Tablet review
Honor Pad X9 Review: Is it worth buying?
Pad X9 is a recently rolled-out tablet by the Honor brand that aims to make smart and feature-oriented smartphones, tablets and wearables. The devices under Honor X series are slim and lightweight with a lot of features. And, Pad X9 is no exception. Let’s take a look into the key specs, price, pros and cons of the Honor Pad X9.
Key Features of Honor Pad X9
Design
The HONOR Pad X9 boasts a premium look and feel. It has a sleek design with flat sides for a modern touch. The minimal branding and single-color finish keep it stylish. This tablet has a 267.3 x 167.4 x 6.9 mm dimension and weighs 495 grams, which might be a tad heavy for children. However, it's advisable to get a protective case to prevent scratches and make it easier to prop up on a flat surface.
The size of the HONOR Pad X9 is just right for everyday use. It's compact enough for school or work and spacious enough for entertainment and multitasking. The tablet's flat sides ensure comfortable use for extended periods without hand or arm discomfort. Despite the aluminum frame, it offers a non-slip grip, making it suitable for long gaming sessions.
Read more: Honor Pad 8 Review: A budget-friendly capable Tablet
In terms of ports and buttons, you'll find a volume rocker and power button on top (in landscape mode). There are two speakers on each side along with a USB Type-C port. Additionally, there's a set of dual speakers on the bottom. However, it lacks a fingerprint reader, though it can recognize faces using the front-facing camera.
Display
The HONOR Pad X9 features a spacious 11.5-inch TFT LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a resolution of 1200 x 2000 pixels, providing 203 pixels per inch (PPI). While it's not the sharpest display in its size category, it offers good value for its affordable price. The lower resolution is beneficial for tasks like reading, web browsing, and gaming, especially considering its midrange chipset, which consumes less power with the lower pixel count.
The display delivers impressive visuals for videos and images, with vibrant colors. However, it falls short in terms of brightness, reaching a peak of 400 nits. This brightness is adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight or very bright environments. Nevertheless, this brightness level is in line with other devices in a similar price range.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Is it really the ‘iPad killer’?
1 year ago
Best Tablets under Tk 25000 in Bangladesh
Tablets encompass a wide spectrum of functionalities, from being exceptional portable media players to becoming productivity champions with distinctive features such as modular accessories like magnetically-detachable keyboards and, in certain instances, stylus support. Let’s take a look at the 10 best tablets available in the Bangladesh market under BDT 25000.
10 Best Tablets within Tk 25000
TCL Tab 10 Gen2
The tablet, released in September 2023, offers a range of specifications tailored for a variety of user needs. With a 10.36-inch IPS LCD display featuring a resolution of 1200 by 2000 pixels and a 5:3 aspect ratio, it provides a crisp viewing experience.
The tablet's 8 MP main camera with LED flash and a 5 MP selfie camera both support 1080p video recording at 30fps. Under the hood, it houses a Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22T chipset with an octa-core CPU, making it suitable for everyday tasks and casual gaming, though it may not excel in handling resource-intensive games. Storage options include 128GB with 4GB of RAM or 64GB with 4GB of RAM, expandable via microSDXC.
A 6000 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery ensures long-lasting usage. Priced at BDT 22,000 in Bangladesh (exact pricing may vary by configuration), it offers a competitive package with its display quality, camera capabilities, and decent hardware for the price-conscious consumer.
Read more: Honor Pad 8 Review: A budget-friendly capable Tablet
Doogee U10
The Doogee U10 tablet was officially released in Bangladesh in September 2023 and is priced at BDT 15,000 for the available variant featuring 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. This budget-friendly tablet sports a 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with an 800 by 1280 pixels resolution, offering decent visuals for everyday tasks.
Under the hood, the tablet is powered by an RK3562 chipset with a Quad-core 2.0 GHz CPU. While suitable for basic usage, it may struggle with more demanding applications and gaming. The tablet's single-camera setup consists of an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP selfie camera, capable of recording videos at 720p@30fps.
One of its standout features is the generous 5060mAh battery, complemented by 10W fast charging, ensuring extended usage without frequent recharges. The tablet runs on Android 13, providing access to the latest software features.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Is it really the ‘iPad killer’?
Cubot Tab 40
The Cubot Tab 40 was officially released in Bangladesh in September 2023, and it comes at a price of BDT 10,000 for the available variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
This tablet offers a 10.4-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1200 by 2000 pixels, ensuring sharp visuals for various tasks.
Under the hood, the Cubot Tab 40 is powered by the Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) CPU. While not a powerhouse, it should handle everyday tasks and moderate gaming reasonably well.
The tablet features a single-camera setup with a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP selfie camera, capable of recording videos at 1080p@30fps. This configuration is suitable for basic photography needs.
One of its notable strengths is the large 7000mAh battery, ensuring extended usage without frequent recharging. The tablet runs on Android 13, providing access to the latest software features and updates.
Read more: Walton Walpad 8G Review: Worth buying?
1 year ago
Honor Pad 8 Review: A budget-friendly capable Tablet
Honor had a distinct history of providing affordable yet capable gadgets back when it was part of Huawei. Fast forward to 2023, Honor is now owned by a Shenzhen-based state-controlled enterprise. But the value proposition of Honor as a utility-focused, cost-effective brand remains. Last year the company launched the Honor Pad 8 on 22nd July. It’s a mid-range tab aimed to be a budget-friendly alternative to higher-end Android tabs. So how does it fare compared to other Android tabs? And does it compare in any way with the iPad? Let’s find out.
Key Specifications of Honor Pad 8
Design and Build Quality
The designs of pads in general are more or less the same across the spectrum. Just like the Honor Pad 7, the Pad 8 also has a rectangular design with thin bezels and a camera on the side. The front is made from glass whereas the frame and the back are made from plastic.
Dimension-wise the Honor Pad is 278.54 mm by 174.06 mm by 6.9 mm with 520 gm of effective weight with the battery. The pad is on the lighter side considering its dimensions. The even weight distribution adds a layer of comfort to the user experience of the device.
Read more: Apple iPhone 15 Plus Review: What are the major upgrades?
There is no SIM support on the Honor Pad 8. Meaning users would have to depend on Wi-Fi only for connectivity. Another drawback of the Pad 8 is the lack of a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Even in 2023, a headphone jack in tabs is a pretty common sight. However, the Pad 8 is missing out on one. The lack of a headphone jack is complemented by 8 speakers all around the device. Users will get a surround sound stereo experience with the pad.
The power and volume buttons are situated on the right of the device. There aren’t any external ports on the device other than the Type C port as the device doesn’t support micro SDXC as well.
The Display
The display on the Honor Pad 8 is a 12-inch LCD panel. Two distinct things stand out the most the moment you look at the panel. And that’s the thin bezels and their symmetric distribution. The bezels are 7.2 mm thick on the left and right end giving it a reminiscent look of the new iPads and the Tab S from Samsung.
Read more: Xiaomi Mi Pad 5: An Ideal Tablet to Replace iPad
The 12-inch display has 1.07 B color support with 1200 by 2000 pixels of resolution and an impressive 84.5% screen-to-body ratio. The 5:9 aspect ratio makes for 194 ppi density. Even though the pixel density is on the lower end, the aspect ratio makes it a clear and crisp display. Users would have to squint to spot individual pixels on the Pad 8. The typical brightness of the Pad 8 reaches up to 350 nits. There’s no dedicated HBM mode on the pad so it might be a bit difficult to navigate the display under bright and direct sunlight.
The pad also supports Widevine L1 for HD streaming OTT content. The sharp resolution and large panel make it an impressive media consumption device. Unfortunately, the Pad 8 doesn’t come with a high refresh rate panel. Users are stuck with a 60 Hz refresh rate on the display.
The Camera
There’s not much going on with the camera on the Honor Pad 8. This isn’t just a case with the Pad 8. Rather tabs in general do not focus on the camera end as smartphones are leading the charge in the photography department.
Read more: Apple iPad, iPad Pro 2022 Review: World’s most advanced tablets
The Honor Pad 8 has two cameras – one on the front and one on the back. Both the shooters are 5 MP with the exact same spec at f/2.2 aperture, 27mm (wide), 1/5", and 1.12µm sensor size.
The back camera can shoot video up to 1080P at 30 fps. As a bonus, the back camera has autofocus. That’s about it when it comes to the camera spec on the Pad 8.
In terms of performance, the Pad 8 can take some generic shots. These are, by no means, even comparable to entry-level smartphones. It’s more suited for a quick scan of documents or video calls.
Read more: Symphony SYMTAB 80 Review: Budget Tablet for Regular Use
Processor and Performance
The Honor Pad 8 is powered by Snapdragon 680 based on the 4 Nm chipset. The octa-core processor has a 4 A73 2.4GHz and 4 A53 1.9GHz chip design. The processor is coupled with Adreno 610 GPU.
On paper, the 680 is a lower mid-range processor from Snapdragon. So it would be a bit extreme to expect gaming-level performance from the Pad 8. Even then, the device was able to run all the leading 3D game titles like PUBG, Asphalt 9, and COD with moderate graphics settings. However, there were slight stutters and frame drops here and there. The Pad did a good job at heat management. The device didn’t excessively heat up even after an hour of continued gaming.
The Pad 8 comes with Android 12 onboard with Magic UI 6.1. The OS has been customized to suit Pad usability with iPad OS-like design. There’s a dock on the home screen with the recently used app list. The device also supports a split screen with two apps and an additional floating app. So in effect, users will be able to use up to three apps at the same time. It’s an impressive feature given the limited processing power of the Pad 8.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Pad Review: Budget Tablet Worth Consideration
Overall, the performance of the Pad 8 is more than satisfactory. The tab is geared to be a utility device for day-to-day tasks like reading, split screen use, casual browsing and media consumption.
Battery and Charge Time
The Honor Pad 8 comes with a 7250 mAh battery on board. The battery is coupled with 22.5W fast charging. With a full charge, the device can last around 10 to 100 hours of continued use. The higher battery performance is partly due to the Wi-Fi-only connectivity on the device.
Pros and Cons of Honor Pad 8 Tab
Pros:
· Large bright display
· Lightweight design
· Utility-focused OS customization
· Long battery life
· Decent front camera for video calls.
Read more: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Review: Is It Worth the Price?
Cons:
· Only Wi-Fi connectivity
· No expandable storage
Price of Honor Pad 8 Tab
The 4/128 GB variant of the Honor Pad 8 is officially available in India. The price of the Pad 8 is 17,999 INR which roughly amounts to 23,684 BDT (1 INR = 1.32 BDT). However, the official price differs in Bangladesh due to several regulations like import duty and local tax.
Final Words
The Honor's latest tablet Pad 8 is the perfect mid-range tab that brings a good balance of performance and price. It brings a great display, processor, and battery on board. The plastic build of the device might be a letdown but it’s an understandable trade-off considering the price and overall performance. On the whole, Honor Pad 8 can not compete with the high-end tabs from Honor or other brands. But this Tablet makes a niche of its own as an efficient and affordable option.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K60 Ultra Review: A Gamer's Delight
1 year ago
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Is it really the ‘iPad killer’?
Blending cutting-edge technology and innovative design, Samsung's Galaxy Tab 'S' series has consistently set new benchmarks in the realm of premium tablets. The latest addition of this series, S9 Ultra, debuted on August 11, 2023. This device stands as a testament to Samsung's commitment to pushing the boundaries of tablet technology. With a bunch of exclusive features Tab S9 Ultra has thrown challenges to the rivals. Now, the question arises, can S9 Ultra compete with the iPad Pro? Let’s take a look into the specs, pros, cons and price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.
Key Features of Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Design
Similar to the Tab S8 Ultra, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra emerges as a colossal tablet that distinctly outshines its rivals. Despite its substantial dimensions measuring 12.85 by 8.21 by 0.22 inches, the device maintains a relatively lightweight profile, tipping the scales at just 1.61 pounds.
Samsung has done a great job with this, and its Tab S9 Ultra is a full millimeter thinner than the iPad Pro 12.9. However, weighing only 1.5 pounds, it appears lighter than the S9 Ultra.
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The power and volume buttons are situated along the right edge of the tablet, oriented vertically. Positioned near the lower right corner is a microSD card slot. The rear side is adorned with dual rear-facing cameras and a magnetic strip designed to secure and charge the accompanying S Pen. Quad speakers are housed within, projecting sound through grilles running along the tablet's sides, coinciding with the singular USB-C port. Regrettably, the absence of a headphone jack is notable.
All variations of the Galaxy Tab S9 come equipped with an IP68 waterproof certification, offering enhanced dust resistance compared to the previous year's Galaxy Tab S8 lineup. For those inclined to use tablets in poolside or beach settings, this represents a noteworthy upgrade over the prior model, alleviating concerns about potential damage to the device.
Display
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra boasts a large 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, overshadowing the comparatively smaller 12.9-inch display of the iPad Pro. However, size alone doesn't necessarily equate to superiority in display quality.
Read more: Oppo Reno10 5G Review: Is it a balanced phone?
In terms of display benchmarks, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and the latest iPad Pro stand closely aligned. Both devices offer similar brightness levels, with the Tab S9 Ultra achieving 592 nits (adaptive) and the iPad Pro hitting 591 nits (adaptive). The color reproduction also showcases a close match, as the Tab S9 Ultra covers 117.7% of the sRGB color gamut and 83.4% of the DCI-P3 color space in its Natural mode. This is complemented by an impressive Delta-E score of 0.17. In its Vivid mode, the Tab S9 Ultra pushes the boundaries even further with percentages of 181.7% for sRGB, 128.7% for DCI-P3, and a Delta-E score of 0.18.
Evaluating the brightness factor, the Tab S9 Ultra manages to achieve commendable levels, especially when handling HDR content. The Tab S9 Ultra’s display is of a huge 1848 x 2960 pixels resolution which is incomparable to other market competitors.
Performance and Software
Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and running on Android 13, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra shares its chip and operating system with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Read more: Infinix GT 10 Pro 5G Review: Is it a capable gaming phone?
The review unit of the Tab S9 Ultra, identical to the entry-level model, incorporates 12GB of RAM. This, combined with the swift Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 4nm chip, results in impressive performance for an Android device. Nonetheless, it falls short of matching the performance level of the iPad Pro.
Benchmark outcomes reveal the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra's capabilities. It scored commendable figures on the Geekbench 5 CPU benchmark, with 1,560 for single-core and 4,970 for multi-core performance. The tablet also managed a score of 14,722 and achieved 88 frames per second on the 3DMark WildLife Unlimited test, assessing graphics performance. While the iPad Pro outperformed the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra in these aspects, Samsung's tablet is still more than capable of handling demanding mobile games.
1 year ago