With a huge 13-inch display, a 10,100mAh battery and familiar Android productivity tools, HONOR’s Pad X9b Max makes a convincing case for going big, although its size brings compromises of its own.

BY Srijith KN, Senior Editor, Integrator Media

The HONOR Pad X9b Max makes its intentions clear almost immediately. With a 13-inch display, this is not a tablet designed primarily around compactness. It wants to give you enough screen to watch, browse, multitask and, increasingly, get some proper work done.

That became the most interesting part of my time with it.

Rather than approaching the Pad X9b Max purely as an entertainment device, I connected a Bluetooth keyboard and began using it for documents, browsing, ChatGPT and some of the everyday tasks I would normally reach for my laptop to handle.

The result is a tablet that gets surprisingly close to feeling like a lightweight workstation in the right circumstances, although whether you would actually leave the laptop behind is a slightly more complicated question.

A 13-inch display that makes a difference

The headline feature is undoubtedly that 13-inch LCD display.

At 2500 × 1560 resolution and with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, there is plenty of space here for websites, documents and video. But the more important point is simply how much larger everything feels when you start working on it.

I happened to have a Huawei MatePad 11.5 alongside the HONOR during testing, and putting the two next to each other made the difference immediately apparent. The Huawei feels much more like a conventional portable tablet. The Pad X9b Max begins moving into laptop territory.

Documents have more room to breathe, websites feel less constrained and working with text is particularly pleasant. I noticed this while using ChatGPT, where longer conversations almost began to resemble working inside a document rather than interacting with a mobile application.

The 120Hz refresh rate also helps keep scrolling and general navigation fluid, while the large canvas makes multitasking considerably more attractive than it is on smaller tablets.

There is, however, an obvious trade-off.

A 13-inch tablet isn’t something I would choose specifically because I wanted the smallest device possible in my bag. The size that makes the X9b Max so appealing on a desk is also what makes smaller tablets easier to carry and use casually.

That’s the fundamental compromise here: I prefer the HONOR when I’m sitting down to work; I prefer the idea of a smaller tablet when I have to carry it.

Productivity becomes part of the proposition

Pair the Pad X9b Max with a keyboard and the large display begins making considerably more sense.

I used a Kensington Bluetooth keyboard during testing, and the combination worked well for writing, browsing and moving between applications. Microsoft Word introduced its own subscription-related complications, but that’s more a reflection of Microsoft’s software model than a limitation of HONOR’s hardware.

The wider Android ecosystem is also important. With MagicOS and access to familiar Google applications, getting my usual collection of services onto the tablet was straightforward.

My review unit comes with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, so this isn’t hardware I would position as a replacement for a high-performance notebook. But for everyday productivity — web applications, writing, email, research, media and lighter multitasking — the experience makes a convincing argument for using the tablet instead of reaching for a laptop every time.

Expandable storage also gives the X9b Max additional flexibility for users carrying large collections of documents or media.

Built for entertainment too

Of course, productivity is only half the appeal of having this much screen.

The Pad X9b Max’s size makes video one of its natural strengths. HONOR has paired the display with a quad-speaker system, DTS:X Ultra and IMAX Enhanced support, reinforcing the tablet’s entertainment credentials.

And this is where having 13 inches requires considerably less justification. Video simply benefits from the additional scale, whether you’re watching from a desk, sofa or bed.

It also means the Pad X9b Max can comfortably switch roles during the day: a document and browser screen while working, followed by a sizeable personal entertainment display once the keyboard goes away.

A battery built for the bigger canvas

Powering all of this is a 10,100mAh battery, paired with support for up to 45W HONOR SuperCharge.

The large capacity makes sense considering the size and resolution of the display. More importantly, battery life is critical for a tablet being positioned as both an entertainment device and a productivity companion. Having to constantly look for a charger would undermine much of the convenience of leaving a laptop behind.

We wouldn’t reproduce HONOR’s laboratory endurance claims as our own results here; for the VAR piece, the more relevant point is that HONOR has equipped its largest screen with an appropriately substantial battery.

Verdict

The HONOR Pad X9b Max succeeds because its 13-inch display isn’t merely a specification designed to look impressive on the box. It materially changes what the tablet is good at.

There is substantially more room for documents, browsing, multitasking and content, and adding a keyboard transforms it into a surprisingly useful desk-based productivity device.

But its greatest strength also creates its biggest compromise. At this size, the X9b Max isn’t as effortless to carry around as a smaller tablet, and once you add a keyboard, you inevitably start comparing the entire setup with taking a laptop instead.

That makes the Pad X9b Max particularly appealing for someone who wants one large-screen device capable of moving between work and entertainment, rather than someone whose priority is maximum portability.

It hasn’t made my Dell redundant.

But it has made me reach for it less often, and for a tablet this size, that’s probably the more meaningful achievement.

Reviewed By Srijith KN, Senior Editor, Integrator

The result is a portable charger that feels purpose-built for the daily commute. Rather than requiring a backpack, it slips easily into a pocket. When you factor in the built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a carrying strap, the AC22 becomes a surprisingly practical solution for professionals moving between meetings, flights, and remote workspaces.

A Different Approach to High-Density Power

The first thing that stands out about the PicoGo AC22 is its size-to-output ratio. Baseus utilises a dual-cell silicon-carbon battery chemistry, which allows the unit to remain exceptionally compact while delivering a 45W maximum output. On paper, 45W is a technical specification. In practice, it becomes the charger’s defining advantage. It provides enough current to fast-charge flagship smartphones from zero to fifty percent in under thirty minutes, and can even sustain smaller USB-C laptops during a layover.

The integrated eight-inch USB-C cable makes the concept even more practical. A secondary USB-C port allows for simultaneous dual-device charging, though output drops to a combined 5V/3A when both are in use. A smart digital display clearly indicates the remaining battery percentage, removing the guesswork often associated with four-LED indicator systems.

Design That Feels Ready for Travel

The AC22 is constructed with travel in mind. Weighing just 170 grams, it carries full TSA compliance for airline carry-on. The built-in cable is robust enough to act as a lanyard, though its short length means you cannot easily use your phone while the charger sits in your pocket.

This combination feels particularly relevant for airport lounges, cafes, and conference centres. The unit does generate noticeable warmth during sustained 45W output, but a comprehensive seven-point safety system manages thermal limits effectively. It recharges fully in roughly two hours via a 30W input, ensuring it is ready for the next leg of the journey.

For users who require magnetic attachment or wireless charging, Baseus offers the sibling AM52 model. However, for those prioritising rapid wired charging in the smallest possible format, the PicoGo AC22 delivers reliable, predictable power without the usual bulk.

With an 8,100mAh battery, extensive durability credentials and a starting price of AED 899, HONOR’s latest affordable smartphone focuses its attention on the essentials that matter in everyday use.

By Srijith KN, VAR

The affordable smartphone market is becoming increasingly competitive, with manufacturers having to make careful decisions about where specifications matter and where compromises can be made. The HONOR X7e Plus 5G takes a fairly straightforward approach to that challenge.

Rather than positioning itself around flagship-level performance or photography, the device concentrates on three areas: battery life, durability and everyday usability. After spending time with the phone, those priorities become immediately apparent.

A Surprisingly Solid Design

The Desert Gold review unit makes a strong first impression. Despite using a plastic rear panel, the X7e Plus 5G does not immediately look or feel like an inexpensive smartphone. Its rounded edges, restrained HONOR branding and gold finish give it a clean appearance, while the overall construction feels reassuringly solid.

It is, however, a substantial device. Users who prefer smaller or lighter smartphones will notice both its dimensions and weight. That trade-off becomes easier to understand once you consider the unusually large battery inside.

Durability is also central to the proposition. HONOR claims certified drop resistance of up to 2.5 metres, complemented by IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings for protection against dust and water.

Those certifications should not be mistaken for indestructibility, but they provide additional reassurance for users working outdoors or regularly using their phones in more demanding environments.

Battery

If there is one feature that defines the X7e Plus 5G, it is the 8,100mAh battery.

In everyday use, the additional capacity changes the relationship users have with charging. With moderate to relatively heavy usage, getting around two days from the device is realistic, although actual endurance will naturally depend on individual usage.

That makes the phone particularly interesting for field professionals, frequent travellers and users who simply do not want to think about finding a charger every evening.

HONOR complements the battery with 45W HONOR SuperCharge, while reverse charging enables the smartphone to provide power to other compatible devices. The charger and cable are also included in the box — increasingly worth mentioning at a time when complete smartphone packages have become less common.

Display and Everyday Performance

The front is dominated by a large 6.87-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Its size makes the X7e Plus 5G particularly comfortable for video consumption, reading and navigation, while 120Hz helps scrolling and general interface animations feel fluid.

This is not, however, a performance-focused smartphone.

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 handles browsing, messaging, streaming and routine applications adequately, but users accustomed to higher-end hardware will notice the difference in responsiveness. That distinction matters: the X7e Plus 5G makes considerably more sense as a dependable everyday device than as a smartphone for demanding gaming or performance-heavy workloads.

Camera: Functional Rather Than Exceptional

The camera system follows a similar philosophy.

The 50MP main camera can produce respectable photographs when lighting conditions are favourable, while video recording reaches 1080p. For casual photography, sharing on social media and documenting everyday moments, the results are perfectly usable.

Low-light photography exposes more of the hardware’s limitations, while the 5MP front-facing camera could deliver better light capture and detail. There is also no optical image stabilisation.

Photography enthusiasts should therefore look elsewhere. The cameras fulfil their purpose, but they are not the reason to buy this phone.

AI Gets a Dedicated Button

HONOR has also incorporated several AI-oriented features, including AI Image-to-Video 2.0, which can transform still photographs into short video content using prompts and templates.

More interesting from an everyday usability perspective is the dedicated AI Button. Separate from the power key, it can provide quick access to selected functions, while a double press can launch the camera from the lock screen. Gestures can also be customised to launch different applications and tools.

Dedicated AI and programmable hardware buttons are becoming increasingly common across smartphones, and HONOR’s implementation adds another useful shortcut rather than fundamentally changing the experience.

Audio performance is similarly straightforward. The speakers provide sufficient clarity for dialogue, calls, YouTube and casual music listening, although users seeking a richer entertainment experience will still benefit from headphones or an external speaker.

VAR Verdict

At AED 899, the HONOR X7e Plus 5G is a smartphone built around clearly defined priorities.

Performance is adequate rather than exciting, the cameras are not a standout feature, and its considerable size and weight will not suit everyone. But HONOR has compensated in areas that may matter considerably more to its intended audience.

The combination of an 8,100mAh battery, 45W charging, 120Hz display and extensive durability credentials creates an appealing proposition for users who prioritise endurance and resilience over outright performance.

For field professionals, outdoor workers, frequent travellers or simply anyone looking for a large smartphone that can comfortably handle everyday essentials without constantly reaching for a charger, the X7e Plus 5G makes considerable sense.

It isn’t trying to be the fastest or most sophisticated smartphone at AED 899. It is designed to keep working, and that clarity of purpose is arguably its greatest strength.

Price & Availability

The HONOR X7e Plus 5G is priced from AED 899 in the UAE and is available in Desert Gold, Meteor Silver and Velvet Black through HONOR’s online store and authorised retail partners.

For years, foldable smartphones have existed within a category shaped by compromise. Users typically had to choose between slim form factors and flagship-grade performance, with many foldables sacrificing battery life, imaging capabilities, or long-term usability in favour of portability and design.

OPPO’s new Find N6 appears designed to challenge that equation directly.

With the Find N6, OPPO is positioning foldables less as experimental devices and more as fully capable flagship smartphones that happen to fold. The device combines a slimmer profile with flagship imaging, next-generation processing, and the largest battery yet seen within the Find N series, signalling how rapidly the foldable segment itself is evolving.

A New Hasselblad Imaging System

At the centre of the device is OPPO’s new Hasselblad Master Camera System, led by a 200MP Hasselblad Ultra-Clear Main Camera alongside a 50MP periscope telephoto lens supporting 6x optical-quality zoom and up to 120x digital zoom.

The system also integrates a redesigned ultra-wide camera and OPPO’s True Color Camera sensor technology aimed at improving white balance and colour accuracy across different lighting conditions.

The Find N6 additionally inherits several imaging capabilities from OPPO’s Find X flagship lineup, including the LUMO Image Engine, Hasselblad Portrait Mode, Hasselblad Master Mode, and XPAN-style panoramic photography modes designed to emulate cinematic film aesthetics.

Bringing Flagship Video Features to Foldables

Video also forms a major part of the Find N6’s flagship positioning. All three rear cameras support 4K 60fps Dolby Vision recording, while the main 200MP sensor additionally supports 4K 120fps Dolby Vision capture for higher frame-rate workflows.

The inclusion of Log video support also pushes the device further toward professional and enthusiast creators looking for greater flexibility during post-production and colour grading workflows.

Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Performance is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, featuring the third-generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU architecture.

According to OPPO, the platform delivers improvements in both performance and power efficiency, helping the foldable maintain smoother multitasking and sustained workloads without heavily compromising battery endurance.

The newer Adreno GPU architecture also introduces improvements across graphics performance, efficiency, and ray tracing capabilities, reinforcing the device’s flagship-level positioning beyond design alone.

Tackling the Foldable Battery Challenge

Battery life has historically remained one of the biggest limitations within foldable smartphones, largely due to internal space constraints.

OPPO addresses that challenge with a 6,000mAh Silicon-Carbon battery, representing the largest battery integrated into a Find N device to date while maintaining an ultra-slim 8.93mm folded profile.

The device also supports 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging and 50W AIRVOOC wireless charging, helping reduce downtime for users balancing heavy productivity, content creation, and entertainment workloads.

The Foldable Category Is Maturing

More broadly, the Find N6 reflects a wider transition happening across the foldable smartphone category itself.

Earlier generations of foldables were often viewed as engineering showcases that required users to compromise somewhere along the experience. Increasingly, however, newer foldables are attempting to position themselves as mainstream flagship devices capable of matching traditional smartphones across imaging, performance, endurance, and portability simultaneously.

With the Find N6, OPPO appears intent on pushing that transition further, presenting a foldable device focused not only on design innovation, but on delivering a more complete flagship experience without the compromises that once defined the category.