Introduction
The HONOR Pad X8a is the brand’s most affordable tablet to date aimed at students and casual users. With a promotional price of PHP 6,999 (until October 9) and a regular SRP of PHP 7,999, it positions itself as an accessible option for those seeking a device that’s mainly for media consumption, basic productivity tasks, and casual use. In a segment where compromises are inevitable, HONOR aims to strike a balance between essential features and affordability.
Design and Build Quality
HONOR has invested considerable effort in the tablet’s physical design, resulting in a device that feels more premium than its price suggests. The aluminum construction contributes to a sophisticated look and feel, all while maintaining a slim 7.25mm profile. At 495g, it offers a balance of portability and durability, making it comfortable for extended use during media consumption or reading sessions.
The matte finish on the rear panel proves to be a practical choice for minimizing fingerprint smudges and providing a secure grip. The bezels are thoughtfully proportioned as well – substantial enough to facilitate comfortable handling without appearing dated or compromising the device’s modern aesthetic. The quad-speaker setup adds to the tablet’s multimedia credentials, while the inclusion of a MicroSD card slot offers welcome storage flexibility.
However, the design does come with certain compromises. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack may disappoint users with wired audio accessories, necessitating either an adapter or wireless alternatives, and the lack of any cellular connectivity options might also limit its appeal to users seeking on-the-go internet access without using another device as a hotspot.
Performance
At the core of the X8a is a Snapdragon 680 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. While this configuration proves adequate for basic tasks, it seems to be an underwhelming choice especially when compared to another recently launched tablet at the same price point.
The gaming experience on the X8a is a mixed bag. Honor of Kings for example, will run well at high FPS and standard resolution. Honkai: Star Rail remains playable, though users must accept the need to dial down to lower graphics settings and the inevitability of running into occasional performance fluctuations. Thus, this positions the tablet primarily as a casual gaming device rather than a dedicated gaming platform.
The 128GB storage capacity, while sufficient for many users, faces stiff competition from that same device which offers more generous allocations at a similar price point. There is, however, expandable storage via MicroSD which helps mitigate this limitation, providing flexibility for users with growing storage needs.
Camera
The HONOR Pad X8a features 5MP sensors for both front and rear cameras, delivering predictably modest results. While these cameras won’t compete with modern smartphones, they serve their purpose for basic video conferencing and casual photography.
In good lighting conditions, the cameras capture adequate detail for social media sharing, though users should manage their expectations for low-light performance and sophisticated photography features.
Audio and Multimedia
The 11-inch TFT LCD display stands out as one of the tablet’s more impressive features, especially due to its 90Hz refresh rate – a welcome addition at this price point that enhances user experience through smoother scrolling and more fluid animations.
While it doesn’t offer the deep blacks and vibrant colors of OLED panels, the display produces satisfactory color reproduction and adequate brightness for indoor use. However, outdoor visibility can be challenging, especially under direct sunlight, even at maximum brightness.
The quad-speaker configuration delivers a surprisingly competent audio experience. The sound has a bit of low-end presence and clear vocal reproduction, though some might find the treble response lacking in the areas of clarity and definition. Volume levels prove sufficient for personal use, making the tablet a capable entertainment device for watching videos or listening to music in moderately quiet environments.
Battery and Charging
Battery performance represents one of the X8a’s stronger aspects, with the device achieving an impressive 12 hours and 26 minutes in PCMark’s Work 3.0 battery benchmark. This translates to reliable all-day usage for typical tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and media consumption.
However, the charging experience leaves a lot of room for improvement, with a full charge from zero to full requiring nearly 4 hours using the included charger. This extended charging time might prove inconvenient for users who rely on quick top-ups between uses.
Software
The tablet runs on HONOR’s MagicOS 8, based on Android 14, offering a refined and thoughtfully designed user experience. The interface maintains a clean, minimalist approach with little bloatware, focusing instead on practical functionality.
The software includes several tablet-optimized features that take advantage of the larger display, such as efficient split-screen capabilities and floating windows for enhanced multitasking.
Present across many HONOR devices, the Magic Capsule adds a layer of convenience through intelligent notification handling for compatible applications, allowing for easy access to key functions such as media controls without interrupting the current task or opening the particular app.
Support is currently limited to a few apps now, but hopefully, the brand can add more down the road.
HONOR Pad X8a – Verdict
The HONOR Pad X8a emerges as a compelling option in the budget tablet segment, particularly for users who prioritize media consumption and basic productivity tasks. While it may not excel in every aspect, it successfully delivers a balanced experience that often exceeds expectations for its price point.
It isn’t the most complete tablet out there, but the combination of premium build quality, smooth display, decent audio, and clean software makes for a package that still offers good value, especially at its promo price of PHP 6,999.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
