Design and Build Quality
The Honor Pad X8 features a sleek, minimalist design with a metal unibody that feels premium for its price point. Weighing 460 grams and measuring 7.5 mm thick, it is lightweight and easy to hold for extended periods. The tablet sports slim bezels and a clean aesthetic, though it lacks the robustness of more expensive devices. Color options typically include Space Gray and Midnight Blue, appealing to a younger audience seeking style and portability. However, the build, while solid, may not withstand significant drops or impacts without a case.
In contrast, the iPad (10th generation) boasts Apple’s signature craftsmanship with a fully laminated, durable aluminum chassis. At 477 grams and 7 mm thickness, it is slightly heavier but feels more substantial in hand. The iPad offers vibrant color choices like Silver, Pink, Blue, and Yellow, catering to personal preferences. Its flat-edge design and Touch ID integration into the power button enhance usability. Both tablets include USB-C ports for charging and connectivity, but the iPad supports accessories like the Magic Keyboard Folio and Apple Pencil (1st generation), giving it an edge in versatility and accessory integration.
Display Technology and Visual Experience
The Honor Pad X8 sports a 10.1-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 224 PPI. It delivers bright, vivid colors with adequate contrast for media consumption, but its maximum brightness of 350 nits can struggle in direct sunlight. The display supports TÜV Rheinland low blue light certification, reducing eye strain during long reading or streaming sessions. However, it lacks high refresh rates, sticking to 60Hz, which makes scrolling and animations less smooth compared to premium tablets.
Apple’s iPad features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels and 264 PPI. With 500 nits of brightness and True Tone technology, it adjusts color temperature based on ambient light, providing a more natural viewing experience. The display is fully laminated, reducing glare and improving touch responsiveness. While it also operates at 60Hz, the iPad’s wider P3 color gamut and anti-reflective coating make it superior for creative work and outdoor use. Both tablets have good viewing angles, but the iPad’s higher resolution and color accuracy give it a clear advantage for professionals and artists.
Performance and Hardware Specifications
Under the hood, the Honor Pad X8 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G80 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage via microSD. This setup handles everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light gaming efficiently but may lag with multitasking or demanding applications. The GPU, a Mali-G52 MC2, manages casual games at medium settings but struggles with high-end titles. Thermal management is decent, though prolonged use can lead to slight throttling.
The iPad (10th generation) houses the A14 Bionic chip with 64GB or 256GB storage options (non-expandable) and 4GB of RAM. The A14 Bionic, built on a 5-nanometer process, delivers exceptional performance, handling intensive apps, 4K video editing, and graphics-heavy games with ease. Its Neural Engine enhances machine learning tasks, such as photo analysis and AR applications. Benchmark tests show the iPad outperforming the Honor Pad by significant margins in both CPU and GPU tasks. For users needing raw power, the iPad is unrivaled in this comparison, though the Honor Pad suffices for basic needs.
Software and Ecosystem Integration
The Honor Pad X8 runs Magic UI 6.1 based on Android 12, offering a familiar interface with customization options like themes, gesture navigation, and split-screen multitasking. It includes Honor-specific features like PrivateSpace for security and AppMarket for downloads. However, software updates are less frequent, and it may not receive long-term support beyond two years. The Android ecosystem provides access to the Google Play Store, but app optimization for tablets can be inconsistent, with some apps appearing stretched or poorly scaled.
iPadOS 17 on the iPad (10th generation) provides a seamless, optimized experience with features like Stage Manager for enhanced multitasking, Live Text for interactive photos, and robust privacy controls. The App Store boasts a vast library of tablet-optimized apps, including professional tools like Procreate and LumaFusion. Apple’s ecosystem integration with iCloud, iPhone, and Mac allows for handoff continuity, AirDrop, and universal clipboard. Software updates are guaranteed for five+ years, ensuring longevity. While Magic UI is user-friendly, iPadOS’s polish and update commitment make it more reliable for long-term use.
Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
The Honor Pad X8 packs a 5100mAh battery, offering up to 12 hours of video playback or 8 hours of mixed usage under normal conditions. It supports 10W charging via USB-C, taking approximately 3 hours for a full charge. Battery efficiency is managed through software optimizations like power-saving modes, but heavy use can drain it faster. The lack of fast charging is a drawback for users needing quick top-ups.
Apple’s iPad includes a 28.6-watt-hour battery, providing up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. With 20W USB-C charging, it reaches 50% in about 30 minutes and a full charge in 2 hours. iPadOS’s power management features, such as Low Power Mode, extend usability during critical moments. Both tablets deliver all-day battery life for typical tasks, but the iPad’s faster charging and efficient A14 chip give it a slight edge for productivity on the go.
Camera and Multimedia Features
The Honor Pad X8 has a basic 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera, suitable for document scanning and video calls but lacking in quality for photography. Video recording maxes out at 1080p/30fps, with no stabilization. The front camera supports face unlock and HD video conferencing, though low-light performance is poor. For audio, dual speakers provide clear sound but lack depth and bass, requiring headphones for an immersive experience.
The iPad boasts a 12MP rear camera with 4K video recording at 60fps and a 12MP ultra-wide front camera with Center Stage, which automatically pans and zooms to keep users in frame during calls. The rear camera supports HDR and slo-mo video, making it versatile for creative projects. Four-speaker audio delivers rich, spatial sound with better balance and volume than the Honor Pad. For content creators or frequent video callers, the iPad’s camera and audio systems are significantly superior.
Price and Value for Money Analysis
The Honor Pad X8 is positioned as a budget-friendly option, typically priced around $150-$200. It offers excellent value for students or casual users who need a device for reading, streaming, and light apps. The expandable storage and included features like parental controls make it a practical choice for families. However, compromises in performance and display quality may limit its appeal for power users.
The iPad (10th generation) starts at $449 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model, with cellular versions costing more. While more expensive, it provides better resale value, premium build, and access to Apple’s ecosystem. For professionals, artists, or those invested in iOS, the higher price is justified by longevity and capability. Accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard add to the cost but enhance functionality. In terms of pure specs per dollar, the Honor Pad wins for affordability, but the iPad delivers better overall investment for serious use.
Accessories and Expandability Options
The Honor Pad X8 supports basic accessories like Bluetooth keyboards and third-party styluses, but it lacks dedicated first-party options. Honor offers a simple folio case and keyboard cover, but compatibility and performance are limited. Expandability via microSD is a plus, allowing storage up to 1TB, which is ideal for media storage. However, the absence of a robust accessory ecosystem reduces its versatility for productivity tasks.
The iPad (10th generation) works seamlessly with the Apple Pencil (1st generation) for note-taking and drawing, and the Magic Keyboard Folio for a laptop-like experience. These accessories are well-integrated with iPadOS, offering features like haptic feedback and shortcut keys. Although add-ons increase the total cost, they transform the iPad into a versatile tool for work and creativity. The iPad’s connector support for external displays and USB-C peripherals further expands its utility, outpacing the Honor Pad in accessory integration.
Connectivity and Network Performance
Both tablets feature Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring fast wireless connections and stable pairing with peripherals. The Honor Pad X8 includes optional LTE models for cellular connectivity, but speeds are limited to 4G, with no 5G support. GPS functionality is accurate for navigation, and call quality on LTE models is clear but basic.
The iPad offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, with cellular models supporting 5G for faster downloads and streaming on the go. eSIM technology allows easy carrier switching without physical SIM cards. The iPad’s modem performance is more reliable in weak signal areas, and features like Dual SIM with eSIM and nano-SIM enhance flexibility for travelers. While both devices cover essential connectivity, the iPad’s 5G capability and eSIM support make it more future-proof.
Target Audience and Use Case Scenarios
The Honor Pad X8 is ideal for budget-conscious users, such as students for note-taking and e-books, families for children’s entertainment, or seniors for basic web browsing and videos. Its light weight and simple interface reduce learning curves, but it falls short for gaming, professional design, or intensive multitasking.
The iPad (10th generation) suits students, creatives, and professionals needing a powerful device for projects, presentations, and content consumption. With accessory support, it replaces laptops for light work, and its performance handles coding, video editing, and AR applications. Enterprises may prefer it for its security and manageability. The Honor Pad serves entry-level needs well, but the iPad’s versatility across user groups makes it the more adaptable choice.