When Honor does a “quiet” launch, they really mean it. While everyone was busy looking at flagship leaks and high-end foldable rumors, the Honor Pad X8b slipped onto the scene almost under the radar. But if you’ve been paying attention to the budget tablet market lately, you know that “quiet” doesn’t mean “unimportant.” In fact, for anyone who needs a reliable, large-screen companion without the four-figure price tag, this might be one of the most practical releases of the year.
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The Honor Pad X8b is now officially available, and it feels like a targeted strike at the “middle ground” of the tablet world. It isn’t trying to out-benchmark an iPad Pro or replace your high-end gaming laptop. Instead, it’s positioning itself as the ultimate daily driver for students, casual browsers, and binge-watchers. HSTech
First Impressions: Thin, Light, and Surprisingly Premium
One of the biggest pitfalls of budget tablets is that they often feel, well, budget. Creaky plastic backs and chunky bezels have been the norm for years. Honor has clearly tried to move away from that with the Pad X8b.
The device features a sleek metal body that feels far more expensive than it is. It’s incredibly thin at just 7.25mm and weighs in at roughly 496g. To put that in perspective, it’s lighter than a venti latte from Starbucks yet packs a massive 11-inch screen. It only comes in Space Gray for now, which is a bit of a “safe” choice, but it gives the tablet a professional, understated look that fits in just as well in a boardroom as it does on a coffee table.
The Screen: 11 Inches of “Eye Comfort“
The centerpiece of any tablet is the display, and Honor has gone big here. We’re looking at an 11-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. While it’s not an OLED, the colors are punchy, and the 90Hz refresh rate makes a world of difference. If you’re coming from a standard 60Hz screen, the smoothness of scrolling through a long PDF or your social media feed is immediately noticeable.
What I actually appreciate more than the resolution, though, is the focus on eye health. Honor has been leaning hard into “Eye Comfort” technology lately, and the Pad X8b is no exception. It has TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light and flicker-free viewing. As someone who spends far too much time staring at screens late at night, having a dedicated eBook mode and dynamic dimming that mimics natural light changes is a huge plus. It’s a small detail, but it makes long reading sessions significantly less straining.
Under the Hood: The Reliable Snapdragon 680
If there’s one part of the spec sheet that might raise an eyebrow, it’s the processor. The Pad X8b is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680.
Now, let’s be real: this isn’t a new chip. We’ve seen it in several mid-range devices over the last couple of years. However, there’s a reason manufacturers keep coming back to it. It’s efficient. It doesn’t overheat, and it sips battery life while providing a stable experience for 95% of what people actually do on tablets.
Paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD), the performance is snappy enough for multitasking among Chrome, Spotify, and a note-taking app. You won’t be editing 4K video or playing Genshin Impact on max settings here, but for streaming Netflix, attending Zoom calls, or handling school work, it’s more than capable.
The Battery: The Real Showstopper
This is where the “quiet” launch gets loud. Honor managed to cram a 10,100mAh battery into this slim frame. That is a massive amount of juice.
To give you an idea of what that means in the real world:
- Standby Time: Up to 97 days.
- Video Playback: Around 22 hours of continuous online streaming.
- Music: Over 120 hours.
In an era where we’re constantly hunting for a USB-C cable by 6:00 PM, the Pad X8b is a breath of fresh air. It supports 22.5W wired charging, which isn’t the fastest given the battery size, but since you’ll likely only be charging it every two or three days, it’s a fair trade-off.
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Software and Cameras: Looking Toward the Future
Surprisingly, the Pad X8b ships with MagicOS 10, which is based on Android 16. This is a significant move by Honor, ensuring that the tablet isn’t just relevant today but will remain up to date for a long time. The interface is clean, with plenty of multi-window features that make the most of the 11-inch real estate.
As for the cameras, you get a 5MP sensor on the back and a 5MP on the front. Let’s be honest: nobody uses a tablet for professional photography. The rear camera is there for scanning documents or a quick snap of a whiteboard, while the front camera is perfectly adequate for video calls. They aren’t going to win any awards, but they get the job done without adding unnecessary cost to the device.
Comparison: How it stacks up
| Feature | Honor Pad X8b | Typical Budget Competitor |
| Display | 11-inch LCD (90Hz) | 10.1-inch LCD (60Hz) |
| Battery | 10,100 mAh | 7,000 – 8,000 mAh |
| Build | Metal Unibody | Plastic |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 14/15 |
| Weight | 496g | 520g+ |
Final Thoughts: Is it worth it?
At its current launch price (which is hovering around $173 to $226 depending on the region and early-bird discounts), the Honor Pad X8b is a bit of a steal. It feels like Honor looked at the market and realized that people don’t necessarily want “more features”.They want “better versions of the features they actually use.“
By focusing on a high-quality display, a premium-feeling build, and a battery that refuses to die, they’ve created a tablet that hits the sweet spot for the average user. It’s not a powerhouse, but it’s a reliable partner.
If you’re a student looking for a digital notebook, a parent needing a sturdy device for the kids (the built-in Honor Kids mode is excellent, by the way), or just someone who wants a dedicated screen for movies in bed, the Pad X8b is a very strong contender. It didn’t need a flashy launch event to prove its value. The specs speak for themselves.