HONOR Pad X8a Review

honor pad x8a

2024 has seen a number of tablet launches, and HONOR has entered with their own offering——the HONOR Pad X8a.

This tablet is positioned as an entry-level, affordable device, packing a variety of decent features that make it a compelling option in its price range.

Design and Build

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At first glance, the HONOR Pad X8a doesn’t present a standout or unique design, but its premium feel is undeniable.

Encased in a sleek dark grey unibody metal casing, it weighs 496g, making it lighter than one would expect for a tablet of its size. Its slim profile, reinforced by an aluminum frame, adds to its portability—ideal for users constantly on the go.

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The tablet’s layout is simple yet functional. The top edge holds the power button, volume rockers, and an SD card slot that supports up to 1TB of expandable storage.

On the sides, there are dual speakers for stereo sound, with the left and right sides each housing a pair of speakers, alongside a USB-C port for charging.

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At the back, the HONOR Pad X8a features a smooth matte finish that, while prone to fingerprint smudging, doesn’t make them overly visible. The HONOR logo is centered, with the camera module placed discreetly at the top left corner.

Display

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The HONOR Pad X8a features a sizeable 11.1-inch FHD+ IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing an enjoyable viewing experience.

Whether you’re streaming videos or working on the tablet, the colors are vibrant and the details crisp, although the display’s brightness maxes out at 400 nits, meaning it may not be ideal for use in direct sunlight.

The thick bezels around the display are typical for tablets in this range and actually help prevent accidental touches.

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While it lacks a variety of advanced display features, the tablet offers a good balance between entertainment and productivity.

Camera Capabilities

For photography, the HONOR Pad X8a is equipped with a basic 5MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera for selfies.

Both cameras capture reasonable images with decent color and detail, but they perform best in well-lit environments.

Rear Camera Sample

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Selfie Camera Sample

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When it comes to video recording, both the front and rear cameras are capable of recording up to 1080P at 30FPS, suitable for casual use like video calls or short video clips.

Performance and Power

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Under the hood, the HONOR Pad X8a is powered by a 6nm Snapdragon 680 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM (with an additional 4GB of virtual RAM) and 128GB of storage.

While the Snapdragon 680 is a bit dated, it manages to handle everyday tasks without too much trouble. However, users might experience some lag when multitasking or using more complex apps.

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The tablet runs on Android 14, with HONOR’s MagicOS 8 layered on top, providing a familiar yet smooth user experience.

Benchmark Results

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Battery Life and Charging

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One of the tablet’s strongest points is its battery. Equipped with an 8300mAh capacity, the HONOR Pad X8a easily lasts through long periods of use. In our video loop test, it held up for 19 hours and 12 minutes.

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As for charging, the device takes around 2 hours and 46 minutes to fully charge from 0 to 100%. While the charging speed isn’t the fastest, it’s in line with what you’d expect for a budget tablet.

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Price

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Priced at PHP 7,999 for the 4GB + 128GB variant, the HONOR Pad X8a delivers solid performance for an entry-level device.

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It comes with a vibrant 90Hz display, impressive battery life, and a premium-feeling build. The addition of expandable storage up to 1TB is a notable plus for users needing more space.

While it doesn’t stand out significantly from the competition in terms of specs, the HONOR Pad X8a is certainly a tablet worth considering if you’re looking for an affordable option.

HONOR Pad X8a Specs

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  • OS: Android 14, MagicOS 8.0
  • Refresh Rate: 90Hz
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels
  • Dimensions: 257 x 168.5 x 7.3 mm
  • Weight: 495g
  • Screen Size & Display: 11 inches TFT LCD
  • Chipset: Snapdragon 680 4G
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 64GB | 128GB
  • Dual Main Camera: 5MP f/2.2
  • Front Camera: 5MP f/2.2
  • Battery & Charging: 8300 mAh | Type-C
  • Colors: Space Gray

What do you think about the HONOR Pad X8a? Let us know in the comments below! If you want a to know more about HONOR Pad X8a’s performance, don’t forget to check out our video review on our YouTube Channel.