Honor MagicPad 4 review: Is this the best high-end Android tablet for media and work?
The Honor MagicPad 4 pairs a bright OLED screen with loud eight-speaker audio inside an ultra-slim, portable frame. Picture: Noel Campion
The iPad is to tablets what the Hoover was to vacuums, but for those looking for a tablet from a brand other than Apple, the Honor MagicPad 4 is an outstanding option. This Android tablet features top-notch performance alongside a goldilocks-sized OLED screen. While its thin profile suggests fragility, the build quality is solid for a device this portable and light.
The first thing you notice about the MagicPad 4 is its weight. At just 450g, it feels almost weightless in my hands. Honor has engineered a tablet with an incredibly slim profile, measuring only 4.8mm thick. The metal chassis feels premium and resists smudges well, although my review unit came with an equally slim, lightweight keyboard case.
My unit also came with a stylus that looks very similar to the Apple Pencil, right down to how it connects to and charges on the tablet's top edge. The Magic Pencil 4S attaches magnetically to the top and charges wirelessly whenever it sits there. The smart keyboard uses three Pogo pins on the back for a physical connection, so it doesn't need to be charged. This also eliminates any lag you might find with Bluetooth peripherals. The keyboard features a useful stand that has two positions. The keyboard doesn't have a touchpad, which would have been a nice addition, especially in PC mode, but I used either the touchscreen or a Bluetooth mouse. One minor annoyance is that the rear camera bump makes the tablet wobble slightly on flat surfaces. This was not an issue with the keyboard case installed.
The MagicPad 4's 12.3-inch OLED screen is a real standout among the sea of Android tablets. Even though the screen is large, the tablet's weight and balance mean it doesn't feel awkward to hold. Everything looks incredibly sharp thanks to the 165Hz refresh rate and 3,000 x 1,920 resolution. The 2,400-nit peak brightness is exceptional, making it easy to see even in bright sunlight. With its 93% screen-to-body ratio and thin 4mm bezels, the display is a joy for all sorts of media consumption. The fully laminated panel also eliminates the gap between the glass and the screen, which makes using the stylus much more intuitive.
I also found that the 5280Hz PWM dimming helped prevent eye strain during long sessions. While the glossy surface is great for contrast and clarity, you might want a matte screen protector if you are doing digital art or working under bright lights.
Alongside the impressive OLED display, Honor has integrated an eight-speaker system that delivers excellent audio. It is surprising how much volume these speakers produce within such a slim chassis. The spatial audio effect is striking, particularly for gaming and films, providing clear dialogue and a subtle bass presence that is unexpected from a device this thin. The stereo performance for music is also quite capable.
Do not expect professional photography from the camera system. The rear 13MP camera handles basic shots well enough, but your smartphone will almost certainly produce better images.
The front 9MP camera serves its purpose for video calls and online meetings. It supports 4K video at 30fps, which provides much clearer imagery than the 1080p sensors found on many competing tablets.
Under the hood, the MagicPad 4 uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip. My unit came with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, although a 16GB RAM version is available. During daily tasks like web browsing and multitasking, the performance feels fluid and fast.
It also works well for gaming, although heavy titles won't run as well as on flagship chipsets like the Gen 5 Elite. I tested several AAA titles on maximum settings, and while the graphics looked stunning, the tablet started to warm up after about 30 minutes. When this happens, the system throttles performance slightly to prevent overheating.
For connectivity, the USB 3.1 Gen 1 port supports video output, which is a great feature for productivity. It also features the latest Bluetooth 6.0 and Wi-Fi 7. The tablet relies on PIN and face unlock, but the lack of a fingerprint sensor is a notable omission.
The 10,100mAh battery provides impressive longevity. During my testing, I achieved up to 12 hours of screen-on time. This makes it a reliable companion for long flights or workdays. When the battery runs low, the 66W Honor Supercharging brings you back to full power in just under an hour. The box includes the necessary Type-C cable and the power adapter, which is a welcome inclusion.
Running MagicOS 10, based on Android 16, the tablet offers several practical AI features. The multitasking capabilities are excellent, especially in PC mode, which lets you run apps in floating windows, mimicking a desktop environment. You can quickly toggle back and forth between tablet and PC modes. This works perfectly when paired with the keyboard accessory.
Connecting Honor devices, such as the MagicPad 4, to Apple devices has become much simpler. Using the built-in Honor WorkStation feature, you can share the Honor MagicPad 4 screen on the MacBook along with easy drag-and-drop file sharing.
The Honor MagicPad 4 is a premium media machine. Its stunning OLED display, stellar battery and impressive speakers are outstanding. If you're looking for one of the best Android tablets that ticks all the right boxes, I highly recommend this one.
Honor.com
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
