TECNO MEGAPAD 2 vs HONOR Pad X9a: The PHP 6,000 question

Here is the thing about budget tablets in the Philippines: PHP 6,000 is a massive gap, and the TECNO MEGAPAD 2 and the HONOR Pad X9a sit on opposite sides of it.

I have reviewed both of them. I unboxed the HONOR Pad X9a at PHP 10,999, ran it through gaming tests, and I spent serious hands on time with the MEGAPAD 2 with its free keyboard and 2.5K screen.

The question everyone keeps asking me is simple: is the HONOR worth the savings, or does the TECNO justify the premium? Let me settle this like I do everything else, with the specs and the honest talk.

The 30 second verdict

If your budget is tight, the HONOR Pad X9a is the easy call. It is PHP 6,000 cheaper, charges way faster, and has a smoother 120Hz screen. For pure value, it is hard to beat.

If you want the sharper display, the brighter panel, the newer Android, and a keyboard in the box, the MEGAPAD 2 earns its premium. It is the more polished package.

The honest answer: the HONOR is the smarter buy for most people. The TECNO is the better tablet. Those are two different things, and I will show you the math.

Display: 120Hz smoothness versus 2.5K sharpness

The HONOR Pad X9a has an 11.5-inch IPS panel with 2.5K resolution running at 120Hz. That refresh rate makes scrolling and gaming feel buttery, which is a big deal at this price.

The MEGAPAD 2 counters with an 11-inch 2560 x 1600 panel at 90Hz and a much brighter 550 nits. The HONOR tops out at 400 nits, which is a real difference in bright rooms.

So the HONOR feels faster in the hand, and the TECNO looks sharper and brighter on the eyes. The TECNO also has TUV Rheinland eye care certification, which matters if you read for hours.

My honest take: the HONOR’s 120Hz is the more fun display, and the TECNO’s brightness is the more practical one. Pick your poison.

Performance: the chip difference is real

The MEGAPAD 2 runs on the MediaTek Helio G99, which I have benchmarked to death across multiple reviews. It is the proven mid range workhorse with solid gaming chops.

The HONOR Pad X9a runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685. It is a capable 6nm chip for everyday tasks, but it is a step below the G99 when the frames start flying.

In my gaming review of the HONOR, the verdict was honest: it is good enough. It runs the casual stuff fine, but demanding games will make it sweat.

The MEGAPAD 2 has the same chip that powered my realme Pad 2 gaming sessions, and it held Honkai Star Rail at medium settings with barely any heat. Same tier, but the TECNO has the edge.

Battery and charging: the HONOR’s biggest win

The HONOR Pad X9a packs an 8,300mAh battery with 35W fast charging. The MEGAPAD 2 has 8,200mAh with 18W charging.

That 35W versus 18W gap is enormous in daily life. The HONOR refills in under half the time, and the battery is slightly bigger to boot.

The MEGAPAD 2’s party trick is a 74 day standby claim, which is impressive, but it does not save you from sitting next to an outlet for two hours.

If you are always rushing out the door, the HONOR is the one that will not keep you waiting.

Connectivity: the LTE question

The MEGAPAD 2 comes with 4G LTE on every unit, and there is no Wi-Fi-only variant. That is a genuine differentiator for commuters.

The HONOR Pad X9a launched as Wi-Fi first, with an optional LTE variant. If you want the SIM slot, you have to check which version is on the shelf.

Both tablets take a microSD card for storage expansion, so neither will leave you stranded on space.

Speakers, cameras, and the jack that never came

The HONOR Pad X9a has quad speakers, and they sound decent for the price. The MEGAPAD 2 has quad speakers with DTS tuning, and they genuinely fill a room.

Cameras are budget-tier on both: 8MP rear on each, with the MEGAPAD 2 having the better 8MP front camera versus the HONOR’s 5MP selfie shooter.

Neither tablet has a 3.5mm headphone jack. I checked both, and both expect you to go wireless. Bring earbuds either way.

The keyboard question, again

The MEGAPAD 2 includes its Bluetooth keyboard in the box. It doubles as a case and stand, and it turns the tablet into a typing machine at no extra cost.

The HONOR Pad X9a sells its smart Bluetooth keyboard as a bundle, which pushes the price to around PHP 11,999. Still cheap, but it is not free.

If you are a student typing essays, that free keyboard on the TECNO is worth real money. If you just want a media tablet, skip the keyboard entirely and save with the HONOR.

The full comparison table

There it is, all on one page. The HONOR is lighter, cheaper, charges faster, and refreshes smoother. The TECNO is brighter, sharper, has LTE everywhere, a better front camera, and a free keyboard.

And then there is that price row. PHP 10,999 versus PHP 16,999. That is the whole argument in a single line.

The value math

Let me put the PHP 6,000 gap in perspective. That difference buys you a decent pair of wireless earbuds, a case, and a screen protector, with money left over for snacks.

The HONOR at PHP 10,999 with earbuds and accessories is a complete setup for less than the bare TECNO. For most buyers, that math is unbeatable.

The TECNO’s answer is that you do not need accessories, because the keyboard is already in the box. That is a fair counter, and it is exactly why the choice is hard.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the HONOR Pad X9a if you want the best value in the segment: 120Hz screen, 35W charging, lighter body, and a PHP 10,999 price that is tough to argue with.

Buy the MEGAPAD 2 if you need the free keyboard, the brighter 2.5K display, the always-on LTE, or the newer Android 16 software. It is the more complete package.

Watch my HONOR unboxing and my MEGAPAD 2 review, then go touch both in a store. Your hands and your wallet will tell you which one wins.