Honor MagicPad2 Review scaled

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The Honor MagicPad2  was announced at IFA 2024 and is a premium Android tablet designed to compete in an increasingly crowded market where versatility, performance, and affordability are essential for success.

With its large display, solid processing power, and a range of productivity features, the MagicPad 2 appeals to a broad audience, from casual users to professionals.

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Specification

SpecificationHonor MagicPad2
DimensionsWidth: 274.5 mm
Height: 180.5 mm
Thickness: 5.8 mm
Weight: Approx. 555g (with battery)
DisplaySize: 12.3 inches (actual viewing area is slightly smaller)
Type: OLED
Resolution: 3000 x 1920
Screen Colour: 1.07 billion colours, DCI-P3 wide colour gamut
ProcessorCPU Model: Snapdragon® 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform
Number of CPU Cores: Octa-core (1 × Cortex-X4 3.0GHz + 4 × Cortex-A720 2.8GHz + 3 × Cortex-A520 2.0GHz)
Operating SystemMagicOS 8.0.1 (Android 14)
StorageInternal Storage (ROM): 256 GB (available internal storage may be smaller due to system files)
CameraRear Camera: 13MP (Fno2.0 AF)
Front Camera: 9MP (Fno2.2 FF)
BatteryBattery Capacity: 10050 mAh (typical), 10000 mAh (rated)
Battery Type: Lithium polymer battery
ConnectivityWi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2×2 MIMO
Wi-Fi Frequency: 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Bluetooth: BT 5.3 (Supports BLE, SBC, AAC, LDAC, APTX, APTX HD)
OTG/USB: Support
SensorsAccelerometer: Support
Gravity Sensor: Support
AudioMicrophone: 3
Speakers: 8

Features

  • Eye Comfort Display: The tablet’s display incorporates various technologies to reduce eye strain. It has obtained TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) and Flicker Free Certification. The 4320Hz ultra-high frequency PWM dimming, Dynamic Dimming, and Circadian Night Display features work together to provide a comfortable viewing experience throughout the day.
  • IMAX Enhanced Certification: This certification suggests that the MagicPad2 can deliver high-quality audio-visual experiences, potentially making it an excellent device for media consumption.
  • AI-Powered System: The MagicOS 8.0 operating system incorporates AI-based intention recognition, which could lead to a more intuitive and personalised user experience.
  • Cross-Device Synchronisation: The ability to synchronise web pages, pictures, videos, documents, and texts across devices could be a significant productivity booster for users who work across multiple platforms.
  • HONOR Magic Ring: This feature allows for seamless task and service flow across phone, tablet, and PC, which could be particularly useful for users invested in the Honor ecosystem.
  • AI Noise Cancellation: For online meetings and calls, the MagicPad2 offers AI-powered noise cancellation to filter out background noise.
  • Speech-to-Text Translation: The tablet can convert speech directly into text and simultaneously translate it into another language, which could be a valuable feature for multilingual users or those working in international contexts.

Design and Display

HonorMagicPad2

The MagicPad 2 is well-designed, featuring a slim profile with its 5.8mm thickness and lightweight construction at 555g. Despite its size, it feels comfortable to hold, although it is not as comfortable as smaller and lighter tablets, such as the Pixel Tablet.

HonorMagicPad2 1

The build is solid, with a premium feel. The back of the tablet is made of metal, giving it a sturdy yet sleek appearance. The buttons for volume and power are conveniently placed, making them easy to access without being intrusive. One slight criticism would be the absence of waterproofing or additional rugged protection, something that could appeal to those using the tablet on the go in varying environments. That being said, in my experience, tablets are less likely to be exposed to liquids, and I drop my tablet far less than my phone and very few tablets have an IP rating. You had to go for a Samsung Galaxy Tab to get IP68 and they all have a premium price for the spec.

Honor MagicPad2 Review 2

The display is one of the standout features of the Honor MagicPad 2. The 12.3-inch OLED screen with a 3000 x 1920 resolution delivers sharp and vivid visuals. The DCI-P3 wide colour gamut ensures accurate colours, which makes the tablet a joy to use for watching videos, viewing photos, or even light photo editing. Its ability to display over a billion colours results in vibrant and true-to-life images.

You then have a high 144Hz refresh rate, which helps produce a smooth user experience and is great for gaming.

One of the features that I find useful is the TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification and Flicker Free Certification, which means it’s easier on the eyes during extended use. I spend far too much time staring at a screen, especially before bed, so this helps reduce some of the eye strain.

Honor MagicPad 2 Smart Bluetooth Keyboard

The Honor MagicPad2 can be paired with a Smart Bluetooth Keyboard, which significantly enhances its productivity potential. This accessory transforms the tablet into a more laptop-like device, making it suitable for tasks that require extensive typing.

The keyboard attaches magnetically to the tablet, providing a stable base for typing. It likely offers a good key travel distance and responsiveness, though without hands-on testing, it’s difficult to comment on the exact typing experience.

For me, this is an essential accessory as it helps transform the tablet from something I use solely for watching media and social media to something genuinely useful for productivity. I have used it on train journeys to work and attend meetings to type up notes. I am not going to ditch my laptop for serious work, but this is perfect for travelling light and getting basic work typed up.

However, it’s worth noting that the keyboard is an additional accessory and not included with the base tablet. This means an extra cost for users who want to use the MagicPad2 as a laptop replacement. The added bulk of the keyboard might also reduce the tablet’s portability to some extent, though it should still be more compact than a traditional laptop.

Honor Magic Pencil 3

The Honor Magic-Pencil 3 is an optional accessory for the MagicPad2 that enhances the tablet’s capabilities for note-taking, drawing, and precise input. Here are some key features of the Magic-Pencil 3:

  • Ergonomic Design: The pencil features a skin-friendly coating and a matte texture, which should provide a comfortable grip for extended use.
  • Precision: The Magic-Pencil 3 uses a high-precision three-electrode tip. This suggests accurate input, which is crucial for tasks like digital art or detailed note-taking.
  • Smooth Writing Experience: The combination of the pencil’s design and the tablet’s display technology should result in a writing experience that closely mimics writing on paper.

The Magic Pencil 3 attaches magnetically to the top bezel of the tablet and charges wirelessly. When you first attach the pencil, the tablet automatically recognises it and prompts you to connect.

My only criticism of this is that the pencil will inevitably be knocked off the tablet if you carry it in a bag, so you will want to be careful not to lose it.

While the Magic-Pencil 3 seems to offer a good feature set, it’s worth noting that it’s an additional accessory that needs to be purchased separately. This adds to the overall cost of the tablet if you want to use these features.

Honor Notes

Honor MagicPad2 Notes

Honor Notes is the built-in note-taking application designed to work with the Magic-Pencil 3. It includes several AI-powered features to enhance productivity,.

  • Formula Recognition: The app can recognise handwritten mathematical formulas. This could be particularly useful for students or professionals who frequently work with equations.
  • Geometric Figure Improvement: This feature can enhance drawn geometric shapes, potentially making it easier to create neat diagrams or charts.

These AI-powered features aim to make note-taking more efficient and the results more polished. However, the actual effectiveness of these features would need to be assessed through hands-on testing.

It’s also worth considering how Honor Notes compares to other popular note-taking apps available on Android. While the tight integration with the Magic-Pencil 3 is a plus, users might prefer third-party apps if they offer more features or better cross-platform support.

Performance and Benchmarks

Honor MagicPad2 Benchmarks

At the core of the MagicPad 2 is the Snapdragon  8s Gen 3 which is the same chipset you will find in the Honor 200 Pro. The name is slightly misleading as this chipset is a cut-down version of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 but still provides incredible performance, which few other tablets at this price point can compete with.

Whether you’re browsing the web with multiple tabs, editing documents, or playing games, the device rarely stutters or lags. The combination of 12GB RAM and the powerful chipset ensures smooth performance across various tasks.

In benchmark tests, the tablet performs well against its competitors, especially in handling graphics-intensive tasks. The GPU delivers a solid gaming experience, though it’s not aimed at the gaming market, in particular, the flagship SD8 Gen3 is better for that.

As you can see from the benchmarks listed below, even though the MagicPad2 has the same chipset as the Honor 200 Pro, the MagicPad2 comfortably outperforms it. This will likely be due to the physically larger size, which helps reduce heat and thermal throttling. The large battery will also likely help.

For day-to-day use, the tablet’s performance should be more than adequate for the majority of users.

The device also runs MagicOS 8.0.1, Honor’s custom interface built on Android 14. The new MagicOS provides useful features like multitasking enhancements, device synchronisation, and AI-based improvements, all of which contribute to a more fluid user experience. While MagicOS is functional, some might prefer the stock-like Android experience that Google Pixel offers.

Benchmarks

Antutu (Total / CPU / GPU / Memory / UX)

  • Honor MagicPad2: 1329475 / 318623 / 541189 / 223623 / 246040
  • Honor 200 Pro: 1131832 / 274520 / 435213 / 209805 / 212294
  • Honor Magic6 Pro: 1874472 / 342053 /897742 / 378460 256217

Geekbench

  • Honor MagicPad2: 1968 / 5381
  • Honor 200 Pro: 1926 / 4932
  • Honor Magic6 Pro: 2220 / 6897

3Dmark

Honor MagicPad2 3DMark
  • Honor MagicPad2: 12508 high, 10402 low, 83.2% stability
  • Honor 200 Pro: 11855 high, 8442 low,71.2% stability
  • Honor Magic6 Pro: 18160 high, 11867 low, 65.4% stability

AI Benchmark

  • Honor 200 Pro: 109
  • Honor Magic6 Pro: 2989

Android 14 and MagicOS 8.0.1

The Honor MagicPad2 runs on MagicOS 8.0.1, which is based on Android 14. This combination of a custom UI layer on top of the latest Android version should provide a feature-rich and up-to-date user experience.

  • AI Integration: MagicOS 8.0 incorporates AI-based intention recognition, which could lead to a more intuitive and personalised user experience. This might manifest in features like predictive app launching, smart notifications, or contextual suggestions.
  • HONOR Docs: The upgraded HONOR Docs application promises improved editing efficiency and the ability to smoothly open large files. This could be particularly useful for users who frequently work with complex documents or spreadsheets.
  • Cross-Device Synchronisation: MagicOS 8.0 allows for synchronisation of web pages, pictures, videos, documents, and texts across devices. This feature could significantly enhance productivity for users who work across multiple devices.
  • HONOR Magic Ring: This feature enables tasks and services to flow across phone, tablet, and PC for a seamless connection. While this sounds promising, its utility might be limited to users who are heavily invested in the Honor ecosystem.
  • AI Noise Cancellation: For online meetings and calls, MagicOS offers AI-powered noise cancellation to filter out background noise. This could be a valuable feature in today’s remote and hybrid work environments.
  • Speech-to-Text Translation: The ability to convert speech directly into text and simultaneously translate it into another language could be a powerful tool for multilingual users or those working in international contexts.

I have personally grown to like MagicOS. It is a heavily modified UI, and other brands like Samsung may offer a slightly better UI, but I’d regard MagicOS as one of the better implementations of Android.

Camera

The Honor MagicPad 2 features a 13MP rear camera and a 9MP front camera. While tablets are not generally known for their camera quality, the MagicPad 2 performs decently in well-lit environments. The rear camera is capable of capturing clear and detailed photos in good lighting, though it struggles in low-light conditions, where noise becomes more apparent.

The front-facing camera is suitable for video calls and selfies, but it doesn’t handle low-light conditions like the rear camera. The camera app offers various modes and features, though it lacks the advanced options that you would find in dedicated camera apps on smartphones.

For users who need a tablet primarily for work and media consumption, the camera performance is adequate. However, if photography is important, the cameras on this tablet may fall short compared to those on flagship smartphones. It is worth noting that this is true for all tablets.

Speakers

The MagicPad 2’s audio experience is much better than average, thanks to its eight-speaker setup. The speakers are well-positioned to provide clear and immersive sound, making the tablet ideal for watching movies or listening to music without headphones. The sound quality is rich, with good separation between highs, mids, and lows. There’s even a spatial audio mode that enhances the listening experience when using headphones.

One minor issue with the audio is that, at higher volumes, the sound can become slightly distorted, especially with bass-heavy tracks. However, for most users, the audio performance will be more than satisfactory for casual entertainment.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Honor MagicPad 2 comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6. I would have preferred WiFi 6E or WiFI 7, but this seems to be a limitation of the chipset, and it helps keep costs down. In reality, for most scenarios, you are unlikely to get a great deal of benefit with the faster WiFi standards when using a tablet.

This then has Bluetooth 5.3, which provides solid wireless connectivity for peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and headphones. The tablet also supports USB OTG, allowing you to connect external devices like USB drives.

One notable absence is the lack of 5G or cellular connectivity, which means you’ll need to rely on Wi-Fi when on the go. This could be a drawback for users who need constant internet access, particularly those who travel frequently or use their tablets for fieldwork.

Again, many tablets from other brands lack 5G, and options from Samsung and Apple incur additional fees if you want the 5G variant.

Battery Life

The MagicPad 2’s large 10,050mAh battery is one of its strengths. During testing, the battery lasts through a full day of heavy use, including video streaming, web browsing, and gaming. In moderate use cases, it can last up to two days. The 66W fast charging is also a major plus, allowing you to recharge the device quickly.

Most of my usage was light and I would estimate I only charged the tablet every two or three days.

For users who rely on their tablets for both work and entertainment, this battery life is a major advantage, especially when compared to competitors with smaller batteries or slower charging speeds.

Price and Alternative Options

The Honor MagicPad2 has an RRP of £500, and at the time of writing, it had a £50 off voucher with early bird benefits, including the Honor Earbuds X6 and a 66W SuperCharger.

These will likely have expired on publication, but Honor regularly has discounts, and it is not that far off Black Friday.

Personally, I think the OnePlus Pad 2 is the only viable alternative. It has an RRP of £500, and is regularly available for £450. It has a superior chipset with the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and faster WiFi, but the display is not quite as good

The Pixel Tablet is a consideration. It is £400 without its dock, or £500 with the dock. It is nowhere near as good as the MagicPad2, but I do like the way it works in the dock.

The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a good option at £370, but it uses the much older Snapdragon 870, and I think you are easily getting £130 worth of improvements with the MagicPad2. The MagicPad2 has a much better chipset, better display, more RAM, storage, faster charging and a bigger battery.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 9 FE costs £449 but doesn’t really compete with any of the above options.

Overall

The Honor MagicPad2 is an outstanding Android tablet. It provides a perfect balance of processing power, features, and affordability.

I love the smart Bluetooth keyboard because I can use the tablet for work. It is particularly fantastic on short business trips where I want to travel as lightly as possible. I can get work done on a train, and in my hotel without lugging around a large laptop, and of course, I don’t have to worry about battery life.

Looking at the alternative options, it is only the OnePlus Pad 2 that competes with the MagicPad2. While the OnePlus may offer slightly better value for money at the moment, the MagicPad2 has only just launched and will inevitably receive regular discounts, especially as we approach the holiday season.

Overall, I love the Honor MagicPad2 and can give it a strong recommendation for anyone wanting a premium tablet without the price tag associated with Samsung or Apple tablets.

Honor MagicPad2 Review

Summary

The Honor MagicPad 2 is an outstanding Android tablet that offers a perfect mix of performance, features, and value. With its stunning 144Hz OLED display, powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, and long-lasting battery life, it stands out as one of the best options on the market for an Android tablet. 

Overall
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  • Overall - 95%
    95%

Pros

  • Excellent 12.3-inch 144Hz OLED display with vibrant colors and high brightness
  • Powerful performance from the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
  • Impressive battery life with fast 66W charging
  • High-quality eight-speaker audio system
  • Sleek and lightweight design
  • Useful productivity features with optional keyboard and stylus
  • MagicOS 8.0.1 offers AI-enhanced functionality and cross-device synchronisation

Cons

  • No cellular/5G connectivity option
  • Cameras are adequate but not exceptional
  • Accessories like keyboard and stylus sold separately
  • No IP rating for water resistance

Last update on 2025-02-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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