When most individuals consider a pill, they consider the iPad. Apple’s slates are synonymous with the class, however they’ve an enormous downside: value.
Essentially the most reasonably priced mannequin Apple at present sells is the ten.9-inch one from 2022, which begins at £329/$349 for simply 64GB of storage. In order for you 256GB as an alternative, that’ll price you £479/$499.
Should you’re simply searching for a tool to observe Netflix or YouTube, it’s merely not price it. So, what about Android tablets?
On the floor, there aren’t many nice choices right here both. Samsung is main the way in which, however its Galaxy Tab S10+ and S10 Extremely are too costly, whereas the finances Tab A9 and A9+ are designed for common usability somewhat than nice content material consumption.
Nevertheless, it appears to be like like there could be an answer from Honor. Its new Pad V9 pill prices simply €250 (UK value TBC), but provides a surprisingly good audiovisual expertise.
An 11.5-inch, 2800 x 1840 LCD show may not sound significantly spectacular, however I’ve actually loved utilizing it throughout my hands-on time with the Pad V9.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It delivers the wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks I’d often affiliate with OLED panels, plus wonderful element and a quick 144Hz refresh price. The machine may get impressively brilliant, so I wouldn’t be frightened about visibility, even in direct daylight.
In fact, show is just one side of an excellent machine for motion pictures and TV. Audio system play an enormous function too, and the Honor Pad V9 has no fewer than eight of them!
They’re positioned at both finish of the machine and ship audio that may rival a flagship pill. The sound is persistently wealthy and full-bodied, providing a pleasant hit of bass.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
But on the identical time, they will get impressively loud with out introducing any audible distortion. Whether or not you’re listening to music, dialogue or particular results, you may just about assure an excellent listening expertise.
However in case you’d want to attach headphones or audio system, you’ve gotten the choice of each Bluetooth 5.2 and a 3.5mm jack. The latter helps 24-bit hi-res audio and has been authorised to supply cinema-like IMAX Enhanced high quality.
Crucially, the Honor Pad V9’s MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset provides sturdy efficiency throughout all on a regular basis duties. Mixed with that 144Hz refresh price, you’re getting an impressively premium expertise.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
And because it’s operating Android 15, you’ll have full entry to all of your favorite apps and streaming companies.
Nevertheless, software program can be the place you’ll discover the Pad V9’s largest downside. Honor’s MagicOS 9 pores and skin is kind of completely different to what you’ll discover on a Galaxy or Pixel pill, and never in a great way for most individuals.
It feels very cluttered, with dozens of additional pre-installed apps and frequent pop-ups. There are some genuinely helpful options, however at the same time as somebody who’s used Honor tablets earlier than, I discovered them tough to search out and get used to.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
None of that basically issues in case you simply need a machine for watching motion pictures and TV on. However there are a few issues we nonetheless don’t learn about that could be.
The primary is battery life. The Pad V9 has a good 10,100mAh battery, however how a lot viewing time will that truly get you? And how briskly can 66W quick charging get you again as much as full?
Software program assist additionally stays an enormous query mark. To be price shopping for, you in all probability need a assured 4 years of safety assist, with new options in main OS updates much less necessary. We’ve reached out to Honor for readability and can replace this text if we hear again.
Offered these two unknowns are taken care of, the Honor Pad V9 is a powerful reasonably priced pill for film and TV followers.
Nevertheless, the software program expertise prevents it from being a simple advice for productiveness. If that’s your precedence, there are higher choices in our greatest tablets and greatest finances tablets guides.