HONOR Pad X9a: Design and workmanship
The HONOR Pad X9a features a slim aluminum casing that feels pleasantly high-quality despite its affordable price. At just 6,8 millimeters, the tablet is even thinner than its predecessor (7,25 millimeters) and weighs in at around 475 grams. The size and weight strike just the right balance for everyday use.
The matte silver back is grippy and largely fingerprint-resistant. The flat sides and gently rounded edges ensure a pleasant feel, whether you use the tablet in portrait or landscape mode.
The power button and volume rocker are easily accessible on the side and have a clearly defined pressure point. The USB-C port is located on the bottom as usual, but still only supports the USB 2.0 standard. This is sufficient for charging and basic data transfers, but faster USB standards or a display output are not supported.
HONOR has completely dispensed with additional ports this time. A microSD slot and a 3,5 mm audio jack are missing. Both were missing on the HONOR Pad X8a (our review) still available. Anyone who uses wired headphones or expandable storage will have to rethink their approach. However, the design now appears cleaner and more modern.
A matching Bluetooth keyboard cover is available as an option. It magnetically holds the tablet and can be used as a kickstand. If you write regularly, you can use it to complete smaller office tasks without a laptop.
Important notes
Until August 03rd, the HONOR Pad X9a is available on Amazon at a special price of only 159,99 euros instead of 199,99 euros.
HONOR Pad X9a: Display and Multimedia
Compared to its predecessor, the HONOR Pad X9a's display has been upgraded in both size and image quality. Instead of 11 inches, the panel now measures 11,5 inches diagonally and has a higher resolution of 2508 x 1504 pixels. It's not an OLED, but a traditional IPS panel, albeit with stable viewing angles and balanced color reproduction. Content is razor-sharp, and the display performs particularly well when reading, browsing, or playing videos.
HONOR has also increased the refresh rate compared to its predecessor. The panel now refreshes at 120 Hz instead of 90 Hz. This ensures smooth animations and a smooth user experience.
The maximum brightness is around 400 nits, which is perfectly sufficient for indoor use. However, the display reaches its limits in direct sunlight. This is a typical drawback in this price range. However, the panel scores highly in terms of eye-friendliness. HONOR relies on TÜV-certified Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free technology, which is particularly easy on the eyes during extended use.
Four speakers distributed along the sides of the case provide the perfect sound. The volume is decent and the sound balance is balanced, so effects and voices come across clearly when watching movies. While it lacks a bit of bass, the X9a sounds surprisingly rich for a tablet in this price range. Dolby Atmos isn't available. Instead, HONOR gets the most out of the hardware with its Smart Amplifier.
Streaming fans can also look forward to Widevine L1, which means Netflix, Disney+, and other platforms run in Full HD. Combined with the 120 Hz display, this creates a comprehensive multimedia experience that rivals even significantly more expensive tablets.
HONOR Pad X9a: Performance and Battery
The HONOR Pad X9a features the Snapdragon 685, a lower mid-range processor that's already a few years old. Compared to the Snapdragon 680 in the previous model, the chip offers slightly higher clock speeds, but overall performance remains at a similar level. A more recent chip would have benefited the tablet, especially with regard to more demanding apps.
Added to that are 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, of which around 98 GB is available. This is perfectly sufficient for everyday use. Most apps launch quickly, scrolling feels smooth, and the system remains stable even during multitasking, as long as you don't overdo it. Compared to the Pad X8a, the system feels a bit smoother overall, which is mainly due to the optimized chip and the fresh software.
The tablet's suitability for mobile gaming is limited. Titles like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers run smoothly, but the Snapdragon 685 struggles with more demanding games like Genshin Impact. You'll have to accept some stuttering, even at reduced graphics settings. However, the performance is more than sufficient for media use, browsing, and office apps.
The battery remains the same. With 8.300 mAh, the tablet offers a similarly long battery life to its predecessor. Two days of moderate use are easily possible, and with intensive use, it still easily gets through the day. In the PCMark battery test, the tablet achieved over eleven hours of screen-on time.
Charging is now a bit faster. While the predecessor had to make do with a leisurely 10 watts, the Pad X9a now supports fast charging up to 35 watts. A full charge still takes just under two hours, but it's a noticeable improvement over its predecessor.
HONOR Pad X9a: Connectivity and Software
The Pad X9a is more reserved when it comes to connectivity. Wi-Fi (ac) and Bluetooth 5.1 are included, but cellular connectivity, GPS, and NFC are missing. The tablet is therefore dependent on a Wi-Fi connection, which isn't a problem in everyday life, but it does compromise some flexibility when on the go. Incidentally, there's no fingerprint sensor. The tablet can be unlocked using a PIN, pattern, or facial recognition.
The tablet ships with Android 15 and HONOR's MagicOS 9 user interface. It's modern, clear, and includes useful features, including split screens, floating windows, and quick file sharing between HONOR devices. HONOR keeps unnecessary bloatware to a minimum.
Instead, HONOR integrates the Google AI assistant Gemini and Google Kids Space, a safe children's mode with child-friendly content and parental controls. According to HONOR, software updates are planned until at least Android 17. Security patches are scheduled to be released quarterly. This is perfectly acceptable for a device in this price range.
HONOR Pad X9a: Camera
As with most tablets in this price range, the cameras on the HONOR Pad X9a remain rather functional. On the back, HONOR installs an 8 MP camera with autofocus and an f/2.0 aperture. The front camera has a 5 MP fixed-focus camera with an f/2.2 aperture.
This is sufficient for video calls, document scanning, or occasional snapshots in daylight. The photos from the main camera appear sufficiently sharp in good light and capture text reliably. In video calls, the front camera delivers a usable image as long as you're in a bright room.
As soon as the light deteriorates, however, the setup's weaknesses become apparent. Images quickly become noisy, details are lost, and colors appear increasingly washed out. There's no dedicated night mode or AI enhancements. Image stabilization is also completely absent.
The camera is okay for occasional use, but nothing more. If you value good photos, you'll be better off using a smartphone.
