Honor appears to be preparing to expand its lineup of affordable tablets, as a new model, the Honor Pad X9a, has been spotted on a certification website in the UAE. This discovery suggests that the company may be planning to introduce the device soon. While official details are still scarce, the certification listing provides the first glimpse at this upcoming tablet.
Honor Pad X9a Spotted on TDRA
The Honor Pad X9a was recently seen in the TDRA (Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority) database, hinting at an imminent launch. This comes shortly after another Honor tablet, the Honor Pad V9, was also spotted on the same certification platform just last month. The Pad X9a appears under the model number ELN2-W29, and based on the listing, it seems to be a Wi-Fi-only variant, as no mention of cellular connectivity was made.
However, the certification does not reveal much beyond the model number and connectivity details. Specifications, design, and a potential release timeline remain unknown at this stage. Despite the lack of detailed information, this listing confirms that Honor is working on a new budget-friendly tablet that could soon make its way to the market.
Successor to the Honor Pad X8a?
Judging by its name, the Honor Pad X9a is likely to be the successor to the Honor Pad X8a, which was launched last year. If that is the case, users can expect some improvements in specifications and features while maintaining the budget-friendly positioning of its predecessor.
To put things into perspective, the Honor Pad X8a featured an 11-inch TFT LCD display with a Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, making it a decent choice for media consumption and casual gaming. Under the hood, it was powered by the Snapdragon 680 processor, a capable chipset for everyday tasks and light gaming. It was paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, providing enough space for apps, media, and work-related tasks.

A key highlight of the Honor Pad X8a was its battery life. The device came with a sizable 8,300mAh battery, which allowed for extended use on a single charge. Despite packing a large battery, it maintained a slim and lightweight design, measuring just 7.25mm in thickness and weighing 495 grams. In terms of cameras, it housed a 5MP rear camera along with a 5MP front-facing camera, which were adequate for video calls and basic photography needs. Additionally, the tablet featured a quad-speaker setup, enhancing the audio experience for watching videos, gaming, and listening to music.
What to Expect from the Honor Pad X9a
If Honor follows the same pattern as its previous budget tablets, the Pad X9a may retain some of the features that made the X8a a popular choice while incorporating a few notable upgrades. Here are some possible improvements that the new tablet could bring:
- Display Enhancements – The Honor Pad X9a could feature an improved screen, possibly with a better panel technology such as an IPS LCD for better color accuracy and viewing angles. There is also a chance that the display size could be slightly increased or that it could support an even higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling and gaming.
- More Powerful Processor – While the Snapdragon 680 used in the Pad X8a was decent, it was not the most powerful chip in its segment. Honor may opt for a more recent chipset in the Pad X9a, such as the Snapdragon 685 or a MediaTek alternative, to provide better performance in multitasking and gaming.
- Higher RAM and Storage Variants – The previous model came with a single 4GB RAM and 128GB storage configuration. With increasing app sizes and software demands, Honor could introduce a higher RAM variant (perhaps 6GB or 8GB) or offer more storage options to cater to different user needs.
- Larger Battery or Faster Charging – The Honor Pad X8a already had a solid 8,300mAh battery, but the new model could either increase this capacity further or introduce faster charging technology to reduce downtime when recharging the device.
- Software Improvements – Honor could bring software optimizations and enhancements with the latest version of Magic UI, built on Android, to provide a smoother and more refined user experience. Features like better multitasking capabilities, split-screen functionality, and stylus support could make the tablet even more versatile.
Possible Launch and Availability
Although there is no official word on when the Honor Pad X9a will be launched, its appearance on the TDRA certification suggests that the release might not be too far away. The certification process usually indicates that the device is in its final stages of development and is being prepared for launch in select markets.
If Honor follows its usual launch pattern, the Pad X9a could first debut in China before expanding to global markets, including regions like the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Since the previous Pad X8a was positioned as an affordable tablet, it is likely that the new model will also be priced competitively to attract budget-conscious buyers looking for an entertainment and productivity-focused tablet.
Honor appears to be gearing up for another budget-friendly tablet launch with the Pad X9a. While official details are still limited, its listing on the TDRA certification website suggests that an announcement could be coming soon. If it serves as a successor to the Honor Pad X8a, users can expect an affordable device with a large display, decent performance, a long-lasting battery, and solid audio features.