Unleashing the Power of the Honor MagicPad4: A Comprehensive Tablet Review

Honor MagicPad4 Review

I reviewed the Honor MagicPad2 back in October 2024 and absolutely loved it. To me, it stood out as one of the best options for an Android tablet. Only the OnePlus Pad 2 competed, as the Pixel Tablet was inferior in most aspects, and Samsung tablets were either inferior in terms of options at a similar price point or significantly more expensive.

I didn’t get a chance to review the MagicPad3, but it was a bit of an odd launch as Honor ditched the OLED display in favor of a larger IPS display with incremental changes elsewhere. It was more expensive as well, at £600 RRP vs £500, so it didn’t make a great deal of sense.

The Honor MagicPad4 brings back the 12.3″ OLED display with the usual incremental improvements. The overall specification isn’t much of an upgrade from the superb MagicPad2, so does this still stand out as one of the best Android tablets on the market?

As I didn’t review the MagicPad3, I will make a lot of comparisons with the MagicPad2 in this review.

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Honor MagicPad4 vs MagicPad3 vs MagicPad2 Specification

Looking at the specifications side by side, the MagicPad4 is very much an iterative update. The biggest changes are the move to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 on a 3 nm process, the switch to USB Type-C 3.2 with DisplayPort output, the bump to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and the dramatically thinner and lighter design. The battery capacity is nearly identical to the MagicPad2, while the display retains the same size and resolution but adds a higher refresh rate and brighter peak HDR output.

Design

The headline figure for the MagicPad4 is its 4.8 mm thickness, which Honor claims makes it the thinnest tablet currently on the market. For context, the iPad Pro sits at 5.1 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is around 5.5 mm, and the previous MagicPad3 measured 5.8 mm. Combined with a weight of just 450 g, the MagicPad4 is noticeably lighter and thinner than its predecessor.

In hand, the difference compared to the MagicPad2 (which was 555 g) is immediately apparent. It feels remarkably light for a 12.3″ tablet, and you can comfortably hold it in one hand for extended reading sessions without fatigue. Honor has achieved this partly through what it calls a “Crescent Structure” design and the use of aerospace-grade special fiber material, which the company says reduces weight by 32% while increasing stiffness by 30%. Whatever the engineering behind it, the result is a tablet that feels premium and solid despite its featherweight construction.

The tablet is available in Grey and White, which keeps things simple and professional. The back panel has a clean, understated look with a small camera module in the corner. There is no IP rating for water or dust resistance, but as I noted in my MagicPad2 review, this is common across most tablets. Samsung is one of the few manufacturers offering IP68 on its Galaxy Tab range, and you pay a premium for that.

One notable improvement from the MagicPad2 is the switch to USB Type-C 3.2, which also supports DisplayPort 1.2. This allows you to connect an external monitor to the tablet, which has the potential for significant productivity improvements. The MagicPad2 was limited to USB-C 2.0, so this is a welcome upgrade that opens up the tablet to a much broader range of use cases.

When paired with the keyboard and stylus, the complete mobile office setup weighs approximately 852 g.

The MagicPad4 is significantly lighter than a 13″ MacBook Air at 1,240 g, and even lighter than many ultrabooks. As someone who occasionally travels for work, the idea of leaving the laptop behind and carrying just this setup is very appealing.

The 12.3″ OLED display on the MagicPad4 runs at a 3000 x 1920 resolution with a pixel density of approximately 290 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio is 93% with ultra-narrow 4 mm bezels, giving the tablet a modern and immersive feel. The refresh rate has been bumped to 165 Hz, contributing to the overall smoothness of the interface.

Peak HDR brightness is rated at 2,400 nits, making a noticeable difference when watching HDR content or using the tablet outdoors in bright sunlight. Honor has included a suite of eye comfort technologies, including 5,280 Hz PWM dimming, chip-level AI defocus display feature, and DOT Eye Comfort Technology, all aimed at reducing eye strain.

The MagicPad4 can be paired with the Honor MagicPad4 Smart Keyboard, providing a stable typing surface with reasonable key travel. With the keyboard attached, the tablet transforms into a lightweight productivity tool, ideal for basic tasks on the go.

The Honor Magic-Pencil 3 stylus features a matte texture with a skin-friendly coating for a comfortable grip. The writing and drawing experience is smooth and responsive, with low latency and adequate pressure sensitivity. However, the magnetic attachment may not be strong enough to prevent the stylus from being knocked off if carried in a bag.

Unfortunately, benchmarking apps were blocked on the pre-release review sample, so a proper performance review was not possible. However, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, performance is expected to be smooth and efficient compared to other Android tablets. The 3 nm process is expected to improve thermals and battery life on the MagicPad4, allowing the chip to operate more efficiently. Gaming performance on the tablet was impressive, with games like Call of Duty and Genshin Impact running smoothly at high settings on the 165 Hz display. The tablet’s Ice Cooling System kept it comfortable during extended gaming sessions.

The MagicPad4 comes in two configurations, with 12 GB or 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB or 512 GB of storage. While there is no microSD card slot for storage expansion, 12 GB of RAM is sufficient for general use. The 16 GB option is recommended for heavy gaming or multitasking. Unfortunately, benchmark figures were not available due to restrictions on pre-release firmware.

The tablet retains its eight-speaker setup, providing clear and well-separated sound with decent bass. The inclusion of Spatial Audio support with DTS X:Ultra certification creates a wider soundstage. The cameras on the MagicPad4 are adequate for tasks like video calls, but not suitable for high-quality photos.

Android 16 and MagicOS 10 are included on the tablet, offering features like PC mode for multitasking and AI tools for productivity. Connectivity options like Honor Connect and Honor OneTap enhance the user experience. Despite some issues with docking stations and peripherals, MagicOS 10 provides a smooth and versatile interface for users. The UI is heavily modified, and while other brands like Samsung may offer a slightly more polished UI, I consider MagicOS to be one of the better implementations of Android on a tablet.

Connectivity

The MagicPad4 supports Wi-Fi 7 with a four-antenna design, a significant upgrade over the MagicPad2’s Wi-Fi 6. Honor claims a maximum network coverage distance of 700 m, indicating a well-designed antenna system. Wi-Fi performance was excellent in my home, with strong signal strength even in problematic rooms.

Bluetooth 6 is included, an upgrade from the MagicPad2’s Bluetooth 5.3, delivering improved range, lower latency, and better audio quality with supported accessories.

Like the MagicPad2, there is no cellular connectivity option, requiring reliance on Wi-Fi or tethering to a phone when on the go. This is standard for most Android tablets in this price range, and while Samsung and Apple offer 5G variants, they come at a significant additional cost.

Battery Life and Charging

The MagicPad4 features a 10,100 mAh battery in its 4.8 mm frame, a remarkable achievement given its thinness. Day-to-day usage lasted through heavy use, with more moderate usage patterns requiring charging every two to three days. Charging is handled by 66 W Honor SuperCharge over USB-C, with no wireless charging option.

Price and Alternative Options

Honor had not confirmed the UK RRP for the MagicPad4 at the time of writing, with early bird vouchers offering up to £200 off. The OnePlus Pad 3 is a viable alternative, with a larger display but older chipset, priced at £529 and £599 for different configurations.

Overall

The Honor MagicPad4 is a great choice for a new tablet in 2026. The thin design, OLED display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, and modern connectivity options make it a compelling option for productivity and entertainment. However, pricing and competition from other models like the OnePlus Pad 3 should be considered before making a purchase.

Honor MagicPad4 Review

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