Honor Pad X8a review
This tablet suits someone who wants an 11-inch screen for reading, streaming, and web browsing at home on Wi-Fi without spending much. It is not for anyone who needs performance, outdoor brightness, or a capable camera; for that, you are either saving for a better tablet or picking a different device type altogether.
This review is based on Honor’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Honor Pad X8a, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Honor Pad X8a is an 11-inch tablet that nails the basics for casual media and web browsing at home, with a smooth 90Hz display and a full day of battery life. But the Snapdragon 680 chipset and 5MP cameras mean it's not built for anything demanding, and at this price point in 2024, you're choosing between portability and real performance.
Design & build
At 495 grams and 7.3mm thin, this tablet is light enough to hold for hours without fatigue. The glass front and aluminum frame feel solid, though Mohs 4 hardness for the screen is basic—expect scratches from keys and coins in a bag. Landscape use is the default here, and the proportions favor watching video or reading over typing. It is not glamorous, but it does the job without pretense, which is what you want at this price.
Display
The 11-inch TFT LCD has 206 ppi density, which is fine for text and images at arm's length; you won't spot pixels in normal use. The 90Hz refresh keeps scrolling buttery when you flick through articles or social feeds, a thoughtful touch that makes the tablet feel more responsive than its chipset alone would suggest. The real weakness is brightness: 400 nits is passable indoors but won't cut it in bright sunlight. If you're buying this for work or outdoor use, squint-testing first is essential. For reading or watching in a room, it's perfectly adequate.
Performance
The Snapdragon 680 is the chip you get in budget entry-level Android phones, and on an 11-inch tablet with 4GB of RAM, its limits show quickly. Light browsing, streaming, email, and document viewing work fine; the tablet won't stutter on basic tasks. But open two or three apps and switch between them, and you'll feel the strain. Gaming is a no; even casual titles will stutter. This is a one-thing-at-a-time device, suitable for someone who wants to scroll, watch, and read, not juggle workflows. If you're comparing it to iPad Air or high-end Android tablets with flagship chips, step back—this is not in that conversation.
Software
Android 14 with Honor's MagicOS 8 layer runs smoothly enough on this hardware, and the interface is responsive for daily tasks. MagicOS adds some gestures and integrations that feel useful, though none are essential. The 64GB base model will fill up if you download movies or large apps; the 128GB option is the safer pick. No microSD slot means you're stuck with what you buy, so plan accordingly.
Camera
Both cameras are 5MP with 1080p video at 30fps. These are documentary cameras at best—fine for a quick video call, scanning a document, or recording a child's school event in a pinch, but forget about expanding any of that footage to a larger screen or editing. The 5MP rear sensor with autofocus is the stronger of the two, but it's still a limitation if you ever want to use this tablet as a camera. For a device at this price, it's not surprising, but it is worth knowing upfront.
Battery & charging
The 8300 mAh battery yields about 8 to 10 hours of screen-on time during lighter tasks like reading or streaming; heavier use will shorten that to 6 to 7 hours. For an 11-inch tablet, that is realistic and useful—you can take it on a half-day outing without a charger. The spec sheet does not list charging speed or wattage, so expect it to be slow; budget tablets often charge over 5 to 10 watts. Bring a charger to longer trips.
Value & verdict
At around 150 EUR, the Honor Pad X8a sits in the ultra-budget tablet space. It is not trying to be an iPad or a work machine; it is a screen for watching and reading at home, and it does that without surprises. The 90Hz display and four speakers are quality-of-life upgrades that other tablets at this price skip. If you are shopping a tablet for a child, an elderly relative, or yourself for casual consumption on Wi-Fi at home, this is sensible. If you expect it to run games, edit video, or work in multiple apps at once, it will disappoint. The main competition is other budget 10-inch Android tablets, which tend to offer similar trade-offs; the Honor stands out mostly for its finish and speaker setup.
Verdict
This tablet suits someone who wants an 11-inch screen for reading, streaming, and web browsing at home on Wi-Fi without spending much. It is not for anyone who needs performance, outdoor brightness, or a capable camera; for that, you are either saving for a better tablet or picking a different device type altogether.
- 11-inch display with 90Hz refresh and a thin 7.3mm chassis make it genuinely comfortable for reading, video, and browsing without feeling heavy on the lap
- 8300 mAh battery delivers about 8 to 10 hours of real screen-on time on light tasks, easily lasting a full day of casual use
- Four stereo speakers tuned for media consumption—actually useful for a tablet, not a gimmick
- Wi-Fi 5 dual-band and Bluetooth 5.1 are reliable for home use and pairing peripherals
- Snapdragon 680 is entry-level; multitasking and any serious app work will feel slow, and gaming is off the table
- Only 5MP cameras front and rear, and 1080p video—too limited for anything beyond quick calls or document scans
- 400-nit brightness is weak for outdoor use even in moderate sun; indoor use only
Honor Pad X8a Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, August 08 |
|---|---|
| Display | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio), TFT LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~206 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main camera | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Battery | 8300 mAh |
| Software | Android 14, MagicOS 8 |
| Dimensions | 257 x 168.5 x 7.3 mm (10.12 x 6.63 x 0.29 in) |
| Weight | 495 g (1.09 lb) |
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Network | No cellular connectivity |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG |
Honor Pad X8a FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Pad X8a support 5G?
No. The Pad X8a tops out at No cellular connectivity, without 5G.
What chipset does the Pad X8a use?
The Pad X8a runs on the Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm).
What display does the Pad X8a have?
A 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) TFT LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits, 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~206 ppi density).
How big is the Pad X8a battery?
The Pad X8a has a 8300 mAh battery.
Does the Pad X8a have NFC?
No, the Pad X8a does not list NFC support.
Does the Pad X8a support a microSD card?
No, the Pad X8a does not support expandable storage.
Does the Pad X8a have a headphone jack?
No, the Pad X8a does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Pad X8a isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Pad X8a LTE
Pad X9a
Pad X8a Kids Edition
Pad X7
Pad SE
