Huawei MatePad Pro Papermatte Edition Review
Design & Build
If you’re used to handling a tablet, the weight of the MatePad Pro can come as a surprise. It’s lighter than you think it’s going to be, something that comes down to a couple of design decisions. One is the OLED screen – these can be thinner and lighter than multi-layered LCD designs – and the other is the battery. By running a smaller battery at a higher voltage, Huawei claims to get extra capacity out of it. It has a thin profile with rounded edges, and while you’ll definitely notice it’s there, it’s easy to slip into a bag.
Features & Performance
The Kirin T91 is an eight-core chipset that’s strangely anonymous, with little information about it available online. We do know it’s using the Arm-A510 architecture from the Snapdragon 8, in three clusters with a prime core that runs up to 2.19GHz. This, combined with the 12GB of RAM, provides ample performance for most applications and the ability to swap smoothly between them too.
Screen
The screen is a dual-layer OLED with Huawei’s anti-reflection Papermatte coating over it, and this makes it an excellent thing to read or draw on. There’s a certain graininess to the display if you look closely enough, but the pixel density is high enough for that not to matter much. The screen also picks up fingerprints easily – there’s even a cleaning cloth in the box – so being able to keep your sticky paws away from it helps keep the device looking neat.
Software
The software is always something worth looking at on Huawei devices, as the Chinese company’s implementation of Android – HarmonyOS – diverges from stock and includes some interesting ideas along with one big issue, the lack of the Google Play Store. There are ways around this, and it’s a lot easier than sideloading apps on something like a Kindle Fire, but if you’re invested in the Google ecosystem then this might not be the Android tablet for you. One thing to watch out for is that, the first time you open the App Gallery (Huawei’s app store), it asks to install a lot of bloatware and other unnecessary apps. Happily, there’s a ‘no’ button.
Battery Life
Battery life is hard to gauge, as the PCMark test we usually use in the Cupboard of Heck wouldn’t run. The tablet’s internal estimation – 64 hours in performance mode, and 87 with battery saver activated – seems a tiny bit inflated to us, but we had no problems with keeping it going all day, with power left over.
Price
The Huawei MatePad Pro Papermatte retails for £799 on Huawei’s online store. You can get an iPad Air, or a OnePlus Tab 2 with a load of accessories, for the price of the MatePad Pro. This high price may be its downfall, as despite the excellent screen, and the easy way its keyboard case and stylus work with the core machine, the sheer number of competing tablets in the same or lower price category will temp potential users away. However, for a hyper-portable laptop replacement with creative potential, it may be worth the price to some.
Conclusion
The Huawei MatePad Pro Papermatte Edition is an excellent Android tablet with a standout screen and great performance. While its software limitations may be a drawback for some, it’s an excellent option for those looking for a hyper-portable laptop replacement with creative potential.
FAQs
Q: Is the Huawei MatePad Pro Papermatte Edition worth the price?
A: It depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a high-end Android tablet with a great screen and good performance, it may be worth the price. However, if you’re on a budget or looking for a more affordable option, you may want to consider other tablets.
Q: Can I use Google Play Store on the Huawei MatePad Pro Papermatte Edition?
A: No, the Huawei MatePad Pro Papermatte Edition does not come with the Google Play Store pre-installed. However, you can access the App Gallery (Huawei’s app store) and sideload apps manually.
Q: How does the battery life of the Huawei MatePad Pro Papermatte Edition compare to other tablets?
A: The battery life of the Huawei MatePad Pro Papermatte Edition is estimated to be around 64 hours in performance mode and 87 hours with battery saver activated. This is comparable to other tablets in its class, but the actual battery life may vary depending on usage.
