The HONOR Pad V9 emerges as a compelling contender in the mid-range tablet market, aiming to strike a balance between premium features and an accessible price point.

Design and Build Quality
The tablet features a sleek and lightweight design, with a slim 6.1mm profile and a weight of just 475-gms. The unibody metal construction feels premium in hand and contributes to the tablet’s overall durability. The matte metallic finish on the frame and back not only looks sophisticated but also effectively resists fingerprints and smudges. The tablet feels comfortable to hold for extended periods, whether for media consumption or productivity tasks. The inclusion of a double-ring design around the rear camera adds a touch of visual flair. The HONOR Pad V9 comes in two colour options – white and gray.

Display
The 11.5-inch LCD display is a significant highlight of the HONOR Pad V9. It features a sharp 2.8K resolution (2800 x 1840 pixels) and an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, resulting in smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and responsive gaming experiences. The 3:2 aspect ratio is well-suited for both productivity and media consumption. The display supports 1.07 billion colours and covers the DCI-P3 cinema-grade colour gamut, delivering vibrant and accurate visuals. With a peak brightness of 500 nits, the screen remains legible even in moderately bright environments.

HONOR has also prioritised eye comfort with several features, including TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) Certification, Dynamic Dimming (which adjusts brightness based on ambient light), and Circadian Night Display (which reduces blue light emission at night). The inclusion of an AI Defocus Comfort Display further enhances reading comfort by subtly adjusting on-screen content. The display is also IMAX Enhanced certified, promising an optimised viewing experience for compatible content.

Operating System
The HONOR Pad V9 runs on the latest Android 15 operating system with HONOR’s MagicOS 9.0 skin on top. MagicOS 9.0 introduces several AI-powered features and productivity enhancements. The interface is generally clean and intuitive, with smooth navigation and multitasking capabilities. Features such as multi-window support and floating windows enhance productivity, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously.

HONOR Notes is a standout app, offering features such as AI-powered voice recording and transcription, handwriting beautification, formula recognition (including LaTeX), and AI Typesetting & Summary for efficient note organisation. The inclusion of HONOR Free Space provides a seamless way to manage multiple tasks with floating windows. Magic Portal aims to provide quick access to frequently used services. HONOR MagicRing allows for cross-device collaboration with other HONOR devices, enabling features such as cross-device network sharing and clipboard.

Internal Specs
The HONOR Pad V9 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite chipset, a capable octa-core processor built on a 4nm process. This provides ample power for everyday tasks, multitasking, and even demanding applications and gaming. The tablet also comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It’s important to note that the storage is not expandable via microSD card. The inclusion of fast UFS storage contributes to quick app loading times and smooth overall performance.

AI Features
HONOR has integrated several AI-powered features into the Pad V9 to enhance productivity and user experience. These include:

• AI Voice Recording Synchronization: Real-time voice-to-text conversion with multi-person and multi-language support.
• AI Typesetting & Summary: One-click note organization with automatic key point extraction.
• Formula Handwriting & Editing: Support for inserting and editing handwritten formulas, including LaTeX.
• AI Voiceprint Noise Cancellation: Filters out background noise during calls and online meetings.
• AI Defocus Comfort Display: Intelligently adjusts the display to reduce eye strain.
• AI Magic Circle: Context-aware tool within HONOR Notes for actions like handwriting-to-text conversion and font adjustments.
• 3D Avatar: A customizable animated avatar that interacts on the lock screen.
• Magic Portal: Provides quick access to relevant apps and services based on on-screen content.

These AI features aim to streamline workflows, improve note-taking efficiency, and enhance the overall usability of the tablet.

Battery
The HONOR Pad V9 packs a substantial 10100mAh battery, which provides excellent battery life. Users can expect to get through a full day of moderate to heavy use without needing to recharge. The tablet supports 35W wired fast charging, allowing for relatively quick top-ups. The power-efficient MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite chipset also contributes to the impressive battery endurance. In terms of performance, the tablet feels snappy and responsive in daily use. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and even graphically intensive games run well at high settings, often achieving 60fps.

Camera
The HONOR Pad V9 features a 13MP rear camera with autofocus and an 8MP front-facing camera. While the camera system is not the primary focus of this tablet, it is adequate for basic tablet tasks such as video calls, document scanning, and occasional snapshots in well-lit conditions. Image quality is decent for a tablet, with sufficient detail and colour accuracy in good lighting. The front-facing camera is suitable for video conferencing and selfies. The tablet can record videos at up to 4K resolution at 30fps.

Performance
The HONOR Pad V9 delivers a solid overall performance, excelling in several key areas. The combination of the capable Dimensity 8350 Elite chipset, ample RAM, and fast storage ensures a smooth and responsive user experience for a wide range of tasks, from productivity and media consumption to gaming. The vibrant 144Hz display enhances the visual experience, making scrolling and animations feel incredibly fluid. The long-lasting battery life is another significant advantage, allowing you to stay productive and entertained throughout the day. The inclusion of a suite of AI-powered features further elevates the tablet’s usability, particularly for note-taking and multitasking.

Verdict
The HONOR Pad V9 stands out as a well-rounded mid-range tablet that offers a compelling package of features and performance at an attractive price. Its sleek design, vibrant high-refresh-rate display, capable performance, excellent battery life, and thoughtful AI enhancements make it a strong contender against competitors in its segment. While it may lack some premium features like an OLED display, HDR support, and expandable storage, the HONOR Pad V9 delivers a surprisingly premium experience for its cost.

It’s an ideal choice for students, professionals, and anyone looking for a versatile tablet for productivity, entertainment, and everyday use. The availability of useful accessories such as the Magic Pencil 3 and Smart Keyboard further enhances its value proposition. If you’re seeking a feature-rich Android tablet that doesn’t break the bank, the HONOR Pad V9 is definitely worth considering. The HONOR Pad V9 thus walks away with the Gadget Voize Recommended award!

Price: AED 1699

The HUAWEI Mate XT | ULTIMATE DESIGN has proven a hit among consumers since its launch in February in the UAE market. The phone first offered only the 1TB storage option, which allowed users a great deal of flexibility in storage. To make the smartphone more accessible to a wider market, Huawei has now introduced a 512GB version of the world’s first-ever commercial tri-fold phone with a much more accessible price point. Available on Huawei’s official online platforms and in select retail stores, the HUAWEI Mate XT | ULTIMATE DESIGN 512GB version is priced at AED 10,999 with free gifts worth AED 2898. It comes with a tablet-sized 10.2-inch screen that folds into the size of a regular smartphone.

For a tri-fold phone, the HUAWEI Mate XT is only slightly thicker than a regular phone when folded with the three folds stacked together. When fully unfolded, it becomes the thinnest foldable in the world, measuring just 3.6mm. It is a result of a slew of innovations, including the ultra-thin leather on the back, which adds a touch of subtle luxury. The HUAWEI Mate XT also introduces the 3K HUAWEI X-True Display. With its Multiview in One experience, it redefines what a smartphone display can do, supporting seamless transitions between single, dual, and triple-screen modes. This flexibility lets users enjoy an all-in-one device that is a smartphone, tablet, and even somewhat like a laptop.

The Mate XT features a 10-step adjustable physical aperture in its extremely thin and light body. The HUAWEI XMAGE camera system covers ultra-wide angles to 5.5x telephoto, making it easy to capture both close-up details and faraway subjects. The Ultra Speed Snapshot feature ensures fast-moving subjects are captured with stunning clarity.

What makes this tri-fold smartphone possible is the extremely advanced hinge system. Not only does it fold and unfold smoothly with effortless precision, but also manages to fold inward and outward while maintaining its slim profile. To ensure the durability of this complex folding mechanism, Huawei uses ultra-high strength steel that delivers reliable folding even under stress from continuous and frequent opening and closing. Now with the new 512GB option, Huawei is making its latest and greatest smartphone innovation more accessible than ever.

Samsung Gulf Electronics has expanded its tablet lineup with the launch of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, bringing premium features to more users in the region. Designed as accessible gateways to Samsung’s ecosystem, these new models combine immersive displays, enhanced performance, and AI-driven productivity tools in sleek, portable designs.

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ debuts with a 13.1-inch display, the largest ever in the FE series, featuring slimmer bezels for a more expansive viewing area. Both tablets boast a 90Hz refresh rate for fluid visuals and 800 nits HBM brightness, ensuring clarity even outdoors. Samsung’s Vision Booster technology dynamically adjusts screen settings for optimal visibility, while reduced blue light emission helps minimize eye strain during extended use.

Fadi Abu Shamat, Vice President and Head of the Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: “With the new Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series, we’re bringing Samsung’s powerful Galaxy AI and connected ecosystem into the hands of even more users in the UAE, unlocking new levels of productivity, creativity and immersion. Designed with ultra-slim bezels, expansive displays and seamless integration, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE empowers users to work, create and connect in smarter and more meaningful ways.”

Under the hood, the Tab S10 FE series delivers upgraded performance for multitasking, gaming, and creative work. A refined 13MP rear camera captures sharp photos, while the tablets’ slimmer, lighter builds (over 4% lighter than predecessors) enhance on-the-go usability. Durability is a highlight too—both models carry an IP68 rating, matching the flagship Tab S10 series for dust and water resistance.

As the first FE tablets with built-in AI capabilities, the S10 FE series introduces tools to streamline work and creativity:

1. Circle to Search: Instantly Google anything on-screen without leaving your app.
2. Samsung Notes AI: Features like Solve Math and Handwriting Help simplify note-taking.
3. Enhanced Photo Editing: Object Eraser, Best Face, and Auto Trim refine images and videos effortlessly.
4. Galaxy AI Key: Dedicated keyboard button for quick AI assistant access.

Preloaded creative apps like LumaFusion, Goodnotes, and Clip Studio Paint further cater to artists and professionals. The tablets sync effortlessly with other Samsung devices, offering SmartThings controls and 3D Map View for smart home management. Security is fortified by Samsung Knox, providing defense-grade protection for sensitive data.

The Samsung Tab S10 FE series is available in various configurations with differing prices inclusive of VAT in AED. The Wi-Fi-only model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage is priced at AED 1,849, while the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant costs AED 2,149. For the 5G-enabled versions, the 8GB/128GB model is priced at AED 2,199, and the 12GB/256GB configuration costs AED 2,499. The larger Tab S10 FE Plus (Wi-Fi) is priced at AED 2,449 for the 8GB/128GB version and AED 2,749 for the 12GB/256GB version. Finally, the 5G-equipped Tab S10 FE Plus models are priced at AED 2,799 for the 8GB/128GB option and reach AED 3,099 for the top-tier 12GB/256GB configuration.