Verdict on the Honor MagicPad 3: The best tablet for audio lovers in 2025 doesn't come from Apple
As modern tablets become increasingly thinner, there's correspondingly less space for integrated speakers. Does this mean that good sound always has to be put on the back burner, making external speakers a must-have?
No, at least when it comes to multimedia purposes such as watching movies and series or for an immersive audio experience while gaming. Large tablets are a good choice here. Anyone who thought that the Apple iPad Pro 13 was the gold standard in terms of speaker quality should think twice now in view of the Honor MagicPad 3.
The premium mid-range tablet from the Chinese manufacturer has a slim chassis with a thickness of just 5.8 millimeters, but the spatial audio speakers are the real highlight of the Honor MagicPad 3. Four of the speakers are responsible for the low tones, while the other four handle the high frequencies.
In terms of sound quality, the mid-range tablet significantly outperforms other tablets in the same class, producing a very balanced, full soundscape. There's even bass in the mix, so a small room can be adequately filled with sound, and even at maximum volume, the speakers don't really distort.
Our measurements confirm that the Honor tablet has one of the most balanced mids and lows available. Even much more expensive tablets, like an Apple iPad Pro 13, generate worse pink noise results.
Android tablet with many Bluetooth codecs compared to an iPad Pro
Another important question for audio enthusiasts who want to fill a large room or party with sound is: How can the tablet be connected to an external speaker?
Although the Apple iPad Pro 13 (2024) supports modern Bluetooth, the available Bluetooth audio codecs are very limited. It primarily supports the AAC codec and the SBC standard. iPad users will look in vain for high-quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX HD or LDAC, which limits the choice of compatible Bluetooth speakers, especially if high-quality audio transmission is important. Here, too, the Honor MagicPad 3 is better positioned.
Interested readers are advised to read our detailed review of the MagicPad 3 for further information.
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Review of the MagicPad 3
