❌ Not for Hardcore Gaming: The mid-range chip “may stutter” with very heavy games. |
| ✅ Excellent Value for Money: “You wouldn’t believe this is classed as a budget tablet!” | |
| ✅ User-Friendly MagicOS: Clean software that updates quickly and “feels like an iPad.” |
Final Rating: 4.6 / 5
[Get the Latest Price on the HONOR Pad 9]
Additional Information
- Manufacturer: HONOR
- Model: Pad 9 (5301AHKN)
- ASIN: B0CST8ZHBC
- First Available: 14 February 2024
- Dimensions: 27.8 x 18.01 x 0.7 cm (6.96mm thick)
- Weight: 555g
- OS: Android 13 (MagicOS 7.2), upgradable to Android 14
- What’s in the Box: Tablet, USB-C Cable, Quick Start Guide (Charger not included)
Further Reading
- TechRadar: The Best Budget Tablets – For a broad comparison of the latest market options.
- TUV Rheinland: Eye Comfort Certification Explained – An authoritative source explaining what the “eye protection” display certification actually means.
- GSMArena: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Specs – A deep dive into the chipset powering the tablet.