The HONOR Pad GT2 Pro Made Me Rethink Tablet Gaming

Nick Papanikolopoulos

July 23, 2025

HONOR just dropped a new tablet alongside the X70 smartphone, and… it’s a lot. The Pad GT2 Pro doesn’t feel like your average big-screen Android device. It’s bold—maybe too bold? But also kind of refreshing in how much it tries to do.

Wait, This Is a Tablet?

So, here’s the thing: on paper, the HONOR Pad GT2 Pro sounds almost like it’s picking a fight with laptops. A 12.5-inch screen, 3K resolution, 165Hz refresh rate. Honestly, it’s overkill for most people. And yet, that’s part of the appeal. The display is unbelievably sharp—HDR Vivid, IMAX Enhanced, 1000 nits of brightness, and more colors than your eyes probably need. It’s the kind of screen that makes you stop mid-scroll because everything just looks… better.

Inside, it runs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, backed by up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. There’s also this big 3D heat dissipation system—kind of wild for a tablet, but I guess if you’re gaming hard enough, it makes sense?

A Gamer’s Dream, But Not Loud About It

Even though HONOR is clearly pitching this to gamers, the device doesn’t look the part. It’s super thin (5.95mm), metal build, clean design. No aggressive styling. No RGB lights. If you saw it on a coffee shop table, you’d probably assume it was just some premium productivity tablet.

But dig into the features, and yeah, it’s definitely tuned for play. Eight speakers with spatial audio, low-latency gyroscope enhancements, and this odd-sounding 500-meter Wi-Fi coverage thing. (That might be a stretch, but hey—if it helps your connection stay stable, who’s complaining?)

Also, there’s keyboard and mouse mapping. That’s not flashy, but it really matters if you’re trying to replicate a PC-like feel on the go. I tried something similar with a different HONOR tablet last year and was honestly surprised by how usable it was.

Read Also: Lenovo Xiaoxin Pro GT: Flagship Specs in a Shockingly Thin Body

Android, But With Some Baggage

It ships with MagicOS 9.0.1 on top of Android 15. That’s fairly current, though HONOR’s interface can be… a mixed bag. It’s not bad, just a bit rigid if you’re used to something like Pixel UI. Some people get used to it fast. Others, not so much.

Camera-wise? There’s a 13MP sensor on the back and 8MP up front. You’ll use it for Zoom, maybe a quick scan. Don’t expect much more.

Pricing That’s Hard to Argue With

The HONOR Pad GT2 Pro starts at 2,499 yuan (around $348 USD) and goes up to 3,399 yuan ($473) for the top model. That includes 16GB RAM and half a terabyte of storage. That kind of hardware at this price point? Yeah, it’s aggressive. Maybe too aggressive. Feels like they’re trying to undercut competitors by sheer force.

You’ll find it in Crystal White or Phantom Gray, starting July 28 in China. Global availability? No word yet.

Who’s It For, Though?

This is the tricky part. It’s not strictly a gaming tablet. It’s not just for students or artists or streamers either. It’s like HONOR threw everything in to see what sticks. And maybe that’s okay. It’s for someone who wants more from a tablet without spending iPad Pro money. Or maybe someone who wants a gaming device that doesn’t scream “gamer.” Or just someone curious. Not everyone will get it. That’s fine. But those who do? They might not want to go back.

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