Honor MagicPad 2 review: Mid-range Android tablet feels like an iPad

The Honor MagicPad 2 is a versatile and affordable Android tablet perfect for media consumption, light productivity, and gaming.

Available starting at £499 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage model, it’s slightly more expensive than the Google Pixel Tablet, but for good reason. Honor manages to deliver one of the closest iPad experiences I’ve seen, which is even more impressive at this price point. And it’s much cheaper than the base-model iPad (10th-gen).

But how does it fare in real-world usage? I spent a few weeks with the MagicPad 2 to find out.

Design & Build

• Slim and lightweight build
• Super unique finish on the rear
• Only 5.8mm thick and weighs 555g

The Honor MagicPad 2 is impressively slim and lightweight for its size, coming in at just 5.8mm thick and weighing 555g. This makes it portable and easy to hold, even for extended periods.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

The flat-sided design enhances grip, while the premium pearlescent white finish reflects light beautifully, giving it a sleek, modern look. It’s one of the most unique designs I’ve seen on a tablet, and I really like it. A black model is also available, but the white colour truly shines, adding a sense of luxury to the tablet’s appearance.

The USB-C port is conveniently located along the bottom edge, while the power button sits at the top, keeping the design minimalist yet functional. Additionally, the tablet is compatible with the Magic Pencil 3 and Smart Bluetooth keyboard, making it an excellent option for those looking for productivity on the go.

These accessories connect seamlessly, although the keyboard’s lack of a trackpad can sometimes make the experience less intuitive, requiring more reliance on the touchscreen. Despite being a bit tight in its keyboard case, the overall design is practical, catering well to both work and entertainment.

However, it’s worth noting that there’s no official IP rating for water and dust resistance, which is a shame.

Screen & Speakers

• 12.3-inch OLED display
• 1600 nits peak brightness
• Eight-speaker setup with IMAX-certified spatial audio

The 12.3-inch OLED display on the Honor MagicPad 2 is one of its standout features, delivering a sharp 3K resolution (3000 x 1920 pixels) with vibrant colours and deep blacks. The 1600 nits peak brightness ensures the screen remains clearly visible, even in direct sunlight.

Whether you’re using it for streaming, gaming, or productivity tasks, the display excels with its crisp visuals, making it an excellent choice for entertainment and professional use alike.

It offers a 144Hz refresh rate that makes fast-paced action feel fluid and responsive. One of the unique aspects of the MagicPad 2’s display is the AI Defocus mode, designed to reduce eye strain during extended viewing sessions.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

This is especially useful for activities like reading e-books or watching content for long periods. Additionally, the 4320Hz PWM dimming further minimizes screen flicker, creating a smoother viewing experience that’s easier on the eyes.

An OLED display is the best type of display, hands-down, so I’m impressed to see one on a tablet at this price. It’s actually a better screen than its iPad counterpart that uses an LCD, so points for Honor there.

Honor’s MagicPad 2 comes with an immersive audio setup. It consists of an eight-speaker array that supports IMAX-certified spatial audio.

Using all these speakers, the MagicPad 2 provides a fantastic multimedia experience. The speakers create a wide soundstage that’s perfect for movies, games, or music, making it one of the best audio setups in its class. Audio sounds crisp, and it’s noticeably better than a regular tablet. It can achieve a much lower bass, but voices in dialogue don’t get lost.

Specs & Performance

• Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
• Ample 12GB of RAM
• 256GB of storage is ideal for media consumption

Powering the Honor MagicPad 2 is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, a high-performance processor that handles a wide variety of tasks with ease. From multitasking between productivity apps to gaming, the 12GB of RAM ensures everything runs smoothly.

Both content-watching and productivity tasks are a breeze, which is great considering these are the main purposes of this device. You can fire up streaming apps and get started watching in no time at all. With a solid connection, buffering and load times are minimal, and the slate doesn’t struggle if you flick between different shows.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

While the MagicPad 2 isn’t a flagship in the traditional sense, it still delivers excellent performance across the board. It handles most apps well, including heavier tasks and multitasking. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset is more than capable enough of handling just about everything you throw at it.

Casual gaming, 4K video streaming, and document editing are all handled without lag, and the device manages heat efficiently, staying cool even during demanding tasks.

The 256GB of storage is more than sufficient for most users, though power users will appreciate the option to expand storage via cloud services or external drives.

Honor MagicPad 2 benchmarks

Cameras

• 13Mp rear camera
• 9Mp selfie snapper for video calls
• Fairly basic video recording

Tablets aren’t typically known for their photography prowess, and the Honor MagicPad 2 follows this trend with its single 13Mp rear camera and 9Mp front-facing camera. While these cameras aren’t designed to replace your smartphone’s shooter, they perform adequately for everyday tasks like snapping documents or quick video calls.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

The rear camera delivers decent detail in well-lit conditions but struggles in low light, which is to be expected from a tablet. The front camera is more suited for video conferencing, providing clear enough visuals for Zoom calls or online classes.

Video recording is standard, with Full HD capabilities. While it’s not a standout feature, it’s adequate for capturing casual moments or streaming, but won’t replace a dedicated device for high-quality video work.

The Honor Docs app works in tandem with the camera for document scanning and editing, making it a handy tool for professionals and students alike.

Battery Life & Charging

• Huge 10,050mAh battery
• 66W Super Charging
• Battery life is ideal for work, travel, and entertainment

The Honor MagicPad 2 packs a massive 10,050mAh battery, ensuring that it lasts through an entire day of usage without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re streaming content, playing games, or working, you can easily get through a full day on a single charge.

Even with the high-resolution display and the power-hungry Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, the battery holds up well under various use cases, making it an excellent companion for long flights or busy workdays.

In real-world use, it comfortably lasts around a week with moderate usage – think a Netflix show or two per day. I also took it on an 11-hour flight to Los Angeles, where I could watch shows and films without worrying about the battery dying.

When it comes time to recharge, the 66W Super Charging gets the job done as quickly as it can for a battery of this size. You can expect the MagicPad 2 to reach 50% in just over an hour, and a full charge takes over two hours. That’s while using a standard 50W charging brick.

Now, this isn’t particularly fast, but that’s because of the huge battery size. You might note that smartphones with 66W charging can juice up to 50% in less than 30 minutes, but that’s due to itheir battery being less than half the size of the MagicPad 2’s.

So, this charging time is expected for Honor’s slate, although it would be nice if it could be faster. I dread to think how long it would take without fast charging.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Overall, the MagicPad 2’s battery life is a strong selling point, particularly for users who need reliable, long-lasting performance.

Software & Apps

• MagicOS 8, built on Android 14
• AI integration with dedicated features
• Productivity tools that you actually want to use

Running on MagicOS 8 (based on Android 14), the Honor MagicPad 2 brings a host of software enhancements that make it stand out from other Android tablets.

One of the key features is Magic Portal, which integrates AI to help users seamlessly identify and shop for items by dragging and dropping images between apps. Magic Capsule offers a customizable, dynamic interface at the top of the screen, making multitasking easier and more intuitive.

These features are polished and help streamline daily use, offering a level of software refinement that rivals premium tablets.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Productivity is a key focus of the MagicPad 2, with tools such as Honor Docs, which consolidates documents from various platforms for easier access and editing. These apps are well-designed, and I actually want to use them (unlike Google Docs on Android).

The tablet also supports multitasking with split-screen functionality, making it easy to switch between apps or run two applications simultaneously.

One area that sets the MagicPad 2 apart from other Android tablets is its extensive AI-powered features. Magic Portal allows users to find products by searching through images, Magic Capsule offers functionality similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island, and Magic Ring helps connect and control multiple Honor devices seamlessly. These smart features integrate into everyday tasks, creating a more connected and intuitive experience.

MagicOS 8 is smooth, and the integration of Google Gemini adds extra AI-powered features that enhance the overall experience. Whether you’re looking for a productivity powerhouse or a device for multimedia consumption, the MagicPad 2’s software ensures you get the best out of both worlds.

Price & Availability

The Honor MagicPad 2 is available starting at £499 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage model. As of October 2024, the tablet can be purchased in black and white colour variants.

For a limited time, Honor is bundling the Magic Pencil 3 and Smart Bluetooth Keyboard with the tablet at no additional cost, making it a great deal for productivity-focused users.

In the UK, you can buy one directly from Honor or via Amazon and other third-party retailers. Unfortunately, there isn’t any availability in North America at the time of writing.

As previously mentioned, the MagicPad 2’s main rival is the 2022 iPad (£479 for 256GB of storage). Among Android tablets, the OnePlus Pad 2 (£499), Google Pixel Tablet (£499 with dock) and Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 (From £599) are worth considering.

Should you buy the Honor MagicPad 2?

The Honor Magic Pad 2 offers an impressive value-for-money proposition in the Android tablet market.

Its 12.3-inch OLED display with 144Hz refresh rate is undoubtedly one of the best screens you’ll find in this price range, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and light productivity. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and 12GB of RAM deliver smooth performance, ensuring that the tablet can handle multiple tasks without lag.

While the lack of an IP rating and the absence of a trackpad in the keyboard case may limit its functionality for some users, the bundled Magic Pencil 3 and Smart Bluetooth Keyboard provide excellent value for those looking for a capable tablet at a reasonable price. Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, the Honor MagicPad 2 is a well-rounded option.

Specs

• Display: 12.3-inch OLED (3000 x 1920), 1600 nits, 144Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage: 256GB
• Rear Camera: 13MP
• Front Camera: 9MP
• Battery: 10050mAh, 66W Super Charging
• Operating System: Android 14 / Magic OS 8
• Weight: 555g
• Dimensions: 5.8mm thickness
• Colors: Black, White
• Audio: Eight speakers, spatial audio, IMAX-certified