After a successful launch, HONOR is enjoying the hype generated by its latest mobile device, the HONOR Pad X8a. The latest addition to the slew of mobile gadgets has taken the public by storm as a highly affordable option for those looking to enjoy a larger screen. We may be a little late to the party, but we’re definitely still soaking in the festivities and ready to share our thoughts.
This rugged 11-incher packs a ton of features despite its price point. Featuring a slim design, a fast 6-nanometer Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, a HONOR FullView display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a massive 8300mAh battery, and more, it was perfect for our job.
So, is the HONOR Pad X8a one to look out for? Is it worth hitching a ride on the hype train? Read on to find out.
geeky
The HONOR Pad X8a and its unique flip cover are a very stylish combination. The 11-inch tablet weighs a fairly light 495 grams and is 7.3 mm thick. This makes it a very useful gadget that does not risk falling out of your hands with the slightest mistake.
Texture-wise, the Space Gray colorway is smooth to the touch, but it does pick up some fingerprints. Dirt won’t necessarily stick to the magnet, but greasy fingers will leave a mark. There are nice dual-fire speakers on each end, a USB-C port and the usual combination of power button and volume rocker on the side, and a SIM tray slot on the bottom.
The AI camera setup on top is also nice and unobtrusive. Overall, in terms of looks, the Pad X8a keeps things pretty simple, opting for a stealthier look that we appreciate.
The tri-fold flip cover snaps into place. There are no magnets or clips. The leather-like material feels nice to the touch and is sturdy enough to stand up and enjoy.
When it comes to viewing, the 11-inch screen proves to be plenty bright once you fire up the device. It’s time to explain it in detail.
Elements of binge watching
This is where the HONOR Pad X8a shines. If we’re keeping it real, this is probably why most people actually want to have a tablet. Most people are lucky. That’s because the 11-inch display has an 84% screen-to-body ratio and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate.
Although the pad has an LCD display, it still provides a good level of clarity. The 1920 x 1200 resolution gives you a great time to view your sessions. With up to 400 nits of brightness, you won’t be blinded even when you turn up the brightness, and you won’t squint when you stop dynamically dimming your device.
For long viewing sessions, this display has TÜV Rheinland’s Low Blue Light certification. It’s just a little TLC for you peeps. No matter what I watched, the colors and fanfare never strained my eyes. Of course, if you (like us) consume media daily in the form of K-Pop and anime, the color and fanfare is very rich.
Before I forget, let’s talk about stereo speakers. HONOR Pad X8a features a high amplitude quad speaker layout with amazing audio fidelity. Even when turned all the way up, I don’t hear any crackling from the music. It also appears to have a balanced soundstage because the audio doesn’t really punch through your surroundings. It’s a great audio/visual combination if you want to binge watch.
game skill
The HONOR Pad X8a isn’t necessarily the best here, but it’s still capable. After all, it has a Snapdragon 680 chipset under the hood, with a total of 8GB of RAM (4+4 with expansion) and Adreno 610. This isn’t the best setup for high-end titles, but if you’re the type to play MOBA or FPS titles on your tablet, you’ll get decent results. Never could. skill issue.
Launching Honkai: Star Rail with its default settings gave me pretty decent gameplay, despite the less-than-optimal graphics. If you just want to complete daily quests or accomplish some in-game tasks, the HONOR Pad X8a is perfectly fine. Keep your expectations in check when it comes to aesthetics.
Up to 128 GB of storage gives you enough space to store most titles, unless they’re all from HoYverse. Dedicated gacha games, some MOBAs, and maybe an FPS title or two and all your productivity apps would fit in nicely.
Otaku photo shooting function
If you don’t mind simple video conferencing or simply taking photos for memories, the HONOR Pad X8a’s camera is the way to go. At 5 megapixels per front and back, you definitely need to know a little more about the output.
1X 
2xThat said, you can take decent selfies in decent lighting, and the autofocus isn’t bad. Portrait mode has a bit of an issue as it doesn’t have enough bokeh. In this case, we recommend using the default camera settings.
Portrait 1X 
Portrait 2XWhen it comes to selfies, it’s a little hard to tell the difference. What’s special here is that it adds more beautification features to Portrait mode by default.
Selfie 1X 
Selfie Portrait 1XIt can record up to 1080p video at 30fps, so there is no problem for everyday use or sudden online meetings. Provides sufficient clarity at both ends.
everyday reliability
As a mobile device, I’ve really enjoyed having the HONOR Pad X8a in my daily rotation. Because it is light and thin, it has excellent elasticity and longevity. Yes, I’ve dropped it once or twice, and I’ve also accidentally left it in the defectives for a day or two. No damage, no battery discharge.
The large capacity of 8300 mAh is definitely a highlight and lasts more than a few days on our side. It is worth noting the fact that this does not use mobile data and moreover the device is not used in the same way as a smartphone. Still, I deserve some credit for being able to get through half the work week. Charging may take some time (approximately 1 hour). But you’re in the field for a much longer time.
Quality of life is also worth discussing, as it comes with a variety of productivity features. First, you have all the features of HONOR Share and HONOR Connect at your disposal. There’s no fingerprint sensor, but facial recognition is surprisingly accurate unless your face is completely black. There are also magic capsules for media playback, recording, and clocks. These are definitely useful features to have.
Finally, it comes with both MagicOS 8.0 and Android 14, a very dynamic combination for both recreation and productivity. With this device, you are sure to enjoy your day.
HONOR Pad X8a – The final verdict on the geek lifestyle
If you’re looking for bombastic, overwhelming power, you’re in the wrong place. The HONOR Pad X8a is a capable tablet that plays to its strengths and provides a great experience for just about anyone who needs a bigger screen or to do bigger things.
This is not a gaming device or a content creation powerhouse. It’s a stealthy yet stylish technology that provides an engaging video streaming and focused viewing experience at a very affordable price while completing all your tasks at work.
So if you are in the market for a tablet under 10,000 PHP that will get the job done, I recommend buying some. Must add this to your cart. No questions asked.
Currently, it is available exclusively on Shopee and has a suggested retail price of 7,999 pesos. If you heard this news before our review, you probably bought it yourself at an even better price. Tri-fold flip cover and stylus also sold separately. Be sure to check out HONOR’s official Facebook page if you want to stake out and potentially win it later in the monthly sale.
For a complete list of specs, please visit the official website.
HONOR Pad X8a Specifications:
11.” 90Hz LCD (1200 x 1920) DisplayQualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm)Adreno 610 GPU5 MP, f/2.2 Rear camera with AF5 MP, f/2.2 Front camera4GB RAM (4GB dynamic)64/ 128GB internal storage accelerometer, proximity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band USB Type-C8300 mAh battery, supports up to 22.5W charging Android 14MagicOS 8.0 Space Gray
