HONOR Philippines has just launched its newest budget tablet, the HONOR Pad X9a, which brings impressive features to the entry-level segment. From a high-quality display and AI-powered tools to generous memory and a sleek design, the Pad X9a seems to offer great value.
We were lucky enough to receive a review unit, so here are our first impressions after spending a few days with it. If you haven’t seen our unboxing video yet, be sure to check it out on our Facebook page.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, it’s hard to believe this is a budget tablet. The HONOR Pad X9a boasts a premium-looking design with its metal unibody construction and dual-tone Gray finish, giving it a sleek, high-end feel.
Despite packing a large battery, it maintains a slim profile and weighs only 475g, making it comfortable to hold and carry around which is ideal for users on the go. The build also feels sturdy and durable, thanks to the metal body.
A highlight is its quad stereo speaker setup, capable of reaching 200% max volume, delivering a rich and immersive audio experience, great for binge-watching or casual music sessions.
Display
If you love watching videos or need a tablet for productivity, you’re in luck. The Pad X9a features an 11.5-inch IPS display with a 2.5K resolution, 100% sRGB color gamut, 120Hz refresh rate, and 400 nits of brightness.
The visuals are crisp, vibrant, and smooth, so whether you’re streaming content or multitasking, this tablet is perfect for you. It also supports split-screen mode, which I’m using as I write this article. The initial display experience is impressive, but we’ll dive deeper into it in our full review.
Hardware and Software
Under the hood, the tablet runs on a 6nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 octa-core chipset. While it’s not a powerhouse, it delivers adequate performance for everyday tasks, productivity apps, and light gaming.
It’s paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Compared to today’s common 8GB/256GB standard, this might feel modest, but it’s still sufficient if you primarily use cloud storage or manage a lighter workload. Note that storage is not expandable, so heavy users may want to consider this limitation.
On the bright side, the tablet runs on MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15 out of the box. Having tested MagicOS on other HONOR devices, I’m optimistic about the overall user experience here, so far, it feels smooth and responsive.
Cameras
The HONOR Pad X9a is equipped with an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. While these aren’t standout specs, they are functional enough for scanning documents, casual photos, and online meetings. For the best results, use them in well-lit environments to maximize image clarity.
Battery Life and Charging
This tablet also has a huge 8,300mAh battery capacity that supports 35W fast charging. HONOR claimed it can offer up to 70 days of standby time. Also, a single charge can deliver up to 11.37 hours of online video playback, 14.86 hours of e-book reading, 10.85 hours of music streaming with the screen on, and 51 hours of calls.
So far, my usage confirms this tablet can easily last through a full day of work or study. It also supports 35W fast charging, which can fully recharge the device in just 105 minutes which is impressive for a battery this size.
Other features
The HONOR Pad X9a is marketed as an “AI Tablet” because it has so many AI-assisted features like Voice Note that supports automatic speech-to-text conversion, AI handwriting beautification which makes your handwriting neat, AI formula recognition, and real-time translation.
These AI features are clearly designed with students and learners in mind, helping them boost productivity and get more done with less effort.
HONOR Pad X9a Specifications
- Display: 11.5-inch IPS, 2.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 400nits peak brightness
- CPU: 2.8GHz 6nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 octa-core processor
- GPU: Adreno 610
- RAM: 6GB + 6GB HONOR RAM Turbo
- ROM: 128GB
- Rear Camera: 8MP + LED flash
- Front Camera: 5MP
- Battery: 8,300mAh, 35W HONOR SuperCharge (Type-C)
- OS: MagicOS 9, Android 15
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz & 5GHz WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1
- Sensors: Accelerometer, light,
- Colors: Gray
- Weight: 174g
- Dimensions: 267.3mm (L) x 167.4mm (W) x 6.77mm (D)
- Others: AI face unlock, USB-C, Hi-Res audio, Quad stereo speakers
Price and Availability
The HONOR Pad X9a is now available with a price starting at just PHP 10,999 via HONOR’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada. It is also available with an included Bluetooth folio keyboard for only PHP 11,999.
The HONOR Pad X9a has left a great first impression with its premium design, vibrant display, long battery life, and useful AI tools. While the hardware isn’t flagship-level, it’s more than capable for casual and student users. Stay tuned for our full in-depth review soon!
Would you buy the HONOR Pad X9a? Comment your thoughts!
