Android tablets have had one thing of a renaissance in recent times. For some time, Samsung was the one sensible various to an iPad, however now, OnePlus, Google and Xiaomi all supply sturdy competitors.
Nevertheless, all of them prioritise performance over attractiveness. For price range and mid-range tablets, that’s a clever, cost-saving method. However even flagships such because the Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely look a little bit dated in comparison with the newest iPad Professional. The place is the Android pill that may rival Apple within the design stakes?
Enable me to introduce you to the brand new Honor MagicPad 2. It has the stack of premium options you’d affiliate with a high-end Android pill, but combines it with the gorgeous design I’ve been craving.
A lot of that is centred round the way in which it appears. The again of the system is definitely coated in plastic somewhat than glass, however the marble impact on the ‘Moonlight White’ mannequin I examined is beautiful.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
I desire plastic over glass on a pill, because it avoids fingerprint smudges and provides some much-needed grip. The system can also be accessible in a regular ‘Black’, however the white is the one to get if you wish to stand out from the gang.
Honor has additionally struck an incredible steadiness by way of weight. At 555g, it has a satisfying really feel in your palms with out feeling too cumbersome. For context, it’s lighter than each the newest 13-inch iPad Air (from 617g) and Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely (from 732g).
The corporate has additionally utilized its learnings from the razor-thin Magic V3 foldable right here. At simply 5.8mm, it’s thinner than nearly all opponents, but doesn’t really feel flimsy in any respect. And whereas JerryRigEverything‘s Zack Nelson may not get his palms on it, a five-star anti-bending certification from SGS suggests it could fare properly.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
There’s so much to love when you begin utilizing the MagicPad 2, too. Its 12.3-inch show is a surprising 144Hz OLED, and early impressions recommend it’ll be up there with the very best on any pill.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 below the hood is a small step down in comparison with Qualcomm’s flagship 8 Gen 3, however alongside 12GB of RAM, the system handles all on a regular basis duties with ease. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see the way it fares for demanding workloads corresponding to gaming, although.
Elsewhere, a complete of eight IMAX audio system ship booming, room-filling audio. Alongside that show, it makes the MagicPad 2 an ideal system for watching motion pictures or TV exhibits.
Even Honor’s MagicOS pores and skin (over Android 14 right here), which I’m usually essential of on telephones, feels much less cluttered and simpler to make use of on a pill. It will get quite a lot of the identical AI instruments because the Magic V3, that are helpful in some situations however received’t change the way in which you utilize the system.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nevertheless, regardless of all these positives, it’s on sale now by way of the Honor UK web site for simply £499. That’s cheaper than the 11-inch iPad Air (from £599) and way more reasonably priced than the common Galaxy Tab S9 (from £749).
There are a couple of the explanation why I’m going to cease in need of recommending it for now, although. The MagicPad 2’s 10,050mAh cell sounds good in idea, however that doesn’t essentially imply battery life will probably be sturdy. And Honor has made no particular dedication to software program updates.
I additionally haven’t had the chance to check Honor’s devoted equipment, particularly the MagicPad 2 Good Bluetooth Keyboard and Magic-Pencil 3 stylus. In the event you’re planning to make use of the pill as a productiveness system, the standard of those equipment will probably be essential.
Till I get readability on these areas, I can’t absolutely suggest the Honor MagicPad 2. However early indicators are extraordinarily promising.
See our guides to the very best Android tablets and greatest tablets to see what it’ll be up in opposition to.