The Honor MagicPad 3, priced at £600, positions itself as a premium Android tablet with a sleek design, a massive 13.3-inch display, eight speakers, and a 12,450mAh silicon-carbon battery that promises exceptional longevity. Marketed as an iPad alternative, it boasts features like a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, Wi-Fi 7 support, and compatibility with accessories like the Smart Touch Keyboard and Magic Pencil.
However, despite its impressive specs, hands-on testing reveals several shortcomings that may deter buyers. This blog outlines the top 5 reasons to avoid the Honor MagicPad 3, based on insights from a detailed YouTube review, while also highlighting its strengths and suggesting better alternatives for UK buyers in 2025.
Overview of the Honor MagicPad 3
Here’s a quick look at the tablet’s key specifications:
- Price: £600 (bundled with Smart Touch Keyboard in some regions).
- Display: 13.3-inch LCD, 3200 x 2136 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, 1,000 nits peak brightness, HDR10+ support.
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage.
- Battery: 12,450mAh silicon-carbon with 66W fast charging.
- Software: MagicOS 9 based on Android 15.
- Other Features: Eight speakers with DTS:X Ultra, Wi-Fi 7, 9MP front camera, 13MP rear camera, no fingerprint sensor.
The MagicPad 3 shines with its premium aluminum build, textured finish, and robust battery life, but its flaws make it less competitive in a crowded tablet market. Let’s dive into the reasons to reconsider this device.
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the Honor MagicPad 3
1. Unreliable Software Support
Running MagicOS 9 on Android 15, the MagicPad 3 offers a decent interface with AI features like Magic Portal for text extraction and multitasking capabilities for up to three apps. However, Honor’s software update policy is a major concern. Unlike its smartphones, which promise seven years of OS and security updates, the MagicPad 3’s support is unclear, with estimates ranging from one to two OS updates depending on the region.
Competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra guarantee seven years of updates, making the MagicPad 3 a risky choice for long-term reliability. The software also exhibits quirks, such as an intrusive top bar in apps like Chrome, which obstructs tabs and hinders navigation, diminishing the premium £600 experience.
2. Subpar Audio Performance
The MagicPad 3 boasts eight speakers with DTS:X Ultra and IMAX Enhanced support, promising an immersive audio experience. However, the speakers disappoint with average loudness and a noticeable lack of bass, making explosions and action scenes in movies or games feel flat. In noisy environments, the maximum volume struggles to deliver clear sound, falling short of competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 series, which offer punchier, louder audio. For a tablet marketed for media consumption, this is a significant letdown, especially at £600, where expectations for audiovisual quality are high.
3. Oversensitive Touchscreen Issues
The 13.3-inch LCD display is a highlight, with a 3.2K resolution (3200 x 2136), 165Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support, delivering crisp visuals and vibrant colors. However, the touchscreen is overly sensitive, becoming unresponsive if a thumb slightly overlaps the edge while holding the tablet.
This issue disrupts tasks like typing or gaming, requiring users to adjust their grip carefully. While the display supports eye comfort features like AI Defocus and motion sickness relief, the touch sensitivity flaw undermines usability, particularly for a device this size, where edge grip is common.
4. Unstable and Limited Keyboard Accessory
The bundled Smart Touch Keyboard serves as both a protective cover and a stand, but its design has some flaws. The stand is wobbly when poked, making it unstable for touchscreen interactions, and the keyboard lacks backlighting, hindering use in low-light settings. The cursor keys are prone to accidental presses, and the lap-based typing experience is awkward due to the tablet’s 595g weight and size.
Unlike competitors like the OnePlus Pad 3, whose keyboard supports detached use, the MagicPad 3’s keyboard relies on a constant Bluetooth connection, limiting flexibility. These issues make it less ideal for productivity compared to alternatives.
5. Lack of Fingerprint Sensor and Limited Connectivity
The MagicPad 3 relies solely on face verification for security, lacking a fingerprint sensor, which is a notable omission for a £600 tablet. While face unlock is reliable, it’s less convenient in low-light or high-contrast settings, forcing users to input a PIN. Additionally, the tablet lacks LTE/SIM support, relying entirely on Wi-Fi 7 or hotspotting for connectivity, which is inconvenient for mobile use. Competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 series offer cellular options, and the absence of a headphone jack further limits versatility, as Bluetooth streaming is the only audio output option.
Alternatives to Consider
For £600, better options exist in the UK market:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Offers a 14.6-inch AMOLED display, superior speakers, seven years of software updates, and optional 5G connectivity for a premium experience.
- OnePlus Pad 3: Features a Snapdragon 8 Elite, smoother OxygenOS with Open Canvas multitasking, and a more stable keyboard, ideal for productivity and media.
- Apple iPad Air (M2): Provides a 13-inch display, robust app ecosystem, and long-term software support, though slightly pricier.
- OnePlus Pad Lite: A budget-friendly option with strong performance for casual use, though with a smaller screen.
These alternatives address the MagicPad 3’s weaknesses in software support, audio, and connectivity while offering comparable or better performance.
The Honor MagicPad 3 impresses with its slim design, massive battery, and capable hardware, but its unreliable software updates, lackluster audio, oversensitive touchscreen, unstable keyboard, and missing features like a fingerprint sensor and LTE make it a hard sell at £600. For UK buyers seeking a premium tablet in 2025, alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra or OnePlus Pad 3 offer better value and refinement. If you prioritize battery life and design over software longevity, the MagicPad 3 might still appeal, but proceed with caution. What’s your take on this tablet? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
