Imagine a portable cinema and a powerhouse productivity tool rolled into one sleek package. That is exactly what the Honor MagicPad 3 feels like. After going hands on, I can say it really delivers on that promise.
First Impressions and Feel
It’s hard to believe something with a 13.3-inch screen can be this light and thin. Seriously, the MagicPad 3 only weighs about 595 grams and is just 5.8mm thick it feels almost impossibly slim in your hands. And even though it’s so lightweight, it doesn’t feel cheap at all. The all-aluminum body gives it this really solid, premium feel that’s both stylish and super comfortable to hold.
Also read: 7 Phones That Offer Better Value Than Google Pixel 10
Display and Entertainment
The screen on this thing is seriously impressive. It’s a 3.2K resolution display with a super smooth 165 Hz refresh rate, and it gets crazy bright up to 1000 nits. It’s even got this IMAX Enhanced certification, which basically means it’s built for watching movies. The whole package makes for a really vibrant, fluid, and immersive experience that’s perfect for binge-watching your favorite series.
Now, the one catch is that it’s an LCD screen, not OLED like the previous model had. Because of that, it doesn’t quite hit those same incredible depths of black, and the contrast isn’t as stark. Don’t get me wrong, HDR content still looks great, but it just doesn’t have that same eye-popping, wow-factor punch that a top-tier OLED can deliver.
Sound and Media Power
They’ve packed eight speakers into this thing, and you can really tell. I was honestly surprised by how good it sounds it totally pulls you into whatever you’re watching. Movies have a really rich, full feel to them, with a nice punch to the action scenes. And for gaming, it’s a game-changer; you don’t feel like you’re missing out at all if you don’t have your headphones handy. It just makes everything way more engaging.
Performance and Battery Life
The MagicPad 3 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor paired with 16 GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and responsive performance. Demanding apps and games run without stutters, and benchmark results show a clear jump over its predecessor. While the OnePlus Pad 3 and iPad Air still lead in raw performance, this tablet holds its ground very well.
Battery life is one of its strongest points. With a massive 12450 mAh silicon carbon battery, the tablet can handle over 22 hours of video playback in real world use. It also supports 66 W fast charging, which means you spend less time plugged in and more time using it.
Cameras and Connectivity
For the cameras, you get a 13-megapixel main shooter on the back, plus a 2-megapixel macro lens for close-up shots. Around front, there’s a 9-megapixel camera for your video calls and selfies. Honestly, it’s about what you’d expect from a tablet. The back camera takes decent pictures outside when the light is good, but it starts to get grainy and struggle the moment you go indoors which is pretty much the standard for any tablet, to be fair.
Where it really shines is with all its connections and features. It’s got the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, so it’s seriously future-proofed. There are also these handy magnetic POGO pins on the side for snapping on keyboards and other accessories. You can hook it up to an external monitor using the USB-C port, and it comes running the newest Android 15 with MagicOS 9. The software is smart, too it has some neat AI tricks that genuinely help you juggle multiple apps without a headache.
Also read: OnePlus Pad 3 to Launch on September 5 – Check Expected Price & Key Highlights
Value and Extras
Priced at around £600 in some markets, the MagicPad 3 also comes with attractive early buyer offers. These include a £100 voucher plus the Magic Pencil 3 stylus and Smart Touch Keyboard bundled at no extra cost. That is about £300 worth of extras, adding serious value.
On top of that, Honor promises seven years of OS and security updates, which is one of the best commitments we have seen in the Android tablet space.
Who Does the MagicPad 3 Compete With
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| Competitor | Standout Strengths | Compared to MagicPad 3 |
|---|---|---|
| OnePlus Pad 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite, excellent display and battery | More powerful, brighter OLED, but lacks bundled extras |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus | Premium Android features, S Pen included, IP rating | More feature rich ecosystem, but smaller screen |
| iPad Air 2025 | M3 chip, long software support | More powerful CPU and GPU, but smaller display and fewer extras included |
| Honor MagicPad 2 | OLED display, lower cost | OLED screen vs larger LCD, older chip, but still a solid choice |
Final Thoughts
So, who’s this tablet actually for? Honestly, it’s for any of us who just want to get totally lost in a show or a game without feeling like we’re lugging around a heavy, expensive brick. It nails that “just one more episode” binge-watching vibe, it’s great for doodling with the stylus, handling some light work, and casual gaming.
Yeah, the screen isn’t the inky-black OLED type, so movie night might not feel quite as cinematic as on the absolute top-tier tablets. But what you get instead is seriously solid battery life, they often throw in some nice freebies, and they promise to keep the software updated. When you add it all up, it’s not trying to be the flashiest—it’s trying to be the most sensible, well-rounded pick, and it absolutely pulls that off.
FAQs
Is the MagicPad 3 worth it over the MagicPad 2
If you value OLED screens and deeper contrast, the Pad 2 may be a better choice. But if you want a bigger screen, better battery, faster chip, and bundled extras like the keyboard and stylus, the Pad 3 is a stronger all rounder.
How is the display quality
The display is smooth and bright with its 165 Hz refresh rate and 3.2K resolution, making it great for movies and reading. However, it does not deliver the deep blacks that OLED screens offer.
How long does the battery last
It can last over 22 hours of video playback on a single charge, which is among the best in tablets right now.
Are the stylus and keyboard included
Yes. Early buyers in some regions get the Magic Pencil 3 and Smart Touch Keyboard bundled for free.
How many software updates will it get
Honor promises seven years of updates, which is best in class for Android tablets.
Who should buy it
It is perfect for multimedia users, students, and creatives who want a device that balances entertainment, productivity, and longevity. However, those who want maximum raw power may prefer the iPad Air or OnePlus Pad 3.
