When most people think of a tablet, they think of the iPad. Apple’s slates are synonymous with the category, but they have a big problem: price.
The most affordable model that Apple is currently selling is the 10.9-inch of 2022, which starts at £ 329/$ 349 for only 64 GB of storage. If you want 256 GB instead, it will cost you £ 479/$ 499.
If you are only looking for a device to view Netflix or YouTube, it’s just not worth it. So what about Android tablets?
At first glance there are not many great options here either. Samsung is at the forefront, but its Galaxy Tab S10+ and S10 Ultra are too expensive, while the A9 and A9+ budget tab are designed for general usability instead of great content consumption.
However, it seems that there can be a solution of honor. The new PAD V9 tablet only costs € 250 (British price TB), but offers a surprisingly good audiovisual experience.
An 11.5-inch, 2800 x 1840 LCD display may not sound particularly impressive, but I really enjoyed using it during my practical time with the Pad V9.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It delivers the rich, lively colors and deep blacks that I can usually associate with OLED panels, plus excellent detail and a fast 144Hz renewal percentage. The device can also become impressively clear, so I would not worry about visibility, not even in direct sunlight.
Display is of course only one aspect of a great device for films and TV. Speakers also play a major role, and the Honor Pad V9 has no less than eight of them!
They are placed on both ends of the device and deliver audio that can match a flag shiptic tablet. The sound is consistently rich and full and offers a nice hit by Bas.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Yet at the same time they can get impressively loudly without introducing audible distortion. Whether you listen to music, dialogue or special effects, you can guarantee almost a great listening experience.
But if you prefer to connect headphones or speakers, you have the option of both Bluetooth 5.2 and a 3.5 mm connection. The latter supports 24-bit Hi-res audio and is approved to offer cinema-like IMAX improved quality.
It is crucial that the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset of the Honor Pad V9 offers strong performance in all everyday tasks. In combination with that 144Hz refresh rate you get an impressive premium experience.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
And because Android 15 is running, you have full access to all your favorite apps and streaming services.
However, software is also where you will find the biggest disadvantage of the PAD V9. Honor’s Magicos 9 Skin is very different from what you will find on a Galaxy or Pixel tablet, and not in a good way for most people.
It feels very messy, with dozens of extra pre-installed apps and frequent pop-ups. There are a number of really useful functions, but even if someone who has previously used honors, I found them difficult to find and get used to it.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nothing really matters whether you just want a device to watch movies and TV. But there are a few things that we still don’t know that it could be.
The first is the life of the battery. The Pad V9 has a decent battery of 10,100 mAh, but how much viewing time will you actually get? And how quickly 66W quickly charging can you get full again?
Software support also remains a big question mark. To be worth buying, you probably want a guaranteed four years of security support, with new functions in large OS updates that are less important. We have contacted to honor clarity and will update this article when we hear again.
Provided that those two strangers are cared for, the Honor Pad V9 is an impressive affordable tablet for film and TV fans.
However, the software experience prevents it from being a simple recommendation for productivity. If that is your priority, there are better options in our best tablets and the best budget tablets guides.