HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: A Big Beautiful Tablet That Nails the Essentials

Forget pocket-sized slates. Today’s tablets are going big – really big. Blame the ever-expanding smartphone, the rise of the foldable, or just plain consumer demand, but the 12- and 13-inch tablet is now king. And we’ve got a contender for the throne: the HONOR MagicPad 3, boasting a dazzling 13.3-inch display. Is it magic? Let’s find out.

Forget the "Pro" version for now it’s a shiny new toy, still months behind schedule. And besides, the global version of the MagicPad 3 is more than enough firepower for most users. While the "Pro" remains a China-exclusive, shrouded in "will-it-ever-arrive?" mystery, I’ve been putting the MagicPad 3 through its paces. So, ditch the speculation, and let’s dive into the real deal.

Table of Contents

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HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Design
HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Accessories
HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Display
HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Performance
HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Battery Life
HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Camera
HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Software
HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Audio
HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Should you buy it?

HONOR MagicPad 3

Rating

star

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star

£599.99 ($800)

HONOR’s MagicPad 3 gets the basics right power, display, and endurance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Great build quality
Vibrant and sharp display
Very good performance
Plenty of features that take advantage of the display size
Class-leading battery life
Mature OS which is finally consistent
Outstanding case/keyboard accessory you can buy separately

Cons

No fingerprint scanner
Poor camera performance
Software support

Disclaimer

HONOR sent us the MagicPad 3 for review, no strings attached. Our opinion is our own, forged after two weeks of hands-on use, and HONOUR didn’t get a sneak peek.

Buy from HONOR

HONOR MagicPad 3 Specs

View Device Specs

HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Design

The HONOR MagicPad 3 isn’t just a tablet; it’s a sprawling 13.3-inch canvas. Stepping up from the 10-11 inch world? Prepare for a "whoa" moment. That extra screen real estate unlocks new possibilities, even if it means a noticeably larger device. Thankfully, HONOR kept things sleek with impressively slim bezels, preventing it from feeling like a behemoth. Grip concerns? Relax. There’s still ample room to hold it comfortably. The MagicPad 3 boasts a cool, premium feel thanks to its aluminum unibody. Frankly, this metal build is a masterstroke for larger tablets. Forget the fragile glass back durability and style win the day. There’s a reason why so many companies prefer it.

The bezels are thin

HONOR cleverly sidesteps the dreaded display camera hole, instead embedding the lens in the bezel a win for uninterrupted viewing. But here’s the twist: it’s landscape-optimized, nestled on the right bezel when held upright.

The tablet’s razor-thin profile (a mere 5.8mm!) is framed by flat edges, lending a sleek, modern feel. Power and volume controls reside within easy reach: the power button atop (in portrait), and the volume rocker conveniently positioned on the right.

Heads up, road warriors: this is a Wi-Fi-only affair. Ditch the SIM card dreams, and forget about expandable storage, too. This tablet embraces simplicity.

If we flip it over, you’ll notice two cameras in the top-left corner. Once again, I’m talking from a portrait perspective. An LED flash is placed next to those two cameras, and all that sits on top of a slightly raised platform. HONOR’s logo is placed in the middle, though it has a landscape orientation. When you hold the device in portrait mode, it will be in the wrong direction. Way below that logo, at the bottom of the back side, you’ll notice three pogo pins. This is used for the keyboard/case accessory that HONOR also sent us. We’ll talk about that in the next section.

It is a large, metal-clad tablet

The HONOR MagicPad 3: a sleek, expansive canvas measuring a mere 5.8mm thin. Picture this: a slate of cool metal, stretching 293.9 x 201.4mm, resting in your hands. At 595 grams, it’s substantial, a world away from your featherweight phone, yet surprisingly manageable for its size. A word to the wise: this beauty is vulnerable. Keep it dry and dust-free. Now, let’s talk sound. Eight strategically placed speakers ring the frame, promising an immersive audio experience we’ll dissect later. The verdict? The MagicPad 3 is a head-turner. Just be warned: its smooth surface can be a bit treacherous. Prepare for a slippery romance.

HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Accessories

Don’t eventhinkabout buying the HONOR MagicPad 3 without its Smart Touch Keyboard. Seriously. This isn’t just a case; it’s a productivity powerhouse disguised as sleek protection. Sold separately, yes, but what you get is a magnetic marvel: a case, keyboard, and adjustable stand all rolled into one seamless experience. Confession: I’m addicted. Using this tabletwithoutit feels…naked. Detaching it is a breeze thanks to the magnets, but trust me, you won’t want to. It’s the ultimate tablet companion.

This accessory connects via pogo pins, instantly

The tablet snapped to the case with a satisfying click, pogo pins finding their mark instantly – no fiddling required. The magnetic back panel transformed into a surprisingly sturdy kickstand with a simple fold. Suddenly, the slippery tablet gained purchase, the case’s rubberized texture offering a reassuring grip that felt luxurious in hand. And the keyboard? A revelation. Chiclet keys with decent travel defied expectations. Mechanical keyboard aficionados might scoff, but for laptop loyalists, it’s a dream.

HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Display

The HONOR MagicPad 3 stuns with its expansive 13.3-inch LCD, a vibrant canvas that defies expectations. Forget OLED – this display explodes with a 3200 x 2136 resolution, bathing your eyes in radiant clarity. Sunlight readability? Absolutely. Viewing angles? Impeccable. During my time, brightness was never a compromise, only a constant companion. The nearly bezel-less design, boasting a 91% screen-to-body ratio, pulls you into another world. HONOR has masterfully sculpted the bezels: slender enough to disappear, substantial enough for confident handling. The immersion is undeniable; this screen justfeelsright.

This is a 165Hz panel

While it’s not OLED, don’t dismiss this display. Its adaptive refresh rate dances between a buttery smooth 165Hz and a battery-sipping 30Hz, intelligently adjusting through seven distinct levels. Sure, OLED aficionados might notice a difference, but the colors here are vibrant and engaging. Honestly, I never found myself yearning for OLED. While professional color graders might prefer OLED’s precision, this display delivers a fantastic visual experience for everyday use.

This display also protects your eyes

The HONOR tablet’s display isn’t just a screen; it’s dubbed the ‘Eye Comfort Display’ for a reason, boasting tech to ease those peepers, though its magic shines brightest in specific apps. Beyond comfort, it explodes with 1.07 billion colors, painting vivid pictures with zero flicker. Honestly, whatmorecould you demand from a tablet display? Touch response is satisfyingly snappy, and fingerprint smudges? Barely noticeable compared to its rivals. It’s a visual experience that leaves little room for complaints.

HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Performance

Beneath the sleek shell of the HONOR MagicPad 3 hums the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – a seasoned warrior, not the fresh-faced recruit. While not the bleeding edge of silicon, this 4nm powerhouse, coupled with a generous 16GB of RAM and a sprawling 512GB of storage, makes for a surprisingly potent combination. After two weeks of relentless use, from streaming movies to juggling demanding apps, the MagicPad 3 never once gasped for breath. It’s a smooth operator that punches well above its weight class.

The performance is on a high level

The HONOR MagicPad 3 didn’t just perform; it glided. From casual browsing to power-user multitasking, it handled everything I threw at it. Juggling floating app windows, split screens, and demanding applications felt effortlessly smooth. Sure, a dropped frame might flicker by a universal truth of tech but lag? That was banished. Honestly, I anticipated this level of performance, and the MagicPad 3 delivered. No surprises, just pure, unadulterated power.

HONOR didn’t just tweak the cooling system; they’ve supercharged it, turning this tablet into a graphical powerhouse. Think blistering-fast frame rates, not frustrating lag. While this tablet handles everyday tasks with ease, it’s graphically demanding games that truly put its mettle to the test. I threw everything I could at it: Call of Duty: Mobile’s frenetic firefights, Subway Surfers’ lightning-fast chases, and the strategic depths of Chess. But then, curiosity got the better of me, and I had to see if it could handle Genshin Impact’s breathtaking, yet demanding open world – a test I usually reserve only for top-tier devices. Let’s just say, I broke my own "three game" rule for a very good reason.

You can game on this tablet, easily

Gaming on this tablet? Absolutely. I threw demanding titles like Genshin Impact at it, and while I saw a few dropped frames in the latter (hardly a shock), the overall experience remained smooth and enjoyable. Bottom line: performance is a non-issue, at least for now. Dive in and play.

Benchmarks:

Geekbench:

| | | | | | — | — | — | — | |Device|Single-Core|Multi-Core|GPU| | HONOR MagicPad 3 | 2,206 | 6,790 | 14,464 | | OnePlus Pad 3 | 2994 | 9044 | 19,178 | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | 2191 | 7358 | 12204 |

3D Mark (Wildlife Extreme Stress Test):

| | | | | | — | — | — | — | |Device|Best Loop|Lowest Loop|Stability| | HONOR MagicPad 3 | 5,163 | 3,705 | 71.8% | | OnePlus Pad 3 | 6,639 | 5,485 | 82.6% | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | N/A | N/A | N/A |

Capcut video export:

| | | | — | — | |Device|Time to export (seconds)| | HONOR MagicPad 3 | 6.67 | | OnePlus Pad 3 | N/A | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | N/A |

Thermals:

3D Mark (Wildlife Extreme Stress Test):

| | | | — | — | |Device|Temperature (F)| | HONOR MagicPad 3 | 96 | | OnePlus Pad 3 | 93 | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | 99.8 |

Genshin Impact:

| | | | — | — | |Device|Temperature (F)| | HONOR MagicPad 3 | 96 | | OnePlus Pad 3 | N/A | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | N/A |

HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Battery Life

The HONOR MagicPad 3 isn’t just packing a battery; it’s hauling a powerhouse. Clocking in at a whopping 12,450mAh, it laughs in the face of low-battery anxiety. Think about it: this tablet’s energy cell dwarfs even the one inside the gargantuan Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (11,600mAh), despite the latter’s larger screen. Remember the MagicPad 2? Its 10,050mAh felt adequate. This is a whole different level. But enough with the numbers. Does it deliver where it counts? Absolutely.

The battery life is great

Forget "good" battery life. This tablet’s battery is a marathon runner disguised as a power brick. Eleven hours of screen-on time? Child’s play. I squeezed out over that even while juggling apps, battling virtual foes, and generally putting it through its paces. Think of it as a battery that laughs in the face of power-hungry tasks. If you’re a light user, prepare to be amazed. We’re talking serious, multi-day usage. This battery doesn’t just last; it endures.

Standby? Not a concern. Dusting off the MagicPad 3 after a three-day hiatus, I braced myself for battery depletion. Instead, I found a mere 7% dip. Color me impressed. HONOR’s silicon-carbon battery delivers, plain and simple. Battery anxiety? Forget about it.

You can fully hcarge it in around an hour and a half

Juice it up! The HONOR boasts a blazing-fast 66W charging capability, leaving the competition in the dust. Plug in this behemoth 12,450mAh battery for just 30 minutes, and you’ll be soaring past 40%. Sure, the pace mellows out after the halfway mark, stretching a full charge to around 90 minutes. But hey, that’s impressive considering the sheer size of the power cell! And with its epic battery life, charging becomes a casual affair, not a constant worry. Top it off whenever the mood strikes; you likely won’t be tethered to the wall. Small caveat: you’ll need to bring your own power brick; one isn’t included.

| | | | | — | — | — | |Device|Battery life|Charging| | HONOR MagicPad 3 | 17:52:12 | 1:29:55 | | OnePlus Pad 3 | N/A | N/A | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | N/A | N/A |

HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Camera

So far, so good, right? Prepare for a plot twist: the camera. Let’s be honest, tablet cameras rarely star in rave reviews. I always feel a touch ridiculous snapping photos with a slab of glass and metal. Picture this: me, awkwardly framing a landscape with a device the size of a dinner plate. You’re probably carrying a phone capable of far superior shots anyway. So, really…why bother?

There are two cameras included on the back, but they’re… forgetable

Forget fancy autofocus. This tablet sports a 13MP main camera (f/2.0) alongside a 2MP macro lens (f/2.4), both offering fixed focus. Prepare for a noticeable experience. The main camera is underwhelming and let’s be honest, 2MP macro lenses are a crime against gadget photography. Now, let’s delve into the performance.

Tablet cameras: daylight disappointment, nighttime nightmares. Let’s be honest, tablet photography is usually an exercise in futility, and this one doesn’t buck the trend. Daylight shots are drained of vibrancy, leaving you with muddy, lifeless images. Forget accurate colors; the white balance is a mess. And reflections? Prepare for unwanted cameos in your would-be masterpieces. Just because youcantake a picture with it, doesn’t mean youshould.

We don’t recommend using these cameras for low-light shots

Nighttime photography? Brace yourself. Images emerge grainy, shrouded in shadows, their clarity sacrificed to the dark. Colors bleed, details vanish – a predictable, if disappointing, outcome. But let’s be clear: this tablet isn’t vying for photojournalism awards. The cameras are present, a fallback for dire needs, but invoking them is akin to hailing a taxi when a sports car waits in the garage. Use them sparingly, as you would on any tablet; the true magic lies elsewhere.

The front-facing camera? Let’s just say it’s functional. Think hurried video chats, not glamorous selfies. While youcansnap a self-portrait, prepare for a "meh" result. And video recording? Temper your expectations. It’s adequate for basic needs, but don’t expect cinematic brilliance.

Camera samples (day):

Camera samples (night):

4K video recording thermals:

| | | | | — | — | — | |Device|5 minutes (F)|10 minutes (F)| | HONOR MagicPad 3 | 86.2 | 89.5 | | OnePlus Pad 3 | N/A | N/A | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | N/A | N/A |

HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Software

Forget stock Android tablets. The HONOR MagicPad 3 arrives wielding Android 15, but it’s been completely transmuted by HONOR’s MagicOS 9.0.1. Think Android, reimagined. This isn’t just a skin; it’s a full-blown makeover that delivers a significantly different, and frankly, richer tablet experience. Love it or hate it, MagicOS has leveled up, packing a suite of clever features that leverage that expansive screen. Prepare for a tablet experience that actually utilizes all that real estate.

Multi-Flex feature is great

First things first: your home screen. Want a traditional app drawer? Go for it. Prefer a streamlined look? Ditch it. The choice is yours.

Down below, you’ll find the dock – your trusty launchpad. Pin your ride-or-die apps for instant access and see your recent apps pop up on the right. Want more dock power? You can even summon floating apps.

Attach a keyboard, and suddenly, windows appear! It’s like having a tablet within your tablet, a productivity powerhouse begging for you to dive in.

Behold "Multi-Flex," the holy grail of multitasking. Three windows? No problem. Conquer your to-do list with ease.

Forget everything you know about notification shades. MagicOS 9 rips up the rulebook, offering a split-screen approach to your alerts and settings. A downward swipe from the top-left unleashes a torrent of notifications, while a corresponding gesture from the top-right conjures forth your quick toggles – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more, all at your fingertips. While the functionality might feel familiar, the aesthetic is anything but. MagicOS 9 boasts a sleek, modern interface, a breath of fresh air from previous iterations. The design language is finally unified, creating a cohesive and visually pleasing user experience.

The App Extender feature is also included, as are various HONOR AI features

MagicOS 9 doesn’t just offer floating windows; it unleashes the ‘App Extender’. Imagine splitting your screen to double-down on productivity within a single app. Or, perhaps, you want a perfectly sized, fixed window for focused viewing. Be warned, though: this magic trick works its best with select apps.

HONOR’s diving headfirst into the AI revolution – and they’ve been prepping for years. Hidden within MagicOS 9 lies a treasure trove: the ‘HONOR AI’ menu. This isn’t some techy labyrinth; it’s a user-friendly gateway to a suite of intelligent tools. Think instant translations with AI Subtitles, effortless content creation using AI Writing, and a sixth sense for spotting digital trickery with AI Deepfake Detection. But that’s not all! Magic Sidebar anticipates your needs, Magic Text extracts information with a tap, and Magic Portal whisks content between apps like a digital concierge. HONOR isn’t just talking about AI; they’re putting its power in your hands.

Magic Sidebar & Magic Portal are especially useful

Imagine a secret weapon hidden at the edge of your screen – the Magic Sidebar. Swipe inward and unlock a world of multitasking possibilities. Launch apps in split-screen or float them effortlessly. Feeling lucky? Activate AI recommendations for a touch of digital serendipity.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. Ever wished you could pluck text straight from an image? ‘Magic Text’ grants your wish. And ‘Magic Portal’? Think of it as your supercharged clipboard. Knock-knock – a quick screenshot with your knuckle sends it directly to the Portal, waiting patiently at the side, ready for its moment to shine. Packed with clever tricks, the Magic Sidebar is a treasure trove of productivity boosters.

Dive into HONOR’s world of customization! Transform your device with stunning themes, and let ‘Magazine Unlock’ surprise you with fresh, eye-catching wallpapers every time you wake your screen. Fine-tune your font, and reimagine your icons – MagicOS offers a playground of personalization (though it prefers its own curated icon styles). The evolution of MagicOS is complete: a fluid, seamless, and feature-rich experience that elevates Android. You might not needeverybell and whistle, but you’ll definitely appreciate the power and polish at your fingertips.

The software support won’t be long

HONOR’s software support for this tablet? Let’s just say expectations should be tempered. A single major Android OS update and two years of security patches are theofficialpromise. Could they surprise us with more? Maybe. But as it stands, that’s the deal. Don’t hold your breath for long-term software love.

HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Audio

The HONOR MagicPad 3 doesn’t just deliver visuals, it immerses you in sound. Packing an octet of speakers, this tablet transforms into a personal concert hall. Engage HONOR Spatial Audio, and prepare to be enveloped by a soundstage that rivals high-end systems. The audio is not just loud; it’s rich, detailed, and expansive – a far cry from your phone’s tinny output. Disabling Spatial Audio narrows the field, focusing the sound but losing the magic. The verdict? Keep Spatial Audio enabled and unlock the true potential of the MagicPad 3’s auditory prowess.

Bluetooth 5.4 keeps your wireless audio locked in. While not the absolute newest iteration, it provides a rock-solid connection. Our testing revealed zero dropouts – just seamless streaming exactly as it should be. Pair, play, and lose yourself in the sound.

HONOR MagicPad 3 Review: Should you buy it?

Forget fence-sitting. Should you buy the HONOR MagicPad 3? Absolutely. If your wallet allows, you’re looking at a top-tier tablet experience. Think silky-smooth performance, a build that screams premium, and battery life that laughs in the face of long flights. Plus, the optional case is a genuine must-have.

MagicOS 9.0.1 feels intuitive and responsive, leaving little to grumble about. Sure, an OLED screen might be theultimatein color fidelity, but the existing display is vibrant and beautiful – more than enough for most users. And while the cameras aren’t groundbreaking, let’s be honest, are you really buying a tablet for its photography?

The MagicPad 3 nails the essentials, and it nails them hard. Powerful, polished, and packing serious staying power, this tablet is an easy win. Consider it a solid investment in portable productivity and entertainment.

You should buy the HONOR MagicPad 3 if you:

Want a large-screen tablet
Appreciate good, all-metal build quality
Like using multiple apps on the screen at the same time
Need a tablet that will offer really good performance
Don’t want to pay a premium for a tablet
Need a great keyboard accessory
Use your tablets a lot during the day
Like using MagicOS, and appreciate the features it offers

You shouldn’t buy the HONOR MagicPad 3 if you:

The lack of a fingerprint scanner bothers you
Need really good cameras on a tablet
Expect good/long software support

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