Honor has been quite busy lately, releasing their flagship Magic6 Pro, two Porsche Design phones, and now, the Pad 9. This mid-range tablet landed on my desk recently, and I was eager to see what this 3K-priced device could offer. Here’s my experience with the Honor Pad 9.
**Unboxing the Honor Pad 9**
As always, let’s start with the unboxing. The Pad 9 comes in a sleek box, containing the tablet itself (I got the Space Grey version with 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM, Wi-Fi only), a charging brick, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and the usual documentation.
**Design and Feel: Slim, Sturdy, and Travel-Friendly**
The Pad 9 shares a similar design language with its predecessor, the Pad 8. It sports a full metal body, making it feel quite durable in hand. One noticeable difference is the rear camera placement, now centered near the top for better balance compared to the previous top-right corner position. While slightly thicker and heavier than the Pad 8, the difference is negligible. It’s still remarkably slim and light for a 12-inch tablet, especially when paired with the optional keyboard case. This makes it incredibly portable, perfect for using as a lightweight work laptop on the go.
**12.1-inch Display: High Resolution and Smooth Performance**
The Pad 9 retains the 12.1-inch screen size from its predecessor. However, Honor bumped up the resolution to 2560 x 1600 and added a 120Hz refresh rate. These improvements are noticeable, resulting in a smooth and enjoyable viewing experience. Colors appear natural, text is sharp, and viewing angles are more than adequate. The large display is excellent for multitasking, allowing multiple apps on screen simultaneously. It also supports most streaming services, making it a great device for watching Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, or listening to music on Spotify. Of course, gaming is also enjoyable on this screen.
**Eight Speakers Deliver Impressive Sound**
Like the Pad 8, the Pad 9 features eight speaker units. Six are located on the left and right sides, while the remaining two are at the bottom, providing an immersive audio experience. Watching movies on this tablet is a treat, with clear vocals and impressive volume. Even at maximum volume, I experienced no distortion, and the surround sound effect was quite noticeable.
**Solid Mid-Range Performance**
Under the hood, the Pad 9 packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, Adreno 710 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. The Pad 9 also allows you to allocate an additional 8GB from storage to RAM, effectively boosting it to 16GB for smoother multitasking. Performance-wise, the Pad 9 performs as expected for a mid-range tablet. Don’t expect to push the graphical limits (gaming with high settings is not recommended), but it handles everyday apps with ease. The 8,300mAh battery easily lasts for over two days with average use. A 5G version is also available for a reasonable price bump, making it a viable option for staying connected on the go.
**Final Thoughts: A Dependable Mid-Range Option**
The Honor Pad 9 is a solid mid-range tablet. While it doesn’t drastically deviate from its predecessor in terms of design or features, it delivers a reliable and enjoyable experience. The upgraded display and excellent speakers make it a fantastic choice for media consumption. The only minor downside is the lack of an OLED screen, which might make outdoor viewing challenging in bright sunlight. However, when combined with the optional keyboard case, the Pad 9 transforms into a practical lightweight laptop, perfect for work or entertainment on the move. With its long-lasting battery, you can easily go about your day without worrying about running out of juice.