Honor dropped two flagship tablets in China on October 15, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for Android tablets with the debut of the world’s first device running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.

The MagicPad 3 Pro carries Qualcomm’s newest flagship chipset, positioning it as a direct challenger to premium tablets from Apple and Samsung. Performance testing shows impressive results, with the device hitting over 4.2 million points on AnTuTu v11 benchmarks, peaking at 4,302,345.

MagicPad 3 Pro: Premium Performance at Competitive Pricing

The Pro variant features a 13.3-inch 3.2K LCD panel running at 165Hz with peak brightness reaching 1,100 nits. Despite housing flagship silicon, Honor priced the tablet at CNY 3,799 (roughly $534) for the 12GB/256GB configuration—substantially undercutting comparable premium tablets.

The device ships with MagicOS 10 based on Android 16, putting it among the earliest devices running Google’s latest mobile OS. Honor’s YOYO AI features are integrated throughout, with support for seamless data transfer across iOS, Android, and HarmonyOS ecosystems.

Power delivery comes from a substantial 12,450mAh battery supporting 80W fast charging. The camera setup includes a 13-megapixel primary sensor paired with a 2-megapixel macro lens. Honor emphasized the tablet’s thermal management system, which incorporates a 13-layer design with a 65,485mm² vapor chamber that improves heat dissipation by 26%.

MagicPad 3 12.5: Accessible Entry Point

The standard MagicPad 3 12.5 provides a more budget-conscious option, running the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with a 12.5-inch 3K display at CNY 2,699 (approximately $380). This model launches with MagicOS 9 based on Android 15, with an upgrade to MagicOS 10 on Android 16 coming later.

The smaller tablet packs a 10,100mAh battery with 66W fast charging and includes similar AI-powered multitasking features, letting users freely position multiple apps on screen like a desktop interface. Both tablets support the Honor Magic Pencil 3 stylus and compatible keyboard accessories, sold separately.

Market Strategy and Release Plans

Honor executives stated the MagicPad 3 Pro “leads competitors by six months” thanks to its exclusive Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. The company positions both devices as productivity-focused tablets capable of competing with Apple’s iPad Pro while offering Android’s flexibility.

Currently available only in China, Honor hasn’t announced international launch plans for either tablet. The company previously released the MagicPad 2 globally, suggesting potential international expansion for the new series remains possible.